The Lankavatara Sutra: Translation and Commentary (NONE)

What is realized is permanent, and what realizes is permanent.

In this metaphor, this shore is samsara, the other shore is nirvana, and the river is that of the ever-flowing habit-energy that arises from projections.

“It is like someone crossing a river in a dream who wakes up before they are across.13 Once they are awake, they wonder if it was real or not. But it was neither real nor not real. It was only because of the different habit-energy of the traces that remained from the sights, sounds, feelings, and thoughts from the beginningless past that different

Although usually understood to mean “birth and death,” it means “wandering,” as in wandering through birth and death.

the path to understanding is not through speculation or philosophical discourse but through personal realization, which requires avoiding distractions and cultivating whatever brings one closer to one’s own mind.

The Buddha is denying the validity of impermanence. Te-ch‘ing says, “The broken jug is a metaphor for no effect, the burnt seed for no cause.”

It was only because of the different habit-energy of the traces that remained from the sights, sounds, feelings, and thoughts from the beginningless past that different shapes appeared and disappeared in the dream that is the mind, the will, and conceptual consciousness.

“Moreover, Mahamati, the five dharmas include appearance, name, projection, suchness, and correct knowledge.57

nor do they forsake its bliss for the nothingness of nirvana, nor do they cease giving rise to thoughts. For them, thoughts are not thoughts.