..续本文上一页etaker—collapses, these conventional realities, being its enemies, are then torn asunder. Then the pure nature of the citta shines forth in all its brilliance, following its own natural principle. This is one aspect of the experience.

　　 Another aspect is this: At that same moment, a sympathetic and intense physical reaction takes place, causing the body to shake and tremble in response. Is that trembling intentional

　　 No, it”s a consequence of Dhamma”s overwhelming power as it deals a fatal blow to the kilesas and forces them to separate from the citta forever. Such a momentous event creates an enormous impact—the entire universe appears to tremble and quake. That”s what it feels like when Dhamma and the kilesas are finally separated for good, and the world of conventional reality and the world of Absolute Freedom ultimately split apart. The nature of pure Dhamma then appears in all of its supreme magnificence, fully revealed within the heart that experiences it.

　　 Being closely associated with the citta, body and mind react to this amazing and unique experience. The citta”s true nature always existed; but it had never displayed itself in this manner to the body and the conscious mind. Being wholly unprecedented, the impact of the occurrence is enormous. The aggregates of body and mind are all conventional realities, the instruments the heart uses for its own purposes. When the citta collapses, the pure nature that emerges then remains completely unaffected. But the aggregates of body and mind, the khandhas—being strictly governed by the laws of anicca, dukkha, and anatta—are intensely affected. Reflecting their inherently unstable nature, the reactions occur in the khandhas, and then simply cease. The pure nature of the citta never arises, and never ceases. Herein lies the difference between the two.

　　 Consequently, it is impossible to compare the pure heart of the Arahant with the pile of excrement we know as the human body. Having seen this truth clearly for oneself, it is unnecessary to ask for further clarification. In such an event, one would simply salute and say Sadhu to the Buddha himself, even if he were immediately before one. Since the Ultimate Truth is self-evident within one”s heart, there would be no need to seek his verification. N”atthi seyyo va papiyo: Nothing surpasses the Supreme Dhamma. This realization arising in the heart is identical with the pure nature of the Arahant. It is a purity that completely transcends the conventional laws of anicca, dukkha, and anatta. They simply no longer apply.

　　 The khandhas are what become excited; for instance, when tears are shed. Tears may be shed for a number of reasons. Sadness induces tears, as does joy. Smoke brings tears, and so do onions and garlic. Why all the fuss then about tears

　　 After all, tears are only water—the water element. Just like the physical elements of earth, fire and wind, water is entirely an aspect of conventional reality. Profoundly moved by the pure nature of Dhamma that suddenly appears, these physical elements are agitated. The pure nature itself, however, is wholly imperturbable. It is the nature of the khandhas to be always reactive. They are agitated by good things and bad things, by pleasure and pain, sorrow and joy. They are forever excitable in one way or another. But at this moment, it is the sudden appearance of Dhamma”s pure nature that stirs them.

　　 The khandhas are not the Arahant; the Arahant is not the khandhas. Absolutely and without exception, the khandhas are conventional realities. By contrast, that pure nature is completely free of all vestiges of conventional reality—one hundred percent. So the two do not, cannot mix. They are mutually exclusive. They merely acknowledge each other, according to their resp…

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