Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The LIGHT science can't explain (sutra)

Astrum, 6/15/23; Ven. Sujato (trans.); Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly

The attribute of light science still can't explain: Double-slit experiment
(Astrum) Light knows (or in any case behaves as if it knows) when it's being measured, changing in response to the subjective expectations and intentions of observers, which suggests this "reality" is a simulation rather than a reliable (objective) base. The Double-slit experiment and quantum light paradox changed everything. Things are not what they seem because observing, intention, and assumptions change them.
Light (aloka) in Buddhism
āloka-saññā: "perception of light." The recurring Pali canon passage reads: "Here the meditator contemplates the perception of light, fixes mind on the perception of the day, as at daytime so by night, and as at nighttime so by day. In this way, with a mind clear and unclouded, one develops a stage of mind that is full of brightness."

This perception is one of the methods for overcoming drowsiness recommended by the Buddha to his chief male disciple foremost in psychic powers, Mahā Moggallāna (A.VII. 58).

According to DN 33, this method is conducive to the development of "knowledge and vision." (See "purification," visuddhi). And it is said to be helpful for the attainment of the psychic "divine eye." (See abhiññā). Light can also be a subject of meditation as a kasina.

The Light Sutra
Ven. Sujato, Aloka Sutta (AN 4.143), suttacentral.net; Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

[The Buddha said:] “Meditators, there are these four [sources or kinds of] lights. What are the four? The lights of the:
  • moon,
  • sun,
  • fire,
  • wisdom.
“These are the four lights. The best of these four lights is the light of wisdom.”

COMMENTARY
31 Planes of Existence (Ven. Suvanno)
This would explain why this publication is called Wisdom Quarterly, rather than Faith Weekly or Belief Daily or Hope Momentarily. The worst thing of all things is ignorance; therefore, the best thing of all things is enlightenment (bodhi).*

Just some thoughts on light. Loka means "world," and the prefix a- means "not," so is it possible that the word "light" (aloka) means "not-world," not all of this around us -- but the immaterial, unworldly, ethereal, sublime, supersensual?

There are Three Spheres (and 31 Planes) of Existence, and the light in each would seem to be qualitatively different. There is the lowest, where our human plane exists as well as some sensual heavens and miserable subhuman worlds, called the Sensual Sphere (kama loka).
Above us is the Fine Material Sphere (rupa loka), which is brighter, more subtle, with glorious streaming light of many kinds and apparently more or brighter colors than we perceive in this sphere.

Above that is the Immaterial Sphere (arupa loka), composed of heavens that are so refined as to not be based on matter at all, just mind. Or light may permeate all of these spheres or "worlds" just the same.

Angkor Wat is a yantra, a model of cakkavala.
For example, on the occasion of the birth of a supremely awakened one (a samma-sam-buddha), it is said a magnificent light spreads throughout the universe (or every part of the multiverse) and lights it up.

At that time unfortunate beings reborn in what are called the "interstitial hells" (a sort of 32nd plane of existence as it is not listed among the narakas, nirayas, or avici, the most tormented hell/purgatory of all) see that they are not alone, but others are also there normally steeped in complete darkness.

These places are very interesting for what they say about Buddhist cosmology: The world-systems (cakkavalas), solar systems, galaxies, or individual universes are like bubbles next to one another. As they are not cubes, which would occupy all of space between themselves, there is that portion of unoccupied space outside the bubbles. Light does not reach these places, except on the extraordinarily rare occasion of a supremely awakened one's birth.

That the ancient Gandharans, proto-Indians, Indus Valley Civilization scientists and seers (rishis) -- who were in contact with otherworldly extraterrestrials (called devas and brahmas) who constantly visit and live on this planet -- would know the shape of our world-system, solar system, galaxy, cosmos, universe, or multiverse is startling.

But the ancient Vedas ("Knowledge Books") of the Brahmins and the teachings (dharmas) of the wandering ascetics like the Buddha ("Sage of the Scythians") and buddhas before him were far ahead of their time.
  • *The greatest of all non-things is NIRVANA (nibbana), which is the highest, the ultimate, the deathless (amata), "unconditioned element," a compact rather than a composite, since it stands alone, not relying on causes or conditions for its existence. This makes it utterly unlike anything else we meet with or can conceive of -- though we can directly experience it in this very life, because it is complete error to conceive of it as nothingness. It is NOT nothingness and not a "thing," given that the definition of a "thing" (dhamma, ordinary "phenomena") is that which relies on constituent parts for its composite -- and its unsatisfactory, impermanent, and impersonal -- existence. Nirvana alone exists without supports or components.
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