The Changeless Nature

4B. DISCUSSION OF THE EXAMPLES4B1. The Qualities of FreedomBuddha-Qualities 115The Vajra as Symbol of the PowersOf the ten powers, six dispel the cognitive obscuration, threedispel the hindrances to meditative balance and one dispels thenegative affects, along with their latent mental conditioning. Thereforethese powers are truly like a vajra because they pierce, destroyand fell the armour-like, wall-like and tree-like obscurations.general significanceThe powers of the sage are like a vajra because they are firm,resistant, steadfast and invulnerable. Why firm? — because they areresistant. Why resistant? — because they are steadfast. Why steadfast?— because they are invulnerable. Since they are invulnerable,they are like a vajra.The Lion as a Symbol of the Fearlessnessin briefSince he is fearless, unconcerned and stable and since his skillis supreme, the lion of men, the buddha, is likened to a lion — fearlessin the midst of any gathering.in more detailHaving definite knowledge of everything, he remains absolutelyfearless of anyone. Since he clearly sees that even purified beings arenot his peer, he remains uninfluenced. Since his noble mind isconstantly attentive to each and every phenomenon, he possessesstability. Having transcended the state of latent ignorance 14 ,exceedingly difficult to eradicate, he is endowed with skill.Space as an Example of the Distinctive QualitiesSince, from worldlings to sravakas, to those of one-sided 15 practice,to the wise 16 , to the spontaneously-arising 17 , the degree ofunderstanding is ever more subtle, there are five examples (the five