Category: Fiction

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For Light and Transient Causes…

From: Preliminaries of the Farsees: “Ced’a-meon League Recognition of Rights” of contextual relevance to “Declaration of War against the Ri’cilian Coalition”

I. Ced’a-meon League Recognition of Rights 

Establishing
No matter place or culture, human nature is remarkably similar.

Man, on the whole, is more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to abolish the forms to which they are accustomed.

Laws codify revelation of that self-evident, in harmony with natural order. Rules of Law that protect selfish or select interests sow disorder by infringing on natural rights and are means of oppression.

A government of the people is one beholden to its citizens, when citizens are beholden to the government it is an authoritative entity, dictating rights not protecting them. Any government that is not local, by definition, is an authoritative entity, dictating rights not protecting them.

Natural Order
These truths are self-evident, that all are created equal, endowed with rights to life, pursuit of freedom, and liberty.

1. There are no other laws other than natural law.
2. All have right to throw off and oppose any who would shackle and oppress.
3. Take not revolution in vain, make just your cause.
4. If you would govern, reflect on and abide in natural law as it relates to self and others.
5. If you would be governed, reflect on government, its price, versus freedoms given and those taken.
6. Do not kill.
7. Do not take nor covet what is not yours.
8. Recognize the rights of others as thus explained.
9. Protect those rights collectively conforming, to these principles.
10. Bear witness to truth.

Declaration
One needs no other cause to declaration of separation from that which opposes the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.

II. Ced’a-meon League’s Declaration of War against the Ri’cilian Coalition

Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of the natural order as codified in the Declaration of Rights, it is the right of the threatened and oppressed to oppose said despotism. It is the right of those threatened and oppressed to lay a foundation on such principles and organize means in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety, freedom and liberty.

Wherein the Ri’cilian Coalition and the Ced’a-meon League having deposed the Zi’anian Empire, the League has taken the mantel of protectorate of its member states. The Coalition, under guise of democracy, has repeatedly demonstrated its intent to replace by force and coercion the Zi’anian Empire, as hegemonic despot of the Phateon System.

On numerous occasions the League has broached the “Charters of the Alliance” as retained in “The Dissolution Treaty” and further have shown disregard for the treaties stipulations on Planetary Law. See “Appendix 1: Grievances” to this declaration for a complete listing of explicit Treaty violations.

Most grievous, having directly involved itself in the War of Unification on Lis’inth on behalf of Peleios against League State Elean, the Coalition has demonstrated its greatest disregard for the “Charters of the Alliance” as retained in “The Dissolution Treaty” and threaten the existence of the League itself by having:

  1. Directly intervened in the Battle of Paleo Bay on behalf of Peleios against Elean, a League State.
  2. Encroached on Planetary Law with one of its Battle Fleets when intervening in the Battle of Paleo Bay.
  3. Directly threatened the way of life and existence of the League and her individual states by disregarding the expressed concerns of the League as outlined in the “Lis’inthian Accords”.

The Ced’a-meon League, consisting of Ced’a-meon Proper, States of Arcania, and Lis’inth Elania, hereby declare the dissolution of the “Lis’inthian Accords” and further absolve themselves from the “Charters of the Alliance” as retained in “The Dissolution Treaty.”

The Ced’a-meon League and individual charter states declare war on E’ricle and any state in alliance with E’ricle in this matter.

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What Was as What Is

“Teacher you say “When present in mind what was, and lamenting what shall not be, nescient mind of what is.” Could you elaborate?”

“When we see the empty glass once filled with water we see just that, the empty glass once filled with water.”

“Yet, on deeper reflection comes realization that the empty glass once filled with water is remainder of thirst fulfilled.”

“Likewise, body bereft of spirit is not but reminder of the fulfillment of spirit, that only temporarily embodied its earthen vessel.”

“And as water freed eventually returns to the greater ocean, so too does spirit return to that greater, when freed of self-notion.”

“Mourn not for the body bereft of spirit but rejoice in the fulfillment of the spirit.”

”Do you understand?”

The student upon some reflection replies.

“Mourn not for temporal passing,
Find peace in that everlasting.
Realize the spirit ascending,
Fulfilled by transcending.”

“Good. Good. Very good.”

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On the Prince Christened Suttra

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.”

OM

“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.

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Anātman

“Teacher, you have said, ‘Truly happy is the one who desires happiness for others and not self.’ How can one find happiness if one doesn’t desire happiness for themself?”

“‘Whatever suffering there is comes from desiring happiness for oneself.’ All phenomena that one seeks to find happiness in will eventually be source of misery, this very realization is itself cause for renunciation, the cessation of suffering. The life span of an ant is insignificant when compared to that of man. The lifespan of a man insignificant when compared to that of Earth. The span of the Earth insignificant compared to the cosmos, and further there are infinite universes, impossible to comprehend. So what is there to be attached to but the path that leads to transcendental awareness? Why waste this precious existence on anything other than peaceful  realization? One with diligent awareness is not attached to what is temporal. Freed from miseries, that one desires only this same realization of the path to happiness for all unaware beings. Only one self-liberated and devoted to liberating others of their miseries is steadfastly happy.”

Upon reflecting on his master’s lesson, the student replies, “One must realize causality to be freed from causality.”

“Good. Good. Very good.”

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Nada

“Teacher, you have said ‘There is nothing to comprehend. Nothing to attain.’  Yet you have practiced for many years with great masters, have spent countless hours studying the texts and commentaries, and even more in reflective meditation?”

“Nothing is very difficult to comprehend. Nothing is very difficult to attain.”

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Out of Body

“Teacher, you say all phenomena is manifestation of mind, but  surely when cut, I bleed. How is that manifestation of mind? Does not something outside of mind cut me? Can you explain this?”

“Indeed. Is it mind that is cut or body?”

“The mind cannot be cut, it is body that is cut.”

“This sculpture of stone when chipped would it say ‘I am chipped’?”

“No, it has no mind to perceive that has been chipped.”

“And no mind that holds concept of being chipped, nor even mind that holds concept of self to chip.  Yet to the mind that chipped, it has been chipped. Do you understand?” 

After a moment of reflection, the student replies, “Mind cannot be cut where body can, but without mind body does not perceive being cut. Likewise, sculpture that is chipped is not chipped but by observing mind.”

“Good. Good. Very good. You have understood.”

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Is and not

“Teacher, earlier when teaching the dharma to the townsfolk and when explaining the emptiness of form and the other aggravates you said, “A thing that is not can be understood as that which is not, and that which is.” This is confusing to me. Could you explain it’s meaning?”

“Indeed.  Conceptually, a thing that is not can be understood as that which it is not and that which it is. Likewise, that which is can be known by both what it is and by what it is not. Glass that was full, when emptied, would you say that it is not full or empty?”

”One could say either, but I would say it is empty.”

The student then pulls out a copper coin from his mendicant bowl,  studies it from side to side, and after a brief pause says, “Other side of heads, not heads or tails.”

Good. Good. Very good. You have understood.

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Parable of the Snake

“Teacher, it is said you have spoken of the four reliances in relation to the parable of the snake. Could you explain the message in the parable and how it relates to the four reliances?”

“Indeed. Amid a certain community of monks there was a known prankster. One day, as the monks gathered in the courtyard for meditation, the prankster points and says, “Careful, there lies a snake.” Knowing the nature of the prankster, the skeptical monks looked to where he pointed and there they too saw a coiled snake. The monks took heed to stay clear of the snake.  One astute monk took notice and realized that the snake did not move, and from head to tail its girth seemed too uniform. As he cautiously approached the snake, he soon realized it to  be a coil of rope. Grabbing the rope, to show the others, the monk was bit on the hand by a snake that lay hid in the coil of rope.”

“As the monks first doubted the prankster’s statement, rely not merely on the person  but on the words.”

“As the monks, upon investigation, accepted what the prankster said, rely not merely on the words but on their meaning.”

“As the astute monk who on deeper reflection questioned  initial observations, rely not merely on provisional meaning but on definitive meaning.”

“As the astute monk who discovered  conceptual truth and experience differ, rely not merely on intellectual understanding but on direct experience.”

“Do you understand the message in the parable of the snake, my son?”

Wherein the student replied, “The snake that lies in the coils of a rope in the coils of the rope lies, likewise truth by truth is often hid.”

“Good. Good. Very good. You have understood.”

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Leviathan

The Skies of E’ricle are the Bluest of all the planets in the Phateon System
The Destruction of Leviathan by Gustave Doré

“Alone in my yole on the worlds immense ocean, as much above water as below, it occurs to me to harpoon a sea monster on some auspicious occasion.   “

– Ancient Proverb from the Tribes of the Northern Isles of E’ricle