Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Abide in the Power of Vows and Purify Buddha-lands (安住願力 淨佛國度)
Date: September. 26, 2013
Every day we talk about the mind. “[Bodhisattvas] abide in the power of their vows and extensively purify Buddha-lands.” The power of vows is something we spiritual practitioners cannot lack. With the power of our vows, our minds will be able to abide peacefully, and we can extensively purify and dignify Buddha-lands. What does it mean to dignify Buddha-lands? [To act] for Buddha’s teachings and for sentient beings. Since the ancient times, all Dharma-masters have vowed to transform themselves, others and all beings. People used to say, “Whether the Buddha’s teachings will flourish, depends on the monastic community.” Monastics are those who have left home, those who represent spiritual practice. What practices are you cultivating? The Buddha’s teachings. We follow and practice what He taught. By doing so, we can demonstrate the value of the Buddha’s teachings. In our spiritual practice, if we cannot express the teachings through our actions, what worth do the Buddha’s teachings have in this world? So, monastics and spiritual practitioners are those who pass down the teachings. Therefore we often say, the Jing Si Dharma-lineage must be passed on, not only our in mission as spiritual practitioners but also in our rules of practice in the monastery. This way, people will know that this way of living was passed down as part of the Jing Si Dharma-lineage.
By the same principle, the Buddha came to this world to transform us solely so we can all pass the teachings down. So, let us “abide in the power of our vows and extensively purify Buddha-lands.” This will happen if we settle our minds. When the mind is pure, the land will be pure. Thus we “abide in Buddha-lands,” which means we settle our minds. Every one of us possess Buddha-nature; every one of us has this state of mind. Our intrinsic state of mind is pure, so manifesting it is the best way to dignify Buddha-lands. If we can do this, as the next passage in the Sutra of Infinite Meanings states, “They will very soon attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. All these Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas have such inconceivable merits.” We often recite this passage, so we are very familiar with it. When we can settle our minds, extensively purify Buddha-lands and reveal the spirit of the Buddha’s teachings, we are manifesting the Dharma in our actions. Then very soon after that, we will attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. How soon is “very soon”? Let me tell you that I do not know. That depends on whether our minds can meet the Way. If our minds meet the Way, will we abide in it? If we understand the Way and abide in it, [attainment] will happen quickly. Otherwise, how long it takes depends on our aspirations and vows.
Anuttara is the supreme wisdom of true principles.Its Way is true；there is nothing that is not known.Thus，this is called Completely Awakened.
Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi can also be called“the supreme wisdom of true principles”. Supreme，perfect and universal enlightenment encompasses the principles of all matters and objects in the universe.It is supreme and unsurpassed wisdom.This is called Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi or supreme，perfect and universal enlightenment.It is the realization of the principles of all things in the universe. The principles of
all things are contained within.Therefore，“Its Way is true.”These principles are the most correct.One word alone，
Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi encompasses all principles which are the truest genuine principles. Therefore，we must make a great effert to understand this word.
Indeed，once we attain true realization，by understanding
one principle，we understand all principles.If we can completely one principle，that will help us understand all principles.Then，“there is nothing that is not known”.This is what it means to be “completely awakened”，to thoroughly know everything.So，when we learn the Buddha’s Way，our minds must be focused and still.Even
Bodhisattvas who play effortlessly need to single-mindedly focus.
As I have discussed，we need to focus to save sentient
Beings.They experience many kinds of suffering，which are not all visible to the naked eye.［For example，］we
may see a wealthy person who spends money like water，freely and easily.If he wants to eat delicious food from another country，he has no concerns about bying a plane
ticket for the sole purpose of going to the country to indulge in his cravings.Such a trip costs a lot of money，and he is willing to spend it so easily.Even though he spends money so freely，is he truly free？Has he attained liberation？Is he truly happy？
I have a interesting story to share about a weathy，young
socialite.When she was asked to change［her habits］，she has no problem doing so.But when it came to her cravings［for food］，she found it difficult.Eventually，she became very committed and made up her mind to observe vegetarian precepts.One day，her friends gave
her two crabs.This was usually her favorite food.However，when she saw that these two crabs were
very much alive and their legs were still moving，she really struggled in her heart.She said，“I made up my mind to observe vegetarian precepts.I need to have sincerity，integrity，faith and steadfastness. ”So she thought，“I will give them to someone else.”Then she wondered，“Is it right to give them to someone else？I will not be the one killing them，but if I let someone else kill them and create that karma，that is not good either . If I don’t eat them，someone else will kill and eat them.Then I will be adding to their karma.So，it is better that I kill and eat them.”Thus she had a very good excuse；she don’t want others to create bad karma，so she would create karma herself.So，she steamed the crabs live，as usual.
Then , she removed the shells from the freshly steamed crabs. After removing the shells, she began to eat, but she realized did not enjoy the taste. She found it strange that it tasted different than usual, even to the point of making her a bit nauseous. That was when she realized, “I made an aspiration! In the past, I did not know any better and gave in to my craving. But now that I have been very diligent, this feeling I have now is my awakened conscience. Truly, this was fortunate! It was fortunate that she did not enjoy the taste and even felt nauseous.” This helped solidify her resolve, and to this day, she remains a vegetarian. Not only does she observe vegetarian precepts, she has become very diligent and has eliminated all her cravings. Now that she has purified her mind, she can abide in the Way and purify Buddha-lands.
In the past, she could not control herself. Whenever she heard of delicious food somewhere, she had not self-control, so she was not free. She was led by her cravings for taste. Now she is free and at ease. She has understood the principle of eating. We eat only to sustain our life to get enough nutrients. Our bodies will only be purified if we can still our minds. With a pure body and still mind, the Path will be clear. This leads to the understanding of the most correct principles.
As I just said, because she had this opportunity to［ listen to］ the Dharma, she faced this struggle and eventually achieved an understanding. Will this understanding last a lifetime? Can she abide by what she said? “I will never do it again”. Whether or not her mind will always be pure, we do not know. That depends on whether or not her mind wavers. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas remain firm.
“The Dharma attained by the Buddha is called Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.”
That is the wisdom realized by the Buddha. Thus, “it is perfect and universal enlightenment.”
“Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas are great enlightened sentient beings who seek the fruit of the Way.”
［When we break down］ “Boddhisattva”.”Bodhi”, means enlightenment and “sattva” means being. They are called “enlightened sentient beings”. “Maha” means great, as in “great enlightened sentient beings” abbreviated as “great sentient beings”. Therefore, they are “great sentient beings who seek the fruit of the Way” in the Budhist sutras, especially in the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, those at the assembly where the Buddha taught “the unspoken Lotus Sutra” were all great enlightened beings who sincerely sought the Way. Moreover, with every step they realize the fruits ［of Arhathood］. This is “seek［ing］ the fruit of the Way”. This means that, at the Lotus Dharma-assembly, not only did they form aspirations, they physically put them into practice and attained realizations at every step of this spiritual journey.
“Maha ［means big or great］. There are three ways they are great. They have great vows, take great actions and perform great transformations of sentient beings. Therefore, they are called great sentient beings and also enlightened sentient beings.”
So, “Maha” means great. There are three things that are great. First, to “have great vows”. When we make vows, we must make great vows.We should not make vows like ordinary people. For example, when their children have impending exams, they go to the temple and buy fruits, incense and flowers to pray. They vow that if their children get accepted into their ideal schools, they will be vegetarian twice a month. That is also making a vow. However, that is a small vow.The type of vows we need to make are great vows. For the vow to be great, we need to start by aspiring to transform ourselves and others, to save ourselves and others. So, we must make great vows. We also need to “take great actions.”
Simply making a vow is useless. We must physically act on it. No matter how great our vow is, if we refuse to carry it out, that is an empty, insubstantial vow that is an empty, insubstantial vow. So, we must put our vows into action to save all sentient beings. Great transformation of sentient beings means we must widely transform sentient beings, not just one or two but a countless number . This is truly “perform great transformations of sentient beings.” Then we can be called great sentient beings, great enlightened sentient beings, which are known as Mahasattvas. So in studying the Buddha’s Way, we need to learn to give rise to a Bodhisattva’s heart and make great aspirations.
They all have inconceivable merits and virtues. Merits are the ability to benefit others and create blessings. This ability allows us to. So, being virtuous also means to attain.
“They all have inconceivable merits and virtues” and are about to reach Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi because they have each already realized the fruits of the Way. Those who are already close to reaching Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi all have inconceivable merits and virtues. They have already accomplished so much. As I have just discussed, [they had] great vows, took great actions and performed great transformations of sentient beings. Thus, they create infinite [merits and virtues]. This is called inconceivable merits and virtues. “Merits are the ability to benefit others and create blessings. Our ability to create blessings and benefit all sentient beings is called “merit.” There is no use in just making vows in our minds, we still have to express them. So, “the virtue attained from good actions means we must go and carry out good actions. By doing them, we attain virtue. For a person to be virtuous, they must take action.It is said, “the virtuous attain l have often discussed this with you all. As we gradually take actions, we attain virtues.
Thus, the Essay on the Meaning of the Mahayana says this about“ merits and virtues: Merits refer to ability or function. A good action has the function of nurturing our ability to bless and benefit others.” A good action can nurture us to belss and benefit all sentient beings. This is what we call “merits and virues.”
This is what the Buddha originally taught us to do. The Essay on the Meaning of the Mahayana also teaches us to do the same. So, we must not stray from the principle of benefiting all beings found in the Great Vehicle.
Thus, we truly cannot stray from the true principle of the Buddha’s Way. All of these teachings are to help people’s minds dwell on the Way in their daily living. The course of that Way must be correct. Aside from that, we must further understand that beings a spiritual practitioners is not just about becoming a monastic and living in a monastery. True Bodhisattvas play effortlessly and are truly focused on benefiting all beings. This is the actual goal of our spiritual practice. So everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV - Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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