Bodhicharyavatara Chapter 9, Stanzas 5-8

Ringu Tulku returns briefly to verse 5 before introducing Verses 6 and 8, which continue to examine whether or not things are truly existent in a concrete way. He reminds us that the Buddha taught step by step, in ways that help us understand through analysis of the objects we desire to break down their solid appearance into component parts, this helps us gain an understanding of the nature of emptiness. The text tells us that this is the difference between ordinary samsaric mind, and the mind of a meditator.

He points us to the scientific evidence that supports the teachings of the Buddha: with the right tools, even an atom can be endlessly deconstructed, proving that there is no basis for what we experience as solid, and he says that when we examine the objects of desire, through this analysis we are able to identify faults and failings even on the things we are most attracted to––which points to the power of mind in forming attachments to what we perceive as solid.

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