The Consciousness of Self and Other

The Consciousness of Self and Other

 

When speaking of consciousness of self and other, there is a self and an other in what is known; there is a self and an other in what is seen.

Shobogenzo, Shoaku Makusa, Gudo Nishijima & Mike Cross

 

Every phenomenon (i.e. particular thing, being, or event) is only and always constituted of a ‘someone’ or ‘self’ (i.e. subject) and a ‘something’ or ‘other’ (i.e. object). The reality (i.e. existence) of a phenomenon is not other than the appearance (i.e. experienced form) of a phenomenon – the reality of the seen moon is no other than the appearance of the moon seen. Likewise, the appearance of the desire for enlightenment (i.e. bodhicitta) is no other than the reality of the desire for enlightenment.