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Contemplating Dependent Origination, Part 4

Thich Nhat Hanh · February 12, 2012 · Upper Hamlet, Plum Village, France
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Breathing is the doorway that brings us back to ourselves. When breathing in, simply recognize the in-breath—the arising, abiding, and then making way for the out-breath. Each breath is a vivid moment; the in-breath is truly ourselves. Being aware of the quality of the breath (gentle, smooth, labored, blocked…) helps us to understand ourselves more clearly. Practicing sitting meditation or walking meditation for half an hour to an hour each time, patiently keeping our mind with the breath, the breath will become longer, deeper, gentler, and more harmonious, bringing peace. The breathing exercise “In, out, deep, slow, calm, ease, smile, release” brings us back to the wonderful present moment; each breath is a complete, peaceful, and bright moment.

All dharmas are objects of the mind; subject and object rely on each other and arise together. The concept of interbeing expresses this simultaneous, inseparable existence, like left and right, light and shadow. In consciousness, there is function (sakti) and seeds (bija)—hidden, non-localized seeds that only manifest when conditions are sufficient. Suffering, joy, and anger exist in the form of seeds until conditions arise for them to manifest as energy and be recognized through mindfulness. The stream of consciousness continues uninterrupted thanks to simultaneous conditions (anantarapratyaya) and the four kinds of conditions (primary cause, supporting condition, object condition, and immediate condition).

    1. Constant transformation—the seed is always changing to fulfill its function
    1. Definite nature—each seed retains its own quality (wholesome, unwholesome, indeterminate)
    1. Collective condition—many conditions are needed for manifestation; it cannot arise by itself
    1. Fruit led by condition—relying on other conditions to give rise to fruit, like the lotus relying on mud to bloom
    1. Momentary cessation—arising and ceasing in each moment, emphasizing impermanence
    1. Simultaneous presence of fruit—the seed and its fruit are present at the same time, supporting each other
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1h 1m

Contemplating Dependent Co-arising, Part 3

Next Talk February 16, 2012
1h 21m

Contemplating Conditions of Interdependent Arising, Discourse 5