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[1] This category of negations concerning truth is probably
inspired by the canonical Prajna-Paramita, upon which the
seventh Book of our present volume is based.
(1) As the Foundation truth cannot be described [but must
be realized in samadhi], the expression "Foundation truth" is
merely figurative. [1]
[1] The Foundation truth, which is synonymous with the Dharma
Kaya (or "Divine body of truth"), is the All-truth, in its
primordial or unmodified aspect. Yoga, the Science of Mind (or
truth), consists of three divisions, namely, the Foundation
truth, the Path (or method of attaining realization), and the fruit (or
the realization itself).
(2) As there is neither any traversing nor any traverser of
the Path, the expression "Path" is merely figurative. [1]
[1] "Path" is merely a metaphor descriptive of the method of
realizing spiritual growth or progress.
(3) As there is neither any seeing nor any seer of the True
State, the expression "True State" is merely figurative. [1]
[1] The True State, realizable in the highest samadhi, is in its
microcosmic reflex, a state wherein the mind, unmodified by the
process of thought, resembles in its quiescence an ocean unruffled by
the least movement of air, as has been similarly stated above.
All doors of perception are closed. There is complete oblivion
of the material universe of phenomena. The microcosmic mind
becomes attuned to the Macrocosmic Mind. Thereby is attained
the knowledge that in the True State there are no seeing or seer,
that all finite concepts are really non-existent, that all dualities
become unites, that there is but the One Reality Primordial
Cosmic Mind.
(4) As there is neither any meditation nor any meditator of
the Pure State, the expression "Pure State" is merely figurative. [1]
[1] The Pure State is an intensified aspect of the True State,
wherein mind, in its primordial condition, exists unsullied by any
predication. In the realizing of it, in the samadhic condition,
the act of meditating, the meditator, and the thing meditated upon
are indistinguishably one.
(5) As there is neither any enjoying nor any enjoyer of
the Natural Mood, the expression "Natural Mood" is merely
figurative. [1]
[1] The Natural Mood refers to a state of mind, likewise
reached in the highest samadhi, concomitant with the True State and
the Pure State. Therein there is realized that there are really no
enjoying or enjoyer, no actions or doer of actions, that all
objective things are as unreal as dreams; and that, therefore,
rather than live as the multitude in the pursuit of illusions,
one should choose the Path of the Bodhisattvas, the Lords of
Compassion, and be a worker for the emancipation of beings karmically
bound to the Wheel of Ignorance.
(6) As there is neither any vow-keeping nor any vow-keeper,
these expressions are merely figurative.
(7) As there is neither any accumulating nor any accumulator
of merits, the expression "Twofold Merit" [1] is merely
figurative.
[1] This is: Casual Merit, which is the fruit of charitable
deeds, and otherwise known as temporal merit; and Resultant Merit,
which arises from super-abundance of Causual Merit, and otherwise
called spiritual merit.
(8) As there is neither any performing nor any performer
of actions, the expression "Twofold Obscuration" [1] is merely
figurative.
[1] That is: Obscurations of intellect resulting from evil
passions; and Obscurations of intellect resulting from wrong belief,
such as the belief that there is an immortal personal self, or soul,
or the belief that phenomenal appearances are real.
(9) As there is neither any renunciation nor any renouncer
[of worldly existence], the expression "worldly existence" is
merely figurative.
(10) As there is neither any obtaining nor any obtainer [of
results of actions], the expression "result of actions" is merely
figurative.
These are The Ten Figurative Expressions. [1]
[1] All these aphorisms of negation rest upon the Bodhic doctrine
that personality is transitory, that personal (or soul)
immortality is inconceivable to one who has attained to Right
Knowledge. The microcosmic mind, a reflex of the Macrocosmic
Mind (which alone is eternal), ceases to be microcosmic, or limited,
when immersed in the ecstasy induced by the highest samadhi.
There is then no personality, no obtainer, no renouncer, no performer
of actions, no accumulator of merits, no vow-keeper, no enjoyer
of the Natural Mood, no meditator of the Pure State, no seer of the
True State, no traverser of the Path: and the whole conceptual or
illusory state of mind is obliterated. Human language is essentially
a means of enabling man to communicate with man in terms based
upon experiences common to all men existing in a sensuous universe;
and the employment of it to describe super sensuous experiences can
never be anything more than figurative.
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