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That karma is based on ignorance, while without ignorance
[Karma] is said not to arise, is exclusively a belief held by the unwise.
The sun of their excellent minds perfectly clearing away obscurity,
The wise comprehend emptiness and are liberated.
This sloka is very similar. This is such priceless advice for practitioners. As we can see, the
Madhyamakavatara also has a lot of practical advice for practitioners and meditators. All the socalled
non-virtuous actions such as killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, covetousness and
so on, all come from ignorance. Also, all the good deeds, like generosity, discipline, patience,
compassion and devotion also come from ignorance. Here Chandrakirti is saying that only a foolish person thinks that all action and karma comes from ignorance, but that without ignorance
there is no action and no karma. Someone who possesses excellent mind, such as a sixth bhumi
bodhisattva, has an understanding of emptiness, which is like the sun that illuminates all the
darkness of ignorance and action. Those who are wise will be liberated, because they have
understood the emptiness that is beyond virtuous action, non-virtuous action and ignorance. This
is a big statement, and it should tell you something about buddhist emptiness. It is not a nihilistic
statement at all, if you think about it carefully. Who dares to say things like this? Very few, I
think.
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