Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Purna Diligently Helps to Promote the Dharma (滿慈精勤 祝助宣佛法)
Date: June.19.2017
“Purna had been praised often for more than 40 years. He did not only start from today to expound the Dharma with eloquence. His bold speech and elegant words enabled those who were lost to attain awakening, develop faith, plant it deeply and persevere. All must have no doubt about the Dharma.”
As we discussed yesterday, Purna was praised often by Sakyamuni Buddha for over 40 years. The Buddha had also been expounding the Dharma for more than 40 years. From this, we know that among the Sangha, Purna had such depth of experience! From the Deer Park era, even at a young age, his wisdom surpassed all others. Though he was born in a wealthy family and lived a carefree life, he could feel the impermanence and suffering of the world, how we undergo birth, aging, illness and death. So many phenomena in the world are impermanent. After thorough contemplation, he understood that life is illusory, like a dream. Our lives are only temporary. Birth, aging, illness and death must contain their own profound principles. The impermanence of this world must have its causes and conditions. So, he vowed to engage in spiritual practice. Then he heard that a Great Enlightened One was teaching at Deer Park, so he started to go there to listen, to hear the Buddha-Dharma. Every word that the Buddha taught entered His heart. Every teaching went to the depths of his heart. He discovered that these principles, the cycles of the world, are so wondrously profound. The world’s cyclic existence of birth and death has even more principles within it. Within these cycles, the cycles of nature and of transmigration, he attained profound realizations. Why was the Buddha determined to work so hard? If He could attain such realizations for Himself, wouldn’t He be so carefree and at ease? Why did He need to exert such effort to go among the people? To teach and transform sentient beings is such hard work. Because he understood this, Maitrayani formed even more sincere aspirations. He understood Sakyamuni Buddha’s intent and His goal in coming to this world, which was to open and reveal [His wisdom] for sentient beings, hoping that they could realize and enter it. This is easier said than done! [People say], “I know, I know the principles,” but is it so easy to change our habitual tendencies? If we do not engage in spiritual practice, our life is [anyways] so painfully short, and once we fall into an evil path, we may not be able to return for 1000 kalpas. “It’s scary; I am scared! I know to be scared, however if you tell me to change, I will change, but I will take my time.” Isn’t this the common falling of people in this world?
This world is filled with ignorance, which is why we create so many afflictions. We clearly know that man problems in the world are a result of interpersonal conflicts. However, everyone thinks, “It is not my problem! It is other people’s problem.” Indeed, these are interpersonal problems; we all know and recognize these issues, but no one is willing to admit that we ourselves are among those who created the issue. This is our common failing as sentient beings. [We want to] teach and transform sentient beings, but how do we do this? How do we bring purity to them? This is truly taxing. Maitrayani was willing to mindfully absorb the Dharma and was willing to go everywhere to dedicate himself among the people. No matter the difficulty, he was still willing. Even if spreading the teachings could harm him, he was willing to sacrifice himself for the teachings. This is how Purna Maitrayaniputra was. He understood the Buddha’s intent. The Buddha also understood Purna Maitrayaniputra’s aspiration.
So, for more than 40 years, the Buddha often praised Purna, whose full name is Purna Maitrayaniputra. He had often been praised by the Buddha. For more than 40 years, the Buddha and this disciple were deeply connected. The Buddha understood Maitrayani’s aspiration while Maitrayani even further understood the Buddha’s original intent. As master and disciple, they shared the same mindset and were deeply connected. So, the Buddha had often praised him. It is very rare to find someone in the world who truly shares that deep connection with you. Therefore, for Maitrayani to be able to have such eloquence, skills and such comprehension, [we know], “He did not only start from today to expound the Dharma with eloquence.” He had not just started then; this did not just begin in this life. As we often say, we must believe that these things are accumulated. How long had it been accumulated? Life after life. Just how many lifetimes has it been? It has been just-inked kalpas, since Great Unhindered Wisdom Superior Buddha and the 16 princes. Along with the sentient beings who had affinities and listened to the teachings, had gave rise to joy after he listened and then, for lifetime after lifetime, followed the Buddha wherever He lived, going among people and transforming them. These were his affinities. They did not only start now, but had been accumulated over a very, very long time. “His bold speech and elegant words enabled those who were lost to attain awakening.” These were not just ordinary people, but particularly stubborn sentient beings.
For instance, Purna Maitrayaniputra wanted to go to very a distant and remote place where sentient beings were very stubborn. It was a very dangerous land. He wanted to go there to spread the Dharma, so he came to the Buddha to take his leave and express his intentions to the Buddha. This time, the place he was going was unusual, so he came to say goodbye to the Buddha. The Buddha heard that he was going so far away and that the sentient beings there were so stubborn, very difficult to train and transform. He said, “What kind of method will you use? That place is very dangerous.” I believe everyone has heard this story before. [He said], “If I am scolded, it does not matter. If I am beaten, I can endure. If they want to take my life, I will be grateful to them. Only when karmic conditions come to an end will be able to go to the next life.” In this way, he showed no thought for his own life. He put his own life and death aside; transforming sentient beings was the most important things to him.
The Buddha reminded him, instructed him, “Be careful in everything you do.” So, he went; he had his way of doing things. He paved the road with love, inch by inch. For those who suffered from illness, he played the role of a doctor or nurse and became closer to the patients. He knew the patient’s cause of suffering. If there was any medicine required, he would quickly think of how to take care of it. He would find whatever medicine or methods needed to treat the patient’s illness. If he saw an elderly person living alone without family, he would treat them as his own elder, with such a spirit of filial piety. For everyone he met, he played a different role to suit their capabilities. He was always very gentle, but truly had the ability to help people. He made people feel that he could lead them through the process of going from being lost to reaching awakening. Even people of different religions or those with deviant views and understanding could accept his teachings. They could do nothing but accept his teachings, since they could find no reason to reject them. He helped them correct views that had gone astray. Thus, in that village where many people were stubborn, deluded or immersed in deviant views, he transformed more than 500 people. This great procession of people then returned to [the assembly] to meet the Buddha. They were all able to become monastics and engage in spiritual practice.
This was Purna Maitrayaaniputra’s talent. In this way he fulfilled aspirations that he had held for a long time. These aspirations were formed deep in his heart in previous lifetimes. This is what we discussed yesterday. Purna Maitrayaniputra had a such precise understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. He was willing to go among people; no matter how hard it would be, he was not afraid. When he went back to the Sangha, he would conceal hi great [aspirations] while amongst Small Vehicle practitioners. Thus, he worked and engaged in spiritual practice in the same way as everyone else. This was his ability to reach out and connect with people widely. His abilities were very far-reaching; his influence was everywhere. He could fully utilize his supreme wisdom and talent [wherever he went], then on returning to the Sangha, he could humble himself to conceal the Great and return to the Small, engaging in spiritual practice and working just like everyone in the Sangha. This was an exceptional disciple of the Buddha, this is Purna Maitrayaniputra. His “bold speech and elegant words enabled those who were lot to attain awakening, develop faith, plant it deeply and persevere.” This was because he had been doing this for lifetimes. Now, this Dharma let him enter people’s hearts so everyone was willing to accept the teachings. They were not only willing to accept his words, but could also delve deeply into the teachings and persevere in their spiritual practice. Because of this, he was able to deliver so many people and have them take refuge with the Buddha and learn the Buddha-Dharma among the Sangha. This means that they did not doubt Purna. They had deep faith without doubts.
If we want to expound the Dharma and have people accept it without doubt, we must put in great effort. We need inner cultivation and external practice. When we go among and interact with people, we must have a heart of utmost sincerity. This is just like what we often say. “Inwardly cultivate sincerity, integrity, faith and steadfastness. Outwardly practice loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.” This is something we cannot do without in our spiritual practice.
The previous sutra passage states, “At that time, the Buddha told all the bhiksus, ‘Do you see This Purna Maitrayaniputra? I often praise him as foremost among those who teach the Dharma and also often praise his merits and virtues of many kinds’”.
We talked about this yesterday. Purna Maitrayaniputra truly deserved the Buddha’s praise. The Buddha’s praise for this disciple was special. Moreover, He expressed how He had been praising Purna for over 40 years. This is really remarkable. In particular, he was foremost among those who taught the Dharma and had already accumulated all kinds of merits and virtues. Merits and virtues come from helping others and attaining realizations. Only then do you have merits and virtues. When you give sincerely from your heart and accomplish your mission, then you attain merits and virtues. We must truly be mindful in giving to others. No matter what we do, we must always be mindful. Even in making a simple tool, we must also be mindful to be able to complete it. Both great and small matters require mindful execution to finish. If we are not mindful, then nothing can be accomplished. Therefore, we must constantly be mindful when helping others. This is what we truly need to master as we learn the Buddha’s teachings.
The next sutra passage states, “He diligently protects and helps to promote my teachings. He can reveal teachings to the fourfold assembly to benefit them and bring them joy. He is replete with the ability to explain the Buddha’s Right Dharma and greatly benefit fellow practitioners of purity. Setting aside the Tathagata, none could compete with his limitless eloquence”.
We must be very mindful to comprehend this. The Buddha had previously praised Purna as foremost among those who teach the Dharma and praised his many kinds of merits and virtues. He is now praising him again for “diligently protecting” [the Dharma]. [Diligent] means being focused, not scattered, advancing, not retreating, with single-minded resolve. This was how he protected the teachings of the Buddha. Thus, “He helps to promote my teachings”.
He diligently protects and helps to promote my teachings: The Buddha often praised Putra for having advanced diligently, never becoming lax. He could skillfully protect and uphold [Dharma] and help to promote the Buddha’s Right Dharma.
He diligently protected and helped to promote the Buddha’s teachings. It was no wonder that the Buddha had such regard for Purna Maitrayaniputra. So “The Buddha often praised Putra for having advanced diligently, never becoming lax. He could skillfully protect and uphold [Dharma] and help to promote the Buddha’s Right Dharma”. Thus, we all can understand that Purna Maitrayaniputra had such diligence in protecting and upholding the Dharma. Of course, the Buddha held him in high regard. “He helps to promote my Dharma” means, “He manifested in Deer Park, appearing as a Small Vehicle practitioner who was criticized”.
He helps to promote my Dharma: He manifested in Deer Park, appearing as a Small Vehicle practitioner who was criticized. He turned from the small to the great teaching, so now he had attained awakening. For 40 years, there had never been a time that he did not support and help to promote my teachings.
Because he had practiced since the era of the Deer Park, he had great depth of experience. The Buddha first turned the Dharma-wheel in Deer Park to transform the five bhiksus. Next came Purna Maitrayaniputra. This was also during that same period of time. So, “He manifested in Deer Park”. From that time he “appeared as a Small Vehicle practitioner who was criticized”. Over these more than 40 years, so many people came to be part of the Buddha’s Sangha. The number of people in the Sangha gradually grew. So, in the Sangha there were also those withered branches and dried leaves”, those who were unwilling to be diligent, people who were indolent. The Buddha often criticized the Sangha. Every time they were indolent, He told everyone to be more earnest and diligent. However, the indolent people were still indolent, while the diligent people remained diligent. Think about it; to truly comprehend the Buddha’s heart and be diligent is not east at all. So, the Buddha was constantly training His disciples. He sometimes also used methods to spur them on. Among these Small Vehicle practitioners, those who only sought to awaken themselves, some were indolent, unwilling to be diligent. There were all kinds of people. So, within such a Sangha, Purna Maitrayaniputra likewise manifested a Small Vehicle appearance yet turned toward the Great teachings he too was spurred on by the Buddha. So, he was still in the Sangha, yet though he practiced Small Vehicle teachings, he clearly took responsibility for the Buddha’s teachings and continued advancing toward the Great [Vehicle]. He was very different from ordinary monastics. He accepted the Buddha’s urging and truly went among people to help promote the Buddha’s teachings.
So, “He turned from the small to the great teaching”. Therefore, “Now he had attained awakening”. In particular, in this part of the Lotus Sutra, he had completely awakened; he manifested an appearance of having completely awakened. This was because at this time, Purna Maitrayaniputra arose from his seat to praise the many kinds of merits and virtues that the Buddha had. They was so much that these disciples were unable to draw comparisons to. They could express the great merits and virtues of the Buddha. However, the Buddha understood the intentions in the hearts of all his disciples. For this reason, Purna Maitrayaniputra said these things to the Buddha. So, in this sutra passage, Purna Maitrayaniputra expressed that he had already experienced and understood [the Buddha’s virtues]. So, “For 40 years, there had never been a time that he did not support and help to promote my teachings. “Help to promote my teachings” is talking about Purna Maitrayaniputra. He did not just begin to understand the Dharma at that time. Actually, for 40 years, there had never been a time when he did not accept the Buddha-Dharma and spread it among the people. He sought the Dharma and transformed others, always seizing the time. After teaching in the world for a period of time, he would hurry back to listen to more Dharma. He put all his heart into listening to the Dharma. We should also handle matters this way now! Even if we are always used to doing the talking, when everyone gathers together, as they share with each other, “I am from this place and I do this work, this place has this kind of environment, we must listen mindfully. When we listen to others’ sharing, we should not just talk about what we want to say. This is not how it should be! When Purna Maitrayaniputra went out to give teachings to people, he was focused on speaking for others to hear. But upon returning to the Sangha, when the Buddha was teaching, he would listen attentively. This is being focused and diligent. Only with this diligence, this focused diligence, can we [take in] the Dharma can we [take in] the Dharma so that we understand worldly matters as the Buddha-Dharma. Then we can go out to promote the teachings. This is how the Buddha praised Purna Maitrayaniputra for placing such importance on the Dharma. It was because he valued the Dharma so highly that he had so many teachings to expound.
So, “For 40 years, there had never been a time that he did not support and help to promote my teachings.” In order to promote the teachings, he had to be mindful in listening to the Dharma. This was the only way he could support and help to promote it. This is very important we must put effort into comprehending this.
His original vow in the depths of his heart was intrinsically replete with the merits and virtues of the provisional and the true, He manifested in the Five Periods and help the Buddha to train sentient beings to mature and to implement [the teachings]. Is this not diligently protecting and helping to promote my teachings?
“His original vow in the depths of his heart is talking about the original vow he made deep in his heart. What is in “the depths of our heart” is so important! Dust-inked kalpas ago, this seed was planted; now the roots continually grow and extend. He had never retreated from his initial intention, so he “was intrinsically replete with the merits and virtues of the provisional and the true.” Dust-inked kalpas ago, he had begun to listen to the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of the sutra when repeated. They were clear to him; he understood them. Great Unhindered Wisdom Superior Buddha used all kinds of provisional teachings to teach. In the end, He taught the true Dharma. The 16 novices also accepted the Dharma like this. they also used the Buddha’s in teaching to give another explanation of the original [meaning] so those listening could understand and accept. “Provisional” refers to a method to transform and enable sentient beings to take the Dharma to heart. “True” is putting the teachings into practice to accumulate merits and virtues. So, he understood both the “provisional” and “true” methods. Thus, [Purna] manifested in this world lifetime after lifetime.
During the lifetime that Sakyamuni Buddha attained Buddhahood, Purna joined the Sangha and went through the teachings of the Five Periods, including the Avatamsaka, Agama, Vaipulya, Prajna and Lotus. He “helped the Buddha to train sentient beings to mature and to implement [the teachings]. That is, he helped the Buddha to train sentient beings so that they could quickly mature. Once their causes and conditions matured, they would be able to enter into the true Dharma to transform sentient beings. this is the aspiration he formed. “Is this not diligently supporting and helping to promote my teachings? Wasn’t this the case? This was the praise for Purna Maitrayaniputra. Beginning in Deer Park, he realized both provisional and true teachings; he had already taken them in. He knew how to distinguish between skillful and true teachings. The Buddha had taught both the provisional and the true from the beginning. Those with wisdom could identify that these were skillful means to help in understanding the true Dharma. In fact, the true Dharma contained within actually teaches how to engage in spiritual practice. originally, in the Agama period there were already “true” teachings contained within. These “true” teachings are still inseparable from the “provisional”. As we have expounded the Lotus Sutra for so long, we are still demonstration both provisional and true teachings. If we are still using worldly teachings. We must use world-transcending teachings to live in this world and teach sentient beings. So, the provisional and the true are continuously taught together in a cycle. There are some sentient beings just starting, and there are some with much experience. So, we must make use of both provisional and true teachings together. If everyone can become mature, we will know what is provisional and what is true. The true teachings require us to go among people.
Purna Maitrayaniputra had already begun to do things like this. Is this not diligently protecting and upholding [the Dharma]? Was it not already in the Five Periods that he had put this into practice? He helped to promote the Buda’s Right Dharma. The Buddha then explained to us in this way and helped us understand how to support and help to promote the Buddha’s Right Dharma. In the fourfold assembly, he gave teachings to benefit and bring them joy. He made himself an example for others, manifesting as a Small Vehicle practitioner. He also went beyond the Sangha and would go among people to transform them. This is the True Dharma of the Great Vehicle. This was his focused diligence. “He can reveal teachings to the fourfold assembly to benefit them and bring them joy.”
He can reveal teachings to the fourfold assembly to benefit them and bring them joy: Among heavenly beings and humans, among the fourfold assembly, he taught and guided, benefiting people and bringing them joy. As he helps to promote the Dharma, the fourfold assembly can be benefited.
Among heavenly beings and humans, among the fourfold assembly, “he taught and guided”. In the fourfold assembly, there are bhiksus, sramaneeras, bhiksunis and srameneris. This is the “fourfold assembly”. There are also male and female monastics and male and female lay practitioners. These are also known as a fourfold assembly. Heavenly beings, humans, [dragons and ghosts] are also a fourfold assembly. So, to sum up, among heavenly beings and humans, he taught and expounded the teachings in this way. “He taught and guided, benefiting people,” He enabled all sentient beings accept the teachings with joy. Thus, “He helps to promote the Dharma” so all people can accept and understand it. The reason Maitrayaniputra promoted the teachings of the Buddha was for everyone to be able to benefit. So, “He is replete with the ability to expound the Right Dharma of the Buddha” and help everyone understand. Not only could they understand, but they were also able to explain Sakyamuni Buddha’s Right Dharma as they passed on the teachings to each other in turn. In the fourfold assembly, all kinds of people were able to teach each other. “He is completely replete with all abilities to explain the Buddha-Dharma. Whatever he had himself, he gave to others.” “I understand; I know so much, thus I also want to give this to more people and hope that everyone can understand the Buddha’s teachings.” So, he “greatly benefited fellow practitioners of purity.” Greatly benefiting fellow practitioners of purity means “he could greatly benefit them”. Great means widespread. This means that he was able to benefit all widely. Those “who listened to the Dharma together, fellow practitioners of purifying practices,” are called fellow Brahma-practitioners. In the Sangha, he helped others in the same way. He did not just go outside to teach the Dharma. In fact, he constantly gave guidance in the Sangha. He told those who were indolent to become more diligent. He told those lacking discipline to earnestly uphold the precepts. He was often like this with fellow practitioners, guiding and teaching them in this way.
“Setting aside the Tathagata, none could compete with his limitless eloquence. Except for the Great Enlightened Tathagata, no one else could reach the extent of his eloquence.”
In regards to his unobstructed eloquence, except for the Tathagata, no one else could compete with Purna Maitrayaniputra. We can clearly see the importance of Purna Maitrayaniputra in [the spread of] Buddhism. So, all this explains how the Tathagata praised Putra’s virtues at that time and praised him in general for all his many merits and virtues that he cultivated. Because of this, He praised him greatly. This also verified that Purna Maitrayaniputra was foremost in expounding the Dharma.
This explains that the Tathagata praised Putra’s current virtues and praised in general his merits and virtues of many kinds. He was praised as the foremost in expounding the Dharma. He was especially praised for supporting the Buddha-Dharma, promoting the teachings and benefiting others. He could explain the Right Dharma and benefit fellow practitioners. His eloquence was like that of the Tathagata’s five methods of teaching.
He was especially praised “for protecting the Buddha-Dharma, promoting the teachings and benefiting others.” He could explain the Right Dharma and “benefit fellow practitioners”. Truly, “His eloquence was like that of the Tathagata.” His eloquence was like that of the Tathagata, who had many different kinds [of teachings].
First, with “spoken teachings,” “he taught the Dharma with words and sounds.” Second, “in accordance with capabilities,” he taught the Dharma in accord with sentient beings’ capabilities.
He can, depending on the audience, teach according to the person and the situation.
Third, with “skillful means,” he used skillful means to guide sentient beings. Fourth was the “Dharma-door”; he can “teach the wondrous Dharma and open the door of liberation.”
He can open a door of liberation for sentient beings and enable people to enter a state of purity. How do we guide sentient beings to enter a place of spiritual practice? As we have just said, even in that most treacherous and barbaric place, he was able to deliver more than 500 people to join the Sangha and engage in spiritual practice. This was his talent.
Fifth is “great compassion.” “Giving rise to a heart of great compassion, in any single thought or any single moment, he felt compassion for sentient beings and thus taught the Dharma for them.”
If we think about it, this is how Purna Maitrayaniputra was. This was the way that he spent his time, putting his heart into helping others. In every thought and every moment, even in very short spans of time, his thoughts were never apart from the Buddha’s teachings and transforming sentient beings. Therefore, when we look at how Purna acted and practiced and learn the power of the vows deep in his heart, shouldn’t we also form aspirations to be more mindful and diligent? We must still always be mindful!
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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