As in a dream, all the external objects perceived with the five senses are not there, but appear through delusion.
As in a magic show, things are made to appear by a temporary conjunction of causes, circumstances and connections.
As in a visual aberration, things appear to be there, yet there is nothing.
As in a mirage, things appear but are not real.
As in an echo, things can be perceived but there is nothing there, either outside or inside.
As in a city of gandharvas, there is neither a dwelling nor anyone to dwell.
As in a reflection, things appear but have no reality of their own.
As in a city created by magic, there are all sorts of appearances but they are not really there.
Patrul Rinpoche
from the book Words of My Perfect Teacher
translated by Padmakara Translation Group
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Further quotes from the book Words of My Perfect Teacher:
- Arousing Bodhicitta
- Diligence
- At your feet I bow
- Actions arising from anger
- Discovering Dharma
- Compassion
- Peerless Teacher, at your feet I bow
- The Six Paramitas
- Impermanence is everywhere
- May we realize the natural state
- Bright moon
- May our minds mingle with the Dharma
- Aspiration for renunciation
- The result of learning, contemplation, and meditation
- The Three Defects when listening to the Dharma
- Even the smallest amounts of merit
- Motivated by ordinary concerns
- No Life Guarantee
- Remembering impermanence
- The need to follow a spiritual teacher