【广海明月】第34讲 闻思教典、发心于上，才能取法于中

Think about it, up to this year [2018], it has been 30 years since Master imparted the commentary on the Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment for us. Many years ago, there were a large number of lay practitioners and many monastics chanting [Amitabha] Buddha’s name [regularly], and I was one of them as well. Back then, [I] chanted [Amitabha] Buddha’s name with all my might, for example, [I] aspire to chant one hundred thousand times in 1 day-and-night. That is, [I tried to see] if it is possible to chant Buddha’s name for one hundred thousand times in one day. [With such an aspiration, I started doing my utmost to achieve [100,000 chanting per day]. At that time, many lay practitioners I met exerted all their efforts to chant Buddha’s name as well; everyone was very very diligent and possessed incredible faith and confidence in Amitabha Buddha. That was why many lay practitioners in their early years of learning Lamrim cared very much about how Master referred to the Pure Land practice, and how he taught us to chant Buddha’s name. Even in our study groups, while discussing, some lay practitioners would [bluntly] stand up and voice [their concerns], “Uh?  Master seemed to disagree with our chanting of Buddha’s name!” And then I replied, “[No!]  Master highly approved the chanting of Buddha’s name.  Master did not tell you not to chant Buddha’s name. Instead, he just told us how to completely fulfill our aspiration of being reborn in the Pure Land, [not only be there,] but also [achieve] the highest level of perfection there. [With that in mind, he told us] how to set – [our] aspirations accordingly, i.e. an approach that if ten thousand practitioners practice it, all ten thousand of them will be able to [be reborn in Pure Land] – how to truly accomplish [100% reborn rate in Pure Land]. [01′21″]

Later when I studied with Master, [I] also sought advice from him seriously regarding this question. Then, Master said, “Deep down in my heart, I indeed think imparting the teaching of the Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment can truly help different sects and schools of practitioners. If everyone chooses his preferred approach, he must have a complete understanding of the Buddha’s teaching in its entirety, so that he can really delve into (the teachings) until reaching the core of his chosen path.” [01′46″]

Now, let’s adjust our mentality! We are about to begin the listening now. Don’t forget [your] Mahayana aspiration! Please pay full attention while listening. There is an analogy for being fully attentive. While a small animal running or walking in the wilderness, all of a sudden, a thunderclap struck from the sky. “Ka!” Instantly the thunderclap totally freezes that little animal [from action], “like an animal hearing noises suddenly” [Global LR II teaching 19]. Our listening to the teaching should be just like that, fully attentive. Can you imagine or picture that? That is a pure state of being fully attentive without any other disturbing thought, and all [senses focused] on listening. [02′32″]

Well! We then listen to Master’s next recording. [02′37″]

So in the beginning, you should set [your aspiration] for the highest level. Some even set out for Ultimate Enlightenment and specify it as the aspiration of their study. The goal is a rebirth to the highest level in the Land-of-Eternally-Quiescent-Light. This highest level is divided into four Buddha-dhatus* and nine grades (四⼟九品). For now, of course, we lack the qualifications [to be reborn in these Buddha-dhatus]. There is no certainty that we can reach this high status in Quiescent-Light, for the highest level of the Land-of-Common-Residence is even not easy to get. It doesn’t matter whether you can attain the middle level or the lowest level of the highest class; at least your attainment is very stable. Furthermore, because of your aspiration, once you are there, you will see Buddha and your aspiration will be fulfilled very quickly. This is a shortcut that we should know. [03′20″]

[*four Buddha-dhatus 四⼟:

常寂光净⼟Land-of-Eternally-Quiescent-Light、

实报庄严⼟Land-of-Real-Reward、

凡圣同居⼟Land-of-Common-Residence- of-Beings-and-Saints、

⽅便有余⼟Land-of-Expediency]

So I stated at the beginning of this commentary that I am not suggesting that you adopt any specific sects or schools of thought, absolutely not! The choice of sects or schools of thought relies on your personal level of understanding. From the very beginning, [you should strive] to achieve a complete understanding of the entire content of the teaching. Once you have the proper comprehension, then [you can] approach your goals with a proper planning. With this recognition, you can make a decision for a confirmed path and advance from there. It will happen steadily and surely. Moreover, it will be the easiest, quickest, and most comprehensive [path]. The same applies to both approaches of chanting Buddha’s name or Zen meditation. [04′07″]

 Not sure how all of you discussed this section? First, Master mentioned in here that the aspiration has been adjusted, for the chanting is not just to be reborn in the Pure Land. The original intent was hastily [chanting and wish] to be reborn there. As long as my chanting can lead me there, even the entry level will do. However, if the intent is to be reborn at the entry level, it is very likely not going to happen at the end. But it is different here, [one] aspires for the highest level of rebirth, and it has to be the ultimate enlightenment. What is my aspiration for chanting [Amitabha Buddha]? It is for the “rebirth to the highest level in the Land-of-Eternally-Quiescent-Light”, so it is a very lofty goal! To apply such an aspiration toward such a [lofty] goal, [I] might not be able to reach the highest level of the Land-of-Eternally-Quiescent-Light, but at least the attainment of the middle level will do, or even the highest level of Land-of-Common-Residence-of-Beings-and Saints will also be fine! However, if the highest level of Land-of-Common-Residence-of-Beings and-Saints is unable to be attained, that doesn’t matter too, because its middle level of the highest class or the lower level of the highest class is acceptable as well! At least, pay attention! “At least your attainment is very stable”. That is, the aspiration will definitely be fulfilled. Eminent Pure Land masters also emphasize this point by saying: “Your aspiration should not be limited to the lowest level because [with this mindset] to be reborn there, [you will] definitely fail.” Hence, we must aspire the loftiest goal, then [practice diligently to reach at least] considerable attainment. Thus, to be reborn in the Pure Land will only be possible. [05′30″]

So, why are that practitioners dare to make such an aspiration? They must have recognized the benefits of such an aspiration through the study and contemplation of the scriptures & sutras. They repeatedly ponder on this matter, then consult virtuous teachers, as well as discuss with others, and hence they are able to have such an aspiration [to be reborn in the highest level of Pure Land]. With such an aspiration, at least one will be [100%] assured of going there steadily and surely. Moreover, Master mentioned that because our aspiration is to meet with Buddha in the future, what we are pursuing is the most ultimate, encompassing Buddhahood, then what will be our purpose when being reborn in the Pure Land? It is not about going there to take daily leisure strolls or to admire flowers. Nothing like that, but [rather] an environment in which “[the sounds of] birds and trees in space” are all giving teachings, [incessantly] remind everyone to practice/ meditate! Every single arising condition reminds us to practise, to follow Buddha [‘s teaching] and practice properly, and to walk the path to ultimate enlightenment. If you aspire to learn, to achieve Buddhahood, every seeing, listening, thinking (mindfulness), understanding is [constantly] reminding us to be mindful [of the proper perception] and how to abide them; then you will be extremely joyful, right? Because that is the mental continuum! Hence, Master hoped that we could comprehend this point. Are you all very happy to hear this? [06′38″]

Moreover, Master followed by repeating what was mentioned in the very beginning of this Lamrim commentary: “[you should strive] to achieve a complete understanding of the entire content of the teaching. Once you have the proper comprehension, then [you can] approach your goals with a proper planning. With this recognition, you can make a decision for a confirmed path and advance from there.”  Master then mentioned the following statements, “It will happen steadily and surely” is one; Pay attention! “Moreover, it will be the easiest” is the 2nd statement; “quickest” the 3rd, “and most comprehensive,” how many [statements] so far? There are four statements. “It will happen steadily and surely. Moreover, it will be the easiest, quickest, and most comprehensive [path]. The same applies to both approaches of chanting Buddha’s name or Zen meditation.” Actually, all these are the highest aspiration that we practitioners long for. “Steadily and surely”, yet we are flustered with uncertainty; Then “the easiest” is what we want most in doing everything, to achieve the best result with the least effort. Surprisingly, upon understanding Buddhism in its entirety, “Why! How come it becomes the easiest task?” Is studying so many scriptures and sutras an easy task? Doesn’t it require great effort to study the scriptures and sutras? [Yes!] It will be the easiest! [With complete understanding of the teaching,] to follow and choose a path [to enlightenment] that corresponds/relates to you, and it would be the easiest, quickest and most comprehensive [path]! [08′01″]

I remember when I was in a Lamrim class, a member in my class studied very diligently, but she felt that she couldn’t understand and was somewhat slower than others in picking up when it comes to learning. So, after having studied in the class for two or three years or [maybe] one year, I can’t remember exactly, one time, she attended a Dharma assembly in a monastery for chanting Buddha’s name. She enjoyed chanting Buddha’s name very much. After the chanting, [she] shared [her learning experience] with others, “Hey! Lamrim mentions how to cultivate one’s faith and confidence in Amitabha Buddha, and what Amitabha Buddha’s merits are, so on and so forth.” [When she began] to talk, people started to gather around her [listening to her sharing], and [the longer she talked] the more people gathered around her. She talked straight for two to three hours, nonstop! By the time [she] was done, she surprised herself while everyone said, “Wow! You have learned really well. How wonderful that you can talk about it so well!” [08′45″]

As a result, that day after [she] came back [from the assembly], she shared this experience with me. Wow! Her spirit was high and her eyes were bright and shining! Never was she so full of self-confidence before in our Lamrim class. From then on, she studied Lamrim even more diligently. So, after studying [Lamrim] for a while, she suddenly realized: Wow! She was able to share [her study, practising, and learning] with other students for three hours nonstop! In the past, this was impossible! She used to be a listener while others talked eloquently, sometimes she couldn’t even understand [what others were talking about] and had to ask: “What’s this? What’s that?” Others would say, “Oh! Hold on! Hold on! Let us finish talking; let’s continue.” In the end, what a significant progress she has made. Currently, she is still studying Lamrim very diligently; it is really excellent! [09′35″]

Keep in mind, how many [statements on benefits we have just mentioned]? “Steadily and surely”, [then] let’s say it together: “the easiest, quickest, and most comprehensive”. All these are what we all highly look forward to. [Among these benefits], “Steadily and surely…the quickest, the most comprehensive, and the easiest”, “the easiest” is actually the most dazzling and appealing one. Nowadays [we are so busy that] we don’t feel comfortable about anything that requires more attention, the simpler the better, because many things are way too troublesome. So, let [me] ask [you all], what can we do to make things become “the easiest”? It [all] starts “From the very beginning, [you should strive] to achieve a complete understanding of the entire content of the teaching”. Pay attention [here]! The description “entire” appears before the word “content”, what does the “entire content of the teaching” refer to?  Master continued saying, “achieve complete understanding”.  We must have a complete understanding of the entire content of teaching, then set [our] goal, [eventually] it would become the easiest task. [10′29″]

Up to this point, would you all be doubtful, “Is it true?” Let me give you a simple example. When I was young, I had this experience, [one day] while both of my parents were not home; my elementary school teacher suddenly came to our town to visit my father. So, what should I do? Because I have often watched [how] my parents cook, so that day I prepared 16 dishes for my teacher! One of them was ice cream topped with cherries. The ice cream was in white color, and the cherry was red, [so I] named it “fire on the snow mountain”! In totaly, I prepared 16 dishes. Actually, I was very young at that time, so how could I come up with 16 dishes? That was because I had watched my parents cook before. Especially during the Chinese New Year, every household always prepares a lot of food, right? [11′18″]

Back then, while I was cooking, my teacher said, “Uh, are you to cook for me? It is probably more appropriate for me to cook for you!” I replied, “Teacher, you came from so far away, and we haven’t seen each other for a few years. How can I possibly let my teacher to cook for me? Teacher, why don’t you stay in the living room, and I will go and prepare some food!” At the end, I had prepared 16 dishes [successfully]. When [those dishes] were being displayed [on the table], my teacher was very very surprised. [11′37″]

Pay attention! I am not here bragging about myself; my point is that if you first don’t observe how [other people] to cook – what type of vegetables will go well together, how much soy sauce to add, when to take [the cooked food] out from the [frying] pan or pot, even how to present [the cooked food] on a plate neatly, without making a mess, etc.; after all, [the food that I had prepared] was to be served to my teacher! I did not break a plate or bowl that day, nor did I spill soy sauce on myself, and I did not accidentally set a fire, either. In a nutshell, I attributed it to [the fact that I had been] watching [my parents] cook daily, and day after day. Thus, when it was my turn, I was able to deliver that. Otherwise, when my teacher showed up, I might have to serve my teacher with only a bowl of instant noodle, and nothing else! [Or, the worst case,] I might not even know how to cook instant noodle, or potentially, when pouring hot water, I could scald myself. [12′16″]

Hence, learn to always look at things/situations from a big and overall persepctive. Thus gradually, when it is your turn to handle it, you won’t be just capable of cooking instant noodle or even clueless as to what to do. [If it were the case, then] my elementary school teacher might need to offer, “Well, are you hungry? How about I cook for you!” It could have become that situation. [12′32″]

Don’t you think that it was easy? If [I] had not [spent time] observing how [others] cook, it would have been impossible [to prepare those 16 dishes]. Besides, it didn’t take me too much time to prepare the meal. I cooked one dish at a time and one after another; it seemed to be done quite quickly. Now I reflect on it, could it be the blessings from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas?  [12′48″]