Zen: Rebirth and Enlightenment

We generally feel that reality is something which happens to us. In other words, we feel ontologically separate from realitywe do not identify with reality, it is external to us. There is a clear subject-object dichotomy to our perception. The cycle of rebirth rests on the observation that all things are constantly changing, both on the physical and perceptual level. Given this impermanent nature of reality in the context of our subjectivity, we are forced to be constantly reaffirming and reestablishing our own identity. In other words, the person (or subject) who I was just a few moments ago has already changed. That I has died and, insofar as my perception continues to be divided into subject and object, a new I has been born. Enlightenment (or satori) in Zen is the liberation from this cycle of birth and deathfrom the cycle of assuming a self. Phenomenologically speaking, enlightenment is the end of perception based on a subject-object dichotomy. In satori, no such ontological distinction is made; instead of there being myself and reality, there remains only reality. With not even a trace of self-doubt, you can trust the universe completely. All at once you are free, with nothing left to hold on to. All is empty, brilliant, perfect in its own being. In the world of things as they are, there is no self, no non-self. If you want to describe its essence, the best you can say is Not-two. In this Not-two nothing is separate, and nothing in the world is excluded. The enlightened of all times and places have entered into this truth. In it there is no gain or loss; one instant is ten thousand years. There is no here, no there; infinity is right before your eyes. From Seng-Tsans The Mind of Absolute Trust