Perception of Phenomena & Existence

Buddhitakso

Phenomena appear to arise or are perceived by our senses to arise in and of themselves; but they are not. All phenomena, including emptiness, are dependent-arising. Emptiness, however, did correspond to both inherent existence and dependent arising due to its universal qualities. Thus, phenomena do not exist inherently as this or that from their own sides, unrelated to the consciousness that perceives them. Phenomena exist as this or that - are dependent on the observers.

Now, we need to look at the definition of existence. What exists is defined as that which can be known. If it cannot be known, then it does not exist (please do not confuse with 'can be known' and 'to be known'). The fact is that things do not exist in the ways that concepts and language imply they do. Therefore, we shall realise that the deepest fact about things does exist. It is beyond mind and beyond concepts and words in the sense that it is beyond our usual ways of perceiving things.

Language and conception only imply that things exist in distinct manners i.e. wise person, dumb person, saint, devil, etc. - in such well-defined and independent categories. Thus, when we say that the deepest fact about things is that they exist in a way that is beyond mind and beyond words, we are referring to the fact that things do not exist in the ways that concepts and language imply they do.

Perceiving reality is seeing that things do not exist in these fantasised, impossible ways, in black and white categories.