In this post, we discuss the role non-luminosity plays in how mentality gives rise to the universe, as Buddha teaches in Mohe Zhiguan.
In science, there are eight theories on the origin of the universe. While the Big Bang theory is the favorite among scientists, Buddha would probably give his stamp of approval to the Quantum Fluctuation Theory as the closest to nature. Also known as the Quantum Field Theory, it is deemed the Most Beautiful Theory in Physics by some. Furthermore, quantum physicists consider the quantum field to be the building block of the universe.
Non-luminosity, a realm of fluctuating mentality, can be considered the building block of Buddha’s universe because of its position as the first link in Buddha’s teaching known as the Twelvefold Chain of Dependent Origination.
Twelvefold Chain of Dependent Origination (Romanized Sanskrit=Pratityasamutpada; Chinese=十二緣起), according to The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, is “in Sanskrit, “dependent origination,” “conditioned origination,“ lit., “origination by dependence“ (of one thing on another); one of the core teachings in the Buddhist doctrinal system.“ Additionally, “In one of the earliest summaries of the Buddha’s teaching, Buddha is said to have taught: “When this is present, that comes to be. /From the arising of this, that arises. /When this is absent, that does not come to be. /From the cessation of this, that ceases.”
In the doctrine, Buddha enumerates twelve interconnected links, with each link serving as the cause (Romanized Sanskrit=nidana, Chinese=因緣/尼陀那) for the origination of the following link until the lifecycle ends.
Of the twelve links, non-luminosity is the first link. An essential qualification for the first link of the Twelvefold Chain of Dependent Origination is that it itself cannot be conditionally caused, or it will cause a chicken/egg dilemma. For example, some Buddhists think human ignorance is the first link in the Twelvefold Chain of Dependent Origination. However, if that is the case, one must ask whether human ignorance comes first or humans without ignorance. Such a theory is a distortion of Buddha’s original teachings on non-luminosity.
Indeed, as the only “not causal“ phenomenon in its own domain, non-luminosity is the only phenomenon that can be the first link without causing a chicken/egg dilemma.
As mentioned when discussing the Ultimate Reality, Buddha teaches in Mohe Zhiguan that “mentality gives rise to rupa.“ The mentality Buddha refers to in Mohe Zhiguan is the fluctuating mentality of non-luminosity. Additionally, as a base for the arising of our universe, non-luminosity can potentially be the foundational blocks of a multiverse.
As the Twelvefold Chain of Dependent Origination suggests, all phenomena in non-luminosity dependently and conditionally originated.
Condition (Romanized Sanskrit=pratyaya; Chinese=緣), according to The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, refers “to the subsidiary factors whose concomitance results in the production of an effect from a cause.” “For example, in the production of a sprout from a seed, the seed would be the cause (Hetu), while such factors as heat and moisture would be conditions (pratyaya.). “
The original of the universe is no exception. It could have originated approximately 13.8 billion years ago if the conditions were right.
Buddha, however, never discusses what conditions caused what. On the other hand, science provides various theories. One of the conditions that scientists theorize is that the universe arose when the density of matter and the density of space were roughly equal. The universe exists now because the conditions were right for the universe to arise more than 13 billion years ago, and the universe is still here because the conditions continue to be so. It will go away when the right conditions no longer exist. It is why the universe is considered a conditioned and impermanent phenomenon in Buddhism.
That a fluctuating field is considered by Buddhism and quantum physicists as the foundational block of their respective universes is another example of why they are complementary. Indeed, if mentality replaces energy in the quantum field, the quantum field becomes non-luminosity. While this replacement will not affect how quantum scientists use their equations, it does, by the definition of consciousness, give rise to a conscious universe. In such a universe, not only can human babies be born with consciousness, but consciousness can also be present in amoeba on the hunt, sensitive plants like mimosa pudica, memory in water, emotional lions reuniting with humans, etc. Indeed, incorporating consciousness into the Quantum Field Theory makes it even more beautiful.
(If you like this post, please like it on our Facebook page and share. Thank you.)
