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Common Ground - Islam and Buddhism

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Epilogue<br />

The <strong>Common</strong> <strong>Ground</strong> of Sanctity<br />

The following passage from the Prajnopāyaviniscayasiddhi, an<br />

important text in the Mahayana tradition, expresses that dazzling<br />

combination of wisdom <strong>and</strong> compassion, knowledge of the One <strong>and</strong><br />

compassion for all beings, which constitutes the essence of sanctity.<br />

The non-substantiality of things which is realized by reflection<br />

<strong>and</strong> by discriminating between the act of knowing <strong>and</strong><br />

what is known, is called the essence of Wisdom. Because<br />

one is passionately devoted to all beings who have failed to<br />

extricate themselves from a whole flood of suffering, this<br />

passionate devotion, of which their suffering is the cause, is<br />

known as Compassion. In that, one thereby brings a man to<br />

the desired end by a combination of appropriate measures;<br />

it is also called the Means (upāya).<br />

The mingling of both [wisdom <strong>and</strong> compassion] is<br />

known as Wisdom-Means in a union free of duality. It is<br />

the essence of Dharma, to which nothing may be added <strong>and</strong><br />

from which nothing may be withdrawn. It is free from the<br />

two notions of subject <strong>and</strong> object, free from being <strong>and</strong> nonbeing,<br />

from characterizing <strong>and</strong> characteristics; it is pure<br />

<strong>and</strong> immaculate in its own nature. Neither duality nor nonduality,<br />

calm <strong>and</strong> tranquil, it consists in all things, motionless<br />

<strong>and</strong> unflurried; such is Wisdom-Means, which may be<br />

known intuitively. It is this that is called the supreme <strong>and</strong><br />

wondrous abode of all Buddhas, the Dharma-sphere, the<br />

divine cause of the perfection of bliss. It is Nirvana Indeterminate<br />

(apratisthitanirvāna) … it is the blissful stage of<br />

self-consecration (svadhithāna), the beatitude of the perfection<br />

of Wisdom. The three Buddha-bodies, the three Buddhist<br />

vehicles, mantras in their innumerable thous<strong>and</strong>s …<br />

phenomenal existence <strong>and</strong> that which transcends it, arise<br />

from the same source … It is called the Great Bliss … the<br />

Supreme One, the Universal Good, the producer of Perfect<br />

Enlightenment. The great sages define this truth, which is<br />

the supreme bliss of self <strong>and</strong> others, as the union of limitless<br />

Compassion—which is intent alone on the destruction of<br />

110

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