Nature & Reality

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All You Need To
Know About
Nature & Reality
by ЉuδδhiΨaksσ

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1.0 Life Existence - How it begins and continues to begin?
Every existence does contain with the three basic elements - energy, matter
and space. These basic elements would subject to the balanced and the
imbalanced phenomena. Under a balanced phenomenon, these elements would
start to integrate with each other to create aggregation. Under an imbalanced
phenomenon, these elements would start to disintegrate from each other to
create segregation.
1.1 The Cycle of Dependent Origination
In the Buddhist context, the dependent nature is known as samsāra. Samsāra
literally means ‘continuous flow’- referring to a repeating cycle of birth, life,
death and re-birth. In other words, there is a repeating cycle of rising and
falling activities that in turn would give rise to the regular balanced and
imbalanced phenomena as being observed by the mind. This scenario can be
portrayed in the cycle of dependent origination shown as below: -
Balance leads to stability. Stability leads to aggregation. Aggregation leads to
agitation. Agitation leads to information. Information leads to knowledge.
Knowledge leads to representation. Representation leads to memory. Memory
leads to compulsion. Compulsion leads to ignorance. Ignorance leads to
blindness. Blindness leads to disorientation. Disorientation leads to confusion.
Confusion leads to irrationality. Irrationality leads to impulse. Impulse leads to
sparkling. Sparkling leads to inkling. Inkling leads to volition. Volition leads to
awareness. Awareness leads to consciousness. Consciousness leads to
manas. Manas leads to mind and body. Mind and body lead to sensation.
Sensation leads to six sense bases. Six sense bases lead to conductivity.
Conductivity leads to contact. Contact leads to stimulation. Stimulation leads
to feeling. Feeling leads to experience. Experience leads to craving. Craving
leads to grasping. Grasping leads to clinging. Clinging leads to unsettling.
Unsettling leads to becoming. Becoming leads to creation. Creation leads to
birth. Birth leads to energising. Energising leads to mobility. Mobility leads to
hauling. Hauling leads to aging. Aging leads to draining. Draining leads to
death. Death leads to fragility. Fragility leads to segregation. Segregation
leads to diffusion. Diffusion leads to imbalance. Imbalance leads to
adjustment. Adjustment leads to alignment. Alignment leads to new balance.

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The Cycle of Dependent Origination
The principle in effect: -
A stream of balanced phenomena would conjure up aggregation,
A stream of aggregation would conjure up information,
A stream of information would conjure up memory,
A stream of memories would conjure up ignorance,
A stream of ignorance would conjure up volitional impulse,
A stream of volitional impulses would conjure up consciousness,
A stream of consciousness would conjure up body and mind,
A stream of body and mind would conjure up six sense bases,
Fragility
Segregation
Stimulation
Draining
Becoming
Creation
Birth
Energising
Mobility
Aging
Death
Feeling
Grasping
Balance
Memory
Six sense basesConductivityContactExperience
Craving
Clinging
Unsettling
Compulsion
Ignorance
Disorientation
Confusion
Awareness
Consciousness
ManasMind & bodySensation
Information
Knowledge
Representation
Stability Aggregation Agitation
Impulse
Hauling Blindness
Irrationality
Sparkling
Inkling
Volition
ImbalanceDiffusion Adjustment Alignment
Black hole
of
Emptiness

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A stream of six sense bases would conjure up contact,
A stream of contacts would conjure up feeling,
A stream of feelings would conjure up craving,
A stream of cravings would conjure up clinging,
A stream of clinging would conjure up becoming,
A stream of becoming would conjure up birth,
A stream of births would conjure up aging,
A stream of aging would conjure up death,
A stream of deaths would conjure up segregation,
A stream of segregation would conjure up imbalanced phenomenon,
A stream of imbalanced phenomena would conjure up new balanced
phenomenon.
Thus the conditional phenomena would continue repeatedly to depict the rising
and falling activities in the dependent nature, just like a continuum of wavy
pattern oscillating up and down. However, the cycle of dependent origination
cannot be directly translated as a linear point of reference because the
conventional reality does not work in-linear but in inter-dependence, inter-
woven since the dawn of time in a very comprehensive and complicated
network of existence.
2.0 Energy and Matter
Energy and matter are simply two aspects of the same thing - both reflected in
a different form. Just like cause and effect are referring to the same thing -
both reflected in a different time of events. Matter is simply something that
contains mass and takes up space as a solid, liquid, gas or plasma. The atom is
a basic unit of matter that consists of a dense, central nucleus surrounded by
a cloud of negatively charged electrons. The atomic nucleus contains a mix of
positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons. In other words,
matter is also known as concerted, aggregated or concentrated or wrapped
energy. As scientists have discovered, energy cannot be created or destroyed
– it only transforms itself based on any subjected conditions. Therefore, we
could summarise that all activities would evolve around the orientation of
energy and matter in space at all times and it can be illustrated as below: -

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The Orientation of Energy, Matter and Space
Key: -
The element of energy Electromagnetic vibration
The element of matter Gravitational wave
The chain of mind consciousness
J0
J2
J1
F0
F2
H2
H0
H1
C1
G2
C2 C0
G0
K1
F1
L0
L1
L2
E0
N1
E1
E2 A2
B1
A0
B0
A0
K0
K2
2
C0
H1

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The Web of Energy
Key: -
Point of friction = crystalised energy.
= a basis of matter.
‘Energy is space in tango, space is energy in play.’ ～ Buddhitakso ～

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The Network of Existence
For example,
The Structure of Human Skin
Key: -
Point of friction = a communion of the two opposite forces.
= a balanced point.
1. This is how the network of connectivity arises in the dependent nature i.e. all the
elements are inter-depending, inter-waving and inter-relating with one another since
the dawn of time.
2. Energy is all about vibration. And vibration is about the alternate movement of
opposite forces and it travels in a wave pattern shown as below: -
FA1
FA2
FA1-2 = FA2-1
FA3
FA4
FA3-2 = FA1-1
FA3-1 = FA4-2
FA2-2 = FXX-X
F(A3-1=A4-2)-1 = FXXXX-XXXX
F(A3-1-A4-2)-2 = F(A3-2-A1-1)-1
F(A3-2=A1-1)-2 = F(A1-2=A2-1)-1
F(A1-2=A2-1)-2 = F(A2-2=XX-X)-1
Cause-Effect
Effect-Cause

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3.0 Energy and Soul
What is energy? It is described as the ability to cause change or do work.
Now, let us look at soul. Soul is defined as non-material part of a human body,
believed to exist for ever, emotional and intellectual energy. As such, is it
incorrect to relate soul as part of the elements of energy? On the other hand,
one may hear of the Law of Conservation of Energy that says energy in a
system can neither be created nor destroyed. It may take on various forms
(e.g. kinetic, potential, heat, light, chemical, nuclear, electrical, mechanical, etc.)
Therefore, the sum of all the energies in the system is a constant or never
changes.
When a person is lying dead, both the elements of energy and matter would
head off from each other. The elements of energy would sustain a liberty of
sorts and over time, the elements of matter would transform into the elements
of energy as well before assuming into another new life forms and this cyclic
process continues repeatedly. Now, let us take an example of a worn out PC
(Personal Computer). Whilst the hardware parts may meet its due time, the
software parts may not and it could be recycled and reconfigured before being
put to use onto other PC.
On another instance, we could summarise that ice, water and steam are
different forms deriving from the orientation of H2O properties under the
subjected conditions. At the end of the day, when the ice form ceased to be,
the elements of energy within it would assume into the water or the steam
form. The elements of energy within the ice form did not just die out or cease
to exist. Also, it is well known that modern scientists who work on hypotheses
could not conclusively agree to acknowledge the presence of souls or spirits
due to the complication in garnering consistent results at any given time
period. However, the so-called souls or spirits could still be detected by
electromagnetic devices and this scenario has confirmed that souls or spirits
are part of the elements of energy. There are bountiful cases related to souls
or spirits available in every corner of the world but most of the investigations
merely lead to a mystifying end.

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4.0 Ātman
In Hinduism, ātman is defined as individual soul or essence that is eternal,
unchanging, and indistinguishable from the essence of the universe. However,
Buddhism sees no ātman or no eternal soul. Therefore, the correct
interpretation is Buddhism recognises no eternal-soul and not no-soul. In
other words, Buddhism sees in a basis of blueprints in individuals that is always
evolving under the influence of conditional phenomena. Whereas, Hinduism
sees in a basis of blueprints that is eternal and never changing under any
circumstances.
5.0 Law of Kamma and Newton’s Law of Motion
The law of kamma is a natural phenomenon law discovered and realised by
human civilisation long time ago – so as all the natural law principles testified
and verified by modern scientists. In other words, all the natural phenomenon
laws have been in existence since the dawn of time with or without any
discoveries by human beings. For general understanding, the law of kamma is a
comprehensive law that runs in a phenomenon full of complexity and in a way
beyond the straight forward action-reaction principles being discovered by
modern scientists. If we analyse intently into the Newton’s 3rd
law of motion
and the law of kamma, both of these laws did share a certain degree of
similarity. For instance, it is correct to say that good begets good, evil begets
evil. When one pays to behave like an animal in the present lifetime, one would
be repaid in the next life as an animal. Just as sow apple seeds, reap apple
fruits; sow orange seeds, reap orange fruits or Action 1 conjures up Reaction 1;
Action 2 conjures up Reaction 2.
6.0 Law of Nature and the Buddha’s teachings
If one observes intently at the surroundings, everything that exists would
always try to achieve a harmonious balance. All things or matters would only
exist in perpetual conditions under a balanced phenomenon. Thus when things
run off-balance or when one stirs up in any circumstances, the natural law that
maintains equilibrium would take its regular course to balance it in another way

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across time and the planes of existence. This natural law is also known as the
law of balancing. In the Buddhist context, the law of balancing can also be
classified as the law of kamma. The law of kamma is a natural law that is not
shaped by someone else; no one owns it; neither Buddhism – but merely to
ensure equilibrium in the nature at all times.
Also, we need to understand that long before the rising of Buddhadhamma
about 2,550 years ago, the realms of existence has run its course in
accordance with the natural bounding laws. And the wise Buddha has seen
through the reality of it, thus advocating remedies for a permanent liberation.
The Buddha has recommended Middle Path (the path of balancing) that acts as
a fundamental route to taste enlightenment while facing with the law of kamma
(the law of balancing). Middle Path is all about focusing on core, neutral,
balance and upright. It means to investigate and break through the core of life
and all things without any attitudes of favouritism. Any investigations must
commence based on unbiased grounds i.e. on neutral and upright positions. In
other words, one needs to investigate the problem from various angles, analyse
the findings, understand the truth thoroughly, and find a reasonable conclusion.
Also, the Buddhadhamma lays great emphasis on human thought and action in
dealing with the natural environment, society or individual problems. It is
concerned with the relationship between thoughts and behaviour, and the
relationship between behaviour and its consequences. In short, the Buddha
recognises all thoughts and actions as wholesome or unwholesome only. The
meaning of wholesome would be in totality of perspective and unwholesome
would be in non-totality of perspective. There is no holy or sinful act or
thought in the eyes of the Buddha except for skillful or unskillful one.
7.0 Basic elements and Conditional phenomena
When the three basic elements - energy, matter and space interact together,
the very first dot of integrating process begins under a balanced phenomenon.
When the billion and trillion dots come together, it would manifest into some
sort of beings or things. Respectively, each dot contains a sort of genetic
information that is unique and the aggregate of multiple dots would conjure up
a pool of behaviour subsequently. Such a unique behaviour would be enfold

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within the same being or thing until the next disintegrating process begins upon
a specific time of maturity. During the disintegrating process, the three basic
elements would liberate from each other and sustain a freedom of sorts under
an imbalanced phenomenon.
When more different beings go through the same disintegrating processes,
more different elements of energy and matter would sustain with freedom of
sorts and thus assimilate among each other in the realms of existence before
waiting for the subsequent balanced phenomena. For instance, the three basic
elements would separate from each other when a being is lying dead. Both the
elements of prevailing and subtle consciousnesses would depart from the body.
It is the same scenario for plants, insects or any material things – but only the
elements of subtle consciousness exist and would depart from the body.
8.0 Law of Dependent Origination
So far all the available suttas on the Buddha’s teachings have pointed out
ignorance as the first link in the wheel of life. However, if we were to observe
this aspect of ignorance intently, it simply could not arise out of thin air.
Definitely, it has to arise out of some kind of memorised events that have
taken place beforehand. In psychology, memory is defined as an organism's
ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. So when the
process of aggregation begins, some sort of information would be produced,
stored and recalled within the integrated elements. In a layman term, this
process is called the creation or pro-creation within beings or things. If the
memory aspect is absent, the process of replication could not arise in any
beings or things at all.
Let us illustrate the learning of speeches among young children. If a child has
no ability of memorising, then whatever lessons that were taught on would be
forgotten or erased instantly and the progression into the next advanced level
would be deemed impossible. However, in Buddhism, there is a
recommendation for one to see and live in the present; neither in the past nor
in the future. When one lives well in the present, one would lead to a cessation
of memories of the past and this would subsequently lead to a cessation of

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ignorance in the future.
The seeing of ultimate truth leads to the cessation of balanced phenomenon,
The cessation of balanced phenomenon leads to the cessation of aggregation,
The cessation of aggregation leads to cessation of information,
The cessation of information leads to cessation of memory,
The cessation of memory leads to the cessation of ignorance,
The cessation of ignorance leads to the cessation of volitional impulse,
The cessation of volitional impulse leads to the cessation of consciousness,
The cessation of consciousness leads to the cessation of body and mind,
The cessation of body and mind lead to the cessation of six sense bases,
The cessation of six sense bases lead to the cessation of contact,
The cessation of contact leads to the cessation of feeling,
The cessation of feeling leads to the cessation of craving,
The cessation of craving leads to the cessation of clinging,
The cessation of clinging leads to the cessation of becoming,
The cessation of becoming leads to the cessation of birth,
The cessation of birth leads to the cessation of aging,
The cessation of aging leads to the cessation of death,
The cessation of death leads to the cessation of segregation,
The cessation of segregation leads to the cessation of imbalanced
phenomenon,
The cessation of imbalanced phenomenon leads to the cessation of conditional
phenomena,
The cessation of conditional phenomena leads to the cessation of time,
The cessation of time leads to the unconditional freedom of basic elements -
energy, matter and space.
Ultimately, the pure energy would freeze indefinitely in the absence of time –
this is the ambience of nibbāna. Let us refer to the following illustration: -

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SAMSĀRA NIBBĀNA
Encircled by Conditional phenomena Release of Conditional phenomena
Act of Emptying
Act of Extinguishing
Act of Neutralising
Elements sustain in PERPETUITY Elements sustain in PERMANENCY
Presence of Time Absence of Time
SUFFERING PEACE
9.0 Balanced condition and Sentient beings
Balance is generally defined as a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal
distribution of weight, amount, etc; a condition of being steady; a state of
equilibrium or parity characterised by cancellation of all forces by equal
opposing forces; a harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts
or elements, as in a design. On the other hand, sentient is defined as
responsive to or conscious of sense impressions; finely sensitive in perception
or feeling. Sentient beings are denoted as beings with consciousness or
sentience or specifically it denotes the presence of the five aggregates and are
characteristically not enlightened and are thus confined to the death, rebirth
and suffering characteristic of samsāra.
When we describe the characteristics of sentient beings, we are actually
referring to the energy being enfold within the matter that is subject to the
rising and the falling events. The consciousness aspects within the sentient
beings would initiate thoughts or acts that are devoid of inherent existence.
For every rising force of thoughts or acts, a new equal opposing force would
Energy
Space
Matter Matter
Space
Energy

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arise as well across the time stream (past, present and future) and the planes
of existence. Continuous rising and falling of thoughts or acts would shape the
wheel of life as in samsāra. As mentioned earlier, energy and matter are simply
two aspects of the same thing - both reflected in different forms per se. Just
like cause and effect are the same things - both reflected in a different time of
events. Let us look at the following illustrations: -
Cause = Effect
Cause 1 conjures up Effect 1,
Effect 1 conjures up Cause 1-1,
.., etc.
Action = Reaction
Action 1 conjures up Reaction 1,
Reaction 1 conjures up Action 1-1,
.., etc.
If present,
Cause 1 > Effect 1,
Action 1 > Reaction 1
future will be,
Effect 1 > Cause 1-1,
Reaction 1 > Action 1-1*
* This is the typical scenario of a good person having to face with the
unfortunate events; a bad person having to enjoy the fortunate events in a
lifetime.
For example,
Loan $100 = Repayment $100
If today,
Loan $100 > Repayment $100

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tomorrow will be,
Repayment > new Loan $100
In another scenario, the balanced condition could be depicted in our daily act of
giving and taking i.e.
The rise of unreserved taking or reward leads to the rise of accountable giving
or sacrifice (unfavourable energies attract unfavourable energies),
The rise of unreserved giving or sacrifice leads to the rise of unaccountable
taking or reward (favourable energies attract favourable energies).
A cessation in the conditional phenomena would lead to the cessation of cyclic
influences i.e. when action ceasing, reaction ceases; when cause ceasing, effect
ceases. And the antidote to the cessation of it would be radiating loving-
kindness and compassion that act as means for weakening the links of suffering
in the wheel of life.
A stream of loving-kindness and compassion would conjure up empathy,
A stream of empathy would conjure up boundless,
A stream of boundless would conjure up voidness,
A stream of voidness would conjure up stillness,
A stream of stillness would conjure up peacefulness,
A stream of peacefulness would conjure up enlightenment.
As a summary, every existence (sentient, non-sentient, or any material things)
consists of energy and matter that would orientate toward a harmoniously
balanced condition that is in accordance with the universal laws. Under a
balanced phenomenon, one could witness the emergence of forms; under an
imbalanced phenomenon, one could witness the non-emergence of forms and
the cycle of conditional phenomena continues repeatedly.

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10.0 Law of Cause and Effect in Motion
Generally speaking, there are two categories of motion i.e. constant and
variable motion. When we mention that a rising force of something would
generate a new equal opposing force under the law of balancing, we are
actually referring to a process of action and reaction under a condition of
constant motion. However, under a condition of variable motion, the law of
balancing would orientate in a unique harmonising mechanism (as in Newton’s
2nd
law of motion). Let us look at the following illustrations: -
10.1 Constant Motion
Under a circumstance of constant motion, come factor equals to become
factor: -
Come factor = Become factor
10.2 Variable Motion
10.2.1 Acceleration
When come factor accelerates, the relative become factor would decelerate: -
Come factor ↑, Become factor ↓
(End results: Mental and physical progresses slow down  the circumstance of
time dilation in Einstein’s special theory of relativity.)
10.2.2 Deceleration
When come factor decelerates, the relative become factor would accelerate: -
Come factor ↓, Become factor ↑
(End results: Mental and physical progresses speed up  the ambience of deep
meditation.)

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More examples: -
1. When a car stops suddenly in a quick action, the reacting process becomes
slower in relative to the action and this is a basis for greater inertia effects –
serious injuries on the passenger.
2. When a car stops steadily in a slow action, the reacting process becomes
quicker in relative to the action and this is a basis for lesser inertia effects –
mild injuries on the passenger.
3. When one launches a bullet toward a target – too quick an action would take
the target longer time to react relatively. If compared with launching a throw
of baseball – slower an action would give relatively longer time for the target to
react.
4. When one runs water on a piece of paper in low velocity, the atoms or
molecules within the paper have sufficient time to react relatively quicker to
hold tight as a scale unit and vice versa.
Naturally, we always involve in motions that vary in frequencies under the
influence of conditional phenomena and this scenario coincides with the
Buddha’s saying that the working result of kamma was one of the four
unconjecturables and to speculate about it would bring madness and vexation
to anyone who conjectured about it.
11.0 Space and Time
Some people may say that time is an illusion and does not exist after all. So
what actually is time? Frankly speaking, time is something that is created; not
born (a non-natural existence). Time is an indicator for event; whereas length,
width and height are indicators for size and volume. All these indicators belong
to a category named as dimension. In other words, dimension is created for
the task of measurement per se and therefore, not something that arises out
naturally. Also, time is a scalar factor. A scalar refers to a quantity or
phenomenon that exhibits magnitude only, with no specific direction. Example

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of scalars include speed, mass, electrical resistance, and hard-drive storage
capacity. Any interval of time is also scalar - it has magnitude only.
On the other hand, space is a natural element in the realms of existence; just
like the elements of energy and matter. Space is merely a plane for all the
activities or existences i.e. the orientation of energy or matter under the
conditional phenomena. Presently, scientists have discovered that space has
three spatial dimensions (length, width and height) and one temporal dimension
- that is time. In cosmology, the concept of spacetime combines space and
time to a single abstract universe. In fact, there is another X-factor dimension
exists to accommodate for non-discerning circumstances. As a summary, we
could mention that the three spatial dimensions were created for expressing all
existences under static phenomena and the combination of 3 + 1 + X-factor
dimensions were created for expressing all existences under dynamic
phenomena.
11.1 What actually happens to an object under accelerating motion?
When an object is set under an accelerating motion, the becoming process of
the object would be stretched as compared with a relative object that is set
under a constant or a decelerating motion. In other words, the becoming
process of the object has been slowed down comparatively; not the time has
been dilated or slowed down. Time would only assume the expression that the
becoming process has slowed down and not the other way round.
Literally, the slowing down of the becoming process would mean the slowing
down of the aging process for a sentient being. This is the correct
understanding behind the thought experiment of twin paradox which concerns a
twin who flies off in a spaceship traveling near the speed of light and returns to
discover that his or her twin sibling has aged much more.
Time is an expression that becoming process exists,
Becoming process is not an expression that time exists.

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Length, width and height are expressions that size and volume exist,
Size and volume are not expressions that length, width and height exist.
Shadow is an expression that object and light exist,
Object and light are not expressions that shadow exists.
Effect A is an expression that Cause A exists,
Cause A is not an expression that Effect A exists,
Cause A is an expression that Effect pre-A exists.
In other words,
When no cause arising, no effect would arise,
When no object and light arising, no shadow would arise,
When no becoming process arising, no time would arise.
Similarly, the word of time has been used frequently for expressing different
scenarios of becoming process, such as follows: -
NO TIME = an expression of no opportunity for a new becoming process to
begin.
TIME TO TIME = an expression of moving from the past to the present
becoming process; the present to the future becoming process.
TIME PASSED SLOWLY = an expression of hoping for a faster becoming
process.
TIME DILATION = an expression that the becoming process slows down.
Once again, time is a dimension because it is a scale of measurement created
for gauging the events. Therefore, time could not be self-sustainable and has
no entity. For one to reflect time as an entity is a point of view based on
delusion, just like the misconception of self entity in beings. When there is no
becoming process, there is no time. So time does not exist in nibbāna.

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12.0 The Concept of Emptiness in Buddhism
The concept of śūnyatā (emptiness) in Buddhism has always been the main
subject of confusion among the followers. Now, let us analyse into it.
We need to understand that long before the rising of Buddhadhamma about
2,550 years ago, the realms of existence has run its course in accordance with
the natural bounding laws. The wise Buddha has seen through the reality of it,
thus advocating remedies to liberate oneself from these laws permanently. For
general understanding, nature is full with wonders and has reached a saturated
level of complexity that encompasses all sorts of activities such as
aggregation, segregation, evolution, mutation, assimilation, etc. In other words,
all of these activities have had happened in a manner long before we have a
slightest opportunity to realise it. This scenario is the key to the rising of
ignorant aspects in the realms of existence.
As a consequence, we always tend to make the observation on events in the
context of ‘result’ perspective or from the ignorant point of view. There are
plenty of examples for the observation deriving from this conventional
perspective i.e. formation, suffering, disease, sickness, terrorism, calamity,
existence, etc. Nevertheless, the wise Buddha has realised these
circumstances and recommended with a paradigm shift i.e. for one to make the
observation on events from the context of ‘cause’ perspective or the
awakened point of view instead.
Thus far, it is this new-found perspective that could one liberate from the
cyclic influence of conditional phenomena. One of the good examples is the
introduction of the cardinal doctrine of Dependent Origination. As mentioned
earlier, nature has already reached a saturated level of complexity and this
circumstance has created difficulties for one to observe the events free from
defilements. If we could unwind all the events that have taken place in the
nature, we could realise the origin of it i.e. all the activities, events or
processes would evolve around the orientation of energy or matter in a plane
called space at all times. At the end of the day, we could see that every
existence (sentient, non-sentient, or any material things) is nothing but merely
basic elements (energy, matter and space) that would orientate in accordance

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with the conditional phenomena. This is the correct understanding on the
concept of emptiness in Buddhism.
In other words, we could mention that the form entity has a delusive nature
and it is generated out of the ignorant point of view or from the context of
‘result’ perspective. We could not view form as an entity because it is an
appearance, though not illusive, but devoid of inherent existence and varies
under the influence of conditional phenomena. Rightfully, the Buddha has
recommended one to see all the circumstances as they truly are (not as they
delusively are). And it is through the philosophy of emptiness could one begin
to experience the cleansing of ignorant aspects. Once the ignorant aspects
have been extinguished or neutralised, the awakening aspects would arise
concurrently.
An act of emptying = an act of extinguishing = an act of neutralising
≠ an act of annihilating.
Seeing Dhamma is seeing Buddha,
Seeing Buddha is seeing Dhamma.
Seeing Buddha is seeing Nibbāna,
Seeing Nibbāna is seeing Buddha.
Seeing Emptiness is seeing Form,
Seeing Form is seeing Emptiness.
Seeing Energy is seeing Matter,
Seeing Matter is seeing Energy.
Seeing Cause is seeing Effect,
Seeing Effect is seeing Cause.
Seeing Action is seeing Reaction,
Seeing Reaction is seeing Action.

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13.0 Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form
Why do we always hear Buddhists saying, ‘Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is
Form?’ What actually is form? We can actually see form as an appearance
but why would we say it is empty? Isn’t it strange, right? Well, for the
common populace, form is viewed as an entity. Entity means thing which exists
as a separate unit. So is it correct to say that form does exist as a separate
unit as what our ordinary mind perceived?
Let us make a simple illustration now. Supposedly, you stand in front of a large
mirror looking at yourself – what you could see is your own appearance of
physical body. Now, if you continue to see inside yourself, search deeper and
deeper within yourself, what would you see? You could probably see various
internal organs, blood veins, nerves, fluids, unit cells, etc. At the end of the
day, can you describe the innermost section of your physical body? After the
single unit cell, what else do you see inside further? Can you find any core
essence that is eternal or non-changing? You probably couldn’t find anything
inside further. When one couldn’t find anything inside further, how does one
translate it into? Isn’t it empty? So could we say that form is ultimately
empty in the real sense?
However, we shall not confuse emptiness with nothingness. Emptiness cannot
be meant as nothingness. While we say that form is emptiness, there are still
basic elements enfolding it. Just like when we do declare a vessel as empty, it
does not literally mean nothing inside the vessel – there could still be air,
radiation, dust, viruses, etc. that cannot be discerned by our naked eyes. At
the end of the day, we could declare that form is empty in the real sense
because there is no core essence within it except for the basic elements that
orientate and evolve constantly under the influence of the external conditions.
What our naked eyes view as form is actually the matter that is also known as
concerted, aggregated or concentrated or wrapped energy. Since we can’t see
energy with our naked eyes, we would say that the innermost of form is empty
rather than nothing.
As a conclusion, everything that exists is empty because there is no essence
to anything and nothing has ever existed in its own quality – nothing is
permanent and unchanging. All objects exist conditionally without an eternal

23
essence. They only exist in relation to each other as appearances that in turn
vary as per the perceptions of the beholders. Energy is the underlying element
for all the existences and it is dependent on the conditional phenomena.
14.0 The Concept of Non-self in Buddhism
The concept of anattā (non-self or absence of separate self) in Buddhism has
always been the main subject of confusion among the followers. Now, let us
analyse into it. Simply it means, ‘Now you see it, now you don't.’ This is what
the concept of emptiness in Buddhism is all about – the absence of static
entity. Nothing stays unchanging even for a slightest moment at all times. By
the time you think who you are, you are already not the same ‘you’ seconds
ago. So where are you to find the original static of ‘you’ as you assume along
every passing of moments?
At the end of the day, you could only see a stream of you constantly passing
by on every slightest moment. So I repeat, you could only see a stream of you
- not the one stop entity of you. Just like you could not step twice into the
same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you. The stream of you
would mean you are part of the becoming processes that arise in the nature.
All the different shapes and forms that exist in the nature are merely the
momentary outcomes of the constant and the continuous becoming processes
in the realms of existence. Under a balanced phenomenon, one could witness
the emergence of forms; under an imbalanced phenomenon, one could witness
the non-emergence of forms - and the cycle of conditional phenomena
continues repeatedly.
In addition, the stream of you is devoid of inherent existence. It means that
you do not exist independently by the definition of the physical container that
you always presume to be. You are merely the results of energy or matter
orientation that evolve constantly and continuously in the space at all
times. In other words, you are just like part of the Lego pieces or bricks that
can be assembled and connected in many ways, to construct such objects as
vehicles, buildings, and even working robots - anything constructed can then
be taken apart again, and the pieces used to make other objects. When one is
fully awakened to the principle of emptiness or non-self, the state of

24
egolessness in oneself would arise concurrently. This realisation is part of the
fundamental routes to enlightenment as prescribed by the Buddha.
15.0 Non-self, Voidness and Rebirth in accordance with Buddhism
Buddhism sees in anattā (non-self) and śūnyatā (voidness or emptiness). But
how do we explain it? Firstly, let us analyse what it means by non-self. In
Buddhism, the non-self means the non-ownership of self. What we used to
claim such as the ‘I’ or ‘you’ or ‘we’ is merely an expression for our minds
to comprehend on the day-to-day communication with another individual.
However, this expression does not grant us with an ownership of our soul or
body. And it is easier to explain the non-ownership of our body than our soul
because we could see the rising (birth) and the passing (death) of physical
bodies every time and anywhere we go.
As for the ‘soul’ thing, Buddhism sees in the absence of eternal existence of
it. Soul is just a plain description for something that arised in intelligence but
without physical appearance. And it is also not permanent and subject to
change at all times under the influence of conditional phenomena (voidness in
every existence). So again, there is a non-ownership of the soul-of-self.
But how do we clarify the reincarnating process in accordance with Buddhism?
Actually, Buddhism sees in the rebirth process but not in the reincarnating
process. This is because there is no permanent grasping of soul or body during
the rebirth process. It means even though the mentioned cycle of process is
repeated, every cycle is different from one another, just like the saying, ‘It
looks like me, sounds like me, but it is still not me.’ In other words, there are
linkages between the past, present and future of an individual but there is no
trans-migrating process taking place. A clear example would be how the
genetic lineage works for generations. Let us look at the following illustration
on how rebirth takes place in accordance with Buddhism: -

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15.1 The Coffee in a Cup
Let’s say Coffee Original is one of the special brewed drinks: -
300ml hot liquid water
70% coffee powder 100% Coffee Original in cup Jumbo
30% condensed milk
Supposedly, the cup Jumbo has broken apart by accident and the content has
splattered around i.e.
30% onto the table,
40% onto the floor,
5% onto the wall,
10% onto the drain,
5% vaporised into thin air,
10% remained in the broken cup.
A cleaner took up a rag and wiped off the remaining liquid coffee in sequential
order starting from the table, the floor and then the wall. In a repeated
gesture, the cleaner squeezed off the wet rag and the remaining coffee liquid
flowed into three separate cups i.e.
Cup 1 80% already filled with tea liquid mixture.
Cup 2 90% already filled with mocha liquid mixture.
Cup 3 55% already filled with mineral water.
Let’s say 300ml of properties is a benchmark for a qualified special brewed
drink. The cleaner then filled up the respective cup rooms with liquids deriving
from the rag that are by and large the remaining of Coffee Original deriving
from the table, the floor and the wall. In this case, the respective 300ml of
liquids in Cup 1, Cup 2 and Cup 3 is dependent on the Coffee Original before a
new special brewed drink is made possible. However, this does not mean that
Coffee Original is the only dependent source or ingredient. Respectively, Cup
1, Cup 2 and Cup 3 would need to depend upon many other sustaining factors
as well such as the already partially filled liquids and new cups before qualifying

26
as special brewed drinks.
As a conclusion, the new liquid mixture arising in Cup 1, Cup 2 and Cup 3 is
neither identical to, nor entirely different from, the old coffee liquid, but forms
part of a causal continuum or stream with it. There is a conditioned
relationship between one liquid and the next; it is not identical but neither is it
completely distinct. The beauty of nature is that it allows all sorts of activities
taking place such as aggregation, segregation, evolution, mutation, assimilation,
etc. As a consequence, every existence would not be totally the same or
different from each other. We are all closely inter-depending, inter-waving and
inter-relating with one another since the dawn of time in a very comprehensive
and complicated network of existence – just like the Christian believes that all
mankind derived from Adam and Eve. Lastly, one should not confuse the ‘non-
self’ with ‘no-self’ and the ‘non-eternal soul’ with ‘no-soul.’ Buddhism
sees in the existence of self or soul but only in a manner of non-ownership or
impermanency i.e. there is an influx of self or soul but not the one-off static
kind of self or soul.
16.0 What is the purpose of Buddhism? Where is God in Buddhism?
Why Buddhism? What is Buddhism? Buddhism is merely a great philosophy
that imparts knowledge on seeing the reality of things and happenings in our
daily lives. Historical facts have shown that Prince Siddartha Gautama became
the Buddha out of his vast compassion and wisdom to see through the vicious
cycle of life and to end the suffering of it. And the Buddha means the
‘Awakened One’ i.e. one who sees through the ultimate reality of things and
happenings. Perhaps, what Buddhism lacks is the emphasis on the dependence
of God. But this doesn’t mean that the Buddha has denied the existence of
God. In Buddhism, God is viewed in a different perspective as compared with
the other religions. As you may know, according to Buddhism, there are 31
planes of existence in the nature and the deities (the namesake of God) are
placed at a higher level of existence than the human realm.
Of course, the Buddha did recognise that deities have an important role in the
spiritual development of individuals. Deities could help individuals in many ways
but still, deities are not permanent and subject to the conditional influences as

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well. At the end of the day, the Buddha has seen through that ‘dependence’
is part of the key sources of dukkha and to eradicate it, one has to let go the
dependence in total aspects. Therefore, Buddhism is an alternative method to
seek solace and liberation for an individual who needs it. Buddhism may not be
acceptable to individuals who can’t make do without the dependent aspects in
life. As again, there is no right or wrong element here, but simply a personal
choice.
17.0 What does Buddhism believe in?
Buddhism believes in, literally, nothing. Yes, nothing! Buddhism merely
involves in seeing, knowing and letting go of things or happenings. In other
words, Buddhism upholds direct experience and recognition but not the faith
system. Perhaps, one has heard the phrase, ‘To see is to believe.’ When one
is seeing it, one truly sees it. No one could shake it. A blind belief without
seeing on things would only bind one with more curiosities and disputes.
We can illustrate the above principle in a class of Mathematics. Supposedly, a
new formula was put forward to the class, ‘Should the students adopt with
attitudes of understanding on how the formula derive?’ or ‘Should the
students adopt with attitudes of simply memorising the formula without any
understanding on how such formula derive?’ A wise student would definitely
choose the former method because by understanding well the origin of such
formula, one could lighten the burden of memorising the formula blindly. This is
also how the path to enlightenment works – diminish the ‘bear with’ factor and
enhance the ‘let go’ factor.
Undeniably, the Buddha has always emphasised the importance for one to
utilise wisdom in all thoughts and actions. This is what he meant by wholesome
thoughts or acts. The Buddha has never laid commandments that one should
think or do this; never think or do that, etc. If one continues to adopt this sort
of mentality, one would simply adopt the principle of ‘blind faith’ which is
much on the contrary to Buddhism. Likewise, it would be wholesome for
parents to expose their children with both the good and bad influences
together. Any acts of depriving the children from exposing to the bad
influences would only create distorted view or perception in the real society

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(unwholesome acts). Subsequently, upon the exposure of both the good and
bad influences, parents could encourage their children to use their wisdom to
lead a more meaningful life in the real and complicated society (wholesome
acts).
In short, the Buddha has laid emphasis that one should look in all angles of
things or matters and then apply one's wisdom in the decision making. The
Buddha has merely left behind guidelines for one to pursue with and it would be
meaningless for one to read and tag along the contents of the discourses or
suttas on Buddhism blindly without applying any wisdom. No doubt the
available discourses or suttas did play an important role in keeping the essence
of Buddhism, but how many of the so-called Buddhists nowadays have gained
full enlightenment by mere reading or reciting it? The key point here is not
merely about the mastering of theoretical knowledge on Buddhism but instead,
more on the practicality and the direct experience of it.
Preaching Dhamma is not about quoting this or that from various sources on
Buddhism. These available discourses or suttas were merely tools for one’s
Dhamma practices. And the tools would remain as the tools and it would not
turn a person into an enlightened being if the application is without wisdom.
Also, the Buddha has recommended the establishment of the Sangha
community so that any followers could interact and support each other while
pursuing the guidelines of Dhamma. The Buddha has not established the
various sects or schools of Buddhism as what we could see nowadays. Once
again, Buddhism is never about beliefs. Instead, it is all about direct experience
and recognition. Seeing the Dhamma is seeing the Buddha – it is seeing and
knowing the ultimate reality of things and happenings and not to get entangle
with it. So the choice in the way of life is yours ultimately. Live a life
wholesomely at all times! Be freed, be liberated, be neutralised!
‘The Buddha did not teach ‘Buddhism’; He taught the Dhamma.’
～ Satya Narayan Goenka ～

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18.0 What are Enlightenment, Awakening and Nibbāna?
Nibbāna is a phenomenon beyond all conventional phenomena. Conventional
phenomenon is subject to the conditional influences – in a continuous and
constantly changing state of affairs. A phenomenon of nibbāna would arise
when there is a non-existence of the conditional phenomena i.e. a completely
neutralised state of affairs. There is no mind, no thinking, no becoming, no
changing, no evolution, no clinging, no wanting, and no impermanency in
nibbāna. Moreover, nibbāna is not about desire for nothing. In the first place,
there is no desire to begin with. Therefore, desire could not be the cause for
nothing and one of the basic footsteps to achieve enlightenment and reach
nibbāna is to practise ‘letting go.’ Letting go is not the same as giving up
hope - a frustrated expression. Not to hope is not to become, not to become
is not to cling and suffer.
So the choice is yours ultimately – to hope and suffer or not to hope and not
to suffer. There is no right or wrong choice but simply wholesome or
unwholesome choice. Wholesome would mean seeing things as they truly are
and in totality of perspectives; unwholesome would mean seeing things as they
delusively are and in non-totality of perspectives. As such, it is entirely a
personal aspiration for one to be awakened or otherwise. In Buddhism, there
are no commandments to be found, no hierarchical ranking between followers,
etc. Any sort of authoritative claims based on personal gratifications are
purely egocentric in nature and devoted followers must not put in their faith
blindly on anything; come what may. And it is worrisome to see and hear
nowadays that many of the so-called Buddhists are mere sutta collectors or
interpreters. In the first place, Buddhism is never about what the Buddha has
said or not said personally. We have to examine, ‘What is the real meaning of
the Buddha?’ It is literally translated as the ‘Awakened One.’ But, what is
one awakening to? It is awakening to the ultimate reality of things or
happenings and the cessation of it.
Now, when we mention the Buddha's saying, are we only referring to Siddartha
Gautama alone? How about all the other beings that have had achieved
enlightenment along the thousands of years? For general understanding,
Siddartha Gautama is a Shakyamuni Buddha (a Samma-sam-buddha), but the
Buddha may not necessarily be Siddartha Gautama alone. Buddha is merely a

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title just like presidency. Presidents may come and go over the years in an
organisation or a country but the presidency remains unshaken. And the next
question would be, ‘Who wrote all the suttas? When was it written?’
Definitely, Buddhism is not only about the suttas per se but also the other
missing links. On this pretext, the Buddha is wise to mention that in order to
appreciate the essence of Dhamma, do not believe what he said until one
investigates and sees it. This principle is essential to uphold and sustain so
that the original essence of Dhamma could remain intact and surpassing time.
In other words, there is no place for blind faith in Buddhism. Let us be
awakened and not be hampered by the belief boundaries. Nature belongs to
the nature; not to any particular religions or beliefs. Liberate ourselves from
any hindrances and be enlightened. Apply your wisdom and you would find the
true answers to it. The door is open and you need to walk in the path by
yourself; someone could only shine the light or show the way in. One should
always apply wisdom in all thoughts or actions and never be too fascinated or
obsessed with what was written and mentioned in the discourses, suttas, or
any sorts of supernatural claims, etc.
‘To see it, know it and let go – no need to grasp it – this is how one practises,
‘Seeing things as they really are.’ See only with eyes and mind, don’t get into
any involvement - more importantly, let go the self and the ego factors. Be
freed, be liberated, be neutralised!’
～ Buddhitakso ～
‘Learning Buddhism can be fun, direct and simple. You just need one thing in
life i.e. common sense. Just relax your brain muscles, be open minded and a
new horizon would uncover instantaneously. Of course, add with some flavors
of science, you would get a much decent food for thought ultimately.’
～ Buddhitakso ～

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19.0 What is suffering?
In English, suffering is defined as the state of undergoing pain, distress, or
hardship. In fact, suffering is a word translation from the Latin – sufferre that
means ‘to bear, undergo, endure, carry or put under’. The word suffering
seems to appear in every corner of Buddhism. And generally, one would tend
to associate suffering with pain, anxiety, agony, sadness, dissatisfaction and all
sorts of negativity in one’s lifetime. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the
eyes of the Buddha.
The First Noble Truth says that the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and
death is inescapable. The Buddha has revealed that suffering is part of life and
that it cannot be evaded. He also taught that suffering does not only come
from the body but also from the mental aspects. In the Buddhist context, the
dependent nature is known as samsāra. Samsāra literally means continuous
flow - referring to a repeating cycle of birth, life, death and re-birth. When
there is samsāra arising, dukkha would arise concurrently. And the meaning
of dukkha or suffering would be to bear with. Any circumstances that would
involve one to continue with; to persevere with; to soldier on with; to carry on
with; to undertake with; to go through with would mean dukkha or suffering.
Literally, it is not correct for one to put much attention onto the conditions of
pain, anxiety, agony, dissatisfaction, joyfulness or happiness - for these
conditions merely reflected as the consequences of dukkha arising. To bear
with is to suffer and the antonym of it is to let go. By not submitting oneself
to the conditional circumstances, one would be freed, be liberated and be
neutralised. Wisely one could see it, know it and let go – no need to grasp
it. At the end of the day, one should cure the cause, not the symptoms!
20.0 What is Heaven? What is Hell?
For general understanding, heaven or hell is not a plane of existence waiting for
any exclusive memberships. Instead, it is the so-called member that has made
up the chance for the heaven or hell plane to arise. Just like inhabitant is a
necessary prerequisite for any villages to exist; without it, the village would be
impossible. Therefore, heaven or hell is not a plane of existence to be found

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‘up-there’ or ‘down-there’ yearning for the so-called rightful elements.
In fact, heaven or hell is simply next to your mind, your eyes, your ears, your
prevailing consciousness, your subtle consciousness, etc. When a person is
lying dead, the three basic elements i.e. energy, matter and space would
separate from each other. Precisely, both the elements of prevailing and
subtle consciousnesses would depart the body. However, only the elements of
subtle consciousness would sustain in a liberated condition and stay behind in
a so-called soul or spirit form but not the elements of prevailing
consciousness. The switch for the elements of prevailing consciousness would
be turned off and it would not carry on beyond the grave. And it is the
characteristics of the elements of subtle consciousness that would determine
the next plane of existence for the so-called souls or spirits. Therefore, one
should not miss the chance of moulding the subtle mind consciousness
correctly before kicking the bucket!
For instance, it is correct to say that good begets good, evil begets evil. When
one pays to live a hell-like condition in the present lifetime, one would be
repaid in the next phase of existence as in hell plane. Just as sow apple seeds,
reap apple fruits; sow orange seeds, reap orange fruits or Action 1 conjures up
Reaction 1; Action 2 conjures up Reaction 2. The elements of subtle
consciousness would retain the so-called ‘hellish’ information that would carry
on and surpassing the demise period of time. The ‘hellish’ retention could
only be weakened through conscientious goodwill prayers or persuasions being
performed by third parties (transference of merit).
Therefore, please be mindful on the nature of circumstances that you are
exposed to or associated with during your lifetime. And if possible, it is
beneficial to create a heaven-like ambience at all times; more importantly
during the closing chapter of your present lifetime. This is because where you
would end up to in the next phase of existence is very much dependent on the
retained information in your subtle conscious mind, be it heaven-like or hell-
like. As a conclusion, the fate in your subsequent life is very much dependent
on the characteristics of your subtle mind consciousness. It is the architect
for the heaven or the hell realm. Mould it well at all times and if possible, one
should achieve enlightenment to eradicate the suffering of it.

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21.0 Who am I?
Am I the mind? Am I the body? Or, am I the five body senses?
To the Master, I am a Servant,
To the Teacher, I am a Student,
To the Buddha, I am Empty.
So who am I, actually? Am I the flesh and blood? Am I the soul? Am I the
consciousness? Who am I, really? Frankly speaking, what we used to claim
such as the ‘I’ or ‘you’ or ‘we’ is merely an expression for our minds to
comprehend on day-to-day communication with another individual. However,
this expression does not grant us with an unchanging or a permanent
ownership of our minds and bodies. The ‘I’ or ‘you’ or ‘we’ (five khandhas)
is purely part of the becoming processes in the dependent nature. Both our
minds and bodies would constantly orientate and evolve in accordance with the
subjected conditions. The physical body is shaped up as an appearance due to
the existence of matter and it is basically concerted, aggregated or
concentrated or wrapped energy.
In other words, appearance is merely a momentary outcome of the process of
aggregation that varies according to the subjected conditions. For example,
ice, water and steam are different appearances deriving from the orientation of
H2O properties under the influence of the external conditions. In other words,
it is the orientation of H2O properties that has taken place to conjure up the
momentary outcome of it. As for the mind, it is also originated from the
process of aggregation that conjures up the elements of memory and
consciousness and varies under the influence of conditional phenomena.
So how could we properly describe ourselves? The right way to express
ourselves is, ‘I am what I am.’ ‘If you think this is what I am, then I am’ and
‘If you see that is what I am, then I am.’ The phenomena that arise are very
much related to the consciousness that perceives them. Phenomenon exists
as this or that is dependent on the observers. It is just like describing the
same elephant by different blind men – one blind man may say an elephant
looks like a tree trunk; another blind man would say an elephant looks like a
snake.

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And this is how we explicate the presence of the waves of dependent
phenomena having clouded our minds from discerning the reality of
circumstances. But what constitutes an ultimate reality then? An ultimate
reality exists beyond mind and beyond concepts and words in the sense that it
is beyond our usual ways of perceiving things. Language and conception only
imply that things exist in distinct manners i.e. wise person, dumb person, saint,
devil, etc. - in such well-defined and independent categories. Perceiving
ultimate reality is seeing that things do not exist in these fantasised, impossible
ways, in black and white categories.
In other words, an ultimate reality is such label-less, bound-less, stereotype-
less, colour-less, beginning-less, end-less and for the ease of our expression,
we could summarise it as the ‘deepest fact about things.’ An enlightened
mind is able to discern the deepest fact about things in crystal clear and
without hesitation after getting rid of the waves of dependent phenomena. So
when we talk about Buddhism, it is all about transforming an ignorant state of
the mind into a realised one – a process of enlightenment. To begin with, one
would need to set in a right mentality or determination. One has to see all
things as they really are, to liberate from it and to be enlightened. Have
boundless compassion and loving kindness along the way. This would be an
everlasting remedy to the rising of dukkha that was recommended by the wise
Buddha. A fully awakened state of mind does not require labeling, colouring,
stereotyping, beginning, ending, etc. All subjects and objects are in completely
neutralised state of affairs - when this arising, that arises; when this ceasing,
that ceases.
22.0 What are Phenomena and Existence?
Phenomena appear to arise or are perceived by our senses to arise in and of
themselves, but they are not. All phenomena, including emptiness, are
dependent-arising. Emptiness, however, did correspond to both the inherent
existence and the dependent arising due to its universal qualities. Thus
phenomena do not exist inherently as this or that from their own sides,
unrelated to the consciousness that perceives them. Phenomena exist as this
or that - are dependent on the observers.

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Now, we need to look at the definition of existence. What exists is defined as
that which can be known. If it cannot be known by the mind, then it does not
exist. And conventionally, things can exist as in fallacy or in reality. But in the
ultimate reality, things do not exist in the ways that concepts and language
imply they do. Things would only exist as in deepest facts i.e. it is beyond mind
and beyond concepts and words in the sense that it is beyond our usual ways
of perceiving things. Language and conception only imply that things exist as
in conventional reality i.e. distinct manners such as wise person, dumb person,
saint, devil, etc. - in such well-defined and independent categories. And
perceiving ultimate reality is seeing that things do not exist in these fantasised,
impossible ways, in black and white categories.
23.0 What is Emptiness?
Everything that exists is empty because there is no essence to anything and
nothing has ever existed in its own quality – nothing is permanent and
unchanging. All objects exist conditionally without an eternal essence. They
only exist in relation to each other as appearances that in turn vary as per the
perceptions of the beholders. Energy is the underlying element for all the
existences and it is dependent on the conditional phenomena. And a
phenomenon is thing that appears to or is perceived by senses and therefore, it
is empty as well. At the end of the day, we could summarise that emptiness is
the beginning for all existences. Every existence is empty and emptiness is in
every existence.
24.0 Emptiness Everywhere
So how does emptiness derive and why is it crucial for one to ponder at?
From direct experience, we know that humans and things cause pleasure and
pain, and that they can help and harm. Therefore, phenomena certainly do
exist but the question is how? They do not exist in their own quality but only
have an existence dependent upon many factors, including a consciousness
that conceptualises them.

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But in what way is consciousness mistaken? Because all phenomena appear to
exist in their own quality, all of our ordinary perceptions are mistaken. We have
taken in a wrong sense that living beings, things and phenomena appear to exist
in and of themselves. It seems that phenomena could be established in their
own right or quality, and from the object’s side upon conceptualising our
consciousness. Unfortunately, with this false mode, we are hindering ourselves
from recognising the discrepancy between appearance and reality.
Nevertheless, one could conduct a self-training session to develop wisdom and
eliminate one’s ignorance on the ultimate truth. Upon seeking through in-
depth analysis, one could find inherent existence of whatever object one is
considering — oneself, another person, one’s body, one’s mind, or anything
else is completely lacking. For example, when you examine an object such as
car, its inherent existence is negated, but what is left is a body dependent on
an engine, seats, lamps, window glasses, tires, gases, etc. In other words, what
is left after the analysis is a dependently existent phenomenon.
Thus it is not that you come to understand that the object or phenomenon
does not exist but rather, you find that its inherent existence is unfounded.
This is the ultimate discovery about the orientation of nature. Nature is a
system of existence fully occupied with factors that would rise and fall
dependently. At the end of the day, dualism of the subject and object, and the
appearance of multiplicity arises out of our ignorance on the true nature would
vanish once emptiness is realised. We could then differentiate the way things
are perceived to exist and the way things really exist.
‘The truth arises in you. You are the truth; you create truths and not
someone else out there.’
～ Buddhitakso ～

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25.0 Emptiness and Existence
Emptiness is a necessary prerequisite for any objects to exist; without it, the
object would be impossible. Upon in-depth analysis, we could discover that
emptiness corresponds to two distinct scenarios:
1. It corresponds to the inherent existence (due to unchanging nature) that
all conventional phenomena lack.
2. It corresponds to the dependent arising (a conditional phenomenon) i.e.
subject to the same lack of inherent existence as every other object or
phenomenon. This is referred to as the emptiness of emptiness.
The above is a rather strange paradox but still logical because emptiness is a
universal or an infinite phenomenon. Therefore, it is evident that object could
arise out of emptiness due to the second scenario clarified above and it is the
ambience for the origination of existence.
As a summary, the emptiness of phenomena is both the cause and
consequence of the dependent nature of phenomena. It is comparable to
scientific term of singularity and also the inherent quality of existence.
Emptiness is considered the ultimate truth because it inherently exists exactly
as it is perceived when it is perceived directly by an enlightened mind. And
discovering the ultimate truth is the key to overcoming the ignorant state of
the mind.
26.0 Reflection of Emptiness
When we talk about seeing into emptiness, we talk about the progressive
realisation of the mind on the reality of things. Therefore, emptiness can be
realised into stages as below: -
Stage 1 Elementary Realisation
 All things and phenomena are lack of core essence.
 Nothing is unchanging and permanent.
 Everything is inter-related.

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Stage 2 Intermediary Realisation
 Ability to differentiate the way things are perceived to exist
and the way things really exist.
 Only seeing without believing.
Stage 3 Advance Realisation
 No dualism of the subject and object, and no appearance of
multiplicity.
 All things and phenomena rise and fall within a singular
condition.
 Only uniformity exists.
Stage 4 Ultimate Realisation
 All dependent arising are completely blown off or extinguished.
 No string attached, and nothing is left remaining.
 Infinite, unchanging, permanent, and unconditional.
 Exists beyond all conventional phenomena.
The ultimate realisation of emptiness by the mind would mean a phase of
perfect intermediation being accomplished by the mind. A perfect
intermediation would mean a comprehensive absence of any or all units under
consideration. It is also known as a complete neutralisation of conditional
phenomena. But an absence of any or all units under consideration is not
equivalent to nothingness of any or all units under consideration.
27.0 Birth and Rebirth
For general understanding, rebirth does not mean trans-migration. An
individual soul does not migrate from a physical body into another one. No, it
just won’t fit at all. Every individual or thing that exists would not be the same
- it could only be in a similar condition e.g. twins are similar but never the same
individuals. Every individual is unique respectively and no individuals would be
the same even though they do share some sort of the same genes before time.
On this pretext, you may have heard in various stories whereby a spirit or
ghost has the ability to possess into the body of an individual but it never

39
absolutely overtakes the soul of the possessed individual. This is because one
cannot simply exchange the soul at one’s whim and fancy. Even individuals
with the most powerful magic charm could not perform this feat. Also, you
have heard of the organ transplant cases, whereby the new recipients need to
take immunosuppressive drugs to treat any transplant rejections – live long.
In Buddhism, rebirth refers to evolving consciousness or stream of
consciousness of a person (upon death) and the new consciousness arising in
the same person (in the new person) is neither identical to, nor entirely
different from, the old consciousness, but forms part of a causal continuum or
stream with it. The basic cause for this persistent re-arising of personality is
the abiding of consciousness in ignorance; when ignorance is uprooted, rebirth
ceases. For example, a flame is transferred from one candle to another, or a
fire spreads from one field to another. In the same way that it depends on the
original fire, there is a conditioned relationship between one life and the next;
they are not identical but neither are they completely distinct.
And it is possible for rebirth to take place from a single source into different
identities at any various point of time, just like how the genetic lineage works
for generations. This is how we explain the destiny of being siblings, being life
partners, being close friends in one’s lifetime. Somehow or somewhere before
time, the so-called relevant individuals are inherited from the similar sources of
predecessor. Thus in the present lifetime one has the opportunity to meet and
know with the relevant beings and not the other non-relevant beings.
Inevitably, under the natural law of attraction, anything that belongs to the
same ancestry would somehow attract with each other, no matter how far or
near distance and how long or short time period. So by now, one would know
what the phrase, ‘Destiny is made in Heaven; Man looks for his other half; We
shared with a common chemistry’, would mean in the general context.
Generally, most individuals could not recall their respective past lives because
they have inherited much assimilated element-dots deriving from myriad of
predecessors. However, some individuals did remember vividly on their past
lives and could relate it well in their present lives. A higher density of any
particular element-dot inheritance would mean a higher retention of genetic
information that determines the particular pool of behaviour of a predecessor.

40
Let us look at the following illustrations: -
Illustration 1
Key: -
Force of Ignorance Prevailing Conscious Mind Dependent phenomenon
Force of Awakening Subtle Conscious Mind
The Mind of a living being The Mind of a departing being
The Subtle Conscious Mind is The force of Ignorance has outdone
released into fragments the force of Awakening
o
回
光
返
照
A final burst of energy before death

41
Key: -
Subtle Conscious Mind of Individual A Subtle Conscious Mind of Individual B
Subtle Conscious Mind of Individual C Subtle Conscious Mind of Individual D
Fragments of liberated Subtle Conscious Mind of different
Individuals under an Imbalanced phenomenon
The Subtle Conscious Mind of different Individuals The Mind of a new being derived
congregating under a Balanced phenomenon from different predecessors

42
Illustration 2
Key: - E = Energy M = Matter
Generation 1
Individual A Individual B Individual C
E1-1 E1-2 E1-3 E1-4 E2-1 E2-2 E2-3 E3-1 E3-2 E3-3
E1-5 E1-6 E1-7 E2-4 E2-5 E2-6 E3-4 E3-5
M1-1 M1-2 M1-3 M1-4 M2-1 M2-2 M2-3 M2-4 M3-1 M3-2 M-3-3
M1-5 M1-6 M1-7 M2-5 M2-6 M3-4 M3-5
Disintegrating process
E1-1 E1-4 E1-3 E1-7 E2-1 E2-2 E2-4 E2-6 E3-1 E3-2 E3-4
E1-5 E1-6
E1-2 M1-1 M1-2 M2-2 M2-3 M2-4 M3-1 M3-2 M3-4 M3-5
M1-7 M1-4 M1-5 M2-5 M2-6 E2-5
M1-6 M1-3 E2-3 M2-1 M-3-3 E3-3 E3-5

43
Some lapse of time after the disintegrating process
M1-2 M1-3 M1-4 M1-5 M2-2 M2-3 M2-4 M2-5 M2-6 M3-1 M3-2 M3-4 M3-5
 E1-2-1 E1-3-1 E1-4-1 E1-5-1  E2-2-1 E2-3-1 E2-4-1 E2-5-1 E2-6-1  E3-1-1 E3-2-1 E3-4-1 E3-5-1
M1-6 M1-3  E1-6-1 E1-3-1 M2-1  E2-1-1 M3-3  E3-3-1
E1-2-1 E1-6 E1-5-1 E2-1-1 E2-4 E2-6-1 E3-1 E3-2-1 E3-5-1 E3-5
 M1-2-1 M1-6-1 M1-5-1  M2-1-1 M2-4-1 M2-6-1  M3-1-1 M3-2-1 M3-5-2 M3-5-1
New integrating process
Generation 2
Individual A1 Individual B1 Individual C1
E2-4
E1-1 E1-2 E2-1 E1-3-1 E1-6 E2-2 E2-3 E3-4 E2-5 E2-6 M-2-4-1 M1-2-1
M1-5-1 M2-6-1 M1-3 M3-5-1 M3-2-1 M3-5-2 M3-1-1
Remarks: -
Individual A, Individual B and Individual C are three respective individuals living in
separate locations in Generation 1.
Individual A1 and Individual B1 are husband and wife in Generation 2.
Individual C1 is good friend of Individual A1 and Individual B1 in Generation 2.
Type of person - Individual A1 is a perfectly normal or healthy type,
Individual B1 is a hyperactive type or supernatural type,
Individual C1 is a weak or defective type.
The law of kamma applies in determining the above rebirth conditions.

44
In the above illustration, supposedly Individual A is an ardent pianist then the
new being would somehow be naturally talented toward the play of piano or
something with similarity. This is how we explain the natural talented skills we
always uncovered from young children and it is the same case scenario for the
phobic conditions in any particular individuals. Ultimately, it is the wonder of
nature that everyone would not be totally the same or totally different from
each other. According to Christianity, it is believed that human beings begin
with Adam and Eve and this saying may hold its truth literally.
28.0 Transformation from Ignorance into Realisation
The Buddha nature exists within all beings or things. It is only a matter of time
before one could make the discovery of this so-called the black hole of
emptiness. Let us survey into the following illustrations: -
The Black hole of Emptiness
p 1 p 2
p 3
p 13
p 12
p 4
p 11
p 5
p 10
p 9
p 8
p 6
p 7
NIBBĀNA
Singularity & Uniformity
SAMSĀRA
Duality & Multiplicity
Duality & Multiplicity
Dependent
rising
Imbalanced
condition
NO MIND
Independent
&
Permanent
MIND
Dependent
falling
Point B
Point A
Balanced
condition

45
Key: -
Point A / Point B = subject / object = phenomenon of duality
mind
path of awakening
p phenomenon
energy
matter
space
The Deepest fact about Things
Key: -
The Mind of Individual Dependent nature of Phenomenon
The Black hole of Emptiness The Deepest fact about Things

46
The Progressing state of the Mind
Listed below is a comparison between an ignorant and an awakened state of
the mind as well as the potential movement of the mind toward a state of
enlightenment: -
1. Mind A is comparatively stronger and more agile than Mind B.
Mind A Mind B
2. Mind C is more ignorant than Mind D.
Mind C Mind D
3. Mind E is in tranquil and realised conditions.
Mind E
(Enlightened Mind)

47
4. The presence of the waves of dependent phenomena has clouded the
mind from discerning the deepest fact about things in crystal clear and
without hesitation.
The Presence of the Waves of The Absence of the Waves of
Dependent phenomena Dependent phenomena
5. The absence of the waves of dependent phenomena enables the mind to
discern the deepest fact about things in crystal clear and without
hesitation.
6. In the absence of waves arising, the entire dependent nature of
phenomenon would die out and fade away gradually, thus leaving behind
the mind fully exposed to the deepest fact about things.
This circumstance enables the mind to discern the deepest fact about
things in a complete state of realisation without a layer of the dependent
phenomenon gets in the way.
The Disappearance of the The Mind is fully exposed to the
Dependent phenomenon Deepest fact about Things

48
7. Under a complete realised circumstance, the mind would be absorbed
into the black hole of emptiness.
The Mind is disappearing into The eternal bliss of Nibbāna
the Black hole of Emptiness
8. Ultimately, there is no mind remaining in the infinite, unchanging,
permanent and unconditional state of nibbāna i.e. the ambience for an
eternal bliss.
29.0 Existence of the Mind
Mind is defined as memory, remembrance, way of thinking, feeling, wishing,
opinion, intention or purpose.
Key: -
M = mind
S = subject
O = object
p = phenomenon
Subject-object relationship
MSA
MOBMOC
MOD MOE
pAC
pAD pAE
pAB

49
Conventional truth
Duality or multiplicity would arise in the presence of the mind. This is because
there is a subject pondering on the object or matter - phenomenon arises. The
subject is mainly the mind. Phenomenon is thing that appears to or is
perceived by senses. In other words, phenomenon is thing that appears to or is
perceived by the mind senses. When there is a mind arising, the phenomenon
would arise. When there is a phenomenon arising, the dependent nature would
arise. In other words, the mind is closely related to the phenomenon, and the
phenomenon is closely related to the dependent nature - just like shadow
follows the body. This is what the conventional reality is all about.
30.0 Mind in the Dependent nature
Mind is the forerunner of all states. The presence of the waves of dependent
phenomena has clouded the mind from discerning the reality of circumstances
i.e. ignorance arises. And with ignorance blindfolding the mind since the dawn
of time, suffering arises and continues to arise in the dependent nature i.e. with
the rise of perceptions, conceptions, labels, boundaries, names, activities,
shapes, relations, descriptions, stereotyping, beginning, ending, etc.
Beginning of the Dependent nature Ending of the Dependent nature
 Rise in the Cause or Effect  Cessation in the Cause or Effect
Cause Effect
Cause is Effect, Effect is Cause
When the mind arising, the dependent nature arises,
When the mind ceasing, the dependent nature ceases.

50
Dependent nature is a classification being performed by the mind. Without the
mind, there is no classification of the dependent nature. Therefore, both the
mind and the dependent nature are inter-dependent of each other. There is no
separate case of cause, no separate case of effect. Both the mind and the
dependent nature are cause and effect at the same time.
In fact, cause and effect are two aspects of the same thing, both reflected in a
different time of events. This is because reality does not exist in a linear
orientation - therefore, there is no real first cause, no real first effect. Cause
and effect are inter-depending, inter-waving and inter-relating with one
another - this is how the conventional reality works. At the end of the day,
there is only rising or falling of phenomenon in the dependent nature.
31.0 Emptiness of the Mind
Right now, why is there duality or multiplicity in the dependent nature? It is
because there is mind arising. Why is there mind arising in the dependent
nature? It is because there are elements of energy. Why are there elements
of energy in the dependent nature? It is because there is emptiness. Why is
there emptiness in the dependent nature? It is because there is emptiness of
emptiness. In other words, the emptiness of phenomena is both the cause and
consequence of the dependent nature of phenomena.
Emptiness of phenomena exists in the way it appears in direct perception and
without the need to reference of any other entity. It is completely defined by
its own nature. In other words, emptiness of phenomena is an inherent
existence that is uncaused. It is indestructible and eternal. It is unchanging
when viewed externally and cannot undergo any internal changes of state. It
has no constituent parts and nothing can be thrown out or removed from it.
Nothing can be added to it and no change in the external conditions can affect
it. As a summary, we could see that emptiness exists in all conditional
phenomena. Without emptiness, the potential movement of the mind from non-
enlightenment toward a state of enlightenment would not be possible – that is
to say if the mind itself existed inherently. The emptiness of inherent
existence of the mind is called the Buddha nature.

51
32.0 Non-existence of the Mind
No Subject-object relationship
Ultimate truth
No duality or multiplicity would arise in the non-existence of the mind. This is
because there is no subject to ponder on the object or matter. When there is
no mind arising, no phenomenon would arise. When there is no phenomenon
arising, no dependent nature would arise. When there is no dependent nature,
there would be no perception, no conception, no label, no boundary, no name,
no activity, no shape, no relation, no description, no stereotyping, no beginning,
no ending, etc.
An ultimate reality is a truth that exists beyond mind and beyond concepts and
words in the sense that it is beyond our usual ways of perceiving things.
Language and conception only imply that things exist in distinct manners i.e.
wise person, dumb person, saint, devil, etc. - in such well-defined and
independent categories. Perceiving ultimate reality is seeing that things do not
exist in these fantasised, impossible ways, in black and white categories.
In the absence of the mind, things would appear as in the deepest facts per se
i.e. no label, no boundary, no name, no activity, no shape, no description, etc.
This is because there is no existence in relative to each other as appearances.
An enlightened mind is able to discern the deepest fact about things in crystal
clear and without hesitation after getting rid of the waves of dependent
phenomena. The ultimate truth does not require any labels for its revelations
MOBMOC
MOD MOE
MSA

52
and therefore, one has to let go and blow away the mindset that is associated
with the ‘-ism’ or ‘-ology’, for it is a system of stereotyping or pre-
conditioning. Liberation is the only right potion to the ultimate truth discovery.
33.0 Conditions of the Mind
The mind comprises with two terms i.e. prevailing consciousness and subtle
consciousness. Both of these terms would interact differently under the
circumstances described as below: -
33.1 Asleep
When one is asleep, the prevailing conscious mind would fall into slumber at the
same time. Basically, prevailing conscious mind is closely related to the
physical body. This means there would be a biological clock being attached
within it i.e. there would be duration for staying awake and for resting.
However, there is another term of mind i.e. the subtle conscious mind that has
no biological clock in it. Subtle conscious mind is somehow independent from
the physical body. This is because when the physical body is being ‘switch-
off’ temporarily, the subtle conscious mind still works unpretentiously. For
example, we could still have visions in our dreams even with our physical eyes
closed while asleep.
And dreams are succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through
the mind during sleep. In other words, we could say that subtle mind
consciousness is like VCR – recording analog audio and analog video from
broadcast television so that the images and sound can be played back at a
more convenient time.
33.2 Near-death Experience (NDE)
Perhaps, one has heard of many reported incidences related to near-death,
out-of-body experience and the tunnel of light vision. How could we explain
these phenomena?

53
Append below, please find the illustrations that could clarify the above
scenario: -
Key: -
Prevailing Conscious Mind
Subtle Conscious Mind
The Clear Light
Dependent phenomenon
The Mind of a living being
Key : -
in dormancy
Subtle Conscious Mind at
work
The Clear Light
Observation by
The Mind of a being in NDE
During the circumstance of near-death, the two terms of the mind are
separated from each other (just like a joint dislocation) i.e. the prevailing
conscious mind would be in a dormant condition but the subtle conscious mind

54
remains in an active condition. In other words, the subtle mind consciousness
plays an active role in relating the out-of-body experience and the tunnel of
light vision. The clear light is actually the Buddha nature within all beings.
33.3 Enlightenment
During the circumstance of enlightenment, the two terms of the mind would
separate from each other – the prevailing conscious mind would play in a
dominant role, whereas, the subtle conscious mind would remain in a
submissive condition.
Key: -
The Clear Light
The Mind of a non-enlightened being
Key : -
The Clear Light /
The Black hole of Emptiness
Observation by Prevailing
Conscious Mind
The Mind of an enlightened being
The role of prevailing conscious mind is like a mind-in-command i.e. a kind of
mind that can lead, take charge, concentrate, make decision and convey action.

55
An enlightened mind can be described as a prevailing conscious mind with
liberation from the thoughts i.e. instead of being the thoughts; the perspective
is shifted to watching the thoughts churned out by subtle conscious mind. In
other words, it means the prevailing conscious mind would make observation
without identifying with the thoughts – the subtle conscious mind. This
liberation from thought identification to thought observation is called the
experience of the Buddha nature.
During the process of observation, the awakened prevailing conscious mind
could also discern with the so-called memory fragments of the previous lives
subdued within the subtle conscious mind. This is because within the elements
of subtle consciousness one would discover the elements of subtle memory.
Within the elements of subtle memory one would discover the elements of
subtle information. In other words, the awakened prevailing conscious mind
could see through the ‘seed treasures’ of kamma accumulated from the
retained subtle information throughout the series of one’s past lives in crystal
clear and without hesitation.
Besides seeing through the past life events, an awakened mind could also
foresee into the future events. In a layman term, it is named as a de-ja vu
experience or some kind of time travelling to the future condition. This is
because an awakened mind is highly luminous and vigilant to any development
of circumstances and surpassing time. And from direct experience, time
travelling to the future condition is plausible and could be evidently proven.
Append below would be the highlights pertaining to several of my future visions
or de-ja vu experiences that have taken place: -
The sinking of a boat in Johore, Malaysia.
– April 29, 2009
The death of Michael Jackson.
– June 25, 2009
The political situation in Malaysia revealed by Wikileaks.
– December 15, 2010

56
The simultaneous big floods in several countries.
– January 12, 2011
The death of Osama bin Laden.
– May 1, 2011
For the event details, please refer to
http://forum.ipoh.com.my/showthread.php?t=9241
In Buddhism, it is mentioned that only a human can attain enlightenment as a
fully enlightened Buddha. This is because humans are just one type of sentient
being with both the prevailing and the subtle conscious mind stream that can
find balance between happiness and suffering via the meditating processes.
Basically, there are two types of meditation in Buddhism. One is samatha and
the other is vipassanā meditation. Samatha meditation is to calm or tranquil
the mind by means of concentration. Whereas, vipassanā meditation is to
mould the mind into seeing all things as they really are – an insight into the
true nature of reality. The main focus of vipassanā meditation is to attain pure
awareness via mindfulness. Vipassanā is often preceded by samatha but
nonetheless, both types are inter-dependable throughout the practices in order
to achieve favourable results in meditation. Upon entering deeply into a
meditative state (in full concentration), the prevailing mind consciousness
would separate from the subtle mind consciousness. The main reason for
engaging samatha meditation is to calm or tranquil the wilderness of the subtle
mind consciousness. Thereafter, the prevailing conscious mind enters a state
of pure observation (mindful) without identification on the flow of thoughts
conjured up by the subtle conscious mind until pure awareness is attained.
Moreover, when one has gained enlightenment while sustaining with a living
body, the mind would still exist but with a paradigm shift into seeing all the
things or happenings in the ultimate perspectives without delusion or
hesitation. The mind has not gained with a complete liberation yet and this
circumstance is also known as cessation with remainder. The ultimate
liberation or cessation without remainder can only be achieved without
sustaining a living body i.e. the passing into parinibbāna. During one last time of
disintegrating process, the subtle mind consciousness would be absorbed into
the black hole of emptiness and then followed by the prevailing mind

57
consciousness. In the absence of the mind, the dependent phenomenon would
die out concurrently. Ultimately, there is no mind remaining in the infinite,
unchanging, permanent and unconditional state of nibbāna and this is the
ambience for an eternal bliss.
34.0 What are Awareness, Consciousness and Mind?
Awareness is a ground condition that ‘supports’ consciousness. The nature
of awareness is effulgence and it is in a not-knowing state before the
appearance of object. Consciousness, on the other hand, is appearance of
objects in the mind. When awareness touches on objects, consciousness would
arise simultaneously. Consciousness is naturally looking outward to objects
and it is flitting all the time. In addition, consciousness is synergy i.e. energy
that expands through cooperation. Synergy is a key to the geometric
expansion of consciousness and thus the arising of its two terms i.e. prevailing
consciousness and subtle consciousness. On the other hand, mind is a pattern
of consciousness which is born from awareness. In fact, mind is known as
consciousness in individuality. Therefore, the origin of individuality is the same
as the origin of the mind. Mind is something more objective and involves clear
discrimination – differentiates and understands the characteristics of objects.
One utilises mind to understand things because mind understands the
manipulation of consciousness.
35.0 Category of Consciousness
In Buddhism, the mind-stream is referring to the stream of consciousness. So
to understand our minds, we need to understand our consciousness. Basically,
there are two terms of the mind i.e. prevailing consciousness and subtle
consciousness. And precisely, consciousness can be categorised into four
layers i.e. mind consciousness, sense consciousness, store consciousness and
manas consciousness.

58
35.1 Mind Consciousness
It is regarded as the ‘working’ consciousness or the mind-in-command i.e. the
kind of mind that can lead, take charge, concentrate, make decision and convey
action. In other words, it is a prevailing conscious mind that makes judgments
and plans. Basically, prevailing conscious mind is closely related to the
physical body or more specifically, the brain. This means there would be a
biological clock being attached within it i.e. there would be duration for staying
awake and for resting. Without the brain, there would be no prevailing mind
consciousness in existence. Therefore, brain is a necessary prerequisite for
any mind consciousness to exist; without it, the mind consciousness would be
impossible.
35.2 Sense Consciousness
It is a subtle consciousness that is derived from our five senses i.e. sight,
hearing, taste, touch and smell. Sense consciousness is sometimes called the
‘gate’, and always engages with three elements – the sense organ, the sense
object and the experience of what we are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or
touching. In other words, physical body is a necessary prerequisite for any
sense consciousness to exist; without it, the sense consciousness would be
impossible.
35.3 Store Consciousness
It is also known as subtle conscious mind that is somehow independent from
the physical body. Store consciousness would act like a museum whereby one
could discern with the elements of memory and information. This is because
within the elements of subtle consciousness one would discover the elements
of subtle memory. Within the elements of subtle memory one would discover
the elements of subtle information. In other words, it is a place whereby one
could see through the ‘seed treasures’ of kamma accumulated from the
retained subtle information throughout the series of one’s past lives.
Store consciousness is responsible for the birth and rebirth conditions of
individuals. When a person is lying dead, all the elements of consciousness
would leave the body. However, only the store consciousness would sustain in

59
liberated conditions outside the physical body but not the mind consciousness
and the sense consciousness. The switch of the mind consciousness and the
sense consciousness would be turned off and it would not carry on beyond the
grave because these two types of consciousness are dependent on the
physical body for arising – just like shadow follows the body.
In other words, store consciousness (where all kinds of seeds and information
are kept) would stay behind in a condition known as the stream of
consciousness (always flowing, always present, never interrupted) and the basic
cause for the persistent re-arising of personality is the abiding of store
consciousness in ignorance; when ignorance is uprooted, rebirth ceases. The
elements of ignorance and memory are closely inter-dependent of each other.
The elements of memory have two main functions i.e. deposits and withdrawals
of information – the act of retaining and recalling facts. The rise of ignorance
has to depend on the withdrawal of deposited information from the previous
events and the deposited information can only be redeemed from the elements
of memory.
Therefore, it is not correct to mention that a newborn being has no memory of
a previous life. Every single newborn being would surely bear with the seeds of
kamma deriving from the previous lives. The seeds of kamma are comparable
to deposits of information and the fruits of kamma are comparable to
withdrawals of the deposited information upon maturity. In other words, it is
not that the newborn being has no memory of a previous life but rather the
fruits of kamma have not ripened yet. Only upon maturity could the newborn
being start to recall events related to his or her previous lives. As a
conclusion, without store consciousness, the law of kamma would be impossible
in the realms of existence.
35.4 Manas Consciousness
It is also known as the cogitating consciousness that is always embracing and
attaching to store consciousness. Manas arises from store consciousness and
embraces store consciousness as its object. The function of manas is to
appropriate store consciousness as its own.

60
36.0 The Law of Vibration and the Law of Attraction
Everything or anything (physical or non-physical) that exists is nothing but
energy. And energy is nothing but a mere element of vibration. The basic level
of a matter is energy. The basic level of energy is vibration. Therefore, matter
is a vibrating mass of energy in which the different frequency of vibration would
determine the shape and the size of it. So energy and matter are both
referring to the same thing - both reflected in different forms per se. Just like
cause and effect are the same things - both reflected in a different time of
events.
According to the Einstein’s formula, E = mc2
, energy can be generated by
enforcing a matter into a circumstance of extremely high rate of vibration. At
the same time, a matter can be formed by compressing energy into a
circumstance of extremely low rate of vibration. In the material Universe, this
is how we clarify that something arises as in object is not out of nothing but
arises out of the elements of energy that exist in a system. And dependent
nature of phenomena is a necessary prerequisite for energy or matter to exist;
without it, the energy or matter would be impossible. As such, every existence
does contain with the three basic elements - energy, matter and space. These
basic elements would subject to the balanced and the imbalanced phenomena.
Under a balanced phenomenon, these elements would start to integrate with
each other to create aggregation. Under an imbalanced phenomenon, these
elements would start to disintegrate from each other to create segregation.
Once again, everything in the material Universe is made up of energy. Atoms
and molecules are made up of energy. Our bodies, our clothes, our cars, our
houses are all made up of energy but what makes them different is their
vibration. Energy is always vibrating at a different frequency under the
influence of conditional phenomena. Everything has its own vibrational
frequency – our thoughts, our feelings, the rock, the table, the car, the animal,
the plant, the tree, etc. Even colours are merely expressions of certain
vibrational frequencies. These scenarios are guided by a system of universal
law known as the law of vibration. In fact, the law of vibration serves as a
foundation for the law of attraction. The law of attraction states that we
attract what we are sending out i.e. like attracts like, unlike repels unlike.
Hence, favourable energies attract favourable energies and unfavourable

61
energies attract unfavourable energies. Human thoughts are cosmic waves of
energy that penetrate all time and space and it is the most potent vibration
that can attracts what is desired or wished for. In other words, all sentient
beings are electro-magnetic beings with the subtle mind consciousness that
acts as an antenna or a radar detector constantly attracting and magnetising
vibrational frequencies. Human thoughts are frequencies to which other similar
frequencies are constantly resonating. This resonance is the basis for a
universal law – the law of attraction. At the end of the day, the law of
attraction and the law of vibration go hand in hand at all times.
37.0 Ion makes the world go round
What is an ion? An ion is a charged atom or molecule. It is charged due to the
imbalanced number of electrons and the number of protons in the atom or
molecule. An atom can become a positive charge or a negative charge
depending on whether the number of electrons in an atom is greater or lesser
than the number of protons in the atom. Ion concentrations can vary over
short distances i.e. one may find that one end of a room has an excess of
positive ions and the other end, negative. In the nature, ions are formed in a
variety of ways - about half are created by radioactive gases and the other half
are produced from radioactive substances in the soil, cosmic rays, ultraviolet
rays, air flow friction, falling water and plants.
Basically, positive ions have a negative effect on humans and animals. Some of
the side effects caused by high positive ion counts are violent behaviour, road
rage, depression, dizziness, chills, tremors, sleeplessness, fatigue, irritability,
nausea, lethargy, respiratory symptoms, headaches, migraines, increase in heart
attacks, high blood pressure, increase in optical disturbances, anxiety, body
aches/pains, etc. Today, the modern homes and offices seal out negative ions.
Computer terminals, fluorescent lighting, forced air ventilation systems, and
modern building materials generate an over abundance of positive ions.
Electrical gadgets such as microwave oven, laptop, desktop computer,
television, mobile phone or the alarm clock could be to blame for the lacking of
negative ions in the atmosphere. Other positive ionisation could derive from
car exhausts, factory fumes, tire dust, cigarette smoke, cooking and heating
fumes, dust, etc.

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