按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
se we don’t understand the basis to which this word； or this name； is attached； or given。 So in the same way we may say ‘lack of self existence’ or ‘lack of autonomous existence’； and so forth； but unless we are really clear about what 'self existence' is or what 'autonomous existence' is then it just is a lot of play with words； we’re not really going to learn anything from that； and what is more； we’re not really going to be able to develop the wisdom which cognises this mode of abiding of phenomena。 So it is extremely important then initially for us beginners to contemplate upon this object of negation； that which is actually negated by its antithesis and the wisdom arising thereafter。 And for those of you who have already understood this then； there is not much point in me going on about； but for the majority of us beginners then it’s incredibly important to understand what is meant by the object of negation。
Two kinds of reasoning
So then in order to find the ultimate nature of phenomena we contemplate its antithesis … true existence or autonomous existence … and then we strive to understand what is meant by the opposite； that is to say selflessness； or lacking autonomous or self existence； and the way we do this … because this mode of phenomena is the kind of phenomena which is classified as a hidden phenomena； we have to rely upon a correct line of reasoning to draw out or to prove what we are trying to set forth； or our thesis。 In order to do this there are various kinds of reasoning we can set forth； but from within those we find that two are the best two。 So the first of these is the reasoning of 'the one and the many'； and the second one is the 'king of reasonings' then； the reasoning of dependent origination or dependent arising。
So from within these two then； it is said that the reasoning of the one and the many … from this we draw out the renowned fourfold analysis。 This is for beginners； the easiest way to settle or e to understand the ultimate nature； or the ultimate mode； of phenomena。 However then； when we look at the other reasoning … the 'king of reasonings'； that of dependent arising or dependent origination； this reasoning is one which is renowned as the king for what reason？ For the reason that the Mind Only school use this reasoning to prove true existence； whereas the Madhyamika school use this to prove non…true existence。 So everybody is ing down to this same point of dependent arising； and through this reason it is renowned as the 'king of reasons' or the king of correct signs； when set in a syllogism。
So as our text here principally deals with the reasoning of dependent arising； then we will follow this line reasoning （if we can go through the fourfold analysis； so much the better）； but if we just stick with the text then what we are going through is the reasoning of dependent origination or dependent arising； so let us then stick with that。 It is always better to use one line of reasoning because in dependence upon one line of reasoning one can e to understand the truth of the thesis； then as one has understood the truth of that thesis then there is no need to then entertain another reasoning to again prove that same thesis because one has already proved that to oneself。
So in order to set the syllogism then； if we lay it out using as the subject a sprout （we can actually use any kind of subject； for example a human being or whatever but let us just use the example which is given in the text； then the subject a sprout）。 So it’s very important that we understand that in order to set a thesis； we have to have a subject … a basis upon which we are going to discuss a natural or autonomous existence； because if we are just talking about having or lack of autonomous existence； we have to have something which we are going to look at； something which we are going to focus upon when we start to engage in this reasoning。 If we don’t have a basis of a discussion or argument； our argument is going to spiral out of control。
So here then we will look at the subject （in this case a sprout） and the thesis which is to be proven about that is its lacking autonomous existence or lacking a natural inherent existence。 So that is what is to be proven then； and the reasoning； or the sign； which is going to be set forth； is that it is lacking that natural existence or autonomous existence because it is dependent arising。 So here then； if we have a look； we have three things： We have the subject which is the sprout； that which is to be proven about it （or the thesis） – that it is lacking natural or autonomous existence； and then the sign； or the reason； for that – because it is a dependent arising。 So the sprout then is something which is dependent arising and if we look at this in the simplest way then； it is something which es into existence in dependence upon its causes and conditions。 So as it is a subject which has e into existence in dependence upon a cause； in dependence upon a condition； then it is not something which is existing naturally in and of itself； because if it was existing in and of itself it wouldn’t rely on phenomena other than itself to e into existence because it would already be there； naturally or autonomously existing； it wouldn’t have to rely upon the various causes and conditions which bring about； or bring forth； its existence。 Thus then the reasoning of dependent arising looked at in this way … that the sprout arises in dependence upon its causes and conditions … therefore proves that the sprout in and of itself is not existing in such an autonomous way； but rather has e about as a product of various causes and conditions。
The Praise to Dependent Origination
So then this reasoning of dependent arising is further elaborated upon in the prayer by Lama Tsong Khapa called The Praise to Dependent Origination within which he says that anything that has arisen in dependence upon a cause and a condition is something which lacks autonomous existence； and this understanding is one which is most beautiful and which needs no further elaboration。 So here then if we look at the object of our analysis； if that object is one which is has arisen in dependence upon objects