In this talk Thubten Zopa Rinpoche explores the concept that our perception of traffic lights as red or green is not an intrinsic property of the lights but a construct shaped by language and human understanding.
Lama Zopa argues that without language, we would see the lights merely as objects, devoid of the labels “red” or “green”.
These labels are introduced through social learning, from parents or teachers, shaping our understanding and interaction with traffic lights.
The conversation emphasizes that our perception of reality, including traffic lights, is fundamentally influenced by the labels and beliefs we adopt.
Lama Zopa asserts that these labels define the function and reality of the lights in our minds.
This perspective underscores that reality is not objective but rather subjective, molded by our cognitive interpretations.
Further, Lama Zopa suggests that what we perceive as real is a form of hallucination, our mind’s interpretation and labeling of sensory input.
This idea extends to all aspects of daily life, where beliefs and labels shape our experience of reality.
The essence of traffic lights being red or green, thus, is a mental construct rather than an inherent quality.
Ultimately, Lama Zopa concludes that our perception of traffic lights, like much of our perceived reality, is a subjective experience created by our minds, demonstrating the profound impact of language and cognition on how we understand and navigate the world.
