Living in a Harmonious Illusion: Selections of Tibetan Buddhism Texts by the Venerated Mipham Rinpoche (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Today, it is a pleasure to present “An Illusory Symphony,” by the Venerated Master Mipham Rinpoche, which details a debate between the waking and dreaming states and concludes that both are similar, as we live in an illusory world.

An Illusory Symphony A Song of Debate Between Waking and Dream States

“Oṃ svasti. I bow from the crown of my head to the noble deity Mañjushri! I shall now share the following discourse. When it comes to the appearances of last night’s good dream and the direct experience of today’s waking state, they are similar in that both can produce attachment and similar in that both come to an end. The dream state holds that what appears in dreams truly exists; the waking state holds that what appears while awake right now truly exists. Now Awake and Dreaming shall debate on who is right.

The overly exaggerating daytime state, Awake, declares, ‘Last night’s dream, you are the appearance of delusion.’ To which, the magically displaying dream state, Dreaming, replies, ‘Not only I, but you too are the appearance of delusion.’ Awake continues, ‘Right now is not a delusion, but truly exists. The proof itself is that objects of perception actually appear.’ To which Dreaming replies, ‘But at night they actually appear too, so that is not conclusive.’ Awake says, ‘But right now they are not here, so it is conclusive.’ To which Dreaming replies, ‘Today’s appearances are not here tomorrow, so it is not conclusive.’ […]

Then Profound Wisdom addressed the two debating parties like this, ‘Now, if you continue arguing in this way, many more details could be provided, but the evidence is already sufficient. I shall cross-examine what you have said. Both of you are true, and both false. If left unexamined, you each appear as if you truly exist. But when investigated, the hidden flaw of one exposes that of the other. In reality, you are the same. Both of you lack true existence. However, the dreamer admits that its delusion is delusion. So Dreaming is genuinely honest. Whereas you, Awake, are also delusional, but you deny being so. Still being attached to your position, you have not won your case. Even though Dreaming is more dull-witted, it has become more insightful. Even though Awake is brighter, it has become more ignorant. The difference of constancy or inconstancy is due to habituation. Further, there is no difference between your two results. Now, Awake, follow the example of Dreaming and merge your view and conduct to become the same as his.’”