The Buddhist Perspective on Cause and Condition

<strong>The</strong> Emperor always considered himself a great
benefactor of Buddhism. He was conceited and not
truly sincere about learning the Truth. How could he
possibly take such slighting by Bodhidharma? He
immediately flaunted his powers as the emperor and
rudely sent Bodhidharma away. In so doing, he had
lost the cause and condition to learn Chan from Bodhidharma;
he had dismissed the excellent opportunity
for the metamorphosis of Chinese Buddhism.
Although he eventually regretted his behavior and
tried to send for Bodhidharma again, it was already
too late.
As the Emperor was egotistic and hungry for
fame, he became caught up in the name of merits and
swayed away from the Middle Path. He could not
realize the ultimate truth that is “beyond true or false,
beyond good or bad.” Since the cause was improper
and conditions were poor, it was no wonder that the
encounter went nowhere.
It is written in the Avatamsaka Sutra, “All the
water in the oceans can be consumed, all momentary
thoughts as innumerable as dust particles can be
counted, all the space can be measured, and all the
winds can be stopped; yet, the realm of the Buddha
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