The Sutra
"The purity of other teachings is an impurity to us. In reality, know nothing as pure or impure."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
Other spiritual systems distinguish pure from impure - pure food, pure thoughts, pure actions. This tantra rejects all such division. What others call pure is impure to us because it creates division. In REALITY, nothing is pure or impure. These are mental categories imposed on a reality that is beyond such labels. When you drop the judgment of pure and impure completely, you encounter reality as it is - undivided, uncategorized, free.
Original Sanskrit
सर्वज्ञः सर्वकर्ता च व्यापकः परमेश्वरः ।
sarvajnah sarvakartaa cha vyaapakah parameshvarah |
Vijnanabhairava Verse 117 (Technique 94 of 112)
How to Practice
Notice throughout your day how you categorize things as pure or impure, good or bad, spiritual or unspiritual.
Each time you catch such a judgment, question it: is this really pure or impure, or am I imposing a label?
Consider: the same rain falls on a temple and a garbage dump. Is the rain pure in one place and impure in another?
Practice looking at things without the filter of pure/impure. See them as they are.
Even spiritual practices and teachings - do not call them pure. That very label creates its opposite.
When the mind stops dividing reality into pure and impure, you encounter reality itself - beyond all categories, absolutely free.
Duration
Continuous contemplation
Best Time
Any time judgments arise
Related Techniques
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