Bodhicharyavatara Chapter 9, Stanzas 19-25

In this session the verses continue with a dialogue that might occur between followers of the Chittamatrin and Madhyamaka philosophical schools. Their debate examines whether the radiance of mind is inherently or independently existing. Does mind reflect its surroundings, as a quartz crystal might, which is the Madhyamaka view, or is it, as the Chittamatrins say, more like blue lapis lazuli which is inherently blue? This argument is countered when it is pointed out that lapis lazuli, a blue rock, is not self arising, but is the result of causes and conditions.

When we bring this same reasoning to the question of mind equating a lamp, is mind simply reflecting the object of its perception, or is it radiating something whether or not there is an object to reflect? We can also ask: ‘What is being seen and what sees it?’ What is seen is the mental activity, the response, not the mind itself. Even so, what is really important, is to understand not so much whether or not mind can be seen, but that mind is always the source of samsara until we cease to react to the object of our perception.

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