Commentary:
When there is a perfect view, myriad things are not viewed as the independent separate substantial entities. There is neither the arising nor perishing of wandering thoughts in the mind of the Enlightened One. The non-arising and non-perishing state is the no-mind state of the Enlightened One. The no-mind state is the state of Chan wisdom. The goal of Buddhist cultivation is to actualize this soteriological attainment. The ‘no arising and the no mind state’ should not erroneously be conceived as the cessation of the normal functions of the six sense organs. The ‘No’ is a key word in Mahāyāna Buddhism. It connotes that the cessation of the mind of self-grasping when the Unity of the universe is discerned without clinging upon the falsely imagined discrete entities or substantial individuals. ‘No’ is negation of inherent existence of all phenomena, especially the Five Aggregates.
The No-mind is actualized through the realization of Right View. Right View is the perception of Oneness or Totality of the myriad things of the universe or the multiplicity of the world. At this state of the human mind, the mind is unmoved by any stimulus of the object of the senses. To be unmoved is not to be interpreted as to lose or abandon all human emotions. To be unmoved is to cease all evil doing and to commit only the wholesome actions without attachment. Being unmoved is detachment of equanimity. Detachment is not to be mistaken as the complete cessation of emotions of love or hatred. It is the complete destruction of hatred but a diligent, ardent and resolute promotion of love without attachment called the selfless universal love. All Bodhisattavas, Patriarchs and Buddhas are profusely compassionate because the four sublimes states of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathic joy and equanimity are manifested and radiated profusely by them to all sentient beings.
To be continued ….
The original mind is neither arising nor ceasing which is the intrinsic Nirvāṇ̣a existing originally in sentient beings. No mind does not imply the cessation of the function of the mind. ’No mind’ connotes the cessation of the ordinary consciousness directed by illusive self or ego. The annihilation of self or ego produces the mind of pure, infinite consciousness. This is the state of ‘No-mind’ used by the Chan masters to indicate the Buddha-mind. No-mind is the complete ‘Silence’ of the mind devoid of any volitional activity directed by self or ego. In the monotheistic religions, it is said that God indwells in the heart of the saved believer.
