Lecturer: Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Wisdom Illuminates, Eliminating Ignorance (智慧明照滅癡垢)
In our spiritual practice, we must take good care of our minds. When we do not take care of them, greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance and doubt will appear. If our minds contain anger and hatred, this is a great loss for us and a source of torment for others. This is because it causes disharmony in our relationships. An atmosphere of discord often arises from anger and arrogance. They are the catalysts.
So, anger and arrogance are the seeds of Asuras. We often say that Asuras easily lose their tempers. They exist in all Five Realms. Even Heaven has Asuras when they have cultivated enough blessings to be born in Heaven as karmic retribution. But they lack heavenly virtues and cultivation. They have blessings, but cannot appreciate peace and safety, so they cause trouble. Besides Heaven, they are also in the Human, Hungry Ghost, Animal and Hell Realms.
Thus we know that a habit like getting angry pervades the Six Realms. Many people have the habitual tendency of anger, so we have to be careful in our practice. If we are angry or arrogant, these are seeds for becoming Asuras. If we always dispute with others over details, ignorance will arise in our minds for no reason. Volatile anger will create bad karmic retribution. So everyone, please be mindful.
In spiritual practice, we must always be careful. Anger and arrogance are seeds of becoming Asuras. If we always fight over little things, ignorance will arise in our minds for no reason. Volatile anger will create bad karmic retribution.
Look at Venerable Jian-zhen. In order to spread the Dharma to Japan he endured so many difficulties. This happened during the Tang Dynasty. Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty believed in the Buddha-Dharma. he had a wish, which was to spread Buddha-Dharma throughout the world. So, at that time she helped build monasteries and encouraged intellectuals to become monks to better spread the Buddha-Dharma. She sent monks to bring Sutras back from countries west of China and spread Buddhism to other places. At that time, the Japanese greatly admired China’s culture, especially Buddhism. They thought Buddhism was great because it could purity people’s hearts, instill morals and ethics in people, and teach the concept of cause and effect.Most importantly, it provided guidelines for people to follow.
At the time, Prince Shotoku wanted to transform his people with Buddha-Dharma.But while on the surface they built monasteries, encouraged intellectuals to become monks and thoughtfully promoted Buddhism, they lacked one thing, monastic discipline.Japan really needed Buddhist precepts.If those precepts could spread to Japan, it could become an orderly society.
So he sent many monks, especially knowledgeable and virtuous young monks, to China.
Besides learning the Buddha-Dharma in China, their mission was to find a highly virtuous monk, a pure Master of Precepts to bring to Japan.So during that time, Japan sent many monks to study in China.Among them there were two truly exceptional scholar-monks.
They searched and searched.
After 10 years, they finally met Venerable Jian-Zhen and expressed their hopes to him.
Venerable Jian-Zhen was very touched by these two young monks.Originally he was going to send his disciples, but no one wanted to go.This was a very dangerous journey so no one dared to go.But Venerable-Jian-Zhen truly believed that spreading the precepts of the Dharma to Japan could create blessings for sentient beings.Spreading the Buddha-Dharma there could help Japanese Buddhism flourish even more.As Buddhist practitioners, this was something they should do.
But none of his disciples wanted to go.So he said, “Fine.If no one wants to go, then I will. ”
Since their teacher was going, many others said they would go, too.Among them was a monk from Korea.He learned Buddhism from Venerable Jian-Zhen, but he was very narrow-minded.He was suspicious, proud and easily angered.So, Venerable Jian-Zhen did not choose him from the list of people who wanted to go.He said he needed the finest seeds, those who followed precepts and rules and could be models for others.
This monk was unhappy about not being included, so he tried everything to create obstacles, reported him to the authorities, and such.Venerable Jian-Zhen was a very virtuous and well-known monk, and was needed in China.So, he was not permitted to go to Japan.But he honored his word; since he had agreed to go, he would certainly go.He built a boat to cross the sea.But this Korean monk reported him, so his journey was foiled.
Although this monk had ruined things, Venerable Jian-Zhen was very determined.He tried a second, a third, a fourth time.The boat encountered huge waves and they faced many losses, including the loss of lives.The boat even drifted into the South China Sea.They also encountered pirates.They had to turn back five times and finally succeeded on the sixth try.
But by then ten years had already passed, and he had lost sight in both his eyes.Although he was blind, he firmly held the belief that since he had voiced his agreement and made a vow, no matter how hard it was he would make it to Japan.
So today, the Dharma still flourishes in Japan, and Japan’s culture has remained closely linked to that of China, all because Venerable Jian-Zhen spread Buddhist teachings there.
So today, the Dharma still flourishes in Japan, and Japan’s culture has remained closely linked to that of China, all because Venerable Jian-Zhen spread Buddhist teachings there. Modern Japan has the Buddha-Dharma because he was unwavering
But good deeds brings many challenges Good deeds can be completely destroyed by the arrogance and anger of one person, who argues over little things and takes issue with everything. Ignorance arises in the mind for no reason.For some unknown reason ignorance always arises, so people will do things to ruin good deeds. They are also easily angered, so they face the karmic retribution of doing evil. I believe everyone has this mindset. So, let us use this to reflect.
The next passage of the repentance text also talks about retributions of Ghosts and Spirits：
“We repent the Realms of Ghosts, Spirits, Raksas, and Kumbhandas, where evil ghosts and spirits consume flesh and blood and receive retributions of unsightly appearance retributions of the Ghost and Spirit Realms”
This talks about repenting for the Ghost, Spirit, Raksa, and Kumbhanda Realms. There are all types of evil ghosts. Raksas are very vicious, like Ox-headed Raksas. Remember how the section about Hell mentioned how wrongdoers suffer deeply because the Raksas and evil ghosts are punishing them?
So, Raksas are very vicious. Kumbhandas are ghosts that disturb people. This means they make people sleep restlessly. When some people sleep, they feel something pressing on them or they cannot fall into deep sleep, or they often have nightmares, etc.
These disturbing ghosts are very ugly. They are shaped like gourds or pots. Their faces are very ugly and vile. They live by eating people’s flesh and blood. Think about it. If people’s minds are not calm during the day and at night they have nightmares, if they cannot fall asleep and are frightened, even the strongest can become thin and gaunt.
This is like being plagued by a vampire. So they “consume flesh and blood”. These ghosts look very ugly. These are “retributions of unsightly appearance”. These types of ghosts are very evil and they disrupt the world.Their appearance is also very ugly.
If karmic retribution brings us to the realm of these ghosts and spirits we will suffer unbearably. These are the countless and boundless retributions of the Ghost and Spirit Realms. Whether we are talking about the Hell, Hungry Ghost or Animal Realms, these are just simple introductions.
There are also many types of Ghosts and Spirits. Raksas and Kumbhandas are only examples. If we start describing their specific appearances, there will be many different kinds. Thus it speaks of “countless and boundless karmic retributions”.Ghosts and Spirits are not only very disruptive in the Human Realm, they themselves also suffer deeply. Take the example I just gave about not only very disruptive in the Human Realm,they themselves also suffer deeply.Take the example I just gave about Venerable Jian –Zhen.Spreading Buddha-Dharma to Japan was good deed.But one person tried to ruin it.By ruining this good deed ,he also had to face retribution.
Not only he punished by the government,he was also sent back to Korea.After he ws sent back,he faced severe punishment there.So ,people who try to ruin others will also face very severe punishments themselves.His character was despised throughout the ages,
because whenever we speak about Ven Jian –Zhen,about his model character and his firmly established vows,we will mention this Korean monk.His bad reputation will last for ages.
This is also a form of retribution.In the future he will certainly fall [into evil realms ]he destroyed and damaged so many lives,he will certainly suffer retribution.We know taht the Ghost and Spirit Realm is one of the evil realms.So ,
“Today we prostrate deeply to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions,the Budhisattvas of the land.We sincerely repent so that all evil retributions can be eliminated. ”
Earlier we talked about many difficulties and evil retributions.So now ,we need to be very thorough.We prostrate deeply and sincerely repent.We pray to the Buddhas and Budhisattvas.And openly repent.So ,with deepest reverence ,we can escape the retributions of the Hell,Hungry Ghost,Animal , Ghost and Spirit Realms.
Therefore , we have to change our bad temper.We absolutely must change.Otherwise if great , anger and ignorance remain in our minds , no matter how much we repent,these habitual tendencies will return.
Next the text says,
“We vow to repent all retributions of the Animal Realm, etc.”
“With these merits and virtues, in future lives , may we eliminate ignorance, recorgnize karmic affinities, have illuminating wisdom and cut off incarnations in evil realms. ”
Earlier we already prostrated and repented for the Ghost and Spirit Realms ,the Animal Hell ,and Hungry Ghost Realms, etc.We already know about these karmic causes and retributions,and we have already repented for them after we repent,“merits and virtues arise ,in future lives”.
If we repent,we start to turn away from evil and toward good. We completely eliminate evil thoughts.Now we have self-reflected and incrasted our vigilance.Right now we do many good deeds.
Look at how many Tzu Chi volunteers often reveal mistakes to make progress.They often say “I used to be so terrible.Now I have repented everything.”“Now I have completely devoted myself to accumulating good deeds. ” “I am not just balancing out the bad ,I am accumulating a surplus of good deeds. ”
Think about it. How many people have we heard this from ?This is the most sincere form of repentance. This is the most thorough change. Among this group of people ,they have truly changed themselves completely.They have thoroughly eliminated those habits.Now they give to others. Look at how many are helping those who are poor and suffering.
So , after we repent,with the merits and virtues we create ,“in future lives may we eliminate ignorance ,recognize karmic affinities. ”We have to be vigilant about our ignorance.Then we will express the Great Love of wisdom.
So we all know to “recognize karmic affinities”. Do not create that negative karma. We know that current and bad affinities were created in the past.So ,we need to always open our hearts to accommodate everything
Thus “we have illuminating wisdom “and “cut off incarnations in evil realms”.So we
will not face retributions in the Hell,Hungry Ghost ,Animal , Ghost and Spirit Realms , etc.
We all leran Buddhism to truly and actually have the Buddha in our hearts ,the Dharma in our actions.
So ,we need to go our among people to eliminate all suffering. This is our goal for learning Buddhism.
Everyone , please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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