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The Source of Infinite Light
After the candle has burned out, when there is no more wax or wick, that original “candle” no longer exists, but its flame and energy continue to be present in the form of light, heat, ash, and may even become a leaf or a poem… This is the principle of dependent co-arising: all phenomena do not arise from nothing but manifest when conditions are sufficient, and do not disappear but only become hidden when conditions are no longer present. This view is distinct from two opposing wrong views:
- Annihilationism believes that after burning out, nothing remains at all;
- Eternalism believes that the flame remains unchanged forever.
The teachings also point out two more wrong views: Identity view holds that the two flames before and after are one and the same; Difference view holds that they are completely different. Beyond these four propositions (existence – non-existence – both existence and non-existence – neither existence nor non-existence), there is no other way to answer. The practice is to see the unborn nature of all dharmas, meaning not birth and death, but only manifestation and hiding.
Practicing mindfulness and the insight of the Middle Way helps us:
- See that the candle, ourselves, and our loved ones are neither born nor die, transcending notions of birth, death, permanence, annihilation, identity, and difference.
- Understand that past, present, and future inter-are – the past has not disappeared, the future is already present in the now – so we can transform suffering and build happiness in every moment.
Opening Ceremony of the Retreat - Taking Refuge in Amitābha