For, although the Buddhas themselves do not cling to such…
““For, although the Buddhas themselves do not cling to such notions as purity and impurity or truth and untruth, they assist the beings who are to be trained and ignorant about true reality with justifications of purity and impurity or truth and untruth just as these are acknowledged by those attached beings themselves. Likewise, the noble ones are completely free from any words, thoughts, and expressions of existence, nonexistence, both, or neither with respect to arising from the four extremes. Nevertheless, for the sake of opponents who conceive of any kind of arising in terms of the four extremes, they negate such arising by relying on the functions of valid cognition as these are established through the opponents' own valid cognition.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage discusses how Buddhas use conventional concepts like purity and truth to teach those attached to them, while ultimately transcending such dualities and employing valid cognition to address opponents' views.
In simple terms: Buddhas use ordinary ideas to guide, yet move beyond them.
Key Takeaway
Use skillful means while recognizing ultimate non‑duality.
Themes
Buddhism
teaching methods
duality
cognition
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
analytical
serene
Type
philosophical
spiritual
educational
When to use this quote
- spiritual instruction
- philosophical debate
- meditative practice
Key Concepts
skillful means
emptiness
valid cognition
four extremes
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you apply skillful means in daily life?
- What does “valid cognition” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
May be misinterpreted as endorsing dualistic thinking.