Preface by the editor
Though lost to time, the ”Prince Christened” suttra is said to have been a teaching on mindfulness and impermanence. Of it only the following phrase has been preserved, “Permanent mind mindful impermanence.” The phrase itself was preserved as the title to a commentary on the suttra attributed to Gacchami, a babado mystic from before the War of Ascension. The commentaries have also been lost, but the teachings based on them were passed down for many generations and were preserved in “As recited by my Teacher and retold so as I would remember,” a short narrative by an anonymous student of the Saranagamana Yoga Academy.
Forward
Herein are my recollections and reflections of a teaching from my Master.
I. As recited by my Teacher and retold so as I would remember.
Once, while taking refuge at Mahabodi under shade of an Oak, I sat in adoration near my master. Realizing I was troubled he asked, “What afflicts you, son?”
“Master, I have studied the Suttras, Tantras and their many commentaries and I see the truth in them without direct realization. But I feel overwhelmed in my studies. With so much to retain and yet even more to attain. Teacher, with so much in mind, I find it difficult to be mindful.”
Here follows what was said on the “Prince Christened” suttra…
“What one fool can realize so too can another.”
So said my Teacher when he conveyed to me what was passed to him, regarding the teachings on the “Permanent mind mindful impermanence.”
“By solemn vow, from a base of refuge, and paying homage to my Teacher, I now convey what was then conveyed.”
“Homage to the great perfection.”
“Unwatched the mind flutters like a leaf in the wind. As an Oak needs its roots so too the mindful mind.”
“Thus mindful of breath, root the mind.”
“So rooted…”
“Be mindful of the difficulty in attaining this human existence, just that be mindful that.”
“Be mindful of the sublime brevity that is human existence, just that be mindful that.”
“Be mindful of cause and consequence universal, just that be mindful that.”
“Be mindful the many perils in cyclic existence, just that be mindful that.”
“Thus mindful awaken the compassionate mind.”
“And how does one train to be mindful and thus awaken the compassionate mind?”
“Train the mind thus, with resolve to accomplish the highest good. Thus mindful, accomplish the highest good.”
“Train the mind thus, with regard to inferiority of self. Thus mindful, appreciate others.”
“Train the mind thus, to watch for the arising of disturbing thoughts. Thus mindful, vanquish the arising of disturbing thoughts.”
“Train the mind thus, to care for the disillusioned. Thus mindful, be compassionate with the disillusioned.”
“Train the mind thus, to take on defeat and offer up accomplishment. Thus mindful, attain the greatest victory.”
“Train the mind thus, to see a spiritual friend in all. Thus mindful, share in the great perfection.”
“Train the mind thus, to be of any means to your many mothers. Thus mindful, nourish the awakening mind.”
“Train the mind thus, to see past all illusion. Thus mindful, abide in clear light of perfected wisdom.”
“Thus trained and thus mindful, free the mind of all attachment. All else are but thoughts bound by the eight-worldly concerns, even that just taught.”
“The mindful mind is an awakening mind without perception of self, of being, of soul, of person, of phenomena or what is other than phenomena. Without perception of perceived or not perceived. Without perception of what is and what is not. Without perception I and not.’
“Give rise to a clear and pure mind, one that abides not in aggregate.”
“Here ends a practice on developing mindfulness of “Permanent mind mindful impermanence.”
Still I doubted my mettle to be mindful of all that was taught. As if sensing my persisting doubt my teacher drew what appeared an X in the dirt, but from my vantage it looked more a cross.
“Be mindful that, just that.”
And, as if it were a bullseye, I was stuck by a diamond mid-brow.
“Better yet…” he then said, while erasing the X with a “Phat!”
Having closed his eyes, he sat.
I pondered my master’s words and joined in mindful meditation.
II. Afterword
From heart of a fool
As play on light perceived,
From empty form conceived,
In self believe.