Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: With a Pure Heart, Understanding is Not Hindered (正信清淨通達無礙)
Date: October. 16, 2013
The Three Insights, Six Spiritual Powers, and [37] Practices to Enlightenment are developed. Loving-kindness, compassion, the Ten Powers and [Fourfold] Fearlessness arise. Good karmic conditions for sentient beings appear.
Every moment, we maintain the same mindset and advance on the Right Path, step by step. We cannot deviate from it in the slightest, and our minds must always be bright and clear. This is the goal of our spiritual practice. The slightest confusion or bit of darkness in our minds may cause that minute deviation. “The Three Insights, Six Spiritual Powers and [37] Practices to Enlightenment are developed.” These are very important, so we should make great effort to [develop them]. What are the Three Insights?
They are the Insight into Previous Lives, the Insight of the Heavenly Eye and the Insight into Ending All Leaks.
[First is] Insight into Previous Lives. What are our lives like in this lifetime? Why did we encounter such negative conditions? We need to know this is because of our past lives. In the past, if we had not formed a connection with that person or created this cause in the past, we would not have met in this lifetime. Our past causes and conditions with this person created this karmic retribution in this life. The Buddha wants us to know the Law of Karma. “When you meet such a person in this lifetime, you can joyfully repay your debt to each other.” If we can understand these principles, we can take a step back and broaden our minds. We must not limit our minds so that we are caught up in an endless loop that [we cannot escape]. There is no need. The Buddha has already told us that we should not be superstitious, that we must have Right Faith. We must even know the Law of Karma. If we clearly understand the Law of Karma, our past lives will become apparent.
So, in our living, we must not get sucked into that whirlpool. Instead, we must very clearly understand cause and effect. There is nothing worth pursuing, since we are already here, let us be at peace. If we are settled and have spiritual support, our minds will be very open and broad.
The Three Insights: 1. Insight into Previous Lives means we understand everything about the previous lives of ourselves and others. The second is Insight of the Heavenly Eye. “We understand what will happen in future lives for ourselves and others.”
If someone asks us, “I suffered so much in this life, what will my next life be like?” About the future, we can say, “That depends on what you do in this lifetime. You can eliminate ignorance and avoid creating bad affinities with others. If you create bad affinities, make amends right away by repenting before them and giving with love.”“Then the negative causes and conditions from this lifetime will be changed for the better in future lifetimes.”
A “period” does not refer only to this or the next lifetime.So past, present and future are called the Tree Periods.Therefore, the Insight of Heavenly Eye requires not only clarity of vision but also clarity of mind.Thus, we clearly understand ourselves and others.In the past, we may have had an ignorant thought that caused conflict with someone else.If we quickly self-reflect now, we will have a positive future.With self-reflection, we can naturally dissolve the bonds of resentment.
So, insight means we must have clear understanding of our minds.We do not understand only what we need to say or do, but we can also guide others’ [speech and actions].We must always clearly understand the Threefold Karma of body, speech and mind.If we use this perspective to view the world, we know the past is in the past, and we must clearly discern [that from] the present.This is how we broaden our perceptions.This is the Insight of Heavenly Eye.With this insight, we can understand all things in the world.Therefore, when our minds are clear and bright, naturally our state of mind will be broad, and all will be clear.This is Insight of Heavenly Eye.
Third is Insight into Ending All Leaks, which means, “with the wisdom of the sages, we can thoroughly eliminate all afflictions.”
We need extraordinary wisdom such as that of the sages, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.Isn’t that what we are learning?We learn from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, in their wisdom, have already eliminated all afflictions.This is what we must seek.This is what we must learn.Whether we have Insight into Previous Lives or Insight of Heavenly Eyes, we must still eliminate all until there are no Leaks in our minds.
We are familiar with “no Leaks” [or flawlessness].
“No leaks” is a state of purity and clarity, a mind without any afflictions.“The perfection of precepts, Samadhi, wisdom, liberation and liberated views and knowledge” is the Insight into Ending All Leaks.So, we must all clearly understand that the source of all suffering is ignorance.The goal of spiritual practice is to eliminate ignorance.Once our minds are cleansed, naturally we have attained a sage’s state of mind.To have the same state of mind as sages, we must eliminate all afflictions.This is the basic principles.But are our minds in a constant state of heightened vigilance?
The aforementioned Three Insights are called Three Insights in Arhats.
But for those who have attained Buddahood, they are called Three Aspects of Omniscience.
Once we have thoroughly understood all principles, naturally our wisdom will broaden.So, the Sutra of Infinite Meanings teaches us that “infinite Dharma-doors readily appear before us”.What we need to learn are the Three Insights, then the Six spiritual Powers.
“The Three Insights, Six Spiritual Powers and [37] Practices to Enlightenment”.Three Insights plus Three Spiritual Powers are the Six Spiritual Powers.Added are the Power of Heavenly Ear, the Power of Transporting Oneself and Together, the Powers of Heavenly Eyes, of Heavenly Ears, of Transporting Oneself, of Knowing Past Lives, of Knowing Others’ Minds, and of Ending All Leaks are the Six Spiritual Powers.
How do we acquire the Power of Heavenly Ears?With the advance of modern technology, we constantly exhibit the Power of Heavenly Ears.I am speaking here, and sitting there are a group of spiritual practitioners.They are far away from me yet they can listen from there. Even though there is so much space between us, they can also hear me. They are employing the Power of Heavenly Ears. The original principles of this power was stated in the Buddha's time. The Buddha explained this in His wisdom. Now, people applied their knowledge to develop this technology and implement it in our modern lives. This is not difficult!
[This is also] Power of Transporting Oneself. I did not really go anywhere, and they did not come over here. How are they able to hear these spiritual teachings? Actually, they are also using the computer. They can also see me in front of them. So, did I go there or did they come here? Again, technology has delivered me to them. This is the Power of Transporting Oneself.
What about the Power of Knowing Others' Minds? Speaking of minds, does your mind really understand my mind? You are all listening to me speak. Listening is one thing, but do you understand? You [say you] understand. But, the understanding is in your mind. The words come from my mind. I do not know what [your understanding is]. How could I know? By looking at your actions in front of and away from others. You may tell others, “my Master says such and such”. I am very touched when I hear that because you actually took in my words. However, when you are doing things, dealing with people and handing matters, have you [acted on what you learned]? After hearing people say something. After you have heard what I said, have you absorbed it? You have already learned to say it yourself. But do you use it in dealing with people and matters? It will take some time to see if everyone has absorbed [these teachings].
The Three Insights and Six Spiritual Powers [are related] to our past , present and future. If we made mistakes in our past, are we rectifying them in the present? Once we change our ways now, we will go in the right direction in the future. So everyone, when we hear [teachings] like this, do we receive and apply them? If we do, we truly have the Three Insights and Six Spiritual Powers. Other than thoroughly understanding the Three Insights, we still need “Practices”. As we walk on this Path, we should clearly know the different states that we will pass through. What are these “Practices”? They are methods. What are they? “The 37 Practices to Enlightenment”.
The methods of practice are the 37 Practices to Enlightenment that lead us on the path to Nirvana. Because each practice is different, they are called Practices to Enlightenment.
I often tell everyone about they 37 Practices to Enlightenment. They are an important process to go through for spiritual practice. The 37 Practices to Enlightenment begin with the first step of spiritual practice and lead us on the path directly to Nirvana. This indispensable road takes us from the beginning to the very end. The 37 Practices to Enlightenment has different categories, each with different names.
For a period of time, Da Ai Tv had an announcement that mentioned, “three Fours, two Fives, a Seven and an Eight”. Do you know what the “three Fours” are? Fourfold Mindfulness, Four Right Efforts and Four Bases of Spiritual Power. These three groups of fours are “the three Fours”. Of the “two Fives”, one is Five Roots and the other is Five Powers. Seven Factors of Bodhi and Eightfold Noble Path are the “Seven” and “Eight”. All these numbers add up to the 37 Practices to Enlightenment.
They assist us on walking this path, so we can take firm and steady steps. We walk steadily ahead on this path, so these are the Practices to enlightenment. Everyone, when we learn the Buddha’s Way, we must start with that initial aspiration and aim in the right direction. If we do not aim ourselves correctly, even if we have already chosen the right path, if we have the slightest deviation in our minds, the slightest deviation in direction, a single deviated thought can cause 1000 erroneous thoughts. One deviated step can take us 1000 miles off course. So, we must always take good care of our minds. If we do not take good care of our minds, we may make numerous mistakes.The Sutra of Infinite Meanings constantly reminds us of [how to] direct our minds in our daily living. The Sutra of Infinite Meanings is the essence of the Lotus Sutra. The Buddha had already taken the essence of Lotus sutra into His mind.The Buddha had already taken the essence of Lotus Sutra into His mind Before He started to speak, He concentrated His mental power.
So, “The light radiated from between the Buddha’s brows and manifested each of these rare events.The light illuminated the east and 18,000 Buddha-lands there.He radiated light from between His brows and manifested each of these rare events.”
All Buddhas share the same path Before. They expound the Lotus Sutra.They first manifest the Six Auspicious Signs. So, the light radiating from between His brows illuminated the east. From this we can tell that the Buddha’s seat faced the east and the light from the rising sun. The curl between His brows is one of 32 Marks of the Buddha.The reflected light from this white curl shone forth，so everyone felt that the light from between His brows illuminated everything. This is the manifestation of an auspicious sign. Everyone saw this and felt very happy. Happiness is an auspicious sign that brings peace and joy to people’s hearts.
So, this light illuminated the east and the 18,000 Buddha-lands there. The intrinsic of each person was clearly seen at this time. If we explain things this way, as the Buddha faced the world, His first auspicious sign before teaching Dharma had already illuminated everything. At that moment, people were already very enthusiastic in body and mind.This was because they were all very happy. When they felt happy, they were open and understanding.
So, then “the Three Insights, Six Spiritual Powers and [37] Practices to Enlightenment arise. This happens naturally”. The teachings the Buddha had given, from the Four Noble Truths to the Twelve Links, to the Six Paramitas and the 37 Practices to Enlightenment, had been practiced by all of them in the past. These had all been taught by the Buddha.
Now, when they all saw this light radiate form the Buddha, their minds were “revealed”. The Buddha taught them to open their minds， so He could reveal this teachings to them. Therefore, we should treat these two sutras, the Lotus Sutra and Sutra of Infinite Meanings, as companion texts. I hope everyone will always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV - Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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