Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: The Six Practices: Ten Dedications Part 5(六行~十回向行五)
Lately, we have discussed Dedication of Merits. Today we will discuss the fifth of the Ten Dedications. I happily speak to you, so you should happily accept the teachings. Remember the meaning of dedication of merits, Dedicating Merits from Small to Large.
Small is being selfish, self-beneficial and self-centered. We need to turn it around. To turn it around means to turn back. We must turn to the large. So we must be unselfish, selfless and attain a pure, all-encompassing heart. This is the mindset of all Buddha, it is pure. This is the goal of our dedication.
Fifth of the Practice of Ten Dedications: Buddhas of all worlds are more numerous than the sands of the Ganges River. The merits of one’s nature are infinite. This is the Dedication of the inexhaustible treasury of merits.
The fifth practice is about “all worlds.” We should dedicate merits to all worlds. What kind of worlds are they? They are Buddhas’ worlds. “Buddhas are more numerous than sands of Ganges. The merits of one’s nature are infinite. This is Dedication of inexhaustible treasury of merits.” This means Buddhas’ worlds are vast and wide. Every day our minds wander among Buddhas’ worlds. There are an infinite number of Buddhas, likened to the number of sands in the Ganges. Thus, there are infinite Buddhas.
“The merits of one’s nature” follow from cultivating our minds. What do we cultivate in our minds? Humility. To be inwardly humble is a merit. To be outwardly courteous is a virtue. So we should truly be humble in nature, and our actions must be as numerous as the Ganges’ sands.
A few days ago, didn’t I say we should work among other people? Our minds must not be attached to anything. We must have no predetermined self-image so we can embrace all sentient beings in the world. To do so we must start working on our nature so we have the merit of humility and the virtue of courtesy. When we respect everyone we meet, then we can get along with anyone. If so, “the merits are infinite.” These merits can protect countless beings. Thus, we merits are infinite.
With our merits and virtue, we can reform and transform many people. Our minds can respond to the minds of sentient beings. Our bodies can transform their bodies. Thus we are fully responsive to the multitudes. So, “it is the inexhaustible treasury of merits.” We must dedicate our merits here. We should direct our minds to the Buddha. We should use our body to transform others. There are innumerable Buddhas as there are countless sentient beings. Our minds connect to all Buddhas and our actions affect all sentient beings. We must often make this vow to practice inner humility and external courtesy while acting virtuously.
Internally, cultivate the mind; externally, practice humility. This virtue can protect all beings. We should constantly make this vow: I respond to the minds of sentient beings with my mind and transform their bodies with my body.
Let me further explain the “Dedication of inexhaustible treasury of merits” that is, “Reaching all places of the universe, The Tathagata is equal to all Buddhas.” We said the universe is all places, including the countless infinite worlds of Buddhas. All Buddhas are Tathagatas. There are infinite Buddhas and innumerable worlds. Thus, our minds should reside in the worlds and the minds of all Buddhas.
There is one more phrase, “the pure minds of all Buddhas are our pure and infinite minds” and thus “Tathagata is the Tathagata of all the worlds.” Was Sakyamuni Buddha really in the Saha World? Although He is called Sakyamuni Buddha, the Fundamental Teacher of the Saha World, He came to the Saha World from the countless worlds of all Buddhas. Therefore, He is one of the infinite Buddhas. He responded to the minds of all Buddhas and came to the Saha World. So Buddhas area called Tathagata, or Thus-come. And thus He came and went.
Through such vows He came to the Saha World. Through such actions He responded to all beings. So, we should keep this passage very close to our hearts. Therefore, “The worlds are the worlds of all Tathagatas. The Tathagatas travel with no hindrances.” Regardless of circumstances, all Buddhas, whether they are in the Saha World, the Western, World, or the Eastern World, these Buddhas in all worlds can be merged into one.
Apart they are innumerable as Ganges’ sands. Together they are the World of One Nature. If we can focus our minds in one place, we can have the mind and actions of Buddha as we live among sentient beings. In doing so, we can see clearly the appearances of this world.
If we focus our minds in one place, then among sentient beings, we will have the mind and actions of Buddhas. In doing so, we can see clearly the appearances of the world.
Buddhism, science, and philosophy are inseparable. The more advanced science is, the more it proves the truth of Buddhism. Dharma is so pertinent for sentient beings. American scientists used nanoscience to discover melodies in cells. The cells can sing. You may think, “How is this possible?” Let me say, “It’s possible.” In the past I said, “Contemplate your nature.” Listen to your own voice. So, I was very glad to read this study because this proves what I said years ago. We should contemplate our innate nature and carefully listen to the voice in our minds. Our cells have their own voices, too. I was very happy when I saw that there is scientific proof. This is Dharma-joy.
Such joy comes from deep within my heart. Perhaps my cells are singing and laughing. This is the kind of mind we should cultivate in response to our environment. If we always bring joy from our environment into our minds, we will always feel happy.
Haven’t you seen people smile while sitting alone? “What are you smiling about?”
“I’m very joyous, happy, so I want to laugh. I’m so happy!” Indeed, it is because their cells are very happy and joyous. Science has discovered the sound in our cells. So we must dedicate merit to ourselves, examine ourselves, as well as educate ourselves and every cell in our body. We must teach them to be well-behaved and emit happy sounds. If we can do this, we will be peaceful and at ease.
Our cells can sing. If we can examine ourselves carefully and adjust and teach every cell in our bodies to emit a happy sound, we will be peaceful and at ease.
The cells can sing. Some sing in a deep, rich, and powerful voice. In terms of sincerity, it sounds like something exists within the sound of each cell. When we hear people sing, we seem to hear a rhythm within that rhythm it also exists in speech. Some people naturally speak as if they are singing. They have a good rhythm. So people say, “You speak as if you’re singing. That’s pretty.” It is an accurate description, when we talked, there is a rhythm to that sound. Thus we can speak as if we are singing.
On one occasion, a professional vocalist told me that “Songwriters like to hear others speak.” I asked, “Why?”
“The rhythm of people’s speech is quite unique. So conversations can inspire new compositions.”
So this also proves that there is a rhythm within the song of the cells. However, the songs of some cells are very sorrowful and heart-wrenching. Scientists have discovered two kinds of cells. One is filled with sounds of joy. The other is filled with mourning and pain. I believe this is true. Some people are naturally very optimistic. They are easily taught and are pure. They are very happy to learn and gratefully accept teachings. The cells of these people must be rich with rhythm, happiness, joy, gratitude and love.
There was a news report about a father hospitalized for cirrhosis of the liver. The doctor determined that his liver had failed. But with modern medical science, he could have a liver transplant. He had three sons. They had always been grateful to him and were very close to him. When they heard about his need for a liver, they all said, “Use mine! Use mine!” After testing for the best donor, it turned out that the second son was the ideal match. He gave half of his liver to his father. Donating a liver to save a father makes a truly wonderful story.
That is true gratitude. His father adored him as a child. When he grew up and his father fell ill, if he simply took great care of his father he would already have been considered filial. It was a major surgery and the doctor cut out a part of him to save his father. He was so willing because his father nurtured his every single cell. Such gratitude and filial piety are nurtured at a cellular level.
Thus, spiritual practice is about training our minds. We must cultivate our minds carefully. Otherwise, if our minds are lax, they become difficult to control. Let every cell be grateful and sing a joyous and peaceful song every day so we can be happy. This takes a lot practice.
Spiritual practice is about training the mind. When the mind is lax, it will be difficult to control. To let our sells be filled with gratitude and sing a happy and peaceful song every day takes a lot of practice.
This is most clearly seen at the moment of death. I have disciples who live in other places. When they are close to death, sometimes someone would call me, “So-and-so is close to death and wants to hear your voice.” When I talk to them over the phone I can hear the voice from their hearts as they face death. If they practice often, they say, “Please don’t worry, I remember. I know. l’ll be back.” After the conversation, I am confident they will return.
However, when someone tells me, “So-and-so is really suffering, can you speak to him?” I wonder if they will truly hear what I say. I hear whimpers and heart-wrenching cries. Have they consistently trained their cells well? If so, then I just need to give a gentle nudge. Then they say, “I know. Don’t worry about me. I understand what I need to do.” Their cells are simple, pure, and beautiful, and their rhythms are so pleasant. If we do not take good care of our minds, at the end of our life, every call will be very sad and desolate. Life is truly incredible.
Everyone, I hope you will receive the Buddha’s teachings with a pure and joyful heart. Nobody knows when life will end. Life is impermanent. Quickly apply the Dharma you hear today. And not just today, but every minute and second, every day and month, year and century. Do not depart from the joyful rhythm of your cells. Everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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