Balance condition & Sentient beings

Buddhitakso

Balance is generally defined as a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc; a condition of being steady; a state of equilibrium or parity characterised by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces; a harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.

Whereas, sentient is defined as responsive to or conscious of sense impressions; finely sensitive in perception or feeling. Sentient beings are denoted as beings with consciousness or sentience or specifically it denotes the presence of the five aggregates and are characteristically not enlightened and are thus confined to the death, rebirth and suffering characteristic of Samsara.

When we describe the characteristics of sentient beings, we are actually referring to the energy enclosed within the matter (body) that is subject to rising and falling events. The conscious aggregates within the sentient beings would initiate thoughts or acts that are devoid of inherent existence. For every rising force of thoughts or acts, a new equal opposing force would arise as well across time (past, present & future) and plane of existence. Continuous rising and falling of thoughts or acts would shape the wheel of life.

As mentioned before, energy or matter is actually the same thing; both reflected in a different form. Just like, cause or effect is the same thing; both reflected in a different time of event.

Let us look at the following illustrations: -

Cause = Effect

Cause 1 conjures up Effect 1;

Effect 1 conjures up Cause 1-1;

.., etc.

Action = Reaction

Action 1 conjures up Reaction 1;

Reaction 1 conjures up Action 1-1;

.., etc.

If present,

Cause 1 > Effect 1;

Action 1 > Reaction 1

future will be,

Effect 1 > Cause 1-1;

Reaction 1 > Action 1-1*

* This is the scenario of a good person having to face with unfortunate events; a bad person having to enjoy fortunate events in a life time.

For example,

Loan $100 ó Repayment $100

If today,

Loan $100 > Repayment $100

tomorrow will be,

Repayment > new Loan $100

In another scenario, balance condition could be depicted in the act of giving and taking i.e.

The rise of free taking (reward) leads to the rise of accountable giving (sacrifice);

The rise of free giving (sacrifice) leads to the rise of unaccountable taking (reward).

A cessation of conditional phenomena (balance & imbalance) would lead to cessation of cyclic influences i.e. when action ceased; reaction ceased, when cause ceased; effect ceased. And the antidote to the cessation of it would be radiating loving-kindness and compassion that act as means for weakening the link of suffering in the wheel of life.

The principle in effect: -

A stream of loving-kindness and compassion would conjure up empathy;

A stream of empathy would conjure up boundless;

A stream of boundless would conjure up voidness;

A stream of voidness would conjure up stillness;

A stream of stillness would conjure up peacefulness;

A stream of peacefulness would conjure up Enlightenment.

As a summary, every existence i.e. sentient, non-sentient, or any material things consist of energy and matter that would orientate towards the balance condition as according to the equilibrium law of nature. Under balance phenomenon, one could witness shapes or forms arise; under imbalance phenomenon, one could see no shapes or forms arise - and the cycle of conditional phenomena continues repeatedly.