Ordinarily, we think the circumstances in a dream are not real while experiences during the day are real. If we perceive the world outside to be truly existent, i.e., real and not illusory, this belief in true existence is called “self.” In the Middle Way doctrine, the “self” is clearly defined as a distinct and permanent entity which exists in its own right and does not depend on other things to come into being.
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
Since birth, every sentient being has held on firmly to the belief that a “self” exists. Whether a person is illiterate or learned, a newborn baby or animal, every living being has this attachment. This attachment to the self that we are born with is the innate self-attachment.
Another kind of attachment is acquired in life and is said to be imputed. It is based on views from the wrong literature and on incorrect reasoning. This misapprehension can be traced to many non-Buddhist religions and certain philosophical schools of thought.
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
Ordinarily, people think victory is success in a conflict or struggle involving the defeat of an opponent. However, this cannot be true victory since the victor is actually the victim and the loser.
The conventional view is that if I defeat or kill an enemy, I have won. But I do not know with this action I have actually created the cause for taking rebirth in hell, so am I not bringing injury upon myself? If today’s triumph leads to suffering in hell, am I not the victim and the loser?
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
Because we form a strong attachment to ourselves and everything outside, including the flower, and perceive them as truly existent, desire arises for things we covet and anger at things we find repugnant. When thoughts of desire, clinging, and enmity pervade our minds, we create karma; once karma is created, we are bound in samsara, unable to free ourselves from cyclic existence. This is why Ch’an Buddhism places constant emphasis on “non-attachment.”
However, some lay people have misinterpreted this exhortation. The principle of “non-attachment” is the core concept in Ch’an which many topics and discourses in this school are based on. Having read selected Ch’an teachings and heard the case stories of a few Ch’an masters, a number of people assume the supreme path to liberation consists of just staying detached. Hence, at the start, they refrain from forming any kind of attachment – neither releasing animals from captivity nor practicing the preliminaries; they continue to smoke, drink alcohol, eat meat, and even order live seafood to consume without misgiving. Because they claim that upholding the precepts, releasing animals from captivity, practicing the preliminaries, protecting life, etc. are all forms of attachment that obstruct the attainment of liberation. Actually, these are all misconceptions.
If problems could be solved just by staying detached, it would make life easy for everyone. However, things are never that simple. Although ultimately we want to cut through attachment and abandon all such activities that are undertaken due to ignorance, we hold on tightly to the concept of not forming attachments even when we do not yet have a method to eradicate attachment. This too is a kind of attachment – we are in fact attached to the concept of “non-attachment.” Thus, until we have a method at hand that effectively cuts through our attachment, we must not be detached.
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
People often say this is superstition or that is superstition; actually, believing in the existence of “self” is the utmost in superstition. It is an extremely blind form of belief, but we ordinary people have yet to realize it.
If not for the Buddha’s teaching, we would never apprehend this truth, however intelligent, clairvoyant, or knowledgeable we might be. The philosophical schools in the East and West cannot give us an answer to this question, nor can modern science. Most of the objects of examination and the scope of Buddhism are completely different from that of science. Other religions have not really addressed this question either, because they all recognize the existence of self on different levels and conduct all their practices and charitable works from this conviction.
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
In the Middle Way (Madhyamaka) school, there are two modes of existence: one is true existence, that is, things really exist; the other is nominal existence, that is, things exist from a conventional standpoint but not inherently. That which truly exists is called “self.”
The “self” in “self in person” connotes “I, me” to some extent, for instance, “I want to make money,” “I want to go to work,” “I want to have a good life,” “I want to have a long and healthy life,” etc. The “self” in “self in phenomena” is entirely different; it only denotes true existence.
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
People usually believe an “enemy” is someone outside, a certain animal, a particular organization, etc. Buddhism asserts our real enemy is not outside; the most fearsome enemy is inside – it is our self-attachment.
The ancients say: “Fortune and misfortune do not come through the door; only we ourselves invite them.” The happiness and suffering we experience are entirely of our own choosing. If not for one’s innate attributes, nothing can harm us – not the raging fire in hell, the hunger and thirst in the hungry ghost realm, or the evil spirits and wild beasts in this world. Our foremost enemy is self-attachment. It is this attachment that gives rise to greed, anger, delusion, and arrogance.
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
People usually believe an “enemy” is someone outside, a certain animal, a particular organization, etc. Buddhism asserts our real enemy is not outside; the most fearsome enemy is inside – it is our self-attachment.
- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"
