Ornament for Clear Realization Commentary

Abstract

In a hidden way he taught all the practices of the stages of the path leading to enlightenment. The meaning of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras is condensed into eight clear realizations which are also called eight categories. These eight clear realizations are also explained in terms of seventy topics. These are the main topic of the Perfection of Wisdom. In this respect we should understand that there are two lists, or two ways, of looking at these eight: one is in terms of eight categories and the other is in terms of eight clear realizations. There is a reason for this. The reason is that when we count eight categories the eighth is the resultant truth body but when we count eight clear realizations, instead of being the resultant truth body, it is the resultant wisdom truth body. Why we [cannot] say that a truth body is a clear realization is because a truth body includes a body called the nature truth body which is not an exalted knower (this will be explained in more detail later on). The nature truth body is permanent and cannot be a clear realization. The other bodies, the enjoyment body and emanation body, are also not exalted knowers.