【广海明月】第45讲 “敬礼”是由内心形之于身口

In the last session, we introduced the seventeen commentaries imparted by Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa. Today, we will continue with the study. First, we can adjust our own motivation for listening to the teaching, and generate a motivation imbued with the spirit of enlightenment –  in order to benefit the limitless living beings; I must attain ultimate enlightenment of Buddhahood. In order to attain this, how do I understand the cause for enlightenment?  To learn this, I have to start from listening to Buddha’s teaching. Buddha’s teaching reveals in detail [the process that a sentient being experiences]: From prior to relying on virtuous teachers, to the gradual development of one’s reliance on/faith in them, till the moment that an aspiration arises to advance on the first stage of the path: even all the way to the encompassing enlightenment. [00′58″]

Thus, while listening to the teaching, we need to recall our distracted mind from the daily hustles and bring this attention to complete focus on what we are listening to.   Cultivate a habit of calming down our mind instantaneously, the moment we hear Master’s voice. When we are emptied of external influences within our mind stream, the time we intently focus on listening, is the time that we are concordant/aligned with the Dharma. It is also the moment in our lives that we exhibit pure and delightful joy that arises from listening to the Truth. So now, let’s begin to listen! [01′39″]

Let’s look at the text now and open to [V.1 page 33]. This Treatise is divided mainly into three parts:

– The first is the preface,

– Followed by the main body,

– And the last part is the concluding section.

This is equivalent to what we [commonly] known as the forward, the main content, and the dissemination section. Therefore, from the very beginning, we will start with the preface, which is divided into three parts:

– The first is the “Opening Veneration” – taking refuge and obeisance;

– The second is to explain the “Purpose of Composing this Treatise” – why [Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa] composed the Treatise;

– And the last part is, “Implore earnestly” – to implore us [to learn] how to listen to and uphold [the teachings]! [02′46″]

 Very well, we will not further discuss this short section. Let’s continue listening. [02′53″]

 Now [let us] go over the text.

Homage to the guru Manjughosa 南无姑如曼殊廓喀耶（梵语）

This is Tibetan, [translated from Sanskrit.] From the second line on, the original verses are translated from Tibetan.

Homage to the guru Manjughosa 敬礼尊重妙音（汉译）

“Homage” means we go for refuge! We pay respect wholeheartedly. In fact, this homage covers all three karmic doors [physical, verbal and mental]. In reality, the mental motivation grooms the physical and verbal actions. That is how it works. With respect to “guru”, in India “guru” is a special term, which is translated into what we know as “Master”. Therefore, the Master, which seems like a special term in Tantric teaching, is actually not. Generally, in India, the respectful term for a teacher is “guru” [and this is] the object for “homage” here. “Manjughosa” is Manjusri Bodhisattva. In general, Mahayana commentaries pay homage to Manjusri [the Great Wisdom] Bodhisattva [at the beginning of the text], because treatises represent wisdom. [04′15″]

 Alright, Master continued to elaborate on the phrase: “homage to the guru Manjughosa” [in both Tibetan and Chinese translation]. Master equated the meaning of “homage” to our going for refuge, and then emphasized that: “we pay respect whole-heartedly”. The essence of “homage” is reverence and attentiveness. Hence, Master said, “this homage covers all three karmic doors.” The three karmic doors are body, speech, and mind. Among them, the mind is the most important. The concordant acts of body and speech can only then manifest when the intention [of paying homage] is present in the mind stream. [04′55″]

The word “homage” in the phrase “homage to the guru Manjughosa” holds very profound knowledge and significance to it. Master mentioned in the beginning for reverence to be made genuinely from the depths of our heart, not merely as a formality or lip service. If we are referring to a genuine reverence, there is more we need to contemplate about. For instance, to whom do we revere? What kind of good qualities does he have? And then, why should I revere and pay homage to him? What is the essence of such veneration? Is there any level/stages to build upon? There’s one more point: reflecting on my life experiences from birth till present, have I felt such respect toward my parents, my teachers, or any person, coming from the depths of my heart? Have I ever experienced truly within me, this word “reverence”? When such sense of respect arises within us, our body will naturally bow and bend over, manifesting the physical and verbal forms of the inner serenity and respect in us. Ever felt such instinctive and spontaneous stream of homage? Did you have such experience before? [06′15″]

This can be easily observed during our visits to the monastery or when meeting with virtuous teachers or monastics, and bowing to them, we get to experience a sense of veneration [like what was mentioned in the previous paragraph]. Our karmic doors also instinctively adjust accordingly when at solemn ceremonies and occasions. Then, has this veneration been able to manifest into a spontaneous state/form in our lives such that it appears whenever we call for it? Or does it seem to be absent even as we prostrate to Buddha, handle/read the scriptures, or even when meeting with the monastics? If our reverence does not arise spontaneously as we pay homage, our act of veneration might sometimes become a superficial movement, or treated like a kind of formality, lacking the true essence [of homage]. [07′01″]

Therefore, Master’s explanation of the word “homage” is to pay respect wholeheartedly. With true essential properties within his heart and the spirit of reverence embedded within his mental continuum, the act of venerations is naturally exuded in the physical and verbal forms. It isn’t just putting up a front for show. [07′18″]