Friday, July 07, 2006

The Fire Sutra

"Monks, everything is on fire. What is on fire? The six sense organs – eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind – are all on fire. The six objects of the senses – form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and objects of mind – are all on fire. The six consciousnesses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, feeling, and thought – are all on fire. They are all burning from the flames of desire, hatred and illusion. They are burning from the flames of birth, old age, sickness, and death, and from the flames of pain, anxiety, frustration, worry, fear, and despair.

Monks, every feeling is burning whether it is unpleasant, pleasant, or neutral feeling. Feelings arise and are conditioned by the sense organs, objects of the sense organs, and the sense-consciousnesses. Feelings are burning from the flames of desire, hatred and illusion. Feelings are burning from the flames of birth, old, age, sickness, and death, and from the flames of pain, anxiety, frustration, worry, fear, and despair.

Monks, do not allow yourselves to be consumed by the flames of desire, hatred, and illusion. See the impermanent and inter-dependent nature of everything in existence in order not to be enslaved by the cycle of birth and death created by the sense organs, objects of the senses, and the sense- consciousnesses."

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From an introduction to Buddhist texts: “The Fire Sutra is a work that utilizes repetition to explain the inadequacy of the five senses and the mind, and explains their role in the cycle of dependant arising. These six senses are described as “burning”, as are what they sense – the ear is burning, as are sounds and sound impressions, for instance. The text then continues to describe how an enlightened being reacts to the senses and sensory input.”

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