Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Shatter Illusions, Eliminate Bad Habits (破虛妄除惡習)
Date: August. 14. 2014
I always tell everyone, “An ignorant thought creates the Three Subtleties. External states lead to the Six Coarse Marks. In flattery and illusions, we lose what is real. We must return to our pure and true nature, the state of the Tathagata.” This is telling everyone that our thoughts constantly arise and cease. Sometimes, a single thought can cause us to give rise to ignorance. “An ignorant thought creates the Three Subtleties.” The Three Subtleties are part of our Root Ignorance. Greed, anger, ignorance and delusions of views and thinking all arise from a single [ignorant] thought. These three kinds of subtle afflictions [lead to] delusions of views and thinking, greed, anger and ignorance, which are constantly multiplied and produced. As one thought ceases, the next one arises. Though we have suppressed the previous thought and temporarily prevented ignorance from arising, when we give rise to the next thought, we may create ignorance again. It is like a seed temporarily covered by a rock. When the rock is removed, this seed will still sprout.
Some seeds, even if covered by a rock, still spread their roots and will sprout up away from the rock. How can we completely eliminate [a weed]? By eliminating it at its source. If we do not eliminate the seed of ignorance, its roots will still extend outward. What gives rise to the seed of ignorance? Our habitual tendencies, such as the way we treat our parents. Those negative words and actions come about because of habitual tendencies. When these people are advised to change, they say, “I know I have to change. I must be respectful when I speak to my parents. Following their guidance is being filial. We must be responsive and filial.” But then they forget. When their habitual tendencies are triggered, hearing their parents’ voice drives them mad, so they respond loudly [and rudely]. Afterwards, they [know] they were wrong, but they already manifested this negative action. This is a habitual tendency they developed.
So, I constantly say that we must eliminate our habitual tendencies. If we do not, our root afflictions will never be eliminated. “An ignorant thought creates the Three Subtleties.” They are so subtle that we cannot see or feel them, but they manifest in our actions. So, “external states lead to the Six Coarse Marks.” [Afflictions arise] because of external states, what we hear, see and feel. Because of our habitual tendencies, we react to our environment [automatically]. When we connect with the environment, our habitual tendencies manifest; these are the Six Coarse Marks.
Subtleties are in our minds, invisible to others. Coarse marks are what we already expressed. Once we take those actions, they are apparent. How are they apparent? The Five Roots and Dusts are taken into our mind-root, and then our mind-consciousness expresses our habitual tendencies in our actions.
The way the mind works is that it takes in external states, then reflects them like a mirror for others to see. So, these are the Six Root and Six Dusts. Actually there are Five Roots and Dusts, but when the states of the Five Dusts are taken into our minds and are reflected outward for others to see, hear and feel, this gives rise to the coarse marks. What have we created? More or less, “in flattery and illusions, we lose what is real.”
We know what is real and what is fake, but, for the sake of fame and fortune, people speak flattery, words that are untrue, with fake feelings and intentions. There are people like this. Actually, all things that are created are ultimately illusory. When you compete for wealth, do you obtain it? How much do you obtain? Can you alone enjoy all your wealth and property?In the span of a day, how much do you actually need in order to live?
Yet, you are greedily hoarding wealth, even though you cannot actually use all of it.Worldly possessions [never truly belong to us].Water and fire are merciless; winds and earthquakes can destroy the land and wipe out homes.
How many things are actually real?Moreover, for each of us to sustain our lives, do we need to accumulate so many things?People who cannot think clearly feel that even if they have a lot, they need more and even if they have something big, they need something bigger.If we have adequate wealth, is that enough?No.
Along with wealth, we also want fame.If we are ranked as one of the wealthiest people in the world, is that enough?No.Because we also want status.How high do we want our status to be?Once we find ourselves sitting alongside leaders, is that enough?It is still not enough.This way of living is truly unbearably painful.If everything is inherently illusory, why do we allow ourselves to suffer?
We all clearly know that striving is grueling, but ignorance has obscured true principles.So, for the sake of illusory benefits, we create [karma] and lose sight of the truth.Indeed, it is sad to see people like this.For the sake of affection and love, we are also creating afflictions and losing our morals.
Indeed, this leads to unbearable suffering.
What can we do?Engage in spiritual practice!We do this to “return to our pure and true nature, the state of the Tathagata”.We must return to our “state of the Tathagata”.We must not allow our minds to be filled with improper thoughts and views.If we are constantly immersed in them, we will never be able to escape.
I previously spoke of the 62 Views.All of these are based on illusions; we must quickly free ourselves from them.If we have an affinity with the Buddha, listening to the Buddha-Dharma will bring us joy and we will engage in spiritual practice.We must quickly practice according to the teaching and “return to our pure and true nature”.
Otherwise, there are many things in the world that will gradually lead us into traps.Sometimes we say, “This is the custom, the way things have to be.”
Actually, some traditions do not really make sense.
For example, in the seventh lunar month, people conduct universal deliverance [ceremonies].The original intention was to save all sentient beings from suffering.Yet people undertake butchering and massacring [of animals for the ceremony].Truly, this is a bad custom.
Quickly, let us guide people with Right Dharma so that during the seventh lunar month, they do not need to kill to deliver other beings.True universal deliverance happens when we open the door of our minds and exercise love to give suffering beings what they need.We help them.If they are starving, we give them [food].This is the correct thing to do.If they suffering, we find a way to save them.From their place of suffering, we bring them to place of blessing and safety.This is how we deliver them.
Bringing peace to all people is the way to bring about universal deliverance.
If we have clear understanding, we [stay] in the Right Faith of the Buddha-Dharma.Then we can ”return to our pure, true nature” and “enter the state of the Tathagata”.
They enter the dense forest of deviant view, those of existence, non-existence and the like.They become dependent on those views, 62 of them in all.
This is what we sentient beings are like.We “enter the dense forest of deviant views, those of existence non-existence and the like”.Are these deviant practices, views and thoughts actually real?“I don’t know, this is what other people said, so this is what I’m doing.”As they hear the Buddha-Dharma, they think, “Is this all there is?”“I want to eliminate disasters and increase blessings.”“Can I do that just by listening to teachings?”“Can I eliminate misfortune this way?”
This is [questioning] “existence or non-existence”.They do not have true faith.Their Root of Faith is not firmly affixed.If their Root of Faith has not extended, their beliefs cannot bring them freedom.They [hesitate] over “existence or non-existence”.On the deviant path, they are deeply deluded and [their faith] is also very illusory.But they still cannot free themselves.
If we lead improper lives and our feet are not firmly planted on the ground, we [live] in a state of anxiety and doubt.Therefore, we have no true Root of Faith.
This brings us many afflictions; as afflictions multiply, bad karma also multiples and this process will only continue.
This is all because we have improper perspectives. If this is the case, we develop 62 kinds of afflictions. Next, the sutra states, “Deeply attached to illusory things, they cling firmly and cannot let go”.
“Deeply attached to illusory things, they cling firmly and cannot let go. With self-arrogance, they brag of their loftiness. They are flatterers, their hearts insincere. Throughout ten billion eons, they never hear the Buddha’s name.”
We humans have deep attachments. We are deeply attached to these illusory things.
Similarly, in ancient India, there were some bad customers. During that time, an ancient custom had been passed down. Once a father turned 60 years old, the son would prepare a blanket for the father for him to sleep by the door, so he could guard the entrance.
In one family, there was a pair of brothers. One day, the elder brother said to the younger, “In a few days, our father will be 60 years old. You should quickly find a blanket for our father.” The younger brother carefully looked for a blanket, then told his older brother, “Come look, I have prepared the blanket”. When the older brother examined the blanket, he saw that it had been cut into two halves. The older brother said, “Why do you want to give our father a blanket that is cut in two?” The younger brother said, “I looked all around our house, and I could only find this one blanket. So, our father will first use half of it.” The older one asked, “What about the other half?” He said, “Very soon, it will be your turn, then your son can give you the other half.” The older brother heard this and said, “Oh, true. Life passes so quickly. Soon after, it will be my turn. Is continuing this kind of tradition, the right thing to do?” His younger brother said, “I agree. It is very unreasonable for a family to continue this kind of bad custom, this is wrong. What were they to do?
The next day, the two brothers went to look for one of the country’s ministers, people who helped the king govern. They went to visit him and told him that they came because they believed that continuing this kind of bad custom was wrong. They told him what was on their minds. This minister also thought. “[This custom] makes no sense. At 60 years, they should peacefully enjoy their old age. They worked hard their entire lives, laboriously giving to their family. Why is it that when they are old, they only get a blanket and are told to guard the house? This indeed is unreasonable”. “Everyone will age, we should put an end to this. He went before the king and told him that this bad custom needed to be changed.” The king was also very wise, “Indeed. This custom that people keep perpetuating must be eliminated”. Thus, this was how it was eliminated.
This was once a custom in ancient India. If they were “deeply attached” to this custom, when every person reached that age, they would face great suffering because their family followed such bad customs of this illusory world.
Our society also has many bad customs that have been passed down. They can be changed; they are not inalterable. Some of these [customs] are clearly immoral and unethical, why should they continue to be passed on? Most sentient beings are “deeply attached” to folk customs that do not make sense. This leads to many false and illusory [beliefs]. “We cling firmly and cannot let go”. We are unwilling to let go. So, we will always give rise to “self-arrogance and brag of our loftiness”. If we are always focused on “the self”, we have self-arrogance. We think our “self” is superior to everyone else’s. When our “self” is big, we inflate our ego. Because we sentient beings are conceited, arrogant, ignorant and egotistical, we tend to twist words to flatter others.
Some people are conceited, and their ego is very big. Some, to gain an advantage, will flatter someone else. Why do they do this? To secure that person’s support. This is why they flatter them. There are people who commit many wrongs, but we are still supporting them. In our minds, we know very well what they are doing is not right, but, in order to flatter them, we say, “You’re right. The things you say are right”. If we go against principles to bolster someone’s prestige, this is flattery.
I always say, “A straightforward mind is our training ground”, and “our great spiritual aspirations are direct”, “the Bodhi-path is direct”. Here, “direct” means that our minds are true and straightforward.
So, we must not twist our words into flattery; we must be direct. We must not be twisted or act obliquely. [A mind with] spiritual aspirations is straightforward and follows the principle . We cannot act obliquely; we cannot twist our words. If our words are twisted, they are not true. “Throughout ten billion eons, they never hear the Buddha’s name”. We spoke of these kinds of people before. They have “entered the dense forest of deviant views”. People who rely on deviant thoughts and views are “deeply attached to illusory things”. They are unwilling to let go of such improper thoughts and views, so forever, “throughout ten billion eons, they never hear the Buddha’s name”. They are unable to hear His name; even if they live during the same era, they spurn Him and are unwilling to listen.
So, if we sentient beings do not create karmic affinities with the Buddha and Dharma, naturally we will not be able to listen, so we become “deeply attached to illusory things”.
Deeply attached to illusory things: Sight, sound and so on are the five desires. They are also the five arrows that can destroy all goodness. They are temporary in essence and not real. Therefore, they are illusory.
How are we “deeply attached to illusory things?” What are we attached to? Sight, smell, taste, touch, the five desires. To be attached to “sound” means, “If I speak, they will obey me, compliment me and praise me. This makes me happy.” This is attached to sound.As for attachment to sight, when people see us, we [try to look] friendly and respectful. This is sight and sound.
As for smell, so much killing happens because people crave certain tastes. Thus, in this world, many living beings are killed. This is because of smell and taste.There is also touch, which creates feelings between people. All these things happen in our daily living. We greedily cling to the five desires.
“The five desires” are also “the five arrows.” They are the five arrows “that can destroy all goodness.” Actually, life is painfully short, but we greedily cling to sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. This creates so much suffering.
We can nature our compassion, our unconditional loving-kindness and liberate sentient beings from suffering. We must not fight over things, “I want this; this is mine.” We cannot be like this.
So, we must clearly understand the principles. We must not, for the sake of this temporary body, or for illusory and unreal things, create all kinds of negative karma. In learning the Buddha’s Way, we must be mindful. Life is truly impermanent.
“An ignorant thought creates the Three Subtleties. External states lead to the Six Coarse Marks.” We must be steadfast and grounded, not, “in flattery and delusion lose our sense of what’s real.” We must be mindful. We “must return to our pure and true mature.” Won’t returning to the “state of the Tathahata” be very joyful?
Everyone, we must not maintain bad customs. We must destroy these bad customs, so when we grow old we will not be left with only a single blanket, or half of a blanket. These bad customs can be eliminated, so we can restore dignity to this world. Thus, when we know the principles, we can live with dignity because our “state of Tathagata” is steadfast and grounded. Therefore, we must always be mindful’
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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