“Without detecting an imagined thing, its non-existence is not apprehended. Therefore, if a thing is false, its non-existence is clearly false. Thus, when in a dream a son has died, the thought 'he does not exist' prevents the arising of the thought of his existence; and that too is false. Therefore, with this analysis, nothing exists without a cause, nor is it contained in its individual, or combined causal conditions. Nothing comes from something else, nothing remains, and nothing departs. What is the difference between an illusion and that which is considered by fools as real? Examine this: As for that which is created by illusion and that which is created by causes, where do they come from and where do they go? How can there be true existence in something artificial, like a reflection, which is perceived only in conjunction with something else, and not in its absence? For something that already exists, what need is there for a cause? If something does not exist, what is the need for a cause? Something that does not exist will not be subject to change, even with millions of causes. How can something in that state be existent. What else can come into existence? If there is no existent thing at the time of non-existent, when will an existent thing come into existence? For that non-existent thing will not disappear as long as the existent thing is not produced. When a non-existent thing has not disappeared, there is no opportunity for the existent thing. An existent thing does not does not become non-existent; since it would follow that it would be of two natures. Thus, there is neither cessation nor coming into existence at any time. Therefore, this entire world does not arise or cease. States of existence are like dreams; upon analysis, they are similar to plantain trees. In reality, there is no difference between those who have attained Nirvana and those who have not. When all phenomena are empty in this way, what can be gained and what can be lost? Who will be honored or despised by whom? Whence comes happiness or suffering? What is pleasant and what is unpleasant? When investigated in its own nature, what is craving and for what is craving? Upon investigation what is the world of living beings, and who will really die here? Who will come into existence, and who has come into existence, who is a relative, and who is a friend of whom? May those who are like me apprehend everything as being like space.”
—Santideva, “The Perfection of Meditation,” Bodhicaryavatara (700)
