What is the connection and context of a net? Net often symbolizes interconnectedness, judgement or entrapment.

Today when we speak about the net, we think of the internet. It means interconnected network, a global system of interconnected computer network that allows users to share information, communicate and access a wide range of online resources.

Let us examine the ‘Parable of the Net’ and Indras’s net and understand the meaning of the spiritual net and how atmabhava connects us. Parable of the Net in Matthew 13:47—50. It represents the final sorting of the righteous and the wicked.

Gathering and Judgement

In the Parable of the Net, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a net cast into the sea that gathers all kinds of fish, illustrates the final judgement where the righteous and the wicked will be separated.

Indra’s Net is a powerful metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things, where each jewel (representing a phenomenon) reflects all others, illustrating that everything is interdependent and mutually affects one another. And what is Indra’s role? He is the sky god, and he uses the net to entangle his enemies, by the play of illusion and magic. Indra’s net is the central metaphor that artfully illustrates the Avatamsaka cosmology.

Avatamsaka in Sanskrit and Huayan in Chinese means flower ornament or garland. This symbolizes the Buddha’s accumulated virtues and merits, which are like a garland of beautiful flowers. It describes a net of jewels where the polished surface of each jewel reflects all other jewels.

The net can also be seen as a representation of Maya, the cosmic illusion that veils the true nature of reality, making it seem separate and fragmented.

The metaphor of Indra’s Net originates in the from the Atharva Veda. It compares the world to a net woven by the great deity Indra. The net is said to be infinite, and it spreads in all directions with no beginning or end. At each node is a jewel, so arranged that every jewel reflects all the other jewels. No jewel exists by itself independently of the rest. Everything is related to everything else; nothing is isolated. Each jewel in Indra’s net reflects the symbolism that each entity in the universe contains within itself the entire universe.

Swami Vivekananda applied the saying tat tvam asi (that thou art) as the basis of Hindu ethics. He said in essence that we are all jewels in Indra’s net. Then he defined the Hindu platform for determining ethical conduct, not only towards animals and all entities in general–because everyone and everything is a jewel in Indra’s net.

Visualize Indra’s net

See your favorite jewel and then see a bejeweled net. The glittering surface of the jewel reflects the other jewels.

Now see yourself in one of the jewels and feel the divine connection. See your virtues and virtues of all others reflected in the gems.

Dear ones, become aware of Atmabhava, the feeling of love for all entities.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Conny Schneider on Unsplash