Samsara and nirvana are like two expressions on the same face, one dark and sullen, the other light and smiling. But, whatever the expression, we are not talking about a different face. It is not degraded when smeared with the dirt of samsara, neither is it improved when the dirt of samsara is washed off. Samsara and nirvana remain within the expanse of the absolute nature in the same way that the universe with its different continents all appear in space.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
from the book Zurchungpa's Testament
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Further quotes from the book Zurchungpa's Testament:
- All perceptions are similar to a dream
- No other way
- First mature your own mind
- Not outside yourself
- The three higher trainings
- Free from the extreme of existence and that of nonexistence
- What a waste of time
- The moon’s reflection on water
- Perceiving everything in its natural purity
- Just as space
- Not fabricated, never stained
- Examine your actions very closely
- Spontaneous devotion to your teacher
- Just leave it like it is
- Complete absence of doubt
- Projections of the mind
- Nothing else than the projection of one’s own mind
- When true realization dawns in one’s mind
- Recognizing awareness