The Delusional Series
Compiled according to the teachings of the Master
The Delusional Series: Part 9 – The Product of Meticulous Confirmation and Practice 14
Through repeated affirmation and practice, delusions arise from identification. This identification originates from one’s own nature. It is the process of repeatedly confirming the information provided by others, thereby solidifying the belief that one’s own perceptions are precisely as others have conditioned them to be. In this manner, notions of good, bad, right, wrong, and right and wrong are established, leading to the formation of views and beliefs. These views and beliefs, in conjunction with one’s prior perceptions and the repeated conditioning by others, become one’s own knowledge. Thus, one’s cognition, combined with the definitions provided by others, gives rise to the establishment of views and beliefs within oneself. Consequently, the views and beliefs one establishes are essentially defined by others, as one defines something to be precisely what it is defined as.
For instance, the Sichuan people find their spicy cuisine fashionable, while those in coastal regions consider their sweet desserts to be stylish. Certain African tribes deem it fashionable to go naked, believing those who wear clothing to be mentally ill. They argue that it is madness to cover oneself in layers of clothing in hot weather. Adoring celestial bodies, they believe that nudity is fashionable. By going naked, they perceive themselves as natural, unadorned, and free from hypocrisy.
These are all examples of views and beliefs that establish notions of right, wrong, good, and bad. People firmly adhere to these judgments, clinging tenaciously to what they believe to be right, good, and true. When confronted with opposing views, they become irritated. These ingrained notions, nurtured from a young age, gradually solidify over time, becoming so entrenched that they cannot be altered, even by death.
From a young age, countless images have been imprinted upon your eight consciousnesses. These images are arbitrarily retrieved and instantly judged as right, wrong, good, or bad. Subsequently, these individual images are combined in countless ways, processed at speeds exceeding that of film. Thus, rapid cuts, slow-motion sequences, and chaotic combinations of images occur, intertwining disparate elements.
If one were to scrutinize each delusion in detail, it would be evident that it is composed of previously seen, heard, or experienced elements. These delusions can transcend time and space, attributing the experiences of others to oneself, misplacing events from one person to another. Furthermore, this instantaneous sequencing occurs without the intervention of the sixth consciousness, as if a script is being played out before one’s eyes, complete with vivid imagery and sound. Yet, upon closer examination, one realizes that these are merely illusions, devoid of actual persons or sounds.
Why is it that you know things I don’t? It’s because you’ve heard, seen, and experienced them. I may have heard about certain things or seen pictures of them, but I haven’t personally experienced them. Yet, I can form conceptions about them based on what I’ve heard or read. This is delusion. You, on the other hand, having neither heard nor seen these things, cannot form such conceptions. No matter how skilled you are at fabricating thoughts, you cannot conjure them up.
We all sit together, each having seen, heard, and experienced different things. Yet, who can predict what the next person will say? Even the speaker themselves may not know. This uncertainty is another manifestation of delusion. It influences our bodies, speech, and minds. However, delusion is a separate entity, distinct from ourselves. Unless we examine it closely and accurately, we may mistakenly identify it as our true selves.
Many people claim, “I want this,” or “I want that.” This is absurd. These desires are not your own; they are delusions. You are merely a puppet manipulated by them. People are like puppets, with delusions pulling their strings. When a delusion pulls on a string, the corresponding limb or head moves. If it pulls on your tongue, you speak; if it pulls on your ears, you hear. People are constantly being manipulated in this way, yet they believe they are living fulfilling lives. They lament their misfortunes or boast of their virtues, all the while being controlled by these delusions.
Consider someone who buys a designer bag. Initially, they are overjoyed. However, upon discovering it is a counterfeit, they burst into tears. Their joy and sorrow seem to extend to every part of their body, from their hair to their toes. Is it worth it?
