Sufferings Exist, But No Sufferer is to be found

Virtuous Lady asked the Buddha, ‘If ignorance is not found internally, nor found externally, and is without internal or external, that it does not come from the previous life to this life, nor does it travel from this life to the next life, and it does not possess a genuine nature, why does the Buddha say that ignorance will condition one’s intention and even the accumulation of sufferings.’

The World Honoured One said,

‘Let us take the analogy of a tree. If it is without roots, how can there be the sprouting of stems, nodes, branches, leaves, flowers and leaves?’

The Buddha said,

‘Even though all the dharma is empty of appearance,

A mundane man with no knowledge

Who is lacking in wisdom

Gives rise to all kinds of afflictions.

With the causes and conditions of afflictions

He commits the karma with his body, his mouth and mind.

With the causes and conditions of karmas

A future body is awaiting him.

With the causes and conditions of a body,

He experiences bliss and undergoes sufferings.

But among this

No real afflictions are committed.

Also no karma of the body, the mouth and mind is found.

And,

No one really undergoes sufferings and experiences bliss.

Let us take the analogy of a magician who creates all kinds of happenings.

What do you think?

The illusion which is created by him,

Does it exist internally?

(No)

Does it exist externally?

(No)

In the illusion which is created by him, is there a man who is born or become extinct?

(No)

Is there a dharma which is truly created by the magician?

(No)

Do you really see and listen to the musical performance by the magician?

(I did see the performance, I hear the music.)

The Buddha asked, ‘If the illusion is empty, fake and unreal, why is there a musical performance in this illusion?’

The Lady answered, ‘World Honoured One, this is only the illusive appearance of an illusion. Even though it is without a root, a foundation, it can be seen and heard.’

The Buddha said,

‘It is the same with ignorance.

Even though it does not exist internally,

Neither does it exist externally,

Nor does it exist internally and externally,

That it does not come from the past life to this life,

Or travel from this life to the future life.

Besides it is without a genuine nature,

No one is born

And no one becomes extinct.

Yet because of the causes and conditions of ignorance,

All kinds of intentions arise

And even the accumulation of all sufferings.

If the illusion comes to a halt,

The creation of illusion will also cease to exist.

This is the same with ignorance.

When there is no more ignorance,

There is no more intention, no arising of thoughts,

And there is no more accumulation of all sufferings.’ 

An extract of the Virtuous Lady Sutra – the Buddha’s answers to Lady Virtuous Questions

From the Shastra of Crossing Over with Great Wisdom by the Bodhisattva Nagarjuna