Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Perfect Awareness, Perfect Wisdom (正覺正知 同圓種智)
Date: February.16. 2015
“Understanding the great path brings us joy never known before. As we interact with people, our mind must remain undefiled. After attaining a prediction of Buddhahood, we go into the world to create karmic connections. Perfect awareness is the same as perfect wisdom.”
Recently, we have been describing how Sakyamuni Buddha bestowed a prediction of Buddhahood upon Sariputra. This makes us feel very happy because Sariputra was very joyful. During the time he was a Hearer, he received the teachings that the Buddha spoke. The Buddha taught how to maintain the purity of his mind and understand all things in the universe. He understood all these principles, but he had not opened his mind to go among people to transform them. But the Buddha did not give up; He endlessly praised the Dharma for being subtle and wondrous and praised those who walked the Bodhisattva-path. Those who can enter the Bodhisattva-path can return to their nature of True Suchness. This was what previous passages were explaining.
The Buddha gave so many teachings, and those who could understand had many different capabilities. Those who had sharper capabilities and wisdom could immediately accept the Dharma, form great aspirations and be willing to walk the Bodhisattva-path. But even the one foremost in wisdom had stopped at the state [of Hearers], so everyone else was also affected by this. Thus, the Buddha put in His most heartfelt efforts, waiting until everyone’s capacities were equal before beginning to open up His mind and freely proclaim the Buddha-Dharma. Now that everyone saw that Sariputra understood everything, all of these Hearers also comprehended the great path. They had also opened up their minds. To teach the Dharma, the Buddha turned the Dharma-wheel; He turned the wheel in His mind and had already opened up His mind to freely teach the Buddha-Dharma, so everyone understood “Understanding the great path brings joy never known before.” Everyone was very joyful; this was a very harmonious state.
Then everyone started to form aspirations. After they were inspired, they could intentionally go among people without their minds becoming defiled. They were already mentally prepared for this. The minds of the multitudes of ordinary people are very stubborn and hard to train, because they come from the Three Evil Destinies and Four [Evil] Realms.
The asura, hell, hungry ghost and animal realms are all found in the human realm. Coming from these different realms, their habitual tendencies are all different. When people form Bodhisattva-aspirations and are about to go among people, they must calm their minds and be prepared so that their minds remain undefiled. They cannot, “when trying to transform sentient beings, be transformed by them instead.” That would become very taxing. Take Sariputra, for example He originally formed great aspirations and made great vows. He wanted to transform sentient beings, to give of himself to help them, but he could not withstand the challenges. So, he began to close off his aspirations to walk the Bodhisattva-path. He no longer wanted to go among the people. So, he was transformed by sentient beings instead.
Fortunately, he could still maintain the purity of his heart. He had only obstructed his Bodhisattva-aspirations. We are just like him. We know that it is good to do things that benefit others, so we go among people.
In Tzu Chi, everyone shares the same aspirations of going among and helping people. Our society is very complicated. Regardless of the good work we do, sometimes we hear slander and misunderstandings of Tzu Chi. Even when we want to help others, they may not happily accept it.
But we cannot bear to abandon them, so we patiently endure all of this and do our best to convince them to be willing to accept [our help].Therefore, we must go among the people and keep our minds from becoming defiled or influenced by others.We must do what we know is right.If it is the right thing, we just do it.When we walk the Bodhisattva-path, this is the hard part.
Sariputra, at this [Dharma-assembly], had already opened up his mind and severed his web of doubts.He also formed aspirations to go among the people.So, the Buddha promptly bestowed a prediction of Buddhahood upon him.This lets everyone know that as long as they form great aspirations and make great vows, the Buddha will promise, affirm and verify that they will definitely attain this result.
Bestowing a prediction affirms and certifies that this will be their future karmic retribution.Receiving a prediction of Buddhahood does not mean one attains Buddhahood right away.After receiving a prediction of Buddhahood, we must decisively go among the people to form karmic connections.
In the future, we must unceasingly go among them.“Wisdom comes from experience”.Each sentient being is part of our treasury of teachings.The Dharma for living in the world and for transcending it are both fond among the people .When we see suffering, we recognize our blessings.
“Bodhisattvas arise because of suffering sentient beings”.Among suffering sentient beings, amidst all thing in the world, we can experience many truths.It will take a very long period of time to experience all these things.So, this is “perfect awareness”.After we realize these things, our understanding of all phenomena, all people, matters, objects and principles will be correct; we will understand it all.If we can achieve this state, that is the same as prefect wisdom.
Having perfect wisdom is such a wonderful state.Just now, when I walked outside, I stood for a little while in the corridor.I lifted my head and looked at the sky.It was such a beautiful sight.The whole sky was completely free of clouds; it looked so clear and so gentle.
Far away, I could see orange and yellow light, gradually rising above the horizon.In this kind of state, the feeling of the great prefect mirror will surface in our minds.Isn’t this so?It is like a clear sky, free of could, when that first ray of dawn is about to appear.When our mind has not been defiled by any kind of impurities, it will be in such a state.This is an analogy.
The most important thing is that this mirror, the mirror of our minds, is pure in essence.Similarly, the empty space around us is pure in essence; what we see is simply changes in the weather.
So, when we look up into the sky, we see could of many descriptions, of all different colors and shapes.Sometimes we see patch of blue sky.Is that the true color of empty space?No.
This is just like how our external state is reflected by the mirror of our mind.These states are not actually in our minds, just like they are not truly inside a mirror.However, this mirror can reflect all things.Thus, “perfect awareness is the same as perfect wisdom”.
The Buddha has the wisdom to understand all Dharma.This is all-encompassing wisdom.It is the Enlightened One’s great clarity and complete comprehension.
The enlightened One has great clarity and complete comprehension.Thus His all-encompassing wisdom is also perfect and clear.
The Great Enlightened One’s mind is already clear.He clearly understands the principles of all things in the world.This is the wisdom of a Great Enlightened One.It is called great perfect mirror wisdom, which is prefect and complete.When Sariputra, at that [Dharma-assembly], received the Buddha’s prediction, his mind was heading in the direction of walking the Bodhisattva-path, going toward this great enlightened clarity.He not only wanted to protect this state of mind, he wanted to open the door to his heart and keep his mind intact and pure and thus go among the people.This was Sariputra’s state of mind at the time.
Listening to the Dharma, he felt joyful.This was the joy of comprehending the great path. How can that joy be explained or described? Actually, just talking about it brings happiness, let alone truly comprehending the great path. By forming the unsurpassed, our heart and mind will be so open that we attain joy never know before.
Hearing the Buddha bestow this prediction, everyone was very happy. Their minds became open and understanding. The Buddha described how Flower Light Buddha would not attain Buddhahood for a long time. Until then, Sariputra has to remain in the human realm, repeatedly going among people. When we interact with other people, we must do so with respect and gratitude. Perhaps Sariputra is by our side, going among the people together with us. That is possible. He must spend a long period of time among people, so that Flower Light’s future Buddha-land will be magnificent. Everyone’s state of mind will be so pure; they will all be Bodhisattvas who have formed great aspirations and continue to advance in their practice.
This is like the volunteer camps we often organize. Those who come all have the same aspirations; they want to absorb more Dharma and prepare themselves to go among and help people. These camps are just like [that land].
So, “Flower Light Tathagata, after 12 small kalpas pass, will bestow upon Firm and Compelete Bodhisattva the prediction of attaining. Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”.
We have said before that Flower Light Buddha will have a lifespan of 12 small kalpas. People in His land will have a lifespan of 8 small kalpas. This is what we have discussed. So, Flower Light Buddha, when these 12 small kalpas draw to an end, when His life is about to end, among these Bodhisattvas He will bestow a prediction of Buddhahood on Firm ad Complete Bodhisattva. He will also bestow a prediction on a Bodhisattva.
“After a long period of 12 kalpas, a practitioner of the great Bodhi-path who diligently cultivated the Great Vehicle Dharma, named Firm ad Complete, will receive Flower Light Tathagata’s prediction of attaining Buddhahood.
For these 12 small kalpas to pass will take a very long time. He has to wait such a long time. He will do this in order to tell everyone that among that group of Bodhisattvas, some will be more diligent than others. Similarly, among virtuous people, some are more virtuous than others. Among the diligent, one who diligently cultivates the Great Vehicle. He will be wholeheartedly focused on the Great Vehicle Dharma and will walk the Bodhisattva-path, walk the great Bodhi-path. His name will be Firm and Complete.
Firm and Complete Bodhisattva, among that group of Bodhisattvas, will be the most diligent in practicing the great Bodhi-path. Firm ad Complete Bodhisattva will, in the future, attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Thus, Firm and Complete Bodhisattva will attain enlightenment in the future.
“The prediction of attaining. Auttara-samyak-sambodhi: This happens when True Suchness resonates with unconditioned Dharma, and together, they flow into the sea of great enlightenment and wisdom.”
This is speaking of True Suchness. What is enlightenment? It is True Suchness, our intrinsic nature of True Suchness. It resonates with unconditioned Dharma. The nature of True Suchness and the unconditioned Dharma, which is the true principles, will resonate with each other and come together. This is enlightenment; in the past, we have also discussed how Sakyamuni Buddha watched the stars at night. When He saw that star in sky, His pure Tathagata-nature converged with the universe and He suddenly had a great awakening. All unconditioned Dharma flowed into His ocean of enlightenment. So, all Great Dharma was known and understood by the Buddha. This is perfect wisdom; this is the state of enlightenment. All this happened in an instant.
So, Flower Light Buddha will bestow a prediction on Firm ad Complete Bodhisattva that he will achieve this convergence in the future. He will realize Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi and thus attain Buddhahood.
“Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi” is supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment, the utmost, unsurpassed perfect awareness”.
Furthermore, “He will announce to the bhiksus, Firm and Complete Bodhisattva will be the next to become a Buddha. He will be named Complete Lotus and Peaceful Conduct”.
In the world of Flower Light Buddha, that very diligent Bodhisattva, Firm and Complete, will also eventually awaken and attain Buddhahood. After He becomes a Buddha, His name will be “Complete Lotus ad Peaceful Conduct”. This will be Firm and Complete Bodhisattva’s name after He attains Buddhahood. This is what this passage of sutra text states. Why is he called Firm and Complete? Firm and Complete means he has a firm resolve and will be true.
“Firm and Complete: His name means his resolve to practice is firm and he carries out the Bodhisattva-practice of benefiting others and completely succeeds at what he does.”
Yesterday we discussed being sincere and having the proper mindset, sincerity, integrity, faith and steadfastness. Firm and Complete Bodhisattva aspired to cultivate sincerity, integrity, faith and steadfastness. His resolve will be very firm, so he will be very diligent. The Dharma exists in his every thought and manifests in his every action to benefit others. It is present in everything he does “Carrying out” is like moving things. It means that everything he does is beneficial to sentient beings. This is what he carries out.
So, this Bodhisattva will be diligent. With the strongest resolve, the most steadfast diligence, he uses every minute and every second to carry out the practice of benefiting others. He completely succeeds at what he does, thus his name is Firm and Complete.
“Complete Lotus ad Peaceful Conduct: By listening to the Lotus teachings, the First of Buddhahood, he will become perfect and replete with the true causes for attaining Buddhahood and cultivate the Lotus practice of peace and joy. Because of the virtues this Bodhisattva manifests, he will be name”.
“Complete Lotus and Peaceful Conduct” comes from listening to the Lotus teachings, the fruits of Buddha. The Lotus teachings are the fruit of Buddhahood. The lotus is used as an analogy for this pure Dharma. The lotus flower can purify turbid water. The lotus simultaneously blooms and bears fruit. The lotus root, lotus seeds and lotus flowers all come from the mud. “The Lotus teachings, the fruits of Buddhahood,” are taught among sentient beings to help.
Because myriad sentient beings are heavily defiled with turbidity, Firm and Complete Bodhisattva will also have to spend countless lifetimes among people, amidst this turbidity, without his mind becoming defiled.
From this passage of sutra text, we learn that every Buddha must pass through this evil world of Five Turbidities and help people in order to attain Buddhahood. They are like a lotus flower, relying on the nutrients in the mud. These nutrients help the lotus grow. The lotus is unaffected by the filthy mud. This is like the bodhisattvas who go among the people to understand the Dharma and thus strengthen their resolve. This is how they are “replete with the Lotus teachings, the fruit of Buddhahood”. At that moment, “ all true cause for attaining Buddhahood.” This is how Firm and Complete Bodhisattva has engaged in spiritual practice in the past and in the present. So in the future, he will receive the prediction to become. Complete Lotus and Peaceful Conduce Buddha.
Because Flower Light Tathagata will bestow this prediction on him, he will then “cultivate the Lotus practice of peace and joy. In addition to cultivating that cause among myriad sentient beings, He will have the [flower], the Lotus practice of peace and joy. Although He will be among people, His mind will not be obstacle. As we often say, this comes from willingness. If we happily accept the consequences of what we willingly do, we are cultivating the “Lotus practice of peace and joy.”
In the dirty and filthy mud, the lotus flower retains its splendor and beauty and produces the lotus fruit. Thus, to attain Buddhahood, we need to go among people and cultivate the lotus practice peace and joy.
This is how this Bodhisattva’s name manifests his virtue. His name reflects his virtue. As I said yesterday, “Wealth enriches the house, virtue enriches the body.” By engaging in spiritual practice like this, we will express these kind of virtue in our actions. We do not have to say, “I have engaged in so much spiritual practice.” We so not have to say it, we just need to do it regularly. Then when others see us, they will become very happy. This will happen when we truly are replete with the cause of the Lotus-teachings and the fruit of Buddhahood.
We must also cultivate the “Lotus practice of peace and joy.” The fruit of the Lotus teachings and the conduce of the Lotus teachings are all about protecting our minds so that we will not be defiled by any kind of person. We must unceasingly aspire to help others.
So, we must remember to cultivate the “Lotus practice of peace and joy. Thus we must go among people in order to attain and “be replete with the Lotus teachings, the fruit of Buddhahood.” Therefore, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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