Material things Quote by Karl Brunnholzl
““Therefore, when the three natures are presented without analysis, seeming dependent origination is the other-dependent nature, because it is common, conventional consensus that it originates in dependence on causes and conditions. As for both material things and cognitions that are assumed to constitute real entities, a true way of being, or a nature, they all represent the imaginary nature, because they are superimposed in such ways onto seeming, dependently originating phenomena. Emptiness-ultimate reality-is the perfect nature. This just follows the common consensus of presentations in mutual dependence: If what is fabricated and conditioned is presented as the seeming, then what is unfabricated and unconditioned has to be presented as the ultimate. This is the explanation of the intention of the sutras in a way that is merely not contradicting the conformity of the worldly consensus of others.””
About This Quote
Source Sutra Commentary: Mahayana Buddhist Texts, 1990s
The passage explains that conventional reality appears dependent, while ultimate reality is emptiness, contrasting imagined nature with true nature.
In simple terms: Conventional things seem dependent; ultimate reality is empty.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the difference between appearances and emptiness.
Themes
Buddhism
philosophy
emptiness
dependence
reality
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- Meditation
- study of sutras
- teaching sessions
- philosophical debates
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Madhyamaka
two truths
dependent origination
emptiness
ultimate reality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish between dependent and ultimate reality?
- What practices help you experience emptiness?
A Different Perspective
The concept can be abstract and difficult to apply directly in everyday life.
![“There is nothing," (the author of) Madhyamika-castra[FN#369] says, "that ever came into existence without direct and indirect causes. Therefore there is anything that is not unreal in the world." He says again: "Things produced through direct and indirect causes I declare to be the very things…” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/587/kaiten-nukariya-793_books_there-is-nothing-the-author-of-madhyamik_1147088.jpg)
![“Kamalasila's Illumination of Centrism explains: Thus, those who cannot understand all at once that all phenomena lack a nature, for the time being, gradually engage in the lack of nature of outer objects on the basis of [them being] mere mind. Therefore, [ The Sutra of the Arrival in Lanka…” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a78/karl-brunnholzl-4600_psychology_kamalasila-s-illumination-of-centrism-ex_2825211.jpg)
![“THE DIRECT EXPLANATION OF THE REAL ORIGIN[FN#376] 5. The Ekayana Doctrine that Teaches the Ultimate Reality. This doctrine teaches us that all sentient beings have the Real Spirit[FN#377] of Original Enlightenment (within themselves). From time immemorial it is unchanging and pure. It is eternally…” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e2c/kaiten-nukariya-793_birth-and-death_the-direct-explanation-of-the-real-origi_806925.jpg)
![“THE DIRECT EXPLANATION OF THE REAL ORIGIN[FN#376] 5. The Ekayana Doctrine that Teaches the Ultimate Reality. This doctrine teaches us that all sentient beings have the Real Spirit[FN#377] of Original Enlightenment (within themselves). From time immemorial it is unchanging and pure. It is eternally…” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/058/kaiten-nukariya-793_birth-and-death_the-direct-explanation-of-the-real-origi_1489810.jpg)
![“Nagarjuna's verse 46]-is extensively taught. [Madhyamaka or emptiness] means being without characteristics that define true reality. It [means] to be unarisen, since it is neither existent nor nonexistent. It is neither something existent that has already arisen nor something nonexistent that is…” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f8e/karl-brunnholzl-4600_buddhism_nagarjuna-s-verse-46-is-extensively-taug_2757063.jpg)
![“Hence, [emptiness] is also not an object of [something like the] cognition of Buddhas, because they do not have [such a thing as] cognition.” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c69/karl-brunnholzl-4600_psychology_hence-emptiness-is-also-not-an-object-of_55069.jpg)
![“Here, master Bhavya states [this as] the main argument, and then he formulates four autonomous reasons as the means to prove the subject property. The venerable and fearless Candrakirti presents this by labeling the mere refutation of arising from the four extremes a "position." He teaches the…” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb7/karl-brunnholzl-4600_logic_here-master-bhavya-states-this-as-the-ma_140001.jpg)
![“Therefore, everything is the illusory magical display of one's own mind. It is appearing yet delusive, and delusive while appearing. Thus, all of it is contained in the body, and the [body] is again contained in the mind. As for the mind, it has no color and no shape. It is natural luminosity that…” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f8/karl-brunnholzl-4600_psychology_therefore-everything-is-the-illusory-mag_189022.jpg)
![“Not only can nobody deny the appearance of mere consciousness whose nature is other-dependent and not affected by the flaw of conceptions of a body with form and so on, but those who make any such [denial] only invalidate themselves by perception and such.” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52d/karl-brunnholzl-4600_nature_not-only-can-nobody-deny-the-appearance_199293.jpg)
