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What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:06 pm
by starter
Hi Teachers/Friends,

Among the six sense consciousness (or the aggregate of consciousness), the mind consciousness is the most difficult to penetrate. We might think we've broken the self identity view but probably not yet -- we could still hold the mind consciousness as the unconditioned, pure "mind" (which is not the sensing/thinking mind), as the "true self". Some teachers/practitioners regard "the knowingness" in the Apana samadhi as the pure "mind" itself. Is such knowingness devoid of the five senses (the body and the physical world have "disappeared") really the pure "mind", or rather the mind consciousness? In my immature opinion, such knowingness still has the mind (state) as its object (although no object of the five senses) and still has both feeling (upekkha) and perception, which is inseparable from the mind consciousness. Only when dwelling at the sphere of cessation of perception and feeling the mind consciousness has ceased and that transcendental awarness of the living arahants there (which is beyond the 5 aggregates) is the liberated pure "mind". Therefore, "the knowingness" in the Apana samadhi is not the liberated mind itself but rather the mind consciousness. Furthermore, even that liberated mind is not a "true self", since it has no sense of "self". The sense of "self" is an illusion/notion, the result of the "magic show" of consciousness due to defilements. The defiled mind misinterprets and grasps the six sense consciousness and the other aggregates as "self". If one still conceives "the knowingness" in the apana samadhi as true citta, or conceives the liberated mind or nibbana as "I"/"mine" or as just having no identity like all the same water drops in the sea (this view still has a sense of self but only this self is not different from the others), then one probably hasn't broken the first fetter (the self identity view) yet. We can become liberated only when we have removed any views of self:

“View the world, … as empty [of “self”—“I” & “Mine”] — always mindful to have removed any view about self [e.g. "I have a self" or "I have no self"]. This way one is above & beyond death. This is how one views the world so as not to be seen by Death's king.” — Sn 5.15

Why did the Buddha teach us that the mind consciousness is a "magic show"? As soon as the mind generates sense consciousness and becomes aware of an external object (see post below), it discriminates this object from itself as other than itself, and differentiate between itself as the subject and the sensed as the object, which creates a sense of "self". It's through penetrating the sense consciousness (the aggregate of consciousness) is ANATTA that the mind can be liberated by not clinging/attaching to such consciousness/knowingness/awareness, and the other aggregates. For an attempt to explain the relationship between sense consciousness and the other aggregates, please see "How to develop bhavanamaya panna?" [http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=9262]. Your comments and corrections would be highly appreciated. Metta to all,

Starter

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:15 pm
by kirk5a
This seems relevant, from Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/lee/frames.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here I would like to back up and discuss the question of the mind in a little more detail. The word 'mind' covers three aspects:

The primal nature of the mind.
Mental states.
Mental states in interaction with their objects.
All of these aspects, taken together, make up the mind. If you don't know the mind in this way, you can't say that you really know it. All you can do is say that the mind arises and falls away, the mind doesn't rise or fall away; the mind is good, the mind is evil; the mind becomes annihilated, the mind doesn't become annihilated; the mind is a dhamma, the mind isn't a dhamma; the mind gains release, the mind doesn't gain release; the mind is nibbāna, the mind isn't nibbāna; the mind is sensory consciousness, the mind isn't sensory consciousness; the mind is the heart, the mind isn't the heart...

As the Buddha taught, there are only two paths to practice — the body, speech, and heart; and the body, speech, and mind — and in the end both paths reach the same point: Their true goal is release. So if you want to know the truth concerning any of the above issues, you have to follow the path and reach the truth on your own. Otherwise, you'll have to argue endlessly. These issues — for people who haven't practiced all the way to clear insight — have been termed by people of wisdom as sedamocana-kathā: issues that can only make you break out in a sweat.

So I would like to make a short explanation: The primal nature of the mind is a nature that simply knows. The current that thinks and streams out from knowing to various objects is a mental state. When this current connects with its objects and falls for them, it becomes a defilement, darkening the mind: This is a mental state in interaction. Mental states, by themselves and in interaction, whether good or evil, have to arise, have to disband, have to dissolve away by their very nature. The source of both these sorts of mental states is the primal nature of the mind, which neither arises nor disbands. It is a fixed phenomenon (ṭhiti-dhamma), always in place. By the primal nature of the mind — which is termed 'pabhassara,' or radiant — I mean the ordinary, elementary state of knowing in the present. But whoever isn't able to penetrate in to know it can't gain any good from it, like the proverbial monkey with the diamond.

Thus the name given by the Buddha for this state of affairs is really fitting: avijjā — dark knowledge, counterfeit knowledge. This is in line with the terms 'pubbante aññāṇam' — not knowing the beginning, i.e., the primal nature of the mind; 'parante aññāṇam' — not knowing the end, i.e., mental states in interaction with their objects; 'majjhantika aññāṇam' — not knowing the middle, i.e., the current that streams from the primal nature of knowing. When this is the case, the mind becomes a saṅkhāra: a fabricator, a magician, concocting prolifically in its myriad ways.

This ends the discussion of the mind as a frame of reference.

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:18 pm
by cooran
Hello starter, all,

This might be relevant:

The Magic Show (Kalakarama Sutta Prologue)
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=288" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Magic of the Mind - An Exposition of the Kalakarama Sutta by Bhikkhu Nanananda

The philosophically and psychologically important Kalakarama Sutta brings out some striking features of the epistemology of early Buddhism. As a prologue and as a framework for discussion of his exposition of the discourse, the author gives the simile of the “magic-show” to show the illusory nature of consciousness in the context of doctrinal categories such as the five aggregates. Throughout the exposition similes and analogies, both canonical and modern, and quotations from other discourses are given to illustrate and explain the relevant facts.
The author, Bhikkhu Ñanananda, is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk well known for his knowledge of Buddhist and Western philosophy. Before his ordination he was an assistant lecturer in Pali at the University of Peradeniya. Since entering the Buddhist Order in 1969 he has resided mostly in meditation hermitages.
http://www.bps.lk/expositionsandstudies.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

with metta
Chris

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:21 pm
by starter
Hi thanks for the input. Just to share with you my immature understanding about the above-quoted:

“The source of both these sorts of mental states (good and bad) is the primal nature of the mind, which neither arises nor disbands. It is a fixed phenomenon (ṭhiti-dhamma), always in place. By the primal nature of the mind — which is termed 'pabhassara,' or radiant — I mean the ordinary, elementary state of knowing in the present."
 The source of the unwholesome mental states is NOT the primal nature of the mind (the pure radiating mind), but the incoming defilements with Avija as root.
 …“the ordinary, elementary state of knowing in the present” is NOT the primal nature of the mind, BUT the mind consciousness.


"When this is the case (the mind with avija), the mind becomes a saṅkhāra: a fabricator, a magician, concocting prolifically in its myriad ways."
 Indeed so. But here we need to understand the magic show of the fifth aggregate, sense consciousness (which is generated by the mind).

Metta to all!

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:01 pm
by retrofuturist
Greetings Starter,

I'd be a bit wary of any explanation that says things like "the primal nature of the mind, which neither arises nor disbands. It is a fixed phenomenon (ṭhiti-dhamma), always in place. By the primal nature of the mind — which is termed 'pabhassara,' or radiant — I mean the ordinary, elementary state of knowing in the present.""

This bolded bit seems to contradict the Buddha's teachings in relation to anatta and anicca (or at least, even if it doesn't, it could easily be interpreted that way).

Check out the link Cooran supplied, it contains a link to a PDF of Venerable Nanananda's excellent essay on this very topic.

:reading:

Metta,
Retro. :)

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:15 am
by kirk5a
starter wrote:  …“the ordinary, elementary state of knowing in the present” is NOT the primal nature of the mind, BUT the mind consciousness.[/b]
Apparently you disagree with Ajahn Lee's explanation. For what reason, or based upon what source?

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:22 am
by retrofuturist
Greetings Kirk,
kirk5a wrote:
starter wrote:  …“the ordinary, elementary state of knowing in the present” is NOT the primal nature of the mind, BUT the mind consciousness.[/b]
Apparently you disagree with Ajahn Lee's explanation. For what reason, or based upon what source?
What starter says about mind-consciousness exists in many suttas.

I'd suggest the need for an explanation on this "primal nature of the mind" lies with Ajahn Lee moreso than Starter. It's Ajahn Lee introducing this new terminology that seemingly defies the Buddha's ti-lakkhana.

Metta,
Retro. :)

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:35 am
by mikenz66
Perhaps "The Great 'Luminous is the mind' thread" (my title :)) has some relevance to this discussion.

http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7878" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:anjali:
Mike

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:46 am
by kirk5a
retrofuturist wrote: What starter says about mind-consciousness exists in many suttas.
Starter says what, exactly, about mind-consciousness which exists in many suttas? Perhaps we could have a sutta reference to illustrate.

I'd suggest the need for an explanation on this "primal nature of the mind" lies with Ajahn Lee moreso than Starter. It's Ajahn Lee introducing this new terminology that seemingly defies the Buddha's ti-lakkhana.
Ajahn Lee does explain it, right in that quote. Whether that defies the Buddha's ti-lkkhana or not... em... what is "ti-lakkhana" I am unfamiliar with that term?

edit:
ti-lakkhaṇa:
Three characteristics inherent in all conditioned phenomena — being inconstant, stressful, and not-self.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/glossary ... i-lakkhana" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Right - so whether what Ajahn Lee says defies the three characteristics of all conditioned phenomena or not is a separate question, it does not have a self-evident answer to me.

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:24 am
by retrofuturist
Greetings Kirk,
kirk5a wrote:Starter says what, exactly, about mind-consciousness which exists in many suttas? Perhaps we could have a sutta reference to illustrate.
I'll leave that one for Starter to respond to.
kirk5a wrote:Right - so whether what Ajahn Lee says defies the three characteristics of all conditioned phenomena or not is a separate question, it does not have a self-evident answer to me.
On the contrary, three characteristics of all conditioned phenomena is such a foundational concept upon which the Dhamma rests, that if Ajahn Lee's explanation cannot adequately account for this, then it must be regarded with extreme caution.

Metta,
Retro. :)

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:25 am
by Kenshou
It seems to me that the idea of the "unconditioned citta" or whatever that many Thai teachers seem to use is simply pointing to the nature of the nibbanized mind by describing how it remains unmoved and unagitated by the flow of our conditioned experience. It is "unconditioned" in regard to those things, not bothered by the arising and passing of the various conditions of life. But it's not that they're saying this aloof mind is a metaphysically transcendent thing which exists beyond conditions and causality.

That would be a no-no.

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:30 am
by kirk5a
retrofuturist wrote: On the contrary, three characteristics of all conditioned phenomena is such a foundational concept upon which the Dhamma rests, that if Ajahn Lee's explanation cannot adequately account for this, then it must be regarded with extreme caution.
I don't disagree. I am just saying that whether or not it does adequately account for that, is not self-evident to me.

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:08 am
by Nyana
Kenshou wrote:It seems to me that the idea of the "unconditioned citta" or whatever that many Thai teachers seem to use is simply pointing to the nature of the nibbanized mind by describing how it remains unmoved and unagitated by the flow of our conditioned experience. It is "unconditioned" in regard to those things, not bothered by the arising and passing of the various conditions of life. But it's not that they're saying this aloof mind is a metaphysically transcendent thing which exists beyond conditions and causality.

That would be a no-no.
:goodpost:

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:54 am
by Akuma
starter wrote: Only at the stage of cessation of perception and feeling the mind consciousness has ceased and that transcendental awareness of the living arahants (which is beyond the 5 aggregates) is the liberated mind/citta.
How can there be a citta beyond the aggregates?

Re: What's mind consciousness and why it's a magic show?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:23 pm
by kirk5a
Akuma wrote: How can there be a citta beyond the aggregates?
Well we can read the following passages and find it answers questions or gives rise to new ones. Probably gives rise to new ones. :smile:
"'Consciousness without surface,
endless, radiant all around,
has not been experienced through the earthness of earth ... the liquidity of liquid ... the fieriness of fire ... the windiness of wind ... the allness of the all.'
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... html#fnt-8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Blessed One said, "What is the All? Simply the eye & forms, ear & sounds, nose & aromas, tongue & flavors, body & tactile sensations, intellect & ideas. This, monks, is called the All.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;