Overthrowing Eastern and Western Economics: Economics by Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán (Chapter 15)

2006/8/29 15:58:05

The knowing that knows "knowing" is not the most pure state of "knowing." The knowing that knows "knowing" still divides into the ability-to-know and the object-of-knowing. This "knowing" under the division of ability and object cannot possibly be the most pure state of "knowing." The division of ability and object is originally without division; it is merely the deluded mind's differentiation. Therefore, the "knowing" under the division of ability and object does not depart from the most pure state of "knowing"—neither identical nor separate. Seek it and you cannot obtain it; abandon it and you cannot lose it. As long as one is human, whether awake or unconscious, foolish or wise, virtuous or treacherous, it is always so.

The most pure state of "knowing" is the root of the ability-to-know and the object-of-knowing. Using the "knowing" of ability-to-know and object-of-knowing to seek knowledge can never depart from ability-to-know and object-of-knowing, and thus can never directly face this most pure state of "knowing." Yet this most pure state of "knowing" has never for a single moment departed. The question is: can life and death depart from this most pure state of "knowing"? Any answer that can be told to you is still within ability-to-know and object-of-knowing—how could it possibly grasp this most pure state of "knowing"? Nevertheless, we can discuss the boundaries of this question.

Whether or not this most pure state of "knowing" can transcend life and death, it is the most pure state of life, the root of life, directly rooted in the most fundamental foundation of human existence and differentiation. One could even say that this most pure state of "knowing" is the most pure life-origin evolved from the most fundamental foundation of human existence and differentiation—it is human existence and differentiation at the primordial level, or rather, the direct manifestation of human existence and differentiation at the primordial level.

As for the answer to whether the most pure state of "knowing" can transcend life and death—it cannot be obtained within ability-to-know and object-of-knowing, nor can it be obtained outside of them. Whether one attempts to seek the most pure state of "knowing" within or beyond ability-to-know and object-of-knowing, it is a typical delusion. This delusion runs through human history and has almost become part of everyone's genes. Without casting off this delusion, all discussion about the most pure state of "knowing" remains trapped within delusion.

(To be continued)