06-23-2010, 12:01 AM
"When absolutism or nihilism is present, we are unable to understand properly either the ultimate nature or the conventional nature of phenomena.
The Middle Way view is the balance that is needed. It negates the fantasized ways of existence, including independent existence, but affirms that all persons and phenomena do exist on a conventional level. That is, although everything lacks independent exisitence, it exists dependently. Persons and phenomena are not solid things with their own immutable and inherent essence. Rather they exist like illusions in that they appear one way, but exist in another. That is, things appear to us as existing independently but this appearance is false, for in fact they exist in dependence of other factors. The Middle Way view enables us to distinguish accurately between what exists and what doesn't and between what to practice and what to abandon. In this way, our collections of wisdom and positive potential--which resemble towns and hermitages of ease and bliss--are protected, and our happiness ensured." ~Tara the Liberator, Thubten Chodron.As long as dependent exisitence is recognized, fully understood and experienced, being will not be an obstacle or false conception to overcome.
The Middle Way view is the balance that is needed. It negates the fantasized ways of existence, including independent existence, but affirms that all persons and phenomena do exist on a conventional level. That is, although everything lacks independent exisitence, it exists dependently. Persons and phenomena are not solid things with their own immutable and inherent essence. Rather they exist like illusions in that they appear one way, but exist in another. That is, things appear to us as existing independently but this appearance is false, for in fact they exist in dependence of other factors. The Middle Way view enables us to distinguish accurately between what exists and what doesn't and between what to practice and what to abandon. In this way, our collections of wisdom and positive potential--which resemble towns and hermitages of ease and bliss--are protected, and our happiness ensured." ~Tara the Liberator, Thubten Chodron.As long as dependent exisitence is recognized, fully understood and experienced, being will not be an obstacle or false conception to overcome.