[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [宗鏡錄](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt) › 85.32 # 宗鏡錄 85.32 English (machine translation) 85.32 - **Language:** English ### [85.32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.85.32) The explanation says: ‘Characteristics of distinction are produced by your pervasive conceptualizing and delusional passions; originally they have no reality, just like mistakenly seeing sky-flowers relying on diseased eyes. Therefore it says that all rely on delusional thoughts to have distinctions.’ The doubter also says: ‘By what is it known that they are born relying on delusional thoughts?’ The explanation says: ‘Because the sages are free from delusional thoughts, their objects are completely absent; this verifies that these objects definitely arise from delusion. Furthermore, if these objects were not delusional but definitely truly existent, then if the sages do not see them, they should be confused and inverted; and since ordinary beings see them, they should be awakened. This would be like saying that not seeing sky-flowers is diseased eyes; turn it around to conclude and judge by this. Therefore, if one is free from thoughts, there are no distinctions.’ What is attached to is fundamentally empty, so the true mind is unmoving. Because of this, all dharmas are immediately tathatā. This, then, resolves the delusional to reveal the real, and can cut off doubt. As the Śūraṅgama Sūtra says: ‘The Buddha addressed Ānanda: “I am not ordering you to grasp this as not being citta. But examine citta with subtle contemplation: if apart from the objective dust before you it still has a distinguishing nature, that is truly your citta; if the distinguishing nature has no substance apart from dust, this is merely a shadow-event of the distinguishing of the objective dust before you.”’ An ancient composed a verse on refining gold: ‘Do you not see: / The clear waters of the Li River yield yellow gold, / Following the breakers and drifting with the waves, it is forever submerged. / If fortunate enough to encounter one of fine discernment, / Parting the sand and meticulously sifting it, one briefly finds an appreciative friend. / Because of this, it then receives the Emperor’s favor, / Entering directly into jade pavilions and jeweled caskets. / With each smelting and each purification, its radiance shines brightly; / Each time it is placed on the palm, each time it commands veneration. / Because this dust and sand contain the wondrous gem, / It is used as a metaphor for sentient beings’ mind of awareness and illumination. / Sentient beings have from beginningless time been submerged in the three realms of existence, / Originally drifting and being invaded by external realms. / Facing the dust, it is just like the wisdom of tathatā; / Apart from the realm, there is originally no mind of illuminating substance. / In delusion, the one real is called two substances, / Merely because the multitude of beings do not illuminate citta. / If one can always truly illuminate when facing realms, / Following dust or apart from realms, it is the same citta. / The Tathāgata today eliminates distinctions, / Intending to dispel sentient beings’ mind of delusional habit. / Just remove delusional habit while preserving beginning and end; / In true illumination, what delusion is not the true mind?’” - [Previous: 85.31](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.85.31) - [Next: 85.33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.85.33) - [Up: 85](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.85) ## Linked texts (1) - [宗鏡錄](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016.85.32) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.85.32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.85.32) · Pramāṇa