Deep Commentary

The Buddha uses descriptive phrases like 'wanders far and alone' and 'dwelling in the cave' to help us visualize our deluded mind. In daily life, we rarely look inward deeply enough to truly understand our own mind. Because we constantly identify with external conditions, we fail to recognize it, leading to continuous inner turmoil and suffering. We want it to stay still, but it refuses, constantly slipping away unobserved. The term 'wanders alone' suggests a lack of strict control. What is sneaking around, and why? Usually, only dishonest people sneak around to avoid detection. If the mind were upright and honest, it wouldn't need to hide. This shows that our deluded, afflicted mind is inherently deceitful, acting like a thief. It comes and goes unpredictably, like a phantom, changing forms invisibly. Normally hidden deep within, when triggered by external circumstances, these wandering thoughts swarm out like disturbed bees to sting everyone around. How terrifying! Yet, despite their apparent power, they are just a disorganized, illusory army of shadows. They cannot withstand the 'sharp sword' of a wise person's insight. When the sword of wisdom is raised, these illusions scatter in terror. Thus, the Buddha says: 'Those who subdue this mind are liberated from the bonds of Mara.' By subduing the mind, the practitioner achieves a victorious return, restoring peace and harmony to their inner kingdom.