The Three Subtle Signs and Six Coarse Signs

The Unfolding of the Mind's Illusion

On March 2, 2019, we received profound guidance regarding the nature of our consciousness. It is said that a single moment of ignorance gives rise to the Three Subtle Signs, and these signs, when conditioned by external circumstances, lead to the growth of the Six Coarse Signs. When we speak of these conditions, we must understand that they are rooted in ignorance. The Three Subtle Signs represent the initial movement of the mind: the manifestation of phenomena, the emergence of the perceiving subject, and the appearance of the objective world. In the study of consciousness, we refer to the objective world as the manifestation of the image, while the perceiving subject is the faculty that observes these images. To verify that our perception is accurate, we rely on the self-verifying faculty, and to confirm that this verification is correct, we have the ultimate faculty of self-verification. In essence, the mind possesses four distinct divisions: the image, the observer, the self-verification, and the ultimate verification.

The Six Dusts—sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and mental objects—are the manifestation of the image. The six consciousnesses—eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind—are the perceiving subject. The Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana explains that the perceiving subject initially begins by grasping at names and signs, or by holding onto appearances. When our heart is pure and still, the sudden arising of a single deluded thought or messy thought constitutes the sign of karma. This is especially potent when the thought is unwholesome. Once this sign of karma moves, the manifestation of phenomena arises, and from there, the perceiving subject and the objective world are born.

The Three Subtle Movements of Ignorance

The Three Subtle Signs are the foundational movements of the mind that lead us away from our original nature:

• The Sign of Ignorance and Karma: The initial, subtle movement of the mind.
• The Sign of Perception: The emergence of the perceiving subject.
• The Sign of the Objective World: The manifestation of the Six Dusts.

Ignorance and lack of awareness give rise to the Three Subtle Signs.
Movement brings suffering; stillness brings peace.
When the Six Coarse Signs do not appear, one is truly in practice.
The sign of karma arises from deluded movement.
The sign of perception causes the consciousness to turn and grow.
The sign of the objective world is the realm of the Six Dusts.
Unaware, the Three Subtle Signs bind us in close embrace.

The Six Coarse Entanglements of the World

Beyond the subtle movements, the mind further develops into the Six Coarse Signs, which deepen our entanglement in the world of form and emotion: the sign of discrimination, the sign of continuity, the sign of attachment, the sign of naming, the sign of creating karma, and the sign of karmic suffering.

The sign of discrimination distinguishes and gives rise to love and hatred.
The sign of continuity responds with the emotions of suffering and joy.
Suffering and joy awaken thoughts that lead to attachment.
Naming and other signs lead to the creation of karma.
Dependent on karma, the suffering of being bound never ceases.
If one stops at the moment of contact, love and grasping will not arise.
By relying on the truth to transform illusions, one purifies ignorance.

Returning to the Source of Purity

To all the Bodhisattvas and virtuous ones in the Dharma-Nature Land, remember that your practice lies in taking good care of your thoughts. Every thought and intention, as well as every external condition or boundary you encounter, must be met with awareness. You must understand what kind of thought has arisen—is it wholesome or is it unwholesome? The most effective way to maintain a pure heart and clear awareness is to chant Namo Amituofo. By keeping the Buddha's name in your heart, you return to your original nature and find the path to liberation.

Ashvaghosha

This message was recorded by the Buddhist practitioner Shi Hailiang.