THETEACHINGOF

BUDDHA

WHEELOFDHARMA

TheWheelofDharmaisthetranslationoftheSanskritword,"Dharmacakra."Similartothewheelofacartthatkeepsrevolving,itsymbolizestheBuddha'steachingasitcontinuestobespreadwidelyandendlessly.TheeightspokesofthewheelrepresenttheNobleEightfoldPathofBuddhism,themostimportantWayofPractice.TheNobleEightfoldPathreferstorightview,rightthought,rightspeech,rightbehavior,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,andrightmeditation.IntheoldendaysbeforestatuesandotherimagesoftheBuddhaweremade,thisWheelofDharmaservedastheobjectofworship.Atthepresenttime,theWheelisusedinternationallyasthecommonsymbolofBuddhism.

Copyright©1966byBukkyoDendoKyokaiAnypartofthisbookmaybequotedwithoutpermission.WeonlyaskthatBukkyoDendoKyokai,Tokyo,becreditedandthatacopyofthepublication

senttous.Thankyou.

BUKKYODENDOKYOKAI

(SocietyforthePromotionofBuddhism)3-14,Shiba4chome

Minato-ku,Tokyo,Japan,1080014Phone:(03)3455-5851Fax:(03)37982758

E-mail:bdk@bdk.or.jphttp://www.bdk.or.jp

Thethreehundredthirtyseventhedition,2009

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Tokyo,Japan

eBookversionbyBDKHawaii

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Buddha'sWisdomisbroadastheoceanandHisSpiritisfullofgreatCompassion.

BuddhahasnoformbutmanifestsHimselfinExquisitenessandleadsuswithHiswholeheartofCompassion.

ThisbookisvaluablebecauseitcontainstheessenceoftheBuddha's

teachingsasrecordedinoverfivethousandvolumes.Theseteachingshavebeenpreservedandhandeddownformorethantwentyfivehundredyearsextendingbeyondbordersandracialbarriersoftheworld.

ThewordsofBuddhacontainedinthisbooktouchonallaspectsofhumanlifeandbringmeaningtoit.

DHAMMAPADAHatredsneverceasebyhatredsinthisworld.Bylovealonetheycease.

ThisisanancientLaw.(5)Afoolwhothinksthatheisafoolisforthatveryreasonawiseman.The

foolwhothinksthatheiswiseiscalledafoolindeed.(63)Thoughheshouldconquerathousandmeninthebattlefieldathousand

times,yethe,indeed,whowouldconquerhimselfisthenoblestvictor.(103)Thoughheshouldliveahundredyears,notseeingtheTruthSublime;yet

better,indeed,isthesingleday'slifeofonewhoseesthetruthSublime.(115)Hardisbirthasman,Hardisthelifeofmortals,Hardisthehearingofthe

SublimeTruth,HardistheappearanceofaBuddha.(182)Nottodoanyevil,Tocultivategood,Topurifyone'smind,-Thisisthe

adviceoftheBuddhas.(183)Therearenosonsforprotection,neitherfathernorevenkinsmen;forhim

whoisovercomebydeathnoprotectionistherefromkinsmen.(288)

CONTENTS

BUDDHAChapterOneShakyamuniBuddha............................................2

I.TheLifeofTheBuddha.........................................2II.TheLastTeachingofTheBuddha......................10

ChapterTwoTheEternalandGlorifiedBuddha...................15I.HisCompassionandVows..................................15II.Buddha'sReliefandSalvationforus...................19III.TheEternalBuddha.........................22

ChapterThreeTheFormofBuddhaandHisVirtues.......25I.ThreeAspectsofBuddha'sBody..................25II.TheAppearanceofBuddha.................................29III.Buddha'sVirtue...................................................32

DHARMAChapterOneCausation..........................................................38

I.TheFourfoldNobleTruth...................................38II.Causation.............................................................41I1I.DependentOrigination.......................................42

ChapterTwoTheTheoryofMind-OnlyandTheRealStateofThings.................................46

I.ImpermanencyandEgolessness..........................46II.TheTheoryofMind-Only..................................49III.RealStateofThings...........................................52IV.TheMiddleWay................................................57

ChapterThreeBuddha-Nature............................65I.TheMindofPurity.............................................65II.Buddha-Nature...................................................71III.Egolessness........................................................75

ChapterFourDefilements.....................................................81I.HumanDefilements.......................81II.HumanNature...................................................88III.HumanLife.............................90IV.RealityofHumanLife.......................................95

ChapterFiveTheReliefOfferedbyBuddha......................102I.AmidaBuddha'sVows.....................................102II.AmidaBuddha'sLandofPurity.......................110

THEWAYOFPRACTICEChapterOneTheWayofPurification................................116

I.PurificationoftheMind...................116II.TheGoodWayofBehavior............................123III.TeachinginAncientFables................134

ChapterTwoTheWayofPracticalAttainment.................150I.SearchforTruth..........................................150II.TheWaysofPractice..................................163III.TheWayofFaith.........................................176IV.SacredSayings.......................184

THEBROTHERHOODChapterOneDutiesoftheBrotherhood.........................194

I.Renunciants.................................................194II.LayFollowers............................................200III.PracticalGuidetoTrueWayofLiving......212

ChapterTwoBuildingaBuddhaLand..........................225I.TheHarmonyofBrotherhood..........225II.TheBuddha'sLand....................................233III..ThoseWhoHaveReceivedGloryinBuddha'sLand...............................................238

SourceReferences.........................................................245TheAppendixes

I.BriefHistoryofBuddhism........................258II.TransmissionofBuddha'sTeaching.....268III.Historyof"TheTeachingofBuddha".......271IV.Indexto"TheTeachingofBuddha"..........273V.SanskritGlossary......................................281

SocietyforthePromotionofBuddhismandDistributionof"TheTeachingofBuddha"..........288

BUDDHA

CHAPTERONESHAKYAMUNIBUDDHA

ITHELIFEOFTHEBUDDHA

1.TheShakyaclansmendweltalongtheRohiniRiverwhichflowsamong

thesouthernfoothillsoftheHimalayas.Theirking,ShuddhodanaGautama,establishedhiscapitalatKapilavastuandtherehadagreatcastlebuiltandruledwisely,winningtheacclaimofhispeople.

TheQueen'snamewasMaya.ShewasthedaughteroftheKing'sunclewhowasalsothekingofaneighboringdistrictofthesameShakyaclan.

Fortwentyyearstheyhadnochildren.ButonenightQueenMayahadastrangedream,inwhichshesawawhiteelephantenteringintoherwombthroughtherightsideofherchest,andshebecamepregnant.TheKingandthepeoplelookedforwardwithanticipationtothebirthofaroyalchild.AccordingtotheircustomtheQueenreturnedtoherparents'homeforthebirth,andonherway,inthebeautifulspringsunshine,shetookarestintheLumbiniGarden.[2]

AllaboutherwereAshokablossoms.Indelightshereachedherrightarmouttopluckabranchandasshedidsoaprincewasborn.Allexpressedtheirheart-feltdelightwiththegloryoftheQueenandherprincelychild;HeavenandEarthrejoiced.ThismemorabledaywastheeighthdayofApril.

ThejoyoftheKingwasextremeandhenamedthechild,Siddhartha,whichmeans"Everywishfulfilled."

2.InthepalaceoftheKing,however,delightwasfollowedquicklybysorrow,forafterseveraldaysthelovelyQueenMayasuddenlydied.Heryoungersister,Mahaprajapati,becamethechild'sfostermotherandbroughthimupwithlovingcare.

Ahermit,calledAsita,wholivedinthemountainsnotfaraway,noticedaradianceaboutthecastle.Interpretingitasagoodomenhecamedowntothepalaceandwasshownthechild.Hepredicted:"ThisPrince,ifheremainsinthepalace,whengrownupwillbecomeagreatkingandsubjugatethewholeworld.Butifheforsakesthecourtlifetoembraceareligiouslife,hewillbecomeaBuddha,theSavioroftheworld."AtfirsttheKingwaspleasedtohearthisprophecy,butlaterhestartedtoworryaboutthepossibilityofhisonlysonleavingthepalacetobecomeahomelessrecluse.[3]

AttheageofseventhePrincebeganhislessonsinthecivilandmilitary

arts,buthisthoughtsmorenaturallytendedtootherthings.Onespringdayhewentoutofthecastlewithhisfather.Togethertheywerewatchingafarmerathisplowingwhenhenoticedabirddescendedtothegroundandcarriedoffasmallwormwhichhadbeenturnedupbythefarmer'splough.Hesatdownintheshadeofatreeandthoughtaboutit,whisperingtohimself:

"Alas!Doalllivingcreatureskilleachother?"ThePrince,whohadlosthismothersosoonafterhisbirth,wasdeeply

affectedbythetragedyoftheselittlecreatures.Thisspiritualwounddeepeneddaybydayashegrewup;likealittlescar

onayoungtree,thesufferingofhumanlifebecamemoreandmoredeeplyengrainedinhismind.

TheKingwasincreasinglyworriedasherecalledthehermit'sprophecyandtriedineverypossiblewaytocheerthePrinceandtoturnhisthoughtsinotherdirections.TheKingarrangedthemarriageofthePrinceattheageofnineteentothePrincessYashodhara.ShewasthedaughterofSuprabuddha,theLordofDevadahaCastleandabrotherofthelateQueenMaya.[4]

3.Fortenyears,inthedifferentPavilionsofSpring,AutumnandtheRainySeason,thePrincewasimmersedinroundsofmusic,dancingandpleasure,butalwayshisthoughtsreturnedtotheproblemofsufferingashepensivelytriedtounderstandthetruemeaningofhumanlife.

"Theluxuriesofthepalace,thishealthybody,thisrejoicingyouth!Whatdotheymeantome?"hethought."Somedaywemaybesick,weshallbecomeaged;fromdeaththereisnoescape.Prideofyouth,prideofhealth,prideofexistence-allthoughtfulpeopleshouldcastthemaside.

"Amanstrugglingforexistencewillnaturallylookforsomethingofvalue.Therearetwowaysoflooking-arightwayandawrongway.Ifhelooksinthewrongwayherecognizesthatsickness,oldageanddeathareunavoidable,butheseekstheopposite.

"Ifhelooksintherightwayherecognizesthetruenatureofsickness,oldageanddeath,andhesearchesformeaninginthatwhichtranscendsallhumansufferings.InmylifeofpleasuresIseemtobelookinginthewrongway."

4.Thusthespiritualstrugglewentoninthemindof[5]thePrinceuntilhisonlychild,Rahula,wasbornwhenhewas29.Thisseemedtobringthingstoaclimax,forhethendecidedtoleavethepalaceandlookforthesolutionofhisspiritualunrestinthehomelesslifeofamendicant.Heleftthecastleonenightwithonlyhischarioteer,Chandaka,andhisfavoritehorse,thesnow-whiteKanthaka.

Hisanguishdidnotendandmanydevilstemptedhimsaying:'Youwould

dobettertoreturntothecastleforthewholeworldwouldsoonbeyours."Buthetoldthedevilthathedidnotwantthewholeworld.Soheshavedhisheadandturnedhisstepstowardthesouth,carryingabeggingbowlinhishand.

ThePrincefirstvisitedthehermitBhagavaandwatchedhisasceticpractices.HethenwenttoAradaKalamaandUdrakaRamaputratolearntheirmethodsofattainingEnlightenmentthroughmeditation;butafterpracticingthemforatimehebecameconvincedthattheywouldnotleadhimtoEnlightenment.FinallyhewenttothelandofMagadhaandpracticedasceticismintheforestofUruvilvaonthebanksoftheNairanjanaRiver,whichflowsbytheGayaVillage.[6]

5.Themethodsofhispracticewereunbelievablyrigorous.Hespurredhimselfonwiththethoughtthat"noasceticinthepast,noneinthepresent,andnoneinthefuture,everhaspracticedoreverwillpracticemoreearnestlythanIdo."

StillthePrincecouldnotrealizehisgoal.Aftersixyearsintheforesthegaveupthepracticeofasceticism.HewentbathingintheriverandacceptedabowlofmilkfromthehandofSujata,amaiden,wholivedintheneighboringvillage.ThefivecompanionswhohadlivedwiththePrinceduringthesixyearsofhisasceticpracticewereshockedthatheshouldreceivemilkfromthehandofamaiden;theythoughthimdegradedandlefthim.

ThusthePrincewasleftalone.Hewasstillweak,butattheriskoflosinghislifeheattemptedyetanotherperiodofmeditation,sayingtohimself,"Bloodmaybecomeexhausted,fleshmaydecay,bonesmayfallapart,butIwillneverleavethisplaceuntilIfindthewaytoEnlightenment."

Itwasanintenseandincomparablestruggleforhim.Hewasdesperateandfilledwithconfusingthoughts,darkshadowsoverhunghisspirit,andhewas[7]beleagueredbyalltheluresofthedevils.Carefullyandpatientlyheexaminedthemonebyoneandrejectedthemall.Itwasahardstruggleindeed,makinghisbloodrunthin,hisfleshfallaway,andhisbonescrack.

Butwhenthemorningstarappearedintheeasternsky,thestrugglewasoverandthePrince'smindwasasclearandbrightasthebreakingday.Hehad,atlast,foundthepathtoEnlightenment.ItwasDecembereighth,whenthePrincebecameaBuddhaatthirty-fiveyearsofage.

6.FromthistimeonthePrincewasknownbydifferentnames:somespokeofhimasBuddha,thePerfectlyEnlightenedOne,Tathagata;somespokeofhimasShakyamuni,theSageoftheShakyaclan;otherscalledhimtheWorld-honoredOne.

HewentfirsttoMrigadavainVaranasiwherethefivemendicantswhohad

livedwithhimduringthesixyearsofhisasceticlifewerestaying.Atfirsttheyshunnedhim,butaftertheyhadtalkedwithhim,theybelievedinhimandbecamehisfirstfollowers.HethenwenttotheRajagrihaCastleandwonoverKingBimbisarawhohadalwaysbeenhisfriend.Fromtherehewentaboutthecountrylivingonalmsandteachingmentoaccepthiswayoflife.

Peoplerespondedtohimasthethirstyseekwater[8]andthehungryfood.Twogreatdisciples,SariputraandMaudgalyayana,andtheirtwothousandfollowers,cametohim.

AtfirsttheBuddha'sfather,KingShuddhodana,stillinwardlysufferingbecauseofhisson'sdecisiontoleavethepalace,remainedaloof,butthenbecamehisfaithfuldisciple.Mahaprajapati,theBuddha'sstepmother,andPrincessYashodhara,hiswife,andallthemembersoftheShakyaclanbegantofollowhim.Multitudesofothersalsobecamehisdevotedandfaithfulfollowers.

Forforty-fiveyearstheBuddhawentaboutthecountrypreachingandpersuadingpeopletofollowhiswayoflife.Butwhenhewaseighty,atVaisaliandonhiswayfromRajagrihatoShravasti,hebecameillandpredictedthatafterthreemonthshewouldenterNirvana.StillhejourneyedonuntilhereachedPavawherehefellseriouslyillfromsomefoodofferedbyChunda,ablacksmith.Eventually,inspiteofgreatpainandweakness,hereachedtheforestthatborderedKusinagara.

Lyingbetweentwolargesalatrees,hecontinuedteachinghisdisciplesuntilhislastmoment.Thusheenteredintoperfecttranquilityafterhehadcompletedhisworkastheworld'sgreatestteacher.[9]

8.UndertheguidanceofAnanda,theBuddha'sfavoritedisciple,thebodywascrematedbyhisfriendsinKusinagara.

SevenneighboringrulersaswellasKingAjatasatrudemandedthattherelicsbedividedamongthem.ThePeopleofKusinagaraatfirstrefusedandthedisputeeventhreatenedtoendinwar;butundertheadviceofawisemannamedDrona,thecrisispassedandtherelicsweredividedamongtheeightgreatcountries.Theashesofthefuneralpyreandtheearthenjarthatcontainedtherelicswerealsogiventotwootherrulerstobelikewisehonored.ThustengreattowerscommemoratingtheBuddhawerebuilttoenshrinehisrelicsandashes.

I1THELASTTEACHINGOFTHEBUDDHA

1.BeneaththesalatreesatKusinagara,inhislastwordstohisdisciples,

theBuddhasaid:"Makeofyourselfalight.Relyuponyourself:donotdependuponanyone

else.Makemyteachingsyourlight.Relyuponthem:donotdependuponanyotherteaching.

Consideryourbody:Thinkofitsimpurity.Knowingthatbothitspainanditsdelightarealikecausesofsuffering,howcanyouindulgeinitsdesires?Consideryour[10]'self';thinkofitstransiency;howcanyoufallintodelusionaboutitandcherishprideandselfishness,knowingthattheymustallendininevitablesuffering?Considerallsubstances;canyoufindamongthemanyenduring'self'?Aretheynotallaggregatesthatsoonerorlaterwillbreakapartandbescattered?Donotbeconfusedbytheuniversalityofsuffering,butfollowmyteaching,evenaftermydeath,andyouwillberidofpain.Dothisandyouwillindeedbemydisciples."

2."Mydisciples,theteachingsthatIhavegivenyouarenevertobeforgottenorabandoned.Theyarealwaystobetreasured,theyaretobethoughtabout,theyaretobepracticed.Ifyoufollowtheseteachingsyouwillalwaysbehappy.

Thepointoftheteachingsistocontrolyourownmind.Keepyourmindfromgreed,andyouwillkeepyourbehaviorright,yourmindpureandyourwordsfaithful.Byalwaysthinkingaboutthetransiencyofyourlife,youwillbeabletoresistgreedandanger,andwillbeabletoavoidallevils.

Ifyoufindyourmindtemptedandsoentangledingreed,youmustsuppressandcontrolthetemptation;bethemasterofyourownmind.[11]

Aman'smindmaymakehimaBuddha,oritmaymakehimabeast.Misledbyerror,onebecomesademon;enlightened,onebecomesaBuddha.Therefore,controlyourmindanddonotletitdeviatefromtherightpath."

3."Youshouldrespecteachother,followmyteachings,andrefrainfromdisputes;youshouldnot,likewaterandoil,repeleachother,butshould,likemilkandwater,mingletogether.

Studytogether,learntogether,practicemyteachingstogether.Donotwasteyourmindandtimeinidlenessandquarreling.EnjoytheblossomsofEnlightenmentintheirseasonandharvestthefruitoftherightpath.

TheteachingswhichIhavegivenyou,Igainedbyfollowingthepathmyself.Youshouldfollowtheseteachingsandconformtotheirspiritoneveryoccasion.

Ifyouneglectthem,itmeansthatyouhaveneverreallymetme.Itmeansthatyouarefarfromme,evenifyouareactuallywithme;butifyouacceptandpracticemyteachings,thenyouareveryneartome,eventhoughyouarefaraway."

4."Mydisciples,myendisapproaching,ourpartingis[12]near,butdonotlament.Lifeiseverchanging;nonecanescapethedissolutionofthebody.ThisIamnowtoshowbymyowndeath,mybodyfallingapartlikeadilapidatedcart.

Donotvainlylament,butrealizethatnothingispermanentandlearnfromittheemptinessofhumanlife.Donotcherishtheunworthydesirethatthechangeablemightbecomeunchanging.

Thedemonofworldlydesiresisalwaysseekingchancestodeceivethemind.Ifaviperlivesinyourroomandyouwishtohaveapeacefulsleep,youmustfirstchaseitout.

Youmustbreakthebondsofworldlypassionsanddrivethemawayasyouwouldaviper.Youmustpositivelyprotectyourownmind."

5."Mydisciples,mylastmomenthascome,butdonotforgetthatdeathisonlytheendofthephysicalbody.Thebodywasbornfromparentsandwasnourishedbyfood;justasinevitablearesicknessanddeath.

ButthetrueBuddhaisnotahumanbody:-itisEnlightenment.Ahumanbodymustdie,buttheWisdomofEnlightenmentwillexistforeverinthetruthoftheDharma,andinthepracticeoftheDharma.Hewhosees[13]merelymybodydoesnottrulyseeme.Onlyhewhoacceptsmyteachingtrulyseesme.

Aftermydeath,theDharmashallbeyourteacher.FollowtheDharmaandyouwillbetruetome.

Duringthelastforty-fiveyearsofmylife,Ihavewithheldnothingfrommyteachings.Thereisnosecretteaching,nohiddenmeaning;everythinghasbeentaughtopenlyandclearly.Mydeardisciples,thisistheend.Inamoment,IshallbepassingintoNirvana.Thisismyinstruction."[14]

CHAPTERTWOTHEETERNALANDGLORIFIED

BUDDHAI

HISCOMPASSIONANDVOWS

1.TheSpiritofBuddhaisthatofgreatlovingkindnessandcompassion.Thegreatlovingkindnessisthespirittosaveallpeoplebyanyandallmeans.Thegreatcompassionisthespiritthatpromptsittobeillwiththeillnessofpeople,tosufferwiththeirsuffering.

'Yoursufferingismysufferingandyourhappinessismyhappiness,"saidBuddha,and,justasamotheralwayslovesherchild,Hedoesnotforgetthat

spiritevenforasinglemoment,foritisthenatureofBuddhahoodtobecompassionate.

TheBuddha'sspiritofcompassionisstimulatedaccordingtotheneedsofthepeople;one'sfaithisthereactiontothisspirit,anditleadshimtoEnlightenment,justasamotherrealizeshermotherhoodbylovingherchild;thenthechild,reactingtothatlove,feelssafeandatease.[15]

YetpeopledonotunderstandthisspiritofBuddhaandgoonsufferingfromtheillusionsanddesiresthatarisefromtheirignorance;theysufferfromtheirowndeedsaccumulatedthroughworldlypassions,andwanderaboutamongthemountainsofdelusionwiththeheavyburdenoftheirevildeeds.

2.DonotthinkthatthecompassionoftheBuddhaisonlyforthepresentlife;itisamanifestationofthetimelesscompassionoftheeternalBuddhathathasbeenoperativesinceunknowntime,whenmankindwentastrayduetoignorance.

TheeternalBuddhaalwaysappearsbeforepeopleinthemostfriendlyformsandbringstothemthewisestmethodsofrelief.

ShakyamuniBuddha,bornaPrinceamonghisShakyakinsmen,leftthecomfortsofhishometolivealifeofasceticism.Throughthepracticeofsilentmeditation,herealizedEnlightenment.HepreachedtheDharma(theteaching)amonghisfellowmenandfinallymanifesteditbyhisearthlydeath.

TheworkingofBuddhahoodisaseverlastingashumanignoranceisendless;andasthedepthofignoranceisbottomless,soBuddha'scompassionisboundless.[16]

WhenBuddhadecidedtobreakfromtheworldlylife,hemadefourgreatvows:1)Tosaveallpeople;2)Torenounceallworldlydesires;3)Tolearnalltheteachings;and4)toattainperfectEnlightenment.ThesevowsweremanifestationsoftheloveandcompassionthatarefundamentaltothenatureofBuddhahood.

3.Buddhafirsttaughthimselftoavoidthesinofkillinganylivingcreature,hewishedthatallpeoplemightknowtheblessednessofalonglife.Buddhatrainedhimselftoavoidthesinofstealing,hewishedthatallpeoplemighthaveeverythingtheyneeded.

Buddhatrainedhimselftoavoidevercommittingadultery,hewishedthatallpeoplemightknowtheblessednessofapurespiritandnotsufferfrominsatiabledesires.

Buddha,aimingathisideal,trainedhimselftoremainfreefromalldeception,hewishedthatallpeoplemightknowthetranquilityofmindthatwouldfollowinspeakingthetruth.Hetrainedhimselftoavoiddouble-talk;hewishedthatallpeoplemightknowthejoyoffellowship.[17]

Hetrainedhimselftoavoidabusingothers,andthenhewishedthatallmighthavetheserenemindthatwouldfollowbylivinginpeacewithothers.

Hekepthimselffreefromidletalk,andthenwishedthatallmightknowtheblessednessofsympatheticunderstanding.

Buddha,aimingathisideal,trainedhimselftokeepfreefromgreed,andbythisvirtuousdeedhewishedthatallpeoplemightknowthepeacefulnessthatwouldgowiththisfreedom.

Hetrainedhimselftoavoidanger,andhewishedthatallpeoplemightloveoneanother.

Hetrainedhimselftoavoidignorance,andwishedthatallpeoplemightunderstandandnotdisregardthelawofcausation.

ThusBuddha'scompassionembracesallpeople,andhisconstantconsiderationisfortheirhappiness.Helovespeopleasparentslovetheirchildrenandwishesthehighestblessednessforthem,namely,thattheywillbeabletopassbeyondthisoceanofbirthanddeath.18]

I1BUDDHA'SRELIEFANDSALVATIONFORUS

1.ItisverydiificultforthewordsspokenbyBuddhafromthefarbankof

Enlightenmenttoreachthepeoplestillstrugglingintheworldofdelusion;thereforeBuddhareturnstothisworldHimselfandusesHismethodsofsalvation.

"NowIwilltellyouaparable,"Buddhasaid."Oncetherelivedawealthymanwhosehousecaughtonfire.Themanwasawayfromhomeandwhenhecameback,hefoundthathischildrenweresoabsorbedinplay,hadnotnoticedthefireandwerestillinsidethehouse.Thefatherscreamed,'Getout,children!Comeoutofthehouse!Hurry!'Butthechildrendidnotheedhim.

Theanxiousfathershoutedagain.'Children,Ihavesomewonderfultoyshere;comeoutofthehouseandgetthem!'Heedinghiscrythistime,thechildrenranoutoftheburninghouse."

Thisworldisaburninghouse.Thepeople,unawarethatthehouseisonfire,areindangerofbeingburnedtodeathsoBuddhaincompassiondeviseswaysofsavingthem.[19]

2.Buddhasaid:"Iwilltellyouanotherparable.Onceuponatimetheonlysonofawealthymanlefthishomeandfellintoextremepoverty.

Whenthefathertraveledfarfromhomeinsearchofhisson,helosttrackofhim.Hedideverythinghecouldtofindhisson,butinvain.

Decadeslater,hisson,nowreducedtowretchedness,wanderednearwherehisfatherwasliving.

Thefatherquicklyrecognizedhissonandsenthisservantstobringthewandererhome;whowasovercomebythemajesticappearanceofthemansion.Hefearedthattheyweredeceivinghimandwouldnotgowiththem.Hedidnotrealizeitwashisownfather.

Thefatheragainsenthisservantstoofferhimsomemoneytobecomeaservantintheirrichmaster'shousehold.Thesonacceptedtheofferandreturnedwiththemtohisfather'shouseandbecameaservant.

Thefathergraduallyadvancedhimuntilhewasputinchargeofallthepropertyandtreasures,butstillthesondidnotrecognizehisownfather.

Thefatherwaspleasedwithhisson'sfaithfulness,[20]andastheendofhislifedrewnear,hecalledtogetherhisrelativesandfriendsandtoldthem:'Friends,thisismyonlyson,thesonIsoughtformanyyears.Fromnowon,allmypropertyandtreasuresbelongtohim.'

Thesonwassurprisedathisfather'sconfessionandsaid:'NotonlyhaveIfoundmyfatherbutallthispropertyandtreasureisnowmine."'

ThewealthymaninthisparablerepresentsBuddha,andthewanderingson,allpeople.Buddha'scompassionembracesallpeoplewiththeloveofafatherforhisonlyson.Inthatloveheconceivesthewisestmethodstolead,teachandenrichthemwiththetreasureofEnlightenment.

3.Justasrainfallsonallvegetation,soBuddha'scompassionextendsequallytoallpeople.Justasdifferentplantsreceiveparticularbenefitsfromthesamerain,sopeopleofdifferentnaturesandcircumstancesareblessedindifferentways.

4.Parentslovealltheirchildren,buttheirloveisexpressedwithspecialtendernesstowardasickchild.Buddha'scompassionisequaltowardallpeople,butitisexpressedwithspecialcaretowardthosewho,becauseoftheirignorance,haveheavierburdensofevil[21]andsufferingtobear.

Thesunrisesintheeasternskyandclearsawaythedarknessoftheworldwithoutprejudiceorfavoritismtowardanyparticularregion.SoBuddha'scompassionencompassesallpeople,encouragingthemtodorightandguidesthemagainstevil.Thus,HeclearsawaythedarknessofignoranceandleadspeopletoEnlightenment.

BuddhaisafatherinHiscompassionandamotherinHisloving-kindness.Intheirignoranceandbondagetoworldlydesire,peopleoftenactwithexcessivezeal.Buddhaisalsozealous,butoutofcompassionforallpeople.TheyarehelplesswithoutBuddha'scompassionandmustreceiveHismethodsofsalvationasHischildren.

III

THEETERNALBUDDHA

1.CommonpeoplebelievethatBuddhawasbornaprinceandlearnedthewaytoEnlightenmentasamendicant;actually,Buddhahasalwaysexistedintheworldwhichiswithoutbeginningorend.

AstheEternalBuddha,Hehasknownallpeopleandappliedallmethodsofrelief.[22]

ThereisnofalsityintheEternalDharmawhichBuddhataught,forHeknowsallthingsintheworldastheyare,andHeteachesthemtoallpeople.

Indeed,itisverydifficulttounderstandtheworldasitis,for,althoughitseemstrue,itisnot,and,althoughitseemsfalse,itisnot.Ignorantpeoplecannotknowthetruthconcerningtheworld.

BuddhaalonetrulyandfullyknowstheworldasitisandHeneversaysthatitistrueorfalse,orgoodorevil.Hesimplyportraystheworldasitis.

WhatBuddhadoesteachisthis:"Thatallpeopleshouldcultivaterootsofvirtueaccordingtotheirnatures,theirdeeds,andtheirbeliefs."Thisteachingtranscendsallaffirmationandnegationofthisworld.

2.Buddhateachesnotonlythroughwords,butalsothroughHislife.AlthoughHislifeisendless,inordertoawakengreedypeople,Heusestheexpedientofdeath.

"Whileacertainphysicianwasawayfromhome,hischildrenaccidentallytooksomepoison.Whenthephysicianreturned,henoticedtheirsicknessandpreparedan[23]antidote.Someofthechildrenwhowerenotseriouslypoisonedacceptedthemedicineandwerecured,butothersweresoseriouslyaffectedthattheyrefusedtotakethemedicine.

Thephysician,promptedbyhispaternalloveforhischildren,decidedonanextrememethodtopressthecureuponthem.Hesaidtothechildren:"Imustgooffonalongjourney.Iamoldandmaypassawayanyday.IfIamwithyouIcancareforyou,butifIshouldpassaway,youwillbecomeworseandworse.Ifyouhearofmydeath,Iimploreyoutotaketheantidoteandbecuredofthissubtlepoisoning."Thenhewentonthelongjourney.Afteratime,hesentamessengertohischildrentoinformthemofhisdeath.

Thechildren,receivingthemessage,weredeeplyaffectedbythethoughtoftheirfather'sdeathandbytherealizationthattheywouldnolongerhavethebenefitofhisbenevolentcare.Recallinghispartingrequest,inafeelingofsorrowandhelplessness,theytookthemedicineandrecovered.

Peoplemustnotcondemnthedeceptionofthisfather-physician.Buddhais

likethatfather.He,too,employsthefictionofbirthanddeathtosavepeoplewhoareentangledinthebondageofdesires.[24]

CHAPTERTHREETHEFORMOFBUDDHAAND

HISVIRTUESI

THREEASPECTSOFBUDDHA'SBODY

1.DonotseektoknowBuddhabyHisformorattributes;forneithertheformnortheattributesaretherealBuddha.ThetrueBuddhaisEnlightenmentitself.ThetruewaytoknowBuddhaistorealizeEnlightenment.

IfsomeoneseessomeexcellentfeaturesofBuddhaandthenthinksheknowsBuddha,hisisthemistakeofanignoranteye,forthetrueBuddhacannotbeembodiedinaformorseenbyhumaneyes.NeithercanoneknowBuddhabyafaultlessdescriptionofhisattributes.ItisnotpossibletodescribeHisattributesinhumanwords.

ThoughwespeakofHisform,theEternalBuddhahasnosetform,butcanmanifestHimselfinanyform.ThoughwedescribeHisattributes,yettheEternalBuddhahasnosetattributes,butcanmanifestHimselfinanyandallexcellentattributes.[25]

So,ifoneseesdistinctlytheformofBuddha,orperceivesHisattributesclearly,andyetdoesnotbecomeattachedtoHisformortoHisattributes,hehasthecapacitytoseeandknowBuddha.

2.Buddha'sbodyisEnlightenmentitself.Beingformlessandwithoutsubstance,italwayshasbeenandalwayswillbe.Itisnotaphysicalbodythatmustbenourishedbyfood.ItisaneternalbodywhosesubstanceisWisdom.Buddha,therefore,hasneitherfearnordisease;Heiseternallychangeless.

Therefore,BuddhawillneverdisappearaslongasEnlightenmentexists.EnlightenmentappearsasthelightofWisdomthatawakenspeopleintoanewnessoflifeandcausesthemtobebornintotheworldofBuddha.

ThosewhorealizethisbecomethechildrenofBuddha;theykeepHisDharma,honorHisteachingsandpassthemontoposterity.NothingcanbemoremiraculousthanthepowerofBuddha.

3.Buddhahasathree-foldbody.ThereisanaspectofEssenceorDharma-kaya;thereisanaspectofPotentialityorSambhoga-kaya;andthereisanaspectofManifestationorNirmana-kaya.[26]

Dharma-kayaisthesubstanceoftheDharma;thatis,itisthesubstanceofTruthitself.IntheaspectofEssence,Buddhahasnoshapeorcolor,andsinceBuddhahasnoshapeorcolor,HecomesfromnowhereandthereisnowhereforHimtogo.Likethebluesky,Hearchesovereverything,andsinceHeisallthings,Helacksnothing.

HedoesnotexistbecausepeoplethinkHeexists;neitherdoesHedisappearbecausepeopleforgetHim.Heisundernoparticularcompulsiontoappearwhenpeoplearehappyandcomfortable,neitherisitnecessaryforHimtodisappearwhenpeopleareinattentiveandidle.Buddhatranscendseveryconceivabledirectionofhumanthought.

Buddha'sbodyinthisaspectfillseverycorneroftheuniverse;itreacheseverywhere,itexistsforever,regardlessofwhetherpeoplebelieveinHimordoubtHisexistence.

4.Sambhoga-kayasignifiesthatthenatureofBuddha,themergingofbothCompassionandWisdom,whichisimagelessspirit,manifestsitselfthroughthesymbolsofbirthanddeath,throughthesymbolsofvow-making,trainingandrevealingHissacredname,inordertoleadallpeopletosalvation.[27]

CompassionistheEssenceofthisbodyandinitsspiritBuddhausesalldevicestoemancipateallthosewhoarereadyforemancipation.Likeafirethat,oncekindled,neverdiesuntilthefuelisexhausted,sotheCompassionofBuddhawillneverfalteruntilallworldlypassionsareexhausted.Justasthewindblowsawaythedust,sotheCompassionofBuddhainthisbodyblowsawaythedustofhumansuffering.

Nirmana-kayasignifiesthat,inordertocompletethereliefofBuddhaofPotentiality,Buddhaappearedintheworldinbodilyformandshowedthepeople,accordingtotheirnaturesandcapacities,theaspectsofthebirth,renunciationofthisworldandattainmentofEnlightenment.Inordertoleadthepeople,Buddhainthisbodyuseseverymeanssuchasillnessanddeath.

TheformofBuddhaisoriginallyoneDharma-kaya,butasthenatureofpeoplevaries,Buddha'sformappearsdifferently.AlthoughtheformofBuddhavariesaccordingtothedifferentdesires,deedsandabilitiesofpeople,BuddhaisconcernedonlywiththetruthoftheDharma.

ThoughBuddhahasathree-foldbody,Hisspiritandpurposeareone-tosaveallpeople.InallcircumstancesBuddhaismanifestinHispurity,yetthismanifestationisnotBuddhabecause[28]Buddhaisnotaform.Buddhahoodfillseverything;itmakesEnlightenmentitsbodyand,asEnlightenment,itappearsbeforeallthosecapableofrealizingtheTruth.

I1

THEAPPEARANCEOFBUDDHA

1.ItisseldomthataBuddhaappearsinthisworld.NowaBuddhadoesappear,attainsEnlightenment,introducestheDharma,seversthenetofsuspicion,removesthelureofdesireatitsroot,plugsthefountainofevil.CompletelyunhinderedHewalksatwillovertheworld.ThereisnothinggreaterthantoreveretheBuddha.

BuddhaappearsintheworldofsufferingbecauseHecannotdesertsufferingpeople.HisonlypurposeistospreadtheDharmaandtoblessallpeoplewithits,Truth.

ItisverydifficulttointroducetheDharmaintoaworldfilledwithinjusticeandfalsestandards,aworldthatisvainlystrugglingwithinsatiabledesiresanddiscomforts.BuddhafacesthesedifficultiesbecauseofHisgreatloveandcompassion.

2.Buddhaisagoodfriendtoallpeople.IfBuddha[29]findsamansufferingfromtheheavyburdenofworldlypassions,Hefeelscompassionandsharestheburdenwithhim.IfHemeetsamansufferingfromdelusion,HewillclearawaythedelusionbythepurelightofHiswisdom.

Likeacalfwhichenjoysitslifewithitsmother,thosewhohaveheardtheBuddha'steachingsareafterwardunwillingtoleaveHimbecauseHisteachingsbringthemhappiness.

3.Whenthemoonsets,peoplesaythatthemoonhasdisappeared;andwhenthemoonrises,theysaythatthemoonhasappeared.Infact,themoonneithergoesnorcomes,butshinescontinuallyinthesky.Buddhaisexactlylikethemoon:Heneitherappearsnordisappears;HeonlyseemstodosooutofloveforthepeoplethatHemayteachthem.

Peoplecallonephaseofthemoonafullmoon,theycallanotherphaseacrescentmoon;inreality,themoonisalwaysperfectlyround,neitherwaxingnorwaning.Buddhaispreciselylikethemoon.Intheeyesofhuman,Buddhamayseemtochangeinappearance,but,intruth,Buddhadoesnotchange.

Themoonappearseverywhere,overacrowdedcity,asleepyvillage,amountain,ariver.Itisseeninthe[30]depthsofapond,inajugofwater,inadropofdewhangingonaleaf.Ifamanwalkshundredsofmilesthemoongoeswithhim.Tomenthemoonseemstochange,butthemoondoesnotchange.Buddhaislikethemooninfollowingthepeopleofthisworldinalltheirchangingcircumstances,manifestingvariousappearances;butinHisEssenceHedoesnotchange.

4.ThefactthatBuddhaappearsanddisappearscanbeexplainedby

causality:namely,whenthecauseandconditionsarepropitious,Buddhaappears;whencausesandconditionsarenotpropitious,Buddhaseemstodisappearfromtheworld.

WhetherBuddhaappearsordisappears,Buddhahoodalwaysremainsthesame.Knowingthisprinciple,onemustkeeptothepathofEnlightenmentandattainPerfectWisdom,undisturbedbytheapparentchangesintheimageofBuddha,intheconditionoftheworld,orinthefluctuationsofhumanthought.

IthasbeenexplainedthatBuddhaisnotaphysicalbodybutisEnlightenment.Abodymaybethoughtofasareceptacle;then,ifthisreceptacleisfilledwithEnlightenment,itmaybecalledBuddha.Therefore,ifanyoneisattachedtothephysicalbodyofBuddhaandlamentsHisdisappearance,hewillbeunabletoseethetrueBuddha.[31]

Inreality,thetruenatureofallthingstranscendsthediscriminationofappearanceanddisappearance,ofcomingandgoing,ofgoodandevil.Allthingsaresubstancelessandperfectlyhomogeneous.

Suchdiscriminationsarecausedbyanerroneousjudgmentbythosewhoseethesephenomena.ThetrueformofBuddhaneitherappearsnordisappears.

IIIBUDDHA'SVIRTUE

1.Buddhareceivestherespectoftheworldbecauseoffivevirtues:

superiorconduct;superiorpointofview;perfectwisdom;superiorpreachingability;andthepowertoleadpeopletothepracticeofHisteaching.

Inaddition,eightothervirtuesenableBuddhatobestowblessingsandhappinessuponthepeople:theabilitytobringimmediatebenefitsintheworldthroughthepracticeofHisteaching,theabilitytojudgecorrectlybetweengoodandbad,rightandwrong,theabilitytoleadpeopletoEnlightenmentbyteachingtherightway,theabilitytoleadallpeoplebyanequalway,theabilitytoavoidprideandboasting,theabilitytodowhatHehasspoken,theabilitytosaywhatHehasdone,and,thusdoing,tofulfillthevowsofHiscompassionateheart.

Throughmeditation,Buddhapreservesacalmand[32]peacefulspirit,radiantwithmercy,compassion,happinessandevenequanimity.Hedealsequitablywithallpeople,cleansingtheirmindsofdefilementandbestowinghappinessinaperfectsinglenessofspirit.

2.Buddhaisbothfatherandmothertothepeopleoftheworld.Forsixteenmonthsafterachildisbornthefatherandmotherhavetospeaktohiminbabyishwords;thengraduallytheyteachhimtospeakasanadult.Likeearthlyparents,Buddhafirsttakescareofthepeopleandthenleavesthemtocarefor

themselves.HefirstbringsthingstopassaccordingtotheirdesiresandthenHebringsthemtoapeacefulandsafeshelter.

WhatBuddhapreachesinHislanguage,peoplereceiveandassimilateintheirownlanguageasifitwereintendedexclusivelyforthem.

Buddha'sstateofmindsurpasseshumanthought;itcannotbemadeclearbywords;itcanonlybehintedatinparables.

TheGangesRiverisstirredupbythetrampingofhorsesandelephantsanddisturbedbythemovementsoffishandturtles;buttheriverflowson,pureandundisturbedbysuchtrifles.Buddhaislikethegreatriver.The[33]fishandturtlesofotherteachingsswimaboutinitsdepthsandpushagainstitscurrent,butinvain.Buddha'sDharmaflowson,pureandundisturbed.

3.Buddha'sWisdom,beingperfect,keepsawayfromextremesofprejudiceandpreservesamoderationthatisbeyondallwordstodescribe.Beingall-wiseHeknowsthethoughtsandfeelingsofallmenandrealizeseverythinginthisworldinamoment.

Asthestarsofheavenarereflectedinthecalmsea,sopeople'sthoughts,feelingsandcircumstancesarereflectedinthedepthsofBuddha'sWisdom.ThisiswhyBuddhaiscalledthePerfectlyEnlightenedOne,theOmniscience.

Buddha'sWisdomrefreshesthearidmindsofpeople,enlightensthemandteachesthemthesignificanceofthisworld,itscausesanditseffects,appearingsanddisappearings.Indeed,withouttheaidofBuddha'sWisdom,whataspectoftheworldisatallcomprehensibleforpeople?

4.BuddhadoesnotalwaysappearasaBuddha.SometimesHeappearsasanincarnationofevil,sometimesasawoman,agod,aking,orastatesman;sometimesHeappearsinabrothelorinagamblinghouse.[34]

InanepidemicHeappearsasahealingphysicianandinwarHepreachesforbearanceandmercyforthesufferingpeople;forthosewhobelievethatthingsareeverlasting,Hepreachestransiencyanduncertainty;forthosewhoareproudandegoistic,Hepreacheshumilityandself-sacrifice;forthosewhoareentangledinthewebofworldlypleasures,Herevealsthemiseryoftheworld.

TheworkofBuddhaistomanifestinallaffairsandonalloccasionsthepureessenceofDharma-kaya(theabsolutenatureofBuddha);soBuddha'smercyandcompassionflowoutfromthisDharma-kayainendlesslifeandboundlesslight,bringingsalvationtoall.

5.Theworldislikeaburninghousethatisforeverbeingdestroyedandrebuilt.People,beingconfusedbythedarknessoftheirignorance,losetheirmindsinanger,displeasure,jealousy,prejudiceandworldlypassion.Theyarelikebabiesinneedofamother;everyonemustbedependentuponBuddha'smercyandcompassion.

Buddhaisafathertoalltheworld;allhumanbeingsarethechildrenofBuddha.Buddhaisthemostsaintlyofsaints.Theworldisafirewithdecrepitudeanddeath;thereissufferingeverywhere.Butpeople,engrossedinthevainsearchforworldlypleasure,arenotwiseenoughtofullyrealizethis.[35]

Buddhasawthatthisworldofdelusionwasreallyaburninghouse,soHeturnedfromitandfoundrefugeandpeaceinthequietforest.There,outofHisgreatcompassion,hecallstous:'"Thisworldofchangeandsufferingbelongstome;alltheseignorant,heedlesspeoplearemychildren;Iamtheonlyonewhocansavethemfromtheirdelusionandmisery."

AsBuddhaisthegreatkingoftheDharma,HecanpreachtoallpeopleasHewishes.Buddhaappearsintheworldtoblessthepeople.TosavethemfromsufferingHepreachestheDharma,buttheearsofpeoplearedulledbygreedandtheyareinattentive.

ButthosewholistentoHisteachingsarefreefromthedelusionsandthemiseriesoflife."Peoplecannotbesavedbyrelyingontheirownwisdom,"Hesaid,"andthroughfaiththeymustenterintomyteaching."Therefore,oneshouldlistentotheBuddha'steachingandputitintopractice.[36]

DHARMA

CHAPTERONECAUSATION

I

THEFOURFOLDNOBLETRUTH

1.Theworldisfullofsuffering.Birthissuffering,oldageissuffering,sicknessanddeatharesufferings.Tomeetapersonwhomonehatesissuffering,tobeseparatedfromabelovedoneissuffering,tobevainlystrugglingtosatisfyone'sneedsissuffering.Infact,liethatisnotfreefromdesireandpassionisalwaysinvolvedwithdistress.ThisiscalledtheTruthofSuffering.

Thecauseofhumansufferingisundoubtedlyfoundinthethirstsofthephysicalbodyandintheillusionsofworldlypassion.Ifthesethirstsandillusionsaretracedtotheirsource,theyarefoundtoberootedintheintensedesiresofphysicalinstincts.Thus,desire,havingastrongwill-to-liveasitsbasis,seeksthatwhichitfeelsdesirable,evenifitissometimesdeath.ThisiscalledtheTruthoftheCauseofSuffering.

Ifdesire,whichliesattherootofallhumanpassion,canberemoved,thenpassionwilldieoutandallhuman[38]sufferingwillbeended.ThisiscalledtheTruthoftheCessationofSuffering.

Inordertoenterintoastatewherethereisnodesireandnosuffering,onemustfollowacertainPath.ThestagesofthisNobleEightfoldPathare:RightView,RightThought,RightSpeech,RightBehavior,RightLivelihood,RightEffort,RightMindfulnessandRightConcentration.ThisiscalledtheTruthoftheNoblePathtotheCessationoftheCauseofSuffering.

PeopleshouldkeeptheseTruthsclearlyinmind,fortheworldisfilledwithsufferingandifanyonewishestoescapefromsuffering,hemustseverthetiesofworldlypassionwhichisthesolecauseofsuffering.ThewayoflifewhichisfreefromallworldlypassionandsufferingcanonlybeknownthroughEnlightenment,andEnlightenmentcanonlybeattainedthroughthedisciplineoftheNobleEightfoldPath.

2.AllthosewhoareseekingEnlightenmentmustunderstandtheFourfoldNobleTruth.Withoutunderstandingthis,theywillwanderaboutinterminablyinthebewilderingmazeoflife'sillusions.ThosewhounderstandthisFourfoldNobleTrutharecalled"thepeoplewhohaveacquiredtheeyesofEnlightenment."

Therefore,thosewhowishtofollowtheBuddha's[39]teachingsshouldconcentratetheirmindsonthisFourfoldNobleTruthandseektomaketheirunderstandingofitsmeaningclear.Inallages,asaint,ifheisatruesaint,isonewhounderstandsitandteachesittoothers.

WhenapersonclearlyunderstandstheFourfoldNobleTruth,thenthe

NobleEightfoldPathwillleadoneawayfromgreed;andifapersonisfreefromgreed,onewillnotquarrelwiththeworld,onewillnotkill,norsteal,norcommitadultery,norcheat,norabuse,norflatter,norenvy,norloseone'stemper,norforgetthetransiencyoflifenorwillonebeunjust.

3.FollowingtheNoblePathislikeenteringadarkroomwithalightinthehand:thedarknesswillallbeclearedawayandtheroomwillbefilledwithlight.

PeoplewhounderstandthemeaningoftheNobleTruthsandhavelearnedtofollowtheNoblePathareinpossessionofthelightofwisdomthatwillclearawaythedarknessofignorance.

Buddhaleadspeople,merelybyindicatingtothemtheFourfoldNobleTruth.ThosewhounderstanditproperlywillattainEnlightenment;theywillbeabletoguideandsupportothersinthisbewilderingworld,andtheywillbeworthyoftrust.WhentheFourfoldNobleTruthisclearlyunderstood,allthesourcesofworldlypassion[40]aredriedup.

AdvancingfromthisFourfoldNobleTruth,thedisciplesofBuddhawillattainallotherprecioustruths;theywillgainthewisdomandinsighttounderstandallmeanings,andwillbecomecapableofpreachingtheDharmatoallthepeoplesoftheworld.

IICAUSATION

1.Therearecausesforallhumansuffering,andthereisawaybywhich

theymaybeended,becauseeverythingintheworldistheresultofavastconcurrenceofcausesandconditions,andeverythingdisappearsasthesecausesandconditionschangeandpassaway.

Rainfalls,windsblow,plantsbloom,leavesmatureandareblownaway.Thesephenomenaareallinterrelatedwithcausesandconditions,andarebroughtaboutbythem,anddisappearasthecausesandconditionschange.

Oneisbornthroughtheconditionsofparentage.Hisbodyisnourishedbyfood:hisspiritisnurturedbyteachingandexperience.

Therefore,bothfleshandspiritarerelatedtoconditionsandarechangedasconditionschange.[41]

Asanetismadeupbyaseriesofknots,soeverythinginthisworldisconnectedbyaseriesofknots.Ifanyonethinksthatthemeshofanetisanindependent,isolatedthing,heismistaken.

Itiscalledanetbecauseitismadeupofaseriesofconnectedmeshes,andeachmeshhasitsplaceandresponsibilitiesinrelationtoothermeshes.

2.Blossomscomeaboutbecauseofaseriesofconditionsthatleadupto

theirblooming.Leavesareblownawaybecauseaseriesofconditionsleaduptoit.Blossomsdonotappearindependently,nordoesaleaffallofitself,outofitsseason.Soeverythinghasitscomingforthandpassingaway;nothingcanbeindependentwithoutanychange.

Itistheeverlastingandunchangingruleofthisworldthateverythingiscreatedbyaseriesofcausesandconditionsandeverythingdisappearsbythesamerule;everythingchanges,nothingremainsconstant.

IIIDEPENDENTORIGINATION

1.Whereisthesourceofhumangrief,lamentation,painandagony?Isit

nottobefoundinthefactthat[42]peoplearegenerallydesirous.Theyclingobstinatelytolivesofwealthandhonor,comfortandpleasure,excitementandselfindulgence,ignorantofthefactthatthedesirefortheseverythingsisthesourceofhumansuffering.

Fromitsbeginning,theworldhasbeenfilledwithasuccessionofcalamities,overandabovetheunavoidablefactsofillness,oldageanddeath.

Butifonecarefullyconsidersallthefacts,onemustbeconvincedthatatthebasisofallsufferingliestheprincipleofcravingdesire.Ifavaricecanberemoved,humansufferingwillcometoanend.Ignoranceismanifestedingreedthatfillsthehumanmind.

Itcomesfromthefactthatpeopleareunawareofthetruereasonforthesuccessionofthings.

Fromignoranceandgreedtherespringimpuredesiresforthingsthatare,infact,unobtainable,butforwhichpeoplerestlesslyandblindlysearch.

Becauseofignoranceandgreed,peopleimaginediscriminationswhere,inreality,therearenodiscriminations.[43]Inherently,thereisnodiscriminationofrightandwronginhumanbehavior;butpeople,becauseofignorance,imaginesuchdistinctionsandjudgethemasrightorwrong.

Becauseoftheirignorance,allpeoplearealwaysthinkingwrongthoughtsandalwayslosingtherightviewpointand,clingingtotheiregos,theytakewrongactions.Asaresult,theybecomeattachedtoadelusiveexistence.

Makingtheirdeedsthefieldfortheiregos,usingtheworkingofdiscriminationofthemindasseed,becloudingthemindbyignorance,fertilizingitwiththerainofcravingdesires,irrigatingitbythewillfulnessofegotism,theyaddtheconceptionofevil,andcarrythisincarnationofdelusionaboutwiththem.

2.Inreality,therefore,itistheirownmindthatcausesthedelusionsof

grief,lamentation,painandagony.Thiswholeworldofdelusionisnothingbutashadowcausedbythemind.

Andyet,itisalsofromthissamemindthattheworldofEnlightenmentappears.3.Inthisworldtherearethreewrongviewpoints.[44]Ifoneclingstotheseviewpoints,thenallthingsinthisworldarebuttobe

denied.First,somesaythatallhumanexperienceisbasedondestiny;second,

someholdthateverythingiscreatedbyGodandcontrolledbyHiswill;third,somesaythateverythinghappensbychancewithouthavinganycauseorcondition.

Ifallhasbeendecidedbydestiny,bothgooddeedsandevildeedsarepredetermined,wealandwoearepredestined;nothingwouldexistthathasnotbeenforeordained.Thenallhumanplansandeffortsforimprovementandprogresswouldbeinvainandhumanitywouldbewithouthope.

Thesameistrueoftheotherviewpoints,for,ifeverythinginthelastresortisinthehandsofanunknowableGod,orofblindchance,whathopehashumanityexceptinsubmission?Itisnowonderthatpeopleholdingtheseconceptionslosehopeandneglecteffortstoactwiselyandtoavoidevil.

Infact,thesethreeconceptionsorviewpointsareallwrong:everythingisasuccessionofappearanceswhosesourceistheaccumulationofcausesandconditions.[45]

CHAPTERTWOTHETHEORYOFMIND-ONLYAND

THEREALSTATEOFTHINGSI

IMPERMANENCYANDEGOLESSNESS

1.Thoughbothbodyandmindappearbecauseofcooperatingcauses,itdoesnotfollowthatthereisanegopersonality.Asthebodyoffleshisanaggregateofelements,itis,therefore,impermanent.

Ifthebodywereanego-personality,itcoulddothisandthatasitwoulddetermine.

Akinghasthepowertopraiseorpunishashewishes,buthebecomesilldespitehisintentordesire,hecomestooldageunwillingly,andhisfortuneandhiswishesoftenhavelittletodowitheachother.

Neitheristhemindtheego-personality.Thehumanmindisanaggregateofcausesandconditions.Itisinconstantchange.

Ifthemindwereanego-personality,itcoulddothisandthatasitwoulddetermine;butthemindoftenflies[46]fromwhatitknowsisrightandchasesafterevilreluctantly.Still,nothingseemstohappenexactlyasitsegodesires.

2.Ifoneisaskedwhetherthebodyisconstantorimpermanent,hewillbeobligedtoanswerimpermanent.

Ifoneisaskedwhetherimpermanentexistenceishappinessorsuffering,hewillgenerallyhavetoanswersuffering.

Ifapersonbelievesthatsuchanimpermanentthing,sochangeableandfilledwithsuffering,istheego-personality,itisaseriousmistake.

Thehumanmindisalsoimpermanentandsuffering;ithasnothingthatcanbecalledanego-personality.

Ourtruebodyandmind,whichmakeupanindividuallife,andtheexternalworldsurroundingit,arefarapartfromboththeconceptionsof"me"and"mine."

Itissimplythemindcloudedoverbyimpuredesires,andimpervioustowisdom,thatobstinatelypersistsinthinkingof"me"and"mine."

Sinceboththebodyanditssurroundingsareoriginatedbycooperatingcausesandconditions,theyare[47]continuallychangingandnevercancometoanend.

Thehumanmind,initsnever-endingchanges,isliketheflowingwaterofriverortheburningflameofacandle;likeanape,itisforeverjumpingabout,notceasingforevenamoment.

Awiseman,seeingandhearingsuch,shouldbreakawayfromanyattachmenttobodyormind,ifheisevertoattainEnlightenment.

3.Therearefivethingswhichnooneisabletoaccomplishinthisworld:first,toceasegrowingoldwhenheisgrowingold;second,toceasebeingsick;third,toceasedying;fourth,todenyextinctionwhenthereisextinction;fifth,todenyexhaustion.

Ordinarypeopleintheworldsoonerorlaterrunintothesefacts,andmostpeoplesufferconsequently,butthosewhohaveheardtheBuddha'steachingdonotsufferbecausetheyunderstandthattheseareunavoidable.

Therearefourtruthsinthisworld:first,alllivingbeingsrisefromignorance;second,allobjectsofdesireareimpermanent,uncertainandsuffering;third,allexistingthingsarealsoimpermanent,uncertainandsuffering;fourth,thereisnothingthatcanbecalledan"ego,"andthereisnosuchthingas"mine"inalltheworld.[48]

Thesetruthsthateverythingisimpermanentandpassingandegoless,have

noconnectionwiththefactofBuddha'sappearingornotappearinginthisworld.Thesetruthsarecertain;Buddhaknowsthisand,therefore,preachestheDharmatoallpeople.

I1

THETHEORYOFMIND-ONLY1.BothdelusionandEnlightenmentoriginatewithinthemind,andevery

existenceorphenomenonarisesfromthefunctionsofthemind,justasdifferentthingsappearfromthesleeveofamagician.

Theactivitiesofthemindhavenolimit,theyformthesurroundingsoflife.Animpuremindsurroundsitselfwithimpurethingsandapuremindsurroundsitselfwithpurethings;hence,surroundingshavenomorelimitsthantheactivitiesofthemind.

Justasapictureisdrawnbyanartist,surroundingsarecreatedbytheactivitiesofthemind.WhilethesurroundingscreatedbyBuddhaarepureandfreefromdefilement,thosecreatedbyordinarypeoplearenotso.[49]

Themindconjuresupmultifariousformsjustasaskilfulpaintercreatespicturesofvariousworlds.Thereisnothingintheworldthatisnotmind-created.ABuddhaislikeourmind;sentientbeingsarejustlikeBuddhas.Thereforethereisnodifferenceamongthemind,Buddhasandsentientbeingsintheircapabilityofcreatingallthings.

Buddhahasarightunderstandingofallthingsasfashionedbythemortalmind.Therefore,thosewhoknowthisareabletoseetherealBuddha.

2.Butthemindthatcreatesitssurroundingsisneverfreefrommemories,fearsorlaments,notonlyinthepastbutinthepresentandthefuture,becausetheyhavearisenfromignoranceandgreed.

Itisfromignoranceandgreedthattheworldofdelusionisborn,andallthevastcomplexityofcoordinatingcausesandconditionsexistswithinthemindandnowhereelse.

Bothlifeanddeatharisefromthemindandexistwithinthemind.Hence,whenthemindthatconcernsitselfwithlifeanddeathpasseson,theworldoflifeanddeathpasseswithit.[50]

Anunenlightenedliferisesfromamindthatisbewilderedbyitsownworldofdelusion.Ifwelearnthatthereisnoworldofdelusionoutsidethemind,thebewilderedmindbecomesclear;andbecauseweceasetocreateimpuresurroundings,weattainEnlightenment.

Inthiswaytheworldoflieanddeathiscreatedbythemind,isinbondagetothemind,isruledbythemind;themindisthemasterofeverysituation.The

worldofsufferingisbroughtaboutbythedeludedmortalmind.3.Therefore,allthingsareprimarilycontrolledandruledbythemind,and

arecreatedupbythemind.Asthewheelsfollowtheoxthatdrawsthecart,sodoessufferingfollowthepersonwhospeaksandactswithanimpuremind.

Butifapersonspeaksandactswithagoodmind,happinessfollowshimlikehisshadow.Thosewhoactinevilarefollowedbythethought,"Ihavedonewrong,"andthememoryoftheactisstoredtoworkoutitsinevitableretributioninthelivestofollow.Butthosewhoactfromgoodmotivesaremadehappybythethought,"Ihavedonegood,"andaremadehappierbythethoughtthatthegoodactwillbringcontinuinghappinessinthelivestofollow.[51]

Ifthemindisimpure,itwillcausethefeettostumblealongaroughanddifficultroad;therewillbemanyafallandmuchpain.Butifthemindispure,thepathwillbesmoothandthejourneypeaceful.

OnewhoistoenjoythepurityofbothbodyandmindwalksthepathtoBuddhahood,breakingthenetofselfish,impurethoughtsandevildesires.Hewhoiscalminmindacquirespeacefulnessandthusisabletocultivatehisminddayandnightwithmorediligence.

III

REALSTATEOFTHINGS1.Sinceeverythinginthisworldisbroughtaboutbycausesand

conditions,therecanbenofundamentaldistinctionsamongthings.Theapparentdistinctionsexistbecauseofpeople'sabsurdanddiscriminatingthoughts.

Intheskythereisnodistinctionofeastandwest;peoplecreatethedistinctionsoutoftheirownmindsandthenbelievethemtobetrue.

Mathematicalnumbersfromonetoinfinityareeachcompletenumbers,andeachinitselfcarriesnodistinctionofquantity;butpeoplemakethediscriminationfortheirownconvenience,soastobeabletoindicate[52]varyingamounts.

Inherentlytherearenodistinctionsbetweentheprocessoflifeandtheprocessofdestruction;peoplemakeadiscriminationandcallonebirthandtheotherdeath.Inactionthereisnodiscriminationbetweenrightandwrong,butpeoplemakeadistinctionfortheirownconvenience.

Buddhakeepsawayfromthesediscriminationsandlooksupontheworldasuponapassingcloud.ToBuddhaeverydefinitivethingisillusion;Heknowsthatwhateverthemindgraspsandthrowsawayisinsubstantial;thusHetranscendsthepitfallsofimagesanddiscriminativethought.

2.Peoplegraspatthingsfortheirownimaginedconvenienceandcomfort;theygraspatwealthandtreasureandhonors;theyclingdesperatelytomortal

life.Theymakearbitrarydistinctionsbetweenexistenceandnon-existence,

goodandbad,rightandwrong.Forpeople,lifeisasuccessionofgraspingsandattachments,andthen,becauseofthis,theymustassumetheillusionsofpainandsuffering.

Oncetherewasamanonalongjourneywhocametoariver.Hesaidtohimself:"Thissideoftheriveris[53]verydifficultanddangeroustowalkon,andtheothersideseemseasierandsafer,buthowshallIgetacross?"Sohebuiltaraftoutofbranchesandreedsandsafelycrossedtheriver.Thenhethoughttohimself:"Thisrafthasbeenveryusefultomeincrossingtheriver;Iwillnotabandonittorotonthebank,butwillcarryitalongwithme."Andthushevoluntarilyassumedanunnecessaryburden.Canthismanbecalledawiseman?

Thisparableteachesthatevenagoodthing,whenitbecomesanunnecessaryburden,shouldbethrownaway;muchmoresoifitisabadthing.Buddhamadeittheruleofhislifetoavoiduselessandunnecessarydiscussions.

3.Thingsdonotcomeandgo;neitherdotheyappearanddisappear;therefore,onedoesnotgetthingsorlosethings.

Buddhateachesthatthingsneitherappearnordisappearsincetheytranscendboththeaffirmationofexistenceandthedenialofexistence.Thatis,everythingbeingaconcordanceandsuccessionofcausesandconditions,athinginitselfdoesnotexist,soitcanbesaidthatitisnon-existent.Atthesametime,becauseithasarelativeconnectionwithcausesandconditions,itcanbesaid[54]thatitisnotnon-existent.

Toadheretoathingbecauseofitsformisthesourceofdelusion.Iftheformisnotgraspedandadheredto,thisfalseimaginationandabsurddelusionwillnotoccur.Enlightenmentisseeingthistruthandbeingfreefromsuchafoolishdelusion.

Theworld,indeed,islikeadreamandthetreasuresoftheworldareanalluringmirage.Liketheapparentdistancesinapicture,thingshavenorealityinthemselvesbutarelikeheathaze.

4.Tobelievethatthingscreatedbyanincalculableseriesofcausescanlastforeverisaseriousmistakeandiscalledthetheoryofpermanency;butitisjustasgreatamistaketobelievethatthingscompletelydisappear;thisiscalledthetheoryofnon-existence.

Thesecategoriesofeverlastinglifeanddeath,andexistenceandnon-existence,donotapplytotheessentialnatureofthings,butonlytotheirappearancesastheyareobservedbydefiledhumaneyes.Becauseofhumandesire,peoplebecomerelatedandattachedtotheseappearances;butintheessentialnatureofthings,theyarefreefromallsuchdiscriminationsand

attachments.[55]Sinceeverythingiscreatedbyaseriesofcausesandconditions,the

appearancesofthingsareconstantlychanging;thatis,thereisnoconsistencyaboutitasthereshouldbeaboutauthenticsubstances.Itisbecauseofthisconstantchangingofappearancesthatwelikenthingstoamirageandadream.But,inspiteofthisconstantchanginginappearances,things,intheiressentialspiritualnature,areconstantandchangeless.

Toahumanariverseemslikeariverbuttoahungrydemonwhichseesfireinwater,itmayseemtobelikefire.Therefore,tospeaktoahumanaboutariverexistingwouldhavesomesense,buttothedemonitwouldhavenomeaning.

Inlikemanner,itcanbesaidthatthingsarelikeillusions;theycanbesaidneithertobeexistentnornonexistent.

Yetitcannotbesaidthat,apartfromthisworldofchangeandappearance,thereisanotherworldofpermanenceandtruth.Itisamistaketoregardthisworldaseitheratemporalworldorasarealone.

Butignorantpeopleofthisworldassumethatthisisarealworldandproceedtoactuponthatabsurdassumption.Butasthisworldisonlyanillusion,theiracts,being[56]baseduponerror,onlyleadthemintoharmandsuffering.

Awiseman,recognizingthattheworldisbutanillusion,doesnotactasifitwerereal,soheescapesthesuffering.

IVTHEMIDDLEWAY

1.TothosewhochoosethepaththatleadstoEnlightenment,therearetwoextremesthatshouldbecarefullyavoided.First,thereistheextremeofindulgenceinthedesiresofthebody.Second,thereistheoppositeextremeofasceticdiscipline,torturingone'sbodyandmindunreasonably.

TheNoblePath,thattranscendsthesetwoextremesandleadstoEnlightenmentandwisdomandpeaceofmind,maybecalledtheMiddleWay.WhatistheMiddleWay?ItconsistsoftheEightfoldNoblePath:RightView,RightThought,RightSpeech,RightBehavior,RightLivelihoods,RightEffort,RightMindfulness,andRightConcentration.[57]

Ashasbeensaid,allthingsappearordisappearbyreasonofanendlessseriesofcauses.Ignorantpeopleseelifeaseitherexistenceornon-existence,butwisemenseebeyondbothexistenceandnon-existencesomethingthattranscendsthemboth;thisisanobservationoftheMiddleWay.

2.Supposealogisfloatinginariver.Ifthelogdoesnotbecomegrounded,

orsink,orisnottakenoutbyaman,ordoesnotdecay,ultimatelyitwillreachthesea.Lifeislikethislogcaughtinthecurrentofagreatriver.Ifapersondoesnotbecomeattachedtoalifeofself-indulgence,or,byrenouncinglife,doesnotbecomeattachedtoalifeofself-torture;ifapersondoesnotbecomeproudofhisvirtuesordoesnotbecomeattachedtohisevilacts;ifinhissearchforEnlightenmenthedoesnotbecomecontemptuousofdelusion,norfearit,suchapersonisfollowingtheMiddleWay.

TheimportantthinginfollowingthepathtoEnlightenmentistoavoidbeingcaughtandentangledinanyextreme,thatis,alwaystofollowtheMiddleWay.

Knowingthatthingsneitherexistnordonotexist,rememberingthedream-likenatureofeverything,oneshouldavoidbeingcaughtbyprideofpersonalityorpraiseforgooddeeds;orcaughtandentangledbyanythingelse.[58]

Ifapersonistoavoidbeingcaughtinthecurrentofhisdesires,hemustlearnattheverybeginningnottograspatthingslestheshouldbecomeaccustomedtothemandattachedtothem.Hemustnotbecomeattachedtoexistencenortonon-existence,toanythinginsideoroutside,neithertogoodthingsnortobadthings,neithertorightnortowrong.

Ifhebecomesattachedtothings,justatthatmoment,allatonce,thelifeofdelusionbegins.TheonewhofollowstheNoblePathtoEnlightenmentwillnotmaintainregrets,neitherwillhecherishanticipations,but,withanequitableandpeacefulmind,willmeetwhatcomes.

3.Enlightenmenthasnodefiniteformornaturebywhichitcanmanifestitself;soinEnlightenmentitself,thereisnothingtobeenlightened.

Enlightenmentexistssolelybecauseofdelusionandignorance;iftheydisappear,sowillEnlightenment.Andtheoppositeistruealso:thereisnoEnlightenmentapartfromdelusionandignorance;nodelusionandignoranceapartfromEnlightenment.

Therefore,beonguardagainstthinkingofEnlightenmentasa"thing"tobegraspedat,lestit,too,shouldbecomeanobstruction.Whenthemindthatwas[59]indarknessbecomesenlightened,itpassesaway,andwithitspassing,thethingwhichwecallEnlightenmentpassesalso.

AslongaspeopledesireEnlightenmentandgraspatit,itmeansthatdelusionisstillwiththem;therefore,thosewhoarefollowingthewaytoEnlightenmentmustnotgraspatit,andiftheyreachEnlightenmenttheymustnotlingerinit.

WhenpeopleattainEnlightenmentinthissense,itmeansthateverythingisEnlightenmentitselfasitis;therefore,peopleshouldfollowthepath

toEnlightenmentuntilintheirthoughts,worldlypassionsandEnlightenmentbecomeidenticalastheyare.

4.Thisconceptofuniversaloneness-thatthingsintheiressentialnaturehavenodistinguishingmarks-iscalled"Sunyata."Sunyatameansnon-substantiality,theun-born,havingnoself-nature,noduality.Itisbecausethingsinthemselveshavenoformorcharacteristicsthatwecanspeakofthemasneitherbeingbornnorbeingdestroyed.Thereisnothingabouttheessentialnatureofthingsthatcanbedescribedintermsofdiscrimination;thatiswhythingsarecallednon-substantial.

Ashasbeenpointedout,allthingsappearanddisappearbecauseofcausesandconditions.Nothingever[60]existsentirelyalone;everythingisinrelationtoeverythingelse.

Whereverthereislight,thereisshadow;whereverthereislength,thereisshortness;whereverthereiswhite,thereisblack.Justlikethese,astheself-natureofthingscannotexistalone,theyarecallednon-substantial.

Bythesamereasoning,Enlightenmentcannotexistapartfromignorance,norignoranceapartfromEnlightenment.Sincethingsdonotdifferintheiressentialnature,therecanbenoduality.

5.Peoplehabituallythinkofthemselvesasbeingconnectedwithbirthanddeath,butinrealitytherearenosuchconceptions.

Whenpeopleareabletorealizethistruth,theyhaverealizedthetruthofthenon-dualityofbirthanddeath.Itisbecausepeoplecherishtheideaofanego-personalitythattheyclingtotheideaofpossession;butsincethereisnosuchthingasan"ego,"therecanbenosuchthingsaspossessions.Whenpeopleareabletorealizethistruth,theywillbeabletorealizethetruthof"non-duality."[61]

Peoplecherishthedistinctionofpurityandimpurity;butinthenatureofthings,thereisnosuchdistinction,exceptasitrisesfromfalseandabsurdimagesintheirmind.

Inlikemannerpeoplemakeadistinctionbetweengoodandevil,butgoodandevildonotexistseparately.ThosewhoarefollowingthepathtoEnlightenmentrecognizenosuchduality,anditleadsthemtoneitherpraisethegoodandcondemntheevil,nordespisethegoodandcondonetheevil.

Peoplenaturallyfearmisfortuneandlongforgoodfortune;butifthedistinctioniscarefullystudied,misfortuneoftenturnsouttobegoodfortuneandgoodfortunetobemisfortune.Thewisemanlearnstomeetthechangingcircumstancesoflifewithanequitablespirit,beingneitherelatedbysuccessnordepressedbyfailure.Thusonerealizesthetruthofnon-duality.

Therefore,allthewordsthatexpressrelationsofduality-suchas

existenceandnon-existence,worldlypassionsandtrue-knowledge,purityandimpurity,goodandevil-noneofthesetermsofcontrastinone'sthinkingareexpressedorrecognizedintheirtruenature.Whenpeoplekeepfreefromsuchtermsandfromtheemotionsengenderedbythem,theyrealizeSunyata'suniversaltruth.[62]

6.Justasthepureandfragrantlotusflowergrowsoutofthemudofaswampratherthanoutofthecleanloamofanuplandfield,sofromthemuckofworldlypassionsspringsthepureEnlightenmentofBuddhahood.EventhemistakenviewsofhereticsandthedelusionsofworldlypassionsmaybetheseedsforBuddhahood.

Ifadiveristosecurepearlshemustdescendtothebottomofthesea,bravingalldangersofjaggedcoralandvicioussharks.SomanmustfacetheperilsofworldlypassionifheistosecurethepreciouspearlofEnlightenment.Hemustfirstbelostamongthemountainouscragsofegoismandselfishness,beforetherewillawakeninhimthedesiretofindapaththatwillleadhimtoEnlightenment.

Thereisalegendofahermitwhohadsuchagreatdesiretofindthetruepaththatheclimbedamountainofswordsandthrewhimselfintofire,enduringthembecauseofhishope.Hewhoiswillingtorisktheperilsofthepathwillfindacoolbreezeblowingonthesword-bristlingmountainsofselfishnessandamongthefiresofhatredand,intheend,willcometorealizethattheselfishnessandworldlypassionsagainstwhichhehasstruggledandsufferedareEnlightenmentitself.

7.Buddha'steachingleadsustonon-duality,fromthediscriminatingconceptoftwoconflictingpointsofview.It[63]isamistakeforpeopletoseekathingsupposedtobegoodandright,andtofleefromanothersupposedtobebadandevil.

Ifpeopleinsistthatallthingsareemptyandtransitory,itisjustasgreatamistaketoinsistthatallthingsarerealanddonotchange.Ifapersonbecomesattachedtohisego-personality,itisamistakebecauseitcannotsavehimfromdissatisfactionorsuffering.Ifhebelievesthereisnoego,itisalsoamistakeanditwouldbeuselessforhimtopracticetheWayofTruth.Ifpeopleassertthateverythingissuffering,itisalsoamistake;iftheyassertthateverythingishappiness,thatisamistake,too.BuddhateachestheMiddleWaytranscendingtheseprejudicedconcepts,wheredualitymergesintooneness.[64]

CHAPTERTHREEBUDDHA-NATURE

I

THEMINDOFPURITY

1.Amonghumanstherearemanykindsanddegreesofmentality:somearewise,somearefoolish,somearegood-natured,somearebad-tempered,someareeasilyled,somearedifficulttolead,somepossesspuremindsandsomehavemindsthataredefiled;butthesedifferencesarenegligiblewhenitcomestotheattainmentofEnlightenment.Theworldislikealotuspondfilledwithmanyvarietiesoftheplant;thereareblossomsofmanydifferenttints.Somearewhite,somepink,someblue,someyellow;somegrowunderwater,somespreadtheirleavesonthewater,andsomeraisetheirleavesabovethewater.Mankindhasmanymoredifferences.Thereisthedifferenceofsex,butitisnotanessentialdifference,for,withpropertraining,bothmenandwomenmayattainEnlightenment.

Tobeatrainerofelephants,onemustpossessfivequalifications:goodhealth,confidence,diligence,sincerityofpurpose,andwisdom.TofollowtheBuddha'sNoblePathtoEnlightenment,onemusthavethesame[65]fivegoodqualities.Ifonehasthesequalities,thenregardlessofgender,itispossibletoattainEnlightenment.ItneednottakelongtolearnBuddha'steaching,forallhumanspossessanaturethathasanaffinityforEnlightenment.

2.InthepracticeofthewaytoEnlightenment,peopleseetheBuddhawiththeirowneyesandbelieveinBuddhawiththeirownminds.TheeyesthatseeBuddhaandthemindthatbelievesinBuddhaarethesameeyesandthesamemindthat,untilthatday,hadwanderedaboutintheworldofbirthanddeath.

Ifakingisplaguedbybandits,hemustfindoutwheretheircampisbeforehecanattackthem.So,whenamanisbesetbyworldlypassions,heshouldfirstascertaintheirorigins.

Whenamanisinahouseandopenshiseyeshewillfirstnoticetheinterioroftheroomandonlylaterwillheseetheviewoutsidethewindows.Inlikemannerwecannothavetheeyenoticeexternalthingsbeforethereisrecognitionbytheeyeofthethingsinthehouse.

Ifthereisamindwithinthebody,itoughtfirsttoknowthethingsinsidethebody;butgenerallypeopleareinterestedinexternalthingsandseemtoknoworcarelittleforthethingswithinthebody.[66]

Ifthemindislocatedoutsidethebody,itshouldnotbeincontactwiththeneedsofthebody.But,infact,thebodyfeelswhatthemindknows,andthemindknowswhatthebodyfeels.Therefore,itcannotbesaidthatthehumanmindisoutsideofthebody.Where,then,doesthesubstanceofthemindexist?

3.Fromtheunknownpast,beingconditionedbytheirowndeedsanddeludedbytwofundamentalmisconceptions,peoplehavewanderedaboutinignorance.First,theybelievedthatthediscriminatingmind,whichliesattherootofthislieofbirthanddeath,wastheirrealnature;and,second,theydidnotknowthat,hiddenbehindthediscriminatingmind,theypossessedapuremindofEnlightenmentwhichistheirtruenature.

Whenamancloseshisfistandraiseshisarm,theeyesseeitandtheminddiscriminatesit,butthemindthatdiscriminatesitisnotthetruemind.

Thediscriminatingmindisonlyamindforthediscriminationofimagineddifferencesthatgreedandothermoodsrelatingtotheselfhavecreated.Thediscriminatingmindissubjecttocausesandconditions,itisemptyofanyself-substance,anditisconstantlychanging.But,sincepeoplebelievethatthismindistheirrealmind,the[67]delusionentersintothecausesandconditionsthatproducesuffering.

Amanopenshishandandthemindperceivesit;butwhatisitthatmoves?Isitthemind,orisitthehand?Orisitneitherofthem?Ifthehandmoves,thenthemindmovesaccordingly,andviceversa;butthemovingmindisonlyasuperficialappearanceofmind:itisnotthetrueandfundamentalmind.

4.Fundamentally,everyonehasapurecleanmind,butitisusuallycoveredbythedefilementanddustofworldlydesireswhichhavearisenfromone'scircumstances.Thisdefiledmindisnotoftheessenceofone'snature:somethinghasbeenadded,likeanintruderorevenaguestinahome,butnotitshost.

Themoonisoftenhiddenbyclouds,butitisnotmovedbythemanditspurityremainsuntarnished.Therefore,peoplemustnotbedeludedintothinkingthatthisdefiledmindistheirowntruemind.

TheymustcontinuallyremindthemselvesofthisfactbystrivingtoawakenwithinthemselvesthepureandunchangingfundamentalmindofEnlightenment.Beingcaughtbyachanging,defiledmindandbeingdeludedbytheirownpervertedideas,theywanderaboutinaworldofdelusion.[68]

Thedisturbancesanddefilementsofthehumanmindarearousedbygreedaswellasbyitsreactionstothechangingcircumstances.

Themindthatisnotdisturbedbythingsastheyoccur,thatremainspureandtranquilunderallcircumstances,isthetruemindandshouldbethemaster.

Wecannotsaythataninndisappearsjustbecausetheguestisoutofsight;neithercanwesaythatthetrueselfhasdisappearedwhenthedefiledmindwhichhasbeenarousedbythechangingcircumstancesoflifehasdisappeared.Thatwhichchangeswithchangingconditionsisnotthetruenatureofmind.

5.Letusthinkofalecturehallthatisbrightwhilethesunisshiningbutis

darkafterthesungoesdown.Wecanthinkofthelightdepartingwiththesunandthedarkcomingwith

thenight,butwecannotsothinkofthemindthatperceiveslightnessanddarkness.Themindthatissusceptibletolightnessanddarknesscannotbegivenbacktoanybody;itcanonlyreverttoatruernaturewhichisitsfundamentalnature.[69]

Itisonlya"temporary"mindthatmomentarilynoteschangesoflightnessanddarknessasthesunrisesandsets.

Itisonlya"temporary"mindthathasdifferentfeelingsfrommomenttomomentwiththechangingcircumstancesoflife;itisnottherealandtruemind.Thefundamentalandtruemindwhichrealizesthelightnessandthedarknessisthetruenatureofman.

Thetemporaryfeelingsofgoodandevil,loveandhatred,thathavebeenarousedbysurroundingsandchangingexternalconditions,areonlymomentaryreactionsthathavetheircauseinthedefilementaccumulatedbythehumanmind.

Behindthedesiresandworldlypassionswhichthemindentertains,thereabides,clearandundefiled,thefundamentalandtrueessenceofmind.

Waterisroundinaroundreceptacleandsquareinasquareone,butwateritselfhasnoparticularshape.Peopleoftenforgetthisfact.

Peopleseethisgoodandthatbad,theylikethisanddislikethat,andtheydiscriminateexistencefromnonexistence;andthen,beingcaughtintheseentanglementsandbecomingattachedtothem,theysuffer.[70]

Ifpeoplewouldonlygiveuptheirattachmentstotheseimaginaryandfalsediscriminations,andrestorethepurityoftheiroriginalminds,thenboththeirmindandtheirbodywouldbefreefromdefilementandsuffering;theywouldknowthepeacefulnessthatcomeswiththatfreedom.

IIBUDDHA-NATURE

1.Wehavespokenofthepureandtruemindasbeingfundamental;itistheBuddha-nature,thatis,theseedofBuddhahood.

Onecangetfireifoneholdsalensbetweenthesunandmoxa,butwheredoesthefirecomefrom?Thelensisatanenormousdistancefromthesun,butthefirecertainlyappearsuponthemoxabymeansofthelens.Butifthemoxawouldnothavethenaturetokindle,therewouldbenofire.

Inlikemanner,ifthelightofBuddha'sWisdomisconcentrateduponthehumanmind,itstruenature,whichisBuddhahood,willbeenkindled,anditslightwillilluminatethemindsofthepeoplewithitsbrightness,andwillawaken

faithinBuddha.HeholdsthelensofWisdombeforeallhumanmindsandthustheirfaithmaybequickened.[71]

2.OftenpeopledisregardtheaffinityoftheirtruemindsforBuddha'senlightenedwisdom,and,becauseofit,arecaughtbytheentanglementofworldlypassions,becomingattachedtothediscriminationofgoodandevil,andthenlamentovertheirbondageandsuffering.

Whyisitthatpeople,possessingthisfundamentalandpuremind,shouldstillclingtoillusionsanddoomthemselvestowanderaboutinaworldofdelusionandsuffering,coveringtheirownBuddha-naturewhileallaboutthemisthelightofBuddha'sWisdom?

Onceuponatimeamanlookedintothereversesideofamirrorand,notseeinghisfaceandhead,hebecameinsane.Howunnecessaryitisforamantobecomeinsanemerelybecausehecarelesslylooksintothereversesideofamirror!

ItisjustasfoolishandunnecessaryforapersontogoonsufferingbecausehedoesnotattainEnlightenmentwhereheexpectstofindit.ThereisnofailureinEnlightenment;thefailureliesinthosepeoplewho,foralongtime,havesoughtEnlightenmentintheirdiscriminatingminds,notrealizingthattheirsarenottruemindsbutareimaginarymindsthathavebeencausedbytheaccumulationofgreedandillusioncoveringandhidingtheirtruemind.[72]

Iftheaccumulationoffalsebeliefsisclearedaway,Enlightenmentwillappear.But,strangeenough,whenpeopleattainEnlightenment,theywillrealizethatwithoutfalsebeliefstherecouldbenoEnlightenment.

3.Buddha-natureisnotsomethingthatcomestoanend.Thoughwickedmenshouldbebornbeastsorhungrydemons,orfallintohell,theyneverlosetheirBuddha-nature.

Howeverburiedinthedefilementoffleshorconcealedattherootofworldlydesiresandforgottenitmaybe,thehumanaffinityforBuddhahoodisnevercompletelyextinguished.

4.Thereisanoldstorytoldofamanwhofellintoadrunkensleep.Hisfriendstayedbyhimaslongashecouldbut,beingcompelledtogoandfearingthathemightbeinwant,thefriendhidajewelinthedrunkenman'sgarment.Whenthedrunkenmanrecovered,notknowingthathisfriendhadhidajewelinhisgarment,hewanderedaboutinpovertyandhunger.Alongtimeafterwardsthetwomenmetagainandthefriendtoldthepoormanaboutthejewelandadvisedhimtolookforit.

Likethedrunkenmanofthestory,peoplewanderaboutsufferinginthislifeofbirthanddeath,unconsciousofwhatishiddenawayintheirinnernature,pure[73]anduntarnished,thepricelesstreasureofBuddha-nature.

Howeverunconsciouspeoplemaybeofthefactthateveryonehaswithinhispossessionthissupremenature,andhoweverdegradedandignoranttheymaybe,BuddhaneverlosesfaithinthembecauseHeknowsthatevenintheleastofthemthereare,potentially,allthevirtuesofBuddhahood.

SoBuddhaawakensfaithinthemwhoaredeceivedbyignoranceandcannotseetheirownBuddha-nature,leadsthemawayfromtheirillusionsandteachesthemthatoriginallythereisnodifferencebetweenthemselvesandBuddhahood.

5.BuddhaisonewhohasattainedBuddhahoodandpeoplearethosewhoarecapableofattainingBuddhahood;thatisallthedifferencethatliesbetweenthem.

ButifamanthinksthathehasattainedEnlightenment,heisdeceivinghimself,for,althoughhemaybemovinginthatdirection,hehasnotyetreachedBuddhahood.

Buddha-naturedoesnotappearwithoutdiligentandfaithfuleffort,noristhetaskfinisheduntilBuddhahood[74]isattained.

6.Onceuponatimeakinggatheredsomeblindmenaboutanelephantandaskedthemtotellhimwhatanelephantwaslike.Thefirstmanfeltatuskandsaidanelephantwaslikeagiantcarrot;anotherhappenedtotouchanearandsaiditwaslikeabigfan;anothertoucheditstrunkandsaiditwaslikeapestle;stillanother,whohappenedtofeelitsleg,saiditwaslikeamortar;andanother,whograspeditstailsaiditwaslikearope.Notoneofthemwasabletotellthekingtheelephant'srealform.

Inlikemanner,onemightpartiallydescribethenatureofmanbutwouldnotbeabletodescribethetruenatureofahumanbeing,theBuddha-nature.

Thereisonlyonepossiblewaybywhichtheeverlastingnatureofman,hisBuddha-nature,thatcannotbedisturbedbyworldlydesiresordestroyedbydeath,canberealized,andthatisbytheBuddhaandtheBuddha'snobleteaching.

IIIEGOLESSNESS

1.WehavebeenspeakingofBuddha-natureasthoughitweresomethingthatcouldbedescribed,asthoughit[75]weresimilartothe"soul"ofotherteachings,butitisnot.

Theconceptofan"ego-personality"issomethingthathasbeenimaginedbyadiscriminatingmindwhichfirstgraspeditandthenbecameattachedtoit,butwhichmustabandonit.Onthecontrary,Buddha-natureissomethingindescribablethatmustfirstbediscovered.Inonesense,itresemblesan"ego-

personality"butitisnotthe"ego"inthesenseof"Iam"or"mine."Tobelieveintheexistenceofanegoisanerroneousbeliefthatsupposes

theexistenceofnon-existence;todenyBuddha-natureiswrong,foritsupposesthatexistenceisnon-existence.

Thiscanbeexplainedinaparable.Amothertookhersickchildtoadoctor.Thedoctorgavethechildmedicineandinstructedthemothernottonursethechilduntilthemedicinewasdigested.

Themotheranointedherbreastwithsomethingbittersothatthechildwouldkeepawayfromherofhisownvolition.Afterthemedicinehadtimeenoughtobedigested,themothercleansedherbreastandletthechildsuckher.Themothertookthismethodofsavingherchildoutofkindnessbecauseshelovedthechild.[76]

Likethemotherintheparable,Buddha,inordertoremovemisunderstandingandtobreakupattachmentstoanego-personality,deniestheexistenceofanego;andwhenthemisunderstandingandattachmentsaredoneawaywith,thenHeexplainstherealityofthetruemindthatistheBuddha-nature.

Attachmenttoanego-personalityleadspeopleintodelusions,butfaithintheirBuddha-natureleadsthemtoEnlightenment.

Itislikethewomaninastorytowhomachestwasbequeathed.Notknowingthatthechestcontainedgold,shecontinuedtoliveinpovertyuntilanotherpersonopeneditandshowedherthegold.BuddhaopensthemindsofpeopleandshowsthemthepurityoftheirBuddha-nature.

2.IfeveryonehasthisBuddha-nature,whyistheresomuchsufferingfrompeoplecheatingoneanotherorkillingoneanother?Andwhyaretheresomanydistinctionsofrankandwealth,richandpoor?

Thereisastoryofawrestlerwhousedtowearanornamentonhisforeheadofapreciousstone.Onetimewhenhewaswrestlingthestonewascrushedintothefleshofhisforehead.Hethoughthehadlostthegemandwenttoasurgeontohavethewounddressed.Whenthe[77]surgeoncametodressthewoundhefoundthegemembeddedinthefleshandcoveredoverwithbloodanddirt.Heheldupamirrorandshowedthestonetothewrestler.

Buddha-natureislikethepreciousstoneofthisstory:itbecomescoveredoverbythedirtanddustofotherinterestsandpeoplethinkthattheyhavelostit,butagoodteacherrecoversitagainforthem.

Buddha-natureexistsineveryonenomatterhowdeeplyitmaybecoveredoverbygreed,angerandfoolishness,orburiedbyhisowndeedsandretribution.Buddha-naturecannotbelostordestroyed;andwhenalldefilementsareremoved,soonerorlateritwillreappear.

Likethewrestlerinthestorywhowasshownthegemburiedinhisfleshandbloodbymeansofamirror,sopeopleareshowntheirBuddha-nature,buried,beneaththeirworldlydesiresandpassions,bymeansofthelightofBuddha.

3.Buddha-natureisalwayspureandtranquilnomatterhowvariedtheconditionsandsurroundingsofpeoplemaybe.Justasmilkisalwayswhiteregardlessofthecolorofthecow'shide,eitherred,white,orblack,soit[78]doesnotmatterhowdifferentlytheirdeedsmayconditionpeople'slifeorwhatdifferenteffectsmayfollowtheiractsandthoughts.

ThereisafabletoldinIndiaofamysteriousmedicalherbthatwashiddenunderthetallgrassesoftheHimalayas.Foralongtimemensoughtforitinvain,butatlastawisemanlocateditbyitssweetness.Aslongasthewisemanlivedhecollectedthismedicalherbinatub,butafterhisdeath,thesweetelixirremainedhiddeninsomefar-offspringinthemountains,andthewaterinthetubturnedsourandharmfulandofadifferenttaste.

InlikemannerBuddha-natureishiddenawaybeneaththewildgrowthofworldlypassionsandcanrarelybediscovered,butBuddhafounditandrevealedittothepeople,andastheyreceiveitbytheirvaryingfacultiesittastesdifferentlytoeachperson.

4.Thediamond,thehardestofknownsubstances,cannotbecrushed.Sandandstonescanbegroundtopowderbutdiamondsremainunscathed.Buddha-natureislikethediamond,andthuscannotbebroken.

Humannature,bothitsbodyandmind,willwearaway,butthenatureofBuddhahoodcannotbedestroyed.[79]

Buddha-natureis,indeed,themostexcellentcharacteristicofhumannature.Buddhateachesthat,althoughinhumannaturetheremaybeendlessvarietiessuchasmenandwomen,thereisnodiscriminationwithregardtoBuddha-nature.

Puregoldisprocuredbymeltingoreandremovingallimpuresubstances.Ifpeoplewouldmelttheoreoftheirmindsandremovealltheimpuritiesofworldlypassionandegoism,theywouldallrecoverthesamepureBuddha-nature.[80]

CHAPTERFOURDEFILEMENTS

I

HUMANDEFILEMENTS

1.Therearetwokindsofworldlypassionsthatdefileandcoverthepurity

ofBuddha-nature.Thefirstisthepassionforanalysisanddiscussionbywhichpeople

becomeconfusedinjudgment.Thesecondisthepassionforemotionalexperiencebywhichpeople'svaluesbecomeconfused.

Bothdelusionsofreasoninganddelusionsofpracticecanbethoughtofasaclassificationofallhumandefilements,butreallytherearetwooriginalworldlypredicamentsintheirbases.Thefirstisignorance,andthesecondisdesire.

Thedelusionsofreasoningarebaseduponignorance,andthedelusionsofpracticearebasedupondesire,sothatthetwosetsarereallyonesetafterall,andtogethertheyarethesourceofallunhappiness.

Ifpeopleareignoranttheycannotreasoncorrectlyandsafely.Astheyyieldtoadesireforexistence,graspings,[81]clingingsandattachmentstoeverythinginevitablyfollow.Itisthisconstanthungerforeverypleasantthingseenandheardthatleadspeopleintothedelusionsofhabit.Somepeopleevenyieldtothedesireforthedeathofthebody.

Fromtheseprimarysourcesallgreed,anger,foolishness,misunderstanding,resentment,jealousy,flattery,deceit,pride,contempt,inebriety,selfishness,havetheirgenerationsandappearances.

2.Greedrisesfromwrongideasofsatisfaction;angerrisesfromwrongideasconcerningthestateofone'saffairsandsurroundings;foolishnessrisesfromtheinabilitytojudgewhatcorrectconductis.

Thesethree-greed,angerandfoolishness-arecalledthethreefiresoftheworld.Thefireofgreedconsumesthosewhohavelosttheirtruemindsthroughgreed;thefireofangerconsumesthosewhohavelosttheirtruemindsthroughanger;thefireoffoolishnessconsumesthosewhohavelosttheirtruemindsthroughtheirfailuretohearandtoheedtheteachingsofBuddha.

Indeed,thisworldisburningupwithitsmanyandvariousfires.Therearefiresofgreed,firesofanger,fires[82]offoolishness,firesofinfatuationandegoism,firesofdecrepitude,sicknessanddeath,firesofsorrow,larnentation,sufferingandagony.Everywherethesefiresareraging.Theynotonlyburntheself,butalsocauseotherstosufferandleadthemintowrongactsofbody,speechandmind.Fromthewoundsthatarecausedbythesefiresthereissuesapusthatinfectsandpoisonsthosewhoapproachit,andleadsthemintoevilpaths.

3.Greedrisesinwantofsatisfaction;angerrisesinwantofdissatisfaction;andfoolishnessrisesfromimpurethoughts.Theevilofgreedhaslittleimpurity

butishardtoremove;theevilofangerhasmoreimpuritybutiseasytoremove;theeviloffoolishnesshasmuchimpurityandisveryhardtoovercome.

Therefore,peopleshouldquenchthesefireswheneverandwherevertheyappearbycorrectlyjudgingastowhatcangivetruesatisfaction,bystrictlycontrollingthemindinthefaceoftheunsatisfactorythingsoflife,andbyeverrecallingBuddha'steachingsofgood-willandkindness.Ifthemindisfilledwithwiseandpureandunselfishthoughts,therewillbenoplaceforworldlypassionstotakeroot.

4.Greed,angerandfoolishnessarelikeafever.Ifa[83]mangetsthisfever,evenifheliesinacomfortableroom,hewillsufferandbetormentedbysleeplessness.

Thosewhohavenosuchfeverhavenodifficultyinsleepingpeacefully,evenonacoldwinternight,onthegroundwithonlyathincoveringofleaves,oronahotsummer'snightinasmallclosedroom.

Thesethree-greed,angerandfoolishness-are,therefore,thesourcesofallhumanwoe.Togetridofthesesourcesofwoe,onemustobservetheprecepts,mustpracticeconcentrationofmindandmusthavewisdom.Observanceofthepreceptswillremovetheimpuritiesofgreed;rightconcentrationofmindwillremovetheimpuritiesofanger;andwisdomwillremovetheimpuritiesoffoolishness.

5.Humandesiresareendless.Itislikethethirstofapersonwhodrinkssaltwater:onegetsnosatisfactionandone'sthirstisonlyincreased.

Soitiswithapersonwhoseekstogratifyone'sdesires;oneonlygainsincreaseddissatisfactionandone'swoesaremultiplied.

Thegratificationofdesiresneversatisfies;italwaysleavesbehindunrestandirritationthatcanneverbeallayed,andthen,ifthegratificationofone'sdesiresisthwarted,itwilloftendriveone"insane."[84]

Tosatisfytheirdesires,peoplewillstruggleandfightwitheachother,kingagainstking,vassalagainstvassal,parentagainstchild,brotheragainstbrother,sisteragainstsister,friendagainstfriend;theywillfightandevenkilleachothertosatisfytheirdesires.

Peopleoftenruintheirlivesintheattempttosatisfydesires.Theywillstealandcheatandcommitadultery,andthen,beingcaught,willsufferfromthedisgraceofitanditspunishment.

Theywillsinwiththeirownbodiesandwords,sinwiththeirownminds,knowingperfectlywellthatthegratificationwillultimatelybringunhappinessandsuffering,soimperiousisdesire.Andthen,thevarioussufferingsinthefollowingworldandtheagoniesoffallingintoitfollow.

6.Ofalltheworldlypassions,lustisthemostintense.Allotherworldly

passionsseemtofollowinitstrain.Lustseemstoprovidethesoilinwhichotherpassionsflourish.Lustislike

ademonthateatsupallthegooddeedsoftheworld.Lustisaviperhidinginaflowergarden;itpoisonsthosewhocomeinsearchonlyofbeauty.Lustisavinethatclimbsatreeandspreadsover[85]thebranchesuntilthetreeisstrangled.Lustinsinuatesitstentaclesintohumanemotionsandsucksawaythegoodsenseoftheminduntilthemindwithers.Lustisabaitcastbytheevildemonthatfoolishpeoplesnapatandaredraggeddownbyintothedepthsoftheevilworld.

Ifadryboneissmearedwithbloodadogwillgnawatituntilitistiredandfrustrated.Lusttoahumanispreciselylikethisbonetoadog;onewillcovetituntiloneisexhausted.

Ifasinglepieceofmeatisthrowntotwowildbeaststheywillfightandclaweachothertogetit.Apersonfoolishenoughtocarryatorchagainstthewindwilllikelyburnhimself.Likethesetwobeastsandthisfoolishperson,peoplehurtandburnthemselvesbecauseoftheirworldlydesires.

7.Itiseasytoshieldtheouterbodyfrompoisonedarrows,butitisimpossibletoshieldthemindfromthepoisoneddartsthatoriginatewithinitself.Greed,anger,foolishnessandtheinfatuationsofegoism-thesefourpoisoneddartsoriginatewithinthemindandinfectitwithdeadlypoison.

Ifpeopleareinfectedwithgreed,angerandfoolishness,theywilllie,cheat,abuseandbedouble-tongued,and,thenwillactualizetheirwordsbykilling,stealing[86]andcommittingadultery.

Thesethreeevilstatesofmind,thefourevilutterances,andthethreeevilacts,ifaddedtogether,becomethetengrossevils.

Ifpeoplebecomeaccustomedtolying,theywillunconsciouslycommiteverypossiblewrongdeed.Beforetheycanactwickedlytheymustlie,andoncetheybegintolietheywillactwickedlywithunconcern.

Greed,lust,fear,anger,misfortuneandunhappinessallderivefromfoolishness.Thus,foolishnessisthegreatestofthepoisons.

8.Fromdesireactionfollows;fromactionsufferingfollows;desire,actionandsufferingarelikeawheelrotatingendlessly.

Therollingofthiswheelhasnobeginningandnoend;peoplecannotescapesuchreincarnation.Onelifefollowsanotherlifeaccordingtothistransmigratingcycleinendlessrecurrence.

Ifoneweretopiletheashesandbonesofoneselfburntinthiseverlastingtransmigration,thepilewouldbe[87]mountainhigh;ifoneweretocollectthemilkofmotherswhichhesuckledduringhistransmigration,itwouldbedeeperthanthesea.

AlthoughthenatureofBuddhahoodispossessedbyallpeople,itisburied

sodeeplyinthedefilementsofworldlypassionthatitlongremainsunknown.Thatiswhysufferingissouniversalandwhythereisthisendlessrecurrenceofmiserablelives.

IIHUMANNATURE

1.Humannatureislikeadensethicketthathasnoentranceandisdifficulttopenetrate.Incomparison,thenatureofananimalismucheasiertounderstand.Still,wecaninageneralwayclassifyhumannatureaccordingtofouroutstandingdifferences.

First,therearethosewho,becauseofwrongteachings,practiceausteritiesandcausethemselvestosuffer.Second,therearethosewho,bycruelty,bystealing,by[88]killing,orbyotherunkindacts,causeotherstosuffer.Third,therearethosewhocauseotherpeopletosufferalongwiththemselves.Fourth,therearethosewhodonotsufferthemselvesandsaveothersfromsuffering.Thesepeopleofthelastcategory,byfollowingtheteachingsofBuddha,donotgivewaytogreed,angerorfoolishness,butlivepeacefullivesofkindnessandwisdomwithoutkillingorstealing.

2.Therearethreekindsofpeopleintheworld.Thefirstarethosewhoarelikeletterscarvedinrock;theyeasilygivewaytoangerandretaintheirangrythoughtsforalongtime.Thesecondarethosewhoarelikeletterswritteninsand;theygivewaytoangeralso,buttheirangrythoughtsquicklypassaway.Thethirdisthosewhoarelikeletterswritteninrunningwater;theydonotretaintheirpassingthoughts;theyletabuseanduncomfortablegossippassbyunnoticed;theirmindsarealwayspureandundisturbed.

Therearethreeotherkindsofpeople.Thefirstarethosewhoareproud,actrashlyandareneversatisfied;theirnaturesareeasytounderstand.Thentherearethosewhoarecourteousandalwaysactafterconsideration;theirnaturesarehardtounderstand.Thentherearethosewhohaveovercomedesirecompletely;itisimpossibletounderstandtheirnatures.

Thuspeoplecanbeclassifiedinmanydifferent[89]ways,butnevertheless,theirnaturesarehardtounderstand.OnlyBuddhaunderstandsthemand,byHiswisdom,leadsthemthroughvariedteachings.

IIIHUMANLIFE

1.Thereisanallegorythatdepictshumanlife.Oncetherewasamanrowingaboatdownariver.Someoneontheshorewarnedhim,"Stoprowingsogailydowntheswiftcurrent;therearerapidsaheadandadangerouswhirlpool,

andtherearecrocodilesanddemonslyinginwaitinrockycaverns.Youwillperishifyoucontinue."

Inthisallegory,"theswiftcurrent"isalifeoflust;"rowinggaily"isgivingreintoone'spassion;"rapidsahead"meanstheensuingsufferingandpain;"whirlpool"meanspleasure,"crocodilesanddemons"referstothedecayanddeaththatfollowalifeoflustandindulgence;"Someoneontheshore,"whocallsout,isBuddha.

Hereisanotherallegory.Amanwhohascommittedacrimeisrunningaway;someguardsarefollowinghim,sohetriestohidehimselfbydescendingintoawellbymeansofsomevinesgrowingdownthesides.Ashedescendsheseesvipersatthebottomofthewell,sohe[90]decidestoclingtothevineforsafety.Afteratimewhenhisarmsaregettingtired,henoticestwomice,onewhiteandtheotherblack,gnawingatthevine.

Ifthevinebreaks,hewillfalltothevipersandperish.Suddenly,onlookingupward,henoticesjustabovehisfaceabee-hivefromwhichoccasionallyfallsadropofhoney.Theman,forgettingallhisdanger,tastesthehoneywithdelight.

"Aman"meanstheonewhoisborntosufferandtodiealone."Guards"and"vipers"refertothebodywithallitsdesires."Vinesnmeansthecontinuityofthehumanlife."Twomice,onewhiteandtheotherblack"refertothedurationoftime,daysandnights,andthepassingyears."Honey"indicatesthephysicalpleasuresthatbeguilesthesufferingofthepassingyears.

2.Hereisstillanotherallegory.Akingplacesfourvipersinaboxandgivestheboxintothesafekeepingofaservant.Hecommandstheservanttotakegoodcareofthemandwarnsthatifheangersevenoneofthemhewillbepunishedwithdeath.Theservant,infear,decidestothrowawaytheboxandescape.

Thekingsendsfiveguardstocapturetheservant.Atfirsttheyapproachtheservantinafriendlymanner,intendingtotakehimbacksafely,buttheservantdoes[91]nottrusttheirfriendlinessandescapestoanothervillage.

Then,inavision,avoicetellshimthatinthisvillagethereisnosafeshelter,andthattherearesixbanditswhowillattackhim,sotheservantrunsawayinfrightuntilhecomestoawildriverthatblockshisway.Thinkingofthedangersthatarefollowinghim,hemakesaraftandsucceedsincrossingtheturbulentcurrent,beyondwhichhefinallyfindssafetyandpeace.

"Fourvipersinabox"indicatethefourelementsofearth,water,fireandairthatmakeupthebodyofflesh.Thebodyisgivenintothechargeoflustandisanenemyofthemind.Therefore,hetriestorunawayfromthebody.

"Fiveguardswhoapproachinfriendlymanner"meanthefiveaggregates-

form,feeling,perception,volitionandconsciousness-whichframebodyandmind.

"Thesafeshelter"isthesixsenses,whicharenosafeshelterafterall,and"thesixbandits"arethesixobjectsofthesixsenses.Thus,seeingthedangerswithinthesixsenses,herunsawayoncemoreandcomestothewildcurrentofworldlydesires.

ThenhemakeshimselfaraftoftheBuddha'sgoodteachingsandcrossesthewildcurrentsafely.[92]

3.Therearethreeoccasionsfullofperilswhenasonishelplesstoaidhismotherandamothercannothelpherson:-afire,afloodandaburglary.Yet,evenontheseperilousandsadoccasions,therestillexistsachanceforaidingeachother.

Buttherearethreeoccasionswhenitisimpossibleforamothertosavehersonorasontosavehismother.Thesethreeoccasionsarethetimeofsickness,theperiodofgrowingold,andthemomentofdeath.

Howcanasontakehismother'splacewhensheisgrowingold?Howcanamothertakeherson'splacewhenheissick?Howcaneitherhelptheotherwhenthemomentofdeathapproaches?Nomatterhowmuchtheymayloveeachotherorhowintimatetheymayhavebeen,neithercanhelptheotheronsuchoccasions.

4.OnceYama,thelegendaryKingofHell,askedamanwhohadfallenintohellabouthisevildeedsinlife,whether,duringhislie,hehadevermetthethreeheavenlymessengers.Themanreplied:"No,myLord,Inevermetanysuchpersons."

Yamaaskedhimifhehadevermetanoldpersonbentwithageandwalkingwithacane.Themanreplied:'Yes,myLord,Ihavemetsuchpersonsfrequently."ThenYamasaidtohim:'Youaresufferingthispresentpunishment[93]becauseyoudidnotrecognizeinthatoldmanaheavenlymessengersenttowarnyouthatyoumustquicklychangeyourwaysbeforeyou,too,becomeanoldman."

Yamaaskedhimagainifhehadeverseenapoor,sickandfriendlessman.Themanreplied:'Yes,myLord,Ihaveseenmanysuchmen."Then,Yamasaidtohim:"Youhavecomeintothisplacebecauseyoufailedtorecognizeinthesesickmenthemessengersfromheavensenttowarnyouofyourownsickness."

Then,Yamaaskedhimoncemoreifhehadeverseenadeadman.Themanreplied:'Yes,myLord,Ihavebeeninthepresenceofdeathmanytimes."Yamasaidtohim:"Itisbecauseyoudidnotrecognizeinthesementheheavenlymessengerssenttowarnyouthatyouarebroughttothis.Ifyouhadrecognizedthesemessengersandtakentheirwarningsyouwouldhavechangedyourcourse,

andwouldnothavecometothisplaceofsuffering."5.OncetherewasayoungwomannamedKisagotami,thewifeofa

wealthyman,wholosthermindbecauseofthedeathofherchild.Shetookthedeadchildinherarmsandwentfromhousetohousebeggingpeopletohealthechild.[94]

Ofcourse,theycoulddonothingforher,butfinallyafollowerofBuddhaadvisedhertoseetheBlessedOnewhowasthenstayingatJetavana,andsoshecarriedthedeadchildtoBuddha.

TheBlessedOnelookeduponherwithsympathyandsaid:"TohealthechildIneedsomepoppyseeds;goandbegfourorfivepoppyseedsfromsomehomewheredeathhasneverentered."

Sothedementedwomanwentoutandsoughtahousewheredeathhadneverentered,butinvain.Atlast,shewasobligedtoreturntoBuddha.Inhisquietpresencehermindclearedandsheunderstoodthemeaningofhiswords.Shetookthebodyawayandburiedit,andthenreturnedtoBuddhaandbecameoneofhisdisciples.

IVREALITYOFHUMANLIFE

1.Peopleinthisworldarepronetobeselfishandunsympathetic;theydo

notknowhowtoloveandrespectoneanother;theyargueandquarrelovertriflingaffairsonlytotheirownharmandsuffering,andlifebecomesbutadrearyroundofunhappinesses.

Regardlessofwhethertheyarerichorpoor,they[95]worryaboutmoney;theysufferfrompovertyandtheysufferfromwealth.Becausetheirlivesarecontrolledbygreed,theyarenevercontented,neversatisfied.

Awealthymanworriesabouthisestateifhehasone;heworriesabouthismansionandallotherpossessions.Heworrieslestsomedisasterbefallhim,hismansionburndown,robbersbreakin,kidnapperscarryhimoff.Thenheworriesaboutdeathandthedispositionofhiswealth.Indeed,hiswaytodeathislonely,andnobodyfollowshimtodeath.

Apoormanalwayssuffersfrominsufficiencyandthisservestoawakenendlessdesires-forlandandahouse.Beingaflamedwithcovetousnesshewearsoutbothhisbodyandmind,andcomestodeathinthemiddleofhislife.

Thewholeworldseemspittedagainsthimandeventhepathtodeathseemslonesomeasthoughhehasalongjourneytomakeandnofriendstokeephimcompany.

2.Now,therearefiveevilsintheworld.First,thereiscruelty;everycreature,eveninsects,strivesagainstoneanother.Thestrongattacktheweak;theweakdeceivethestrong;everywherethereisfightingandcruelty.[96]

Second,thereisthelackofacleardemarcationbetweentherightsofafatherandason;betweenanelderbrotherandayounger;betweenahusbandandawife;betweenaseniorrelativeandayounger;oneveryoccasioneachonedesirestobethehighestandtoprofitofftheothers.Theycheateachother,thereisdeceptionandalackofsincerity.

Third,thereisthelackofacleardemarcationastothebehaviorbetweenmenandwomen.Everyoneattimeshasimpureandlasciviousthoughtsanddesiresthatleadthemintoquestionableactsandoftenintodisputes,fighting,injusticeandwickedness.

Fourth,thereisthetendencyforpeopletodisrespecttherightsofothers,toexaggeratetheirownimportanceattheexpenseofothers,tosetbadexamplesofbehaviorand,beingunjustintheirspeech,todeceive,slanderandabuseothers.

Fifth,thereisthetendencyforpeopletoneglecttheirdutiestowardothers.Theythinktoomuchoftheirowncomfortandtheirowndesires;theyforgetthefavorstheyhavereceivedandcauseannoyancetoothersthatoftenpassesintogreatinjustice.

3.Peopleshouldhavemoresympathyforoneanother;theyshouldrespectoneanotherfortheirgoodtraitsand[97]helponeanotherintheirdifficulties;but,instead,theyareselfishandhard-hearted;theydespiseoneanotherfortheirfailingsanddislikeothersfortheiradvantages.Theseaversionsgenerallygrowworsewithtime,andafterawhile,becomeintolerable.

Thesefeelingsofdislikedonotsoonendinactsofviolence;yettheypoisonlifewithfeelingsofhatredandangerthatbecomesodeeplycarvedintothemindthatpeoplecarrythemarksintothecycleofreincarnation.

Truly,inthisworldoflust,apersonisbornaloneanddiesalone,andthereisnoonetoshareone'spunishmentinthelifeafterdeath.

Thelawofcauseandeffectisuniversal;eachpersonmustcarryone'sownburdenofsinandmustgoalongtoitsretribution.Thesamelawofcauseandeffectcontrolsgooddeeds.Alifeofsympathyandkindnesswillresultingoodfortuneandhappiness.

4.Asyearsgobyandpeopleseehowstronglytheyareboundbygreed,habitandsuffering,theybecomeverysadanddiscouraged.Oftenintheirdiscouragementtheyquarrelwithothersandsinkdeeperintosinandgiveuptryingtowalkthetruepath;oftentheirlivescometosomeuntimelyendintheverymidstoftheirwickedness[98]andtheysufferforever.

Thisfallingintodiscouragementbecauseofone'smisfortunesandsufferingsismostunnaturalandcontrarytothelawofheavenandearthand,therefore,onewillsufferbothinthisworldandintheworldsafterdeath.

Itistruethateverythinginthislifeistransitoryandfilledwithuncertainty,butitislamentablethatanyoneshouldignorethisfactandkeepontryingtoseekenjoymentandsatisfactionofhisdesires.

5.Itisnaturalinthisworldofsufferingforpeopletothinkandactselfishlyandegoisticallyand,becauseofit,itisequallynaturalforsufferingandunhappinesstofollow.

Peoplefavorthemselvesandneglectothers.Peoplelettheirowndesiresrunintogreedandlustandallmannerofevil.Becauseofthesetheymustsufferendlessly.

Timesofluxurydonotlastlong,butpassawayveryquickly;nothinginthisworldcanbeenjoyedforever.

6.Therefore,peopleshouldcastaway,whiletheyareyoungandhealthy,alltheirgreedandattachmentto[99]worldlyaffairs,andshouldseekearnestlyfortrueEnlightenment,fortherecanbenolastingrelianceorhappinessapartfromEnlightenment.

Mostpeople,however,disbelieveorignorethislawofcauseandeffect.Theygoonintheirhabitsofgreedandselfishness,beingobliviousofthefactthatagooddeedbringshappinessandanevildeedbringsmisfortune.Nordotheyreallybelievethatone'sactsinthislifeconditionthefollowinglivesandimplicateotherswithregardtotherewardsandpunishmentsfortheirsins.

Theylamentandcryabouttheirsufferings,entirelymisunderstandingthesignificancetheirpresentactshaveupontheirfollowinglivesandtherelationtheirsufferingshavetotheactsoftheirpreviouslives.Theythinkonlyofpresentdesireandpresentsuffering.

Nothingintheworldispermanentorlasting;everythingischangingandmomentaryandunpredictable.Butpeopleareignorantandselfish,andareconcernedonlywiththedesiresandsufferingsofthepassingmoment.Theydonotlistentothegoodteachingsnordotheytrytounderstandthem;theysimplygivethemselvesuptothepresentinterest,towealthandlust.

7.Fromtimeimmemorial,anincalculablenumberofpeoplehavebeenbornintothisworldofdelusionand[100]suffering,andtheyarestillbeingborn.Itisfortunate,however,thattheworldhastheBuddha'steachingsandthatpeoplecanbelieveinthemandbehelped.

Therefore,peopleshouldthinkdeeply,shouldkeeptheirmindspureandtheirbodieswell,shouldkeepawayfromgreedandevil,andshouldseekgood.Tous,fortunately,theknowledgeoftheBuddha'steachingshascome;we

shouldseektobelieveinthemandwishtobebornintheBuddha'sPureLand.KnowingBuddha'steachings,weshouldnotfollowothersintogreedyandsinfulways,norshouldwekeeptheBuddha'steachingstoourselvesalone,butshouldpracticetheteachingsandpassthemontoothers.[101]

CHAF'TERFIVETHERELIEFOFFERED

BYBUDDHAI

AMIDABUDDHA'SVOWS

1.Asalreadyexplained,peoplealwaysyieldtotheirworldlypassions,repeatingsinaftersin,andcarryburdensofintolerableacts,unableoftheirownwisdomoroftheirownstrengthtobreakthesehabitsofgreedandindulgence.Iftheyareunabletoovercomeandremoveworldlypassions,howcantheyexpecttorealizetheirtruenatureofBuddhahood?

Buddha,whothoroughlyunderstoodhumannature,hadgreatsympathyforpeopleandmadeavowthatHewoulddoeverythingpossible,evenatthecostofgreathardshiptoHimself,torelievethemoftheirfearsandsufferings.ToeffectthisreliefHemanifestedhimselfasaBodhisattvaintheimmemorialpastandmadethefollowingtenvows:

(a)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,IshallneverbecompleteuntileveryoneinmylandiscertainofenteringBuddhahoodandgainingEnlightenment."[102]

(b)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,Ishallneverbecompleteuntilmyaffirminglightreachesallovertheworld."

(c)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,Ishallneverbecompleteuntilmylifeenduresthroughtheagesandsavesinnumerablenumbersofpeople."

(d)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,IshallneverbecompleteuntilalltheBuddhasinthetendirectionsuniteinpraisingmyname."

(e)''ThoughIattainBuddhahood,Ishallneverbecompleteuntilpeoplewithsincerefaithendeavortobereborninmylandbyrepeatingmynameinsincerefaithtentimesandactuallydosucceedinthisrebirth."

(f)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,IshallneverbecompleteuntilpeopleeverywheredeterminetoattainEnlightenment,practicevirtues,sincerelywishtobeborninmyland;thus,IshallappearatthemomentoftheirdeathwithagreatcompanyofBodhisattvastowelcomethemintomyPureLand."

(g)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,Ishallneverbecompleteuntilpeople

everywhere,hearingmyname,thinkofmylandandwishtobebornthereand,tothatend,sincerelyplantseedsofvirtue,andarethusableto[103]accomplishalltotheirhearts'desire."

(h)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,IshallneverbecompleteuntilallthosewhoareborninmyPureLandattaintherankinwhichtheybecomeBuddhainthenextlife.Exceptiontothisarethosewho,basedontheirpersonalvow,wearthearmorofgreatvowforthesakeofpeople,striveforthebenefitandpeaceoftheworld,leadinnumerablepeopletoenlightenment,andcultivatethemeritofgreatcompassion."

(i)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,Ishallneverbecompleteuntilpeopleallovertheworldareinfluencedbymyspiritoflovingcompassionthatwillpurifytheirmindsandbodiesandliftthemabovethethingsoftheworld."

(j)"ThoughIattainBuddhahood,Ishallneverbecompleteuntilpeopleeverywhere,hearingmyname,learnrightideasaboutlifeanddeath,andgainthatperfectwisdomthatwillkeeptheirmindspureandtranquilinthemidstoftheworld'sgreedandsuffering."

"ThusImakethesevows;mayInotattainBuddhahooduntiltheyarefulfilled.MayIbecomethesourceofunlimited

Light,freeingandradiatingthetreasuresofmywisdomandvirtue,enlighteningalllandsandemancipatingallsufferingpeople."[104]

2.ThusHe,byaccumulatinginnumerablevirtuesthroughmanyeonsoftime,becameArnidaortheBuddhaofInfiniteLightandBoundlessLife,andperfectedhisownBuddha-landofPurity,whereinHeisnowliving,inaworldofpeace,enlighteningallpeople.

ThisPureLand,whereinthereisnosuffering,is,indeed,mostpeacefulandhappy.Clothing,foodandallbeautifulthingsappearwhenthosewholivetherewishforthem.Whenagentlebreezepassesthroughitsjewel-ladentrees,themusicofitsholyteachingsfillstheairandcleansesthemindsofallwholistentoit.

InthisPureLandtherearemanyfragrantlotusblossoms,andeachblossomhasmanypreciouspetals,andeachpetalshineswithineffablebeauty.TheradianceoftheselotusblossomsbrightensthepathofWisdom,andthosewholistentothemusicoftheholyteachingareledintoperfectpeace.

3.NowalltheBuddhasofthetendirectionsarepraisingthevirtuesofthisBuddhaofInfiniteLightandBoundlessLife.

WhoeverhearsthisBuddha'sNamemagnifiesandreceivesitwithjoy,hismindbecomesonewithBuddha'smindandhewillbebornintheBuddha'swondrousLandofPurity.[105]

ThosewhoareborninthatPureLandshareinBuddha'sboundlesslife;

theirheartsareimmediatelyfilledwithsympathyforallsufferersandtheygoforwardtomanifesttheBuddha'smethodofsalvation.

Inthespiritofthesevowstheycastawayallworldlyattachmentsandrealizetheimpermanenceofthisworld.Andtheydevotetheirmeritstotheemancipationofallsentientlife;theyintegratetheirownliveswiththelivesofallothers,sharingtheirillusionsandsufferingsbut,atthesametime,realizingtheirfreedomfromthebondsandattachmentsofthisworldlylife.

Theyknowthehindrancesanddifficultiesofworldlylivingbuttheyknow,also,theboundlesspotentialitiesofBuddha'scompassion.Theyarefreetogoorcome,theyarefreetoadvanceortostopastheywish,buttheychoosetoremainwiththoseuponwhomBuddhahascompassion.

Therefore,ifanyonehearingtheNameofthisAmidaBuddhaisencouragedtocalluponthatNameinperfectfaith,heshallshareinBuddha'scompassion.SoallpeopleshouldlistentotheBuddha'steachingandshouldfollowitevenifitseemstoleadthemagainthroughtheflamesthatenvelopthisworldoflifeanddeath.[106]

IfpeopletrulyandearnestlywishtoattainEnlightenment,theymustrelyonthepowerofthisBuddha.ItisimpossibleforanordinarypersontorealizehissupremeBuddha-naturewithoutthesupportofthisBuddha.

4.AmidaBuddhaisnotfarfromanyone.HisLandofPurityisdescribedasbeingfarawaytothewestbutitis,also,withinthemindsofthosewhoearnestlywishtobewithhim.

WhensomepeoplepictureintheirmindsthefigureofAmidaBuddhashiningingoldensplendor,thepicturedividesintoeighty-fourthousandfiguresorfeatures,eachfigureorfeatureemittingeighty-fourthousandraysoflightandeachrayoflight,enlighteningaworld,neverleavingindarknessasinglepersonwhoisrecitingthenameofBuddha.ThusthisBuddhahelpspeopletakeadvantageofthesalvationHeoffers.

ByseeingtheimageofBuddha,oneisenabledtorealizethemindofBuddha.TheBuddha'smindhasgreatcompassionthatincludesall,eventhosewhoareignorantofhiscompassionorforgetfulofit,muchmorethosewhorememberitinfaith.

Tothosewhohavefaith,HeofferstheopportunitytobecomeonewithHim.AsthisBuddhaistheall-inclusive[107]bodyofequality,whoeverthinksofBuddha,Buddhathinksofhimandentershismindfreely.

Thismeansthat,whenapersonthinksofBuddha,hehasBuddha'smindinallitspureandhappyandpeacefulperfection.Inotherwords,hismindisaBuddha-mind.

Therefore,eachmaninpurityandsincerityoffaith,shouldpicturehisown

mindasbeingBuddha'smind.5.Buddhahasmanyformsoftransfigurationandincarnation,andcan

manifestHimselfinmanifoldwaysaccordingtotheabilityofeachperson.Hemanifestshisbodyinimmensesizetocoveralltheskyandstretches

awayintotheboundlessstellarspaces.HealsomanifestsHimselfintheinfinitesimalsofnature,sometimesinforms,sometimesinenergy,sometimesinaspectsofmind,andsometimesinpersonality.

Butinsomemannerorother,HewillsurelyappeartothosewhorecitethenameofBuddhawithfaith.Tosuch,AmidaalwaysappearsaccompaniedbytwoBodhisattvas:Avalokitesvara,theBodhisattvaofCompassionandMahasthamaprapta,theBodhisattvaof[108]Wisdom.Hismanifestationsfilluptheworldforeveryonetoseebutonlythosewhohavefaithnoticethem.

ThosewhoareabletoseeHistemporalmanifestationsacquireabidingsatisfactionandhappiness.Moreover,thosewhoareabletoseetherealBuddharealizeincalculablefortunesofjoyandpeace.

6.SincethemindofArnidaBuddhawithallitsboundlesspotentialitiesofloveandwisdomiscompassionitself,Buddhacansaveall.

Themostwickedofpeople-thosewhocommitunbelievablecrimes,whosemindsarefilledwithgreed,angerandinfatuation;thosewholie,chatter,abuseandcheat;thosewhokill,stealandactlasciviously;thosewhoareneartheendoftheirlivesafteryearsofevildeeds-theyaredestinedtolongagesofpunishment.

Agoodfriendcomestothemandpleadswiththemattheirlastmoment,saying,'Youarenowfacingdeath;youcannotblotoutyourlifeofwickedness,butyoucantakerefugeinthecompassionoftheBuddhaofInfiniteLightbyrecitingHisName.

IfthesewickedmenrecitetheholynameofArnidaBuddhawithsinglenessofmind,allthesinswhichwould[109]havedestinedthemtotheevilworldwillbeclearedaway.

Ifsimplyrepeatingtheholynamecandothis,howmuchmorewouldbepossibleifoneisabletoconcentratehisminduponthisBuddha!

Thosewhoarethusabletorecitetheholyname,whentheycometotheendoflife,willbemetbyAmidaBuddhaandtheBodhisattvasofCompassionandWisdomandwillbeledbythemintotheBuddha'sLand,wheretheywillbeborninallpurityofthewhitelotus.

Therefore,everyoneshouldkeepinmindthewords,"Namu-Amida-Butsu"orWhole-heartedRelianceupontheBuddhaofInfiniteLightandBoundlessLife!

IIAMIDABUDDHA'SLANDOFPUIUTY

1.TheBuddhaofInfiniteLightandBoundlessLifeiseverlivingandever

radiatingHisTruth.InHisPureLandthereisnosufferingandnodarkness,andeveryhourispassedinjoy;therefore,itiscalledtheLandofBliss.

InthemidstofthisLandthereisalakeofpurewater,freshandsparkling,whosewaveslapsoftlyonshoresofgoldensands.Hereandtherearehugelotus[110]blossomsaslargeaschariotwheelsofmanyandvariouslightsandcolors-bluelightsfrombluecolor,yellowforyellow,redforred,whiteforwhite-whosefragrancefillstheair.

Atdifferentplacesonthemarginofthelaketherearepavilionsdecoratedwithgoldandsilver,lapislazuliandcrystal,withmarblestepsleadingdowntothewater'sedge.Atotherplacesthereareparapetsandbalustradeshangingoverthewaterandenclosedwithcurtainsandnetworksofpreciousgems,andinbetweentherearegrovesofspicestreesandfloweringshrubs.

Thegroundisshiningwithbeautyandtheairisvibrantwithcelestialharmonies.Sixtimesduringthedayandnight,delicatelytintedflowerpetalsfallfromtheskyandpeoplegatherthemandcarrytheminflowervesselstoalltheotherBuddha-landsandmakeofferingsofthemtothemyriadBuddhas.

2.InthiswondrousLandtherearemanybirds.Therearesnow-whitestorks.andswans,andgailycoloredpeacocksandtropicalbirdsofparadise,andflocksoflittlebirds,softlysinging.IntheBuddha'sPureLandthesesweetlysingingbirdsarevoicingBuddha'steachingsandpraisingHisvirtues.

Whoeverhearsandlistenstothemusicofthese[111]voices,listenstotheBuddha'svoiceandawakenstoanewnessoffaith,joyandpeaceinfellowshipwiththebrotherhoodoffollowerseverywhere.

SoftzephyrspassthroughthetreesofthatPureLandandstirthefragrantcurtainsofthePavilionsandpassawayinsweetcadencesofmusic.

PeoplehearingfaintechoesofthisheavenlymusicthinkoftheBuddha,oftheDharma(teaching),andoftheSamgha(brotherhood).AlltheseexcellencesarebutreflectionsofthePureLand.

3.WhyisBuddhainthislandcalledArnida,indicatingtheBuddhaofInfiniteLightandBoundlessLife?ItisbecausethesplendorofHisTruthradiatesunimpededtotheoutermostandinnermostlimitsoftheBuddha-lands;itisbecausethevitalityofHislivingcompassionneverwanesthroughtheincalculablelivesandeonsoftime.

ItisbecausethenumberofthosewhoareborninHisPureLandandare

perfectlyenlightenedisincalculableandtheywillneveragainreturntotheworldofdelusionsanddeath.

ItisbecausethenumberofthosewhoareawakenedintothenewnessofLifebyHisLightisalsoincalculable.[112]

Therefore,shouldallpeopleconcentratetheirmindsonHisNameand,astheycometowardtheendoflife,evenforonedayorsevendays,reciteAmidaBuddha'sNameinperfectfaith,andtheydothiswithundisturbedmind,theywillbebornintheBuddha'sLandofPurity,beingledbyAmidaBuddhaandmanyotherholyoneswhoappearatthislastmoment.

IfanypersonhearsAmidaBuddha'sName,awakensone'sfaithinHisteachings,onewillbeabletoattainunsurpassedperfectEnlightenment.[113]

THEWAYOFPRACTICE

CHAPTERONETHEWAYOFPURIFICATION

I

PURIFICATIONOFTHEMIND

1.Peoplehaveworldlypassionswhichleadthemintodelusionsandsufferings.Therearefivewaystoemancipatethemselvesfromthebondof

worldlypassions.First,theyshouldhaverightideasofthings,ideasthatarebasedoncareful

observation,andunderstandcausesandeffectsandtheirsignificancecorrectly.Sincethecauseofsufferingisrootedinthemind'sdesiresandattachments,andsincedesireandattachmentarerelatedtomistakenobservationsbyanego-self,neglectingthesignificanceofthelawofcauseandeffect,andsinceitisfromthesewrongobservations,therecanbepeaceonlyifthemindcanberidoftheseworldlypassions.

Second,peoplecangetridofthesemistakenobservationsandresultingworldlypassionsbycarefulandpatientmind-control.Withefficientmind-controltheycanavoiddesiresarisingfromthestimulationoftheeyes,ears,nose,tongue,skinandthesubsequentmentalprocessesand,bysodoing,cutofftheveryrootofallworldlypassions.[116]

Third,theyshouldhavecorrectideaswithregardtotheproperuseofallthings.Thatis,withregardtoarticlesoffoodandclothing,theyshouldnotthinkoftheminrelationtocomfortandpleasure,butonlyintheirrelationtothebody'sneeds.Clothingisnecessarytoprotectthebodyagainstextremesofheatandcold,andtoconcealtheshameofthebody;foodisnecessaryforthenourishmentofthebodywhileitistrainingforEnlightenmentandBuddhahood.Worldlypassionscannotarisethroughsuchthinking.

Fourth,peopleshouldlearnendurance;theyshouldlearntoendurethediscomfortsofheatandcold,hungerandthirst;theyshouldlearntobepatientwhenreceivingabuseandscorn;foritisthepracticeofendurancethatquenchesthefireofworldlypassionswhichisburninguptheirbodies.

Fifth,peopleshouldlearntoseeandsoavoidalldanger.Justasawisemankeepsawayfromwildhorsesormaddogs,sooneshouldnotmakefriendswithevilmen,norshouldonegotoplacesthatwisemenavoid.Ifonepracticescautionandprudence,thefireofworldlypassionswhichisburningintheirvitalswilldiedown.

2.Therearefivegroupsofdesiresintheworld.[117]Desiresarisingfromtheformstheeyessee;fromthesoundstheearshear;

fromthefragrancesthenosesmells;fromtastespleasanttothetongue;fromthingsthatareagreeabletothesenseoftouch.Fromthesefivedoorstodesirecomethebody'sloveofcomfort.

Mostpeople,beinginfluencedbythebody'sloveofcomfort,donotnoticetheevilsthatfollowcomfort,andtheyarecaughtinadevil'straplikeadeerintheforestcaughtinahunter'strap.Indeed,thesefivedoorsofdesiresarisingfromthesensesarethemostdangeroustraps.Whencaughtbythem,peopleareentangledinworldlypassionsandsuffer.Theyshouldknowhowtogetridof

thesetraps.3.Thereisnoonewaytogetfreefromthetrapofworldlypassions.

Supposeyoucaughtasnake,acrocodile,abird,adog,afoxandamonkey,sixcreaturesofverydifferentnatures,andyoutiethemtogetherwithastrongropeandletthemgo.Eachofthesesixcreatureswilltrytogobacktoitsownlairbyitsownmethod:thesnakewillseekacoveringofgrass,thecrocodilewillseekwater,thebirdwillwanttoflyintheair,thedogwillseekavillage,thefoxwillseekthesolitaryledges,andthemonkeywillseekthetreesofaforest.Intheattemptofeachtogoitsownwaytherewillbeastruggle,but,beingtiedtogetherbyarope,thestrongestatanyonetimewilldragtherest.[118]

Likethecreaturesinthisparable,peoplearetemptedindifferentwaysbythedesiresoftheirsixsenses,eyes,ears,nose,tongue,touchandmind,andiscontrolledbythepredominantdesire.

Ifthesixcreaturesarealltiedtoapost,theywilltrytogetfreeuntiltheyaretiredout,andthenwillliedownbythepost.Justlikethis,ifpeoplewilltrainandcontrolthemindtherewillbenofurthertroublefromtheotherfivesenses.Ifthemindisundercontrolpeoplewillhavehappinessbothnowandinthefuture.

4.Peoplelovetheiregoisticcomfort,whichisaloveoffameandpraise.Butfameandpraisearelikeincensethatconsumesitselfandsoondisappears.Ifpeoplechaseafterhonorsandpublicacclaimandleavethewayoftruth,theyareinseriousdangerandwillsoonhavecauseforregret.

Amanwhochasesafterfameandwealthandloveaffairsislikeachildwholickshoneyfromthebladeofaknife.Whileheistastingthesweetnessofhoney,hehastoriskhurtinghistongue.Heislikeamanwhocarriesatorchagainstastrongwind;theflamewillsurelyburnhishandsandface.[119]

Onemustnottrusthisownmindthatisfilledwithgreed,angerandfoolishness.Onemustnotletone'smindrunfree,butmustkeepitunderstrictcontrol.

5.Toattainperfectmind-controlisamostdifficultthing.ThosewhoseekEnlightenmentmustfirstridthemselvesofthefireofalldesires.Desireisaragingfire,andoneseekingEnlightenmentmustavoidthefireofdesireasamancarryingaloadofhayavoidssparks.

Butitwouldbefoolishforapersontoputoutone'seyesforfearofbeingtemptedbybeautifulforms.Themindismasterandifthemindisundercontrol,theweakerdesireswilldisappear.

ItisdifficulttofollowthewaytoEnlightenment,butitismoredifficultifpeoplehavenomindtoseeksuchaway.WithoutEnlightenment,thereisendlesssufferinginthisworldoflifeanddeath.

WhenapersonseeksthewaytoEnlightenment,itislikeanoxcarryingaheavyloadthroughafieldofmud.Iftheoxtriestodoitsbestwithoutpayingattentiontootherthings,itcanovercomethemudandtakearest.Justso,ifthemindiscontrolledandkeptontherightpath,therewillbenomudofgreedtohinderitandallitssufferingwilldisappear.[120]

6.ThosewhoseekthepathtoEnlightenmentmustfirstremoveallegoisticprideandbehumblywillingtoacceptthelightofBuddha'steachings.Allthetreasuresoftheworld,allitsgoldandsilverandhonors,arenottobecomparedwithwisdomandvirtue.

Toenjoygoodhealth,tobringtruehappinesstoone'sfamily,tobringpeacetoall,onemustfirstdisciplineandcontrolone'sownmind.IfamancancontrolhismindhecanfindthewaytoEnlightenment,andallwisdomandvirtuewillnaturallycometohim.

Justastreasuresareuncoveredfromtheearth,sovirtueappearsfromgooddeeds,andwisdomappearsfromapureandpeacefulmind.Towalksafelythroughthemazeofhumanlife,oneneedsthelightofwisdomandtheguidanceofvirtue.

TheBuddha'steaching,whichtellspeoplehowtoeliminategreed,angerandfoolishness,isagoodteachingandthosewhofollowitattainthehappinessofagoodlife.

7.Humanbeingstendtomoveinthedirectionoftheirthoughts.Iftheyharborgreedythoughts,theybecomemoregreedy;iftheythinkangrythoughts,theybecomemoreangry;iftheyholdfoolishthoughts,theirfeetmoveinthatdirection.[121]

Atharvesttimefarmerskeeptheirherdsconfined,lesttheybreakthroughthefencesintothefieldandgivecauseforcomplaintorforbeingkilled;sopeoplemustcloselyguardtheirmindsagainstdishonestyandmisfortune.Theymusteliminatethoughtsthatstimulategreed,angerandfoolishness,butencouragethoughtsthatstimulatecharityandkindness.

Whenspringcomesandthepastureshaveanabundanceofgreengrass,farmersturntheircattleloose;buteventhentheykeepaclosewatchoverthem.Itissowiththemindsofpeople:evenunderthebestofconditionsthemindwillbearwatching.

8.AtonetimeShakyamuniBuddhawasstayinginthetownofKausambi.InthistowntherewasonewhoresentedHimandwhobribedwickedmentocirculatefalsestoriesaboutHim.UnderthesecircumstancesitwasdifficultforHisdisciplestogetsufficientfoodfromtheirbeggingandtherewasmuchabuseinthattown.AnandasaidtoShakyamuni:'Wehadbetternotstayinatownlikethis.Thereareotherandbettertownstogoto.Wehadbetterleavethistown."

TheBlessedOnereplied:"Supposethenexttownislikethis,whatshallwedothen?"[122]

"Thenwemovetoanother."TheBlessedOnesaid:"No,Ananda,therewillbenoendinthatway.We

hadbetterremainhereandbeartheabusepatientlyuntilitceases,andthenwemovetoanotherplace."

"Thereareprofitandloss,slanderandhonor,praiseandabuse,sufferingandpleasureinthisworld;theEnlightenedOneisnotcontrolledbytheseexternalthings;theywillceaseasquicklyastheycome."

IITHEGOODWAYOFBEHAVIOR

1.ThosewhoseekthewayofEnlightenmentmustalwaysbearinmindthe

necessityofconstantlykeepingtheirbody,speechandmindpure.Tokeepthebodypureonemustnotkillanylivingcreature,onemustnotstealorcommitadultery.Tokeepspeechpureonemustnotlie,orabuse,ordeceive,orindulgeinidletalk.Tokeepthemindpureonemustremoveallgreed,angerandfalsejudgment.

Ifthemindbecomesimpure,forsure,one'sdeedswillbeimpure;ifthedeedsareimpure,therewillbesuffering.Soitisofthegreatestimportancethatthemindandthebodybekeptpure.[123]

2.Oncetherewasarichwidowwhohadareputationforkindness,modestyandcourtesy.Shehadahousemaidwhowaswiseanddiligent.

Onedaythemaidthought:"Mymistresshasaverygoodreputation;Iwonderwhethersheisgoodbynature,orisgoodbecauseofhersurroundings.Iwilltryherandfindout."

Thefollowingmorningthemaiddidnotappearbeforehermistressuntilnearlynoon.Themistresswasvexedandscoldedherimpatiently.Themaidreplied:"IfIamlazyforonlyadayortwo,yououghtnottobecomeimpatient."Thenthemistressbecameangry.

Thenextdaythemaidgotuplateagain.Thismadethemistressveryangryandshestruckthemaidwithastick.Thisincidentbecamewidelyknownandtherichwidowlosthergoodreputation.

3.Manypeoplearelikethiswoman.Whiletheirsurroundingsaresatisfactorytheyarekind,modestandquiet,butitisquestionableiftheywillbehavelikewisewhentheconditionschangeandbecomeunsatisfactory.

Itisonlywhenapersonmaintainsapureandpeacefulmindandcontinuestoactwithgoodnesswhenunpleasantwordsenterhisears,whenothersshowill-

will[124]towardhimorwhenhelackssufficientfood,clothesandshelter,thatwemaycallhimgood.

Therefore,thosewhodogooddeedsandmaintainapeacefulmindonlywhentheirsurroundingsaresatisfactoryarenotreallygoodpeople.OnlythosewhohavereceivedtheBuddha'steachingsandaretrainingtheirmindsandbodiesbythoseteachingscanbecalledtrulygood,modestandpeacefulpeople.

4.Astothesuitabilityofwordstobeusedtherearefivepairsofantonyms:wordsthataresuitabletotheiroccasionsandthosenotsosuitabletotheirs;wordsthatfitthefactsandthosethatdon'tfit;wordsthatsoundpleasantandthosethatsoundrude;wordsthatarebeneficialandthosethatareharmful;andwordsthataresympatheticandthosethatarehateful.

Whateverwordsweuttershouldbechosenwithcareforpeoplewillhearthemandbeinfluencedbythemforgoodorill.Ifourmindsarefilledwithsympathyandcompassion,theywillberesistanttotheevilwordswehear.Wemustnotletwildwordspassourlipslesttheyarousefeelingsofangerandhatred.Thewordswespeakshouldalwaysbewordsofsympathyandwisdom.

Supposethereisamanwhowantstoremoveallthe[125]dirtfromtheground.Heusesaspadeandawinnowandworksperseveringlyscatteringthedirtallabout,butitisanimpossibletask.Likethisfoolishmanwecannothopetoeliminateallwords.Wemusttrainourmindandfillourheartswithsympathysothatwewillbeundisturbedbythewordsspokenbyothers.

Onemighttrytopaintapicturewithwatercolorsonthebluesky,butitisimpossible.Anditisalsoimpossibletodryupagreatriverbytheheatofatorchmadeofhay,ortoproduceacracklingnoisebyrubbingtogethertwopiecesofwell-tannedleather.Liketheseexamples,peopleshouldtraintheirmindssothattheywouldnotbedisturbedbywhateverkindsofwordstheymighthear.

Theyshouldtraintheirmindsandkeepthembroadastheearth,unlimitedasthesky,deepasabigriverandsoftaswell-tannedleather.

Evenifyourenemycatchesandtorturesyou,ifyoufeelresentment,youarenotfollowingtheBuddha'steachings.Undereverycircumstanceyoushouldlearntothink:"Mymindisunshakable.Wordsofhatredandangershallnotpassmylips.Iwillsurroundmyenemywiththoughtsofsympathyandpitythatflowoutfromamindfilledwithcompassionforallsentientlife."[126]

5.Thereisafabletoldofamanwhofoundananthillwhichburnedinthedaytimeandsmokedatnight.Hewenttoawisemanandaskedhisadviceastowhatheshoulddoaboutit.Thewisemantoldhimtodigintoitwithasword.Thisthemandid.Hefoundinsuccessionagate-bar,somebubblesofwater,apitchfork,abox,atortoise,abutcher-knife,apieceofmeatand,finally,adragonwhichcameout.Themanreportedtothewisemanwhathehadfound.Thewise

manexplainedthesignificanceofitandsaid,"Throwawayeverythingbutthedragon;leavethedragonaloneanddonotdisturbhim."

Thisisafableinwhich"anthill"representsthehumanbody."Burnedinthedaytime"representsthefactthatduringthedaypeopleturnintoactsthethingstheythoughtaboutthepreviousnight."Smokedatnight"indicatesthefactthatpeopleduringthenightrecallwithpleasureorregretthethingstheydidthepreviousday.

Inthesamefable,"aman"meansapersonwhoseeksEnlightenment."Awiseman"meansBuddha."Asword"meanspurewisdom."Digintoit"referstotheefforthemustmaketogainEnlightenment.[127]

Furtherinthefable,"gate-bar"representsignorance;"bubbles"arepuffsofsufferingandanger;"pitchforksuggestshesitationanduneasiness;"box"suggeststhestorageofgreed,anger,laziness,fickleness,repentanceanddelusion;"tortoise"meansthebodyandthemind;"butcher-knife"meansthesynthesisofthefivesensorydesires,and"apieceofmeat"meanstheresultingdesirethatcausesamantocovetaftersatisfaction.ThesethingsareallharmfultomanandsoBuddhasaid,"Throwawayeverything."

Stillfurther,"dragon"indicatesamindthathaseliminatedallworldlypassions.Ifamandigsintothethingsabouthimwiththeswordofwisdomhewillfinallycometohisdragon."Leavethedragonaloneanddonotdisturbhim"meanstogoafteranddigupamindfreeofworldlydesires.

6.Pindola,adiscipleofBuddha,aftergainingEnlightenment,returnedtohisnativeplaceofKausambitorepaythepeoplethereforthekindnesstheyhadshownhim.InsodoinghepreparedthefieldforthesowingofBuddha-seeds.

OntheoutskirtsofKausambithereisasmallparkthatrunsalongthebankoftheGangesRivershadedbyendlessrowsofcoconuttreesandwhereacoolwindcontinuallyblows.[128]

Onehotsummerday,PindolasatinmeditationinthecoolshadeofatreewhenKingUdayanacametothisparkwithhisconsortsforrecreationand,aftermusicandpleasure,hetookanapintheshadeofanothertree.

WhiletheirKingwasasleep,hiswivesandladies-inwaitingtookawalkandsuddenlycameuponPindolasittinginmeditation.Theyrecognizedhimasaholy-manandaskedhimtoteachthem,andtheylistenedtohissermon.

WhentheKingawokefromhisnap,hewentinsearchofhisladiesandfoundthemsurroundingthismanandlisteningtohisteaching.Beingofajealousandlasciviousmind,theKingbecameangryandabusedPindola,saying:"Itisinexcusablethatyou,aholy-man,shouldbeinthemidstofwomenandenjoyidletalkingwiththem."Pindolaquietlyclosedhiseyesand

remainedsilent.TheangryKingdrewhisswordandthreatenedPindola,buttheholy-man

remainedsilentandwasasfirmasarock.ThismadetheKingstillmoreangrysohebrokeopenananthillandthrewsomeoftheant-filleddirtuponhim,butstillPindolaremainedsittinginmeditation,quietlyenduringtheinsultandpain.[129]

Thereupon,theKingbecameashamedofhisferociousconductandbeggedPindola'spardon.Asaresultofthisincident,theBuddha'steachingfounditswayintotheKing'scastleandfromthereitspreadalloverthecountry.

7.AfewdayslaterKingUdayanavisitedPindolaintheforestretreatwherehelivedandaskedhim,"Honoredteacher,howisitthatthedisciplesofBuddhacankeeptheirbodiesandmindspureanduntemptedbylust,althoughtheyaremostlyyoungmen?"

Pindolareplied:"NobleLord,Buddhahastaughtustorespectallwomen.Hehastaughtustolookuponalloldwomenasourmothers,uponthoseofourownageasoursisters,anduponyoungeronesasourdaughters.BecauseofthisteachingthedisciplesofBuddhaareabletokeeptheirbodiesandmindspureanduntemptedbylustalthoughtheyareyouthful."

"But,Honoredteacher,onemayhaveimpurethoughtsofawomantheageofamotherorasisteroradaughter.HowdothedisciplesofBuddhacontroltheirdesires?"

"NobleLord,theBlessedOnetaughtustothinkofourbodiesassecretingimpuritiesofallkindssuchasblood,pus,sweatandoils;bythinkingthus,we,although[130]young,areabletokeepourmindspure."

"Honoredteacher,"stillpressedtheKing."Itmaybeeasyforyoutodothisforyouhavetrainedyourbodyandmind,andpolishedyourwisdom,butitwouldbedifficultforthosewhohavenotyethadsuchtraining.Theymaytrytoremembertheimpuritiesbuttheireyeswillfollowbeautifulforms.Theymaytrytoseetheuglinessbuttheywillbetemptedbythebeautifulfiguresjustthesame.TheremustbesomeotherreasonthattheyoungmenamongtheBuddha'sdisciplesareabletokeeptheiractionspure."

"NobleLord,"repliedPindola,"theBlessedOneteachesustoguardthedoorsofthefivesenses.Whenweseebeautifulfiguresandcolorswithoureyes,whenwehearpleasantsoundswithourears,whenwesmellfragrancewithournose,orwhenwetastesweetthingswithourtongueortouchsoftthingswithourhands,wearenottobecomeattachedtotheseattractivethings,neitherarewetoberepulsedbyunattractivethings.Wearetaughttocarefullyguardthedoorsofthesefivesenses.ItisbythisteachingoftheBlessedOnethatevenyoungdisciplesareabletokeeptheirmindsandbodiespure."

"TheteachingofBuddhaistrulymarvelous.FrommyownexperienceIknowthatifIconfrontanythingbeautifulorpleasing,withoutbeingonmyguard,Iam[131]disturbedbythesenseimpressions.Itisofvitalimportancethatwebeonguardatthedoorsofthefivesenses,atalltimestokeepourdeedspure."

8.Wheneverapersonexpressesthethoughtofhismindinactionthereisalwaysareactionthatfollows.Ifoneabusesyou,thereisatemptationtoanswerback,ortoberevenged.Oneshouldbeonguardagainstthisnaturalreaction.Itislikespittingagainstthewind,itharmsnoonebutoneself.Itislikesweepingdustagainstthewind,itdoesnotgetridofthedustbutdefilesoneself.Misfortunealwaysdogsthestepsofonewhogiveswaytothedesireforrevenge.

9.Itisaverygooddeedtocastawaygreedandtocherishamindofcharity.Itisstillbettertokeepone'smindintentonrespectingtheNoblePath.

Oneshouldgetridofaselfishmindandreplaceitwithamindthatisearnesttohelpothers.Anacttomakeanotherhappyinspirestheothertomakestillanotherhappy,andsohappinessisbornfromsuchanact.

Thousandsofcandlescanbelightedfromasinglecandle,andthelifeofthecandlewillnotbeshortened.Happinessneverdecreasesbybeingshared.[132]

ThosewhoseekEnlightenmentmustbecarefuloftheireachstep.Nomatterhowhighone'saspirationmaybe,itmustbeattainedstepbystep.ThestepsofthepathtoEnlightenmentmustbetakeninoureverydaylife.

10.AttheverybeginningofthepathtoEnlightenmenttherearetwentydifficultiesforustoovercomeinthisworld,andtheyare:1.Itishardforapoormantobegenerous.2.ItishardforaproudmantolearntheWayofEnlightenment.3.ItishardtoseekEnlightenmentatthecostofself-sacrifice.4.ItishardtobebornwhileBuddhaisintheworld.5.ItishardtoheartheteachingofBuddha.6.Itishardtokeepthemindpureagainsttheinstinctsofthebody.7.Itishardnottodesirethingsthatarebeautifulandattractive.8.Itishardforastrongmannottousehisstrengthtosatisfyhisdesires.9.Itishardnottogetangrywhenoneisinsulted.10.Itishardtoremaininnocentwhentemptedbysuddencircumstances.11.Itishardtoapplyoneselftostudywidelyandthoroughly.12.Itishardnottodespiseabeginner.13.Itishardtokeeponeselfhumble.14.Itishardtofindgoodfriends.15.ItishardtoendurethedisciplinethatleadstoEnlightenment.16.Itishardnottobedisturbedbyexternalconditionsandcircumstances.17.Itishardtoteachothersbyknowingtheirabilities.18.Itishardtomaintainapeacefulmind.[133]19.Itishardnottoargueaboutrightandwrong.20.Itishardtofindandlearnagoodmethod.

11.Goodmenandbadmendifferfromeachotherintheirnatures.Badmendonotrecognizeasinfulactassinful;ifitssinfulnessisbroughttotheirattention,theydonotceasedoingitanddonotliketohaveanyoneinformthemoftheirsinfulacts.Wisemenaresensitivetorightandwrong;theyceasedoinganythingassoonastheyseethatitiswrong;theyaregratefultoanyonewhocallstheirattentiontosuchwrongacts.

Thusgoodmenandbadmendifferradically.Badmenneverappreciatekindnessshownthem,butwisemenappreciateandaregrateful.Wisementrytoexpresstheirappreciationandgratitudebysomereturnofkindness,notonlytotheirbenefactor,buttoeveryoneelse.

III

TEACHINGINANCIENTFABLES

1.Onceuponatimetherewasacountrywhichhadtheverypeculiarcustomofabandoningitsagedpeopleinremoteandinaccessiblemountains.

AcertainministeroftheStatefoundittoodifficulttofollowthiscustominthecaseofhisownagedfather,[134]andsohebuiltasecretundergroundcavewherehehidhisfatherandcaredforhim.

Onedayagodappearedbeforethekingofthatcountryandgavehimapuzzlingproblem,sayingthatifhecouldnotsolveitsatisfactorily,hiscountrywouldbedestroyed.Theproblemwas:"Herearetwoserpents;tellmethesexofeach."

Neitherthekingnoranyoneinthepalacewasabletosolvetheproblem;sothekingofferedagreatrewardtoanyoneinhiskingdomwhocould.

Theministerwenttohisfather'shidingplaceandaskedhimfortheanswertothatproblem.Theoldmansaid:"Itisaneasysolution.Placethetwosnakesonasoftcarpet;theonethatmovesaboutisthemale,andtheotherthatkeepsquietisthefemale."Theministercarriedtheanswertothekingandtheproblemwassuccessfullysolved.

Thenthegodaskedotherdifficultquestionswhichthekingandhisretainerswereunabletoanswer,butwhichtheminister,afterconsultinghisagedfather,couldalwayssolve.[135]

Herearesomeofthequestionsandtheiranswers."Whoistheonewho,beingasleep,iscalledtheawakenedone,and,beingawake,iscalledthesleepingone?"Theansweristhis:-ItistheonewhoisundertrainingforEnlightenment.HeisawakewhencomparedwiththosewhoarenotinterestedinEnlightenment;heisasleepwhencomparedwiththosewhohavealreadyattainedEnlightenment.

"Howcanyouweighalargeelephant?""Loaditonaboatanddrawalinetomarkhowdeeptheboatsinksintothewater.Thentakeouttheelephantandloadtheboatwithstonesuntilitsinkstothesamedepth,andthenweighthestones."

Whatisthemeaningofthesaying,"Acupfulofwaterismorethanthewaterofanocean?"Thisistheanswer:"Acupfulofwatergiveninapureandcompassionatespirittoone'sparentsortoasickpersonhasaneternalmerit,butthewaterofanoceanwillsomedaycometoanend."

Nextthegodmadeastarvingman,reducedtoskinandbones,complain,"IsthereanyoneinthisworldmorehungrythanI?"'ThemanwhoissoselfishandgreedythathedoesnotbelieveintheThreeTreasuresoftheBuddha,theDharmaandtheSamgha,andwhodoesnotmakeofferingstohisparentsandteachers,isnotonly[136]morehungrybuthewillfallintotheworldofhungrydemonsandtherehewillsufferfromhungerforever."

"HereisaplankofChandanawood;whichendwasthebottomofthetree?""Floattheplankinwater;theendthatsinksalittledeeperwastheendnearesttheroot."

"Herearetwohorsesapparentlyofthesamesizeandform;howcanyoutellthemotherfromtheson?""Feedthemsomehay;themotherhorsewiI1pushthehaytowardherson."

Everyanswertothesedifficultquestionspleasedthegodaswellastheking.Thekingwasgratefultofindoutthattheanswershadcomefromtheagedfatherwhomtheministerhadhiddeninthecave,andhewithdrewthelawofabandoningagedpeopleinthemountainsandorderedthattheyweretobetreatedkindly.

2.QueenofVidehainIndiaoncedreamedofawhiteelephantthathadsixivorytusks.Shecovetedthetusksandbesoughtthekingtogetthemforher.Althoughthetaskseemedanimpossibleone,thekingwholovedthequeenverymuchofferedarewardtoanyhunterwhowouldreportifhefoundsuchanelephant.[137]

IthappenedthattherewasjustsuchanelephantwithsixtusksintheHimalayanMountainswhowastrainingforBuddhahood.Theelephantoncehadsavedahunter'slifeinanemergencyinthedepthsofthemountainsandthehuntercouldgobacksafelytohiscountry.Thehunter,however,blindedbythegreatrewardandforgettingthekindnesstheelephanthadshownhim,returnedtothemountainstokilltheelephant.

Thehunter,knowingthattheelephantwasseekingBuddhahood,disguisedhimselfintherobeofaBuddhistmonkand,thuscatchingtheelephantoffguard,shotitwithapoisonedarrow.

Theelephant,knowingthatitsendwasnearandthatthehunterhadbeenovercomebytheworldlydesireforthereward,hadcompassionuponhimandshelteredhiminitslimbstoprotectthehunterfromthefuryoftheotherrevengefulelephants.Thentheelephantaskedthehunterwhyhehaddonesuchafoolishthing.Thehuntertoldoftherewardandconfessedthathecoveteditssixtusks.Theelephantimmediatelybrokeoffthetusksbyhittingthemagainstatreeandgavethemtothehuntersaying:-"BythisofferingIhavecompletedmytrainingforBuddhahoodandwillbereborninthePureLand.WhenIbecomeaBuddha,Iwillhelpyoutogetridofyourthreepoisonousarrowsofgreed,angerandfoolishness."[138]

3.InathicketatthefootoftheHimalayanMountainsthereoncelivedaparrottogetherwithmanyotheranimalsandbirds.Onedayafirestartedinthethicketfromthefrictionofbamboosinastrongwindandthebirdsandanimalswereinfrightenedconfusion.Theparrot,feelingcompassionfortheirfrightandsuffering,andwishingtorepaythekindnesshehadreceivedinthebamboothicketwherehecouldshelterhimself,triedtodoallhecouldtosavethem.Hedippedhimselfinapondnearbyandflewoverthefireandshookoffthedropsofwatertoextinguishthefire.Herepeatedthisdiligentlywithaheartofcompassionoutofgratitudetothethicket.

Thisspiritofkindnessandself-sacrificewasnoticedbyaheavenlygodwhocamedownfromtheskyandsaidtotheparrot:-"Youhaveagallantmind,butwhatgooddoyouexpecttoaccomplishbyafewdropsofwateragainstthisgreatfire?"Theparrotanswered:-"Thereisnothingthatcannotbeaccomplishedbythespiritofgratitudeandself-sacrifice.Iwilltryoverandoveragainandthenoverinthenextlife."Thegreatgodwasimpressedbytheparrot'sspiritandtogethertheyextinguishedthefire.

4.AtonetimetherelivedintheHimalayasabirdwithonebodyandtwoheads.Onceoneoftheheadsnoticedtheotherheadeatingsomesweetfruitandfeltjealousandsaidtoitself:-"Iwilltheneatpoisonfruit."Soitate[139]poisonandthewholebirddied.

5.Atonetimethetailandtheheadofasnakequarreledastowhichshouldbethefront.Thetailsaidtothehead:-'Youarealwaystakingthelead;itisnotfair,yououghttoletmeleadsometimes."Theheadanswered;-"ItisthelawofournaturethatIshouldbethehead;Icannotchangeplaceswithyou."

Butthequarrelwentonandonedaythetailfasteneditselftoatreeandthuspreventedtheheadfromproceeding.Whentheheadbecametiredwiththestrugglethetailhaditsownway,withtheresultthatthesnakefellintoapitoffireandperished.

Intheworldofnaturetherealwaysexistsanappropriateorderand

everythinghasitsownfunction.Ifthisorderisdisturbed,thefunctioningisinterruptedandthewholeorderwillgotoruin.

6.Therewasamanwhowaseasilyangered.Onedaytwomenweretalkinginfrontofthehouseaboutthemanwholivedthere.Onesaidtotheother:-"Heisanicemanbutisveryimpatient;hehasahottemperandgetsangryquickly."Themanoverheardtheremark,rushedoutofthehouseandattackedthetwomen,strikingandkickingandwoundingthem.[140]

Whenawisemanisadvisedofhiserrors,hewillreflectonthemandimprovehisconduct.Whenhismisconductispointedout,afoolishmanwillnotonlydisregardtheadvicebutratherrepeatthesameerror.

7.Oncetherewasawealthybutfoolishman.Whenhesawthebeautifulthree-storiedhouseofanotherman,heenvieditandmadeuphismindtohaveonebuiltjustlikeit,thinkinghewashimselfjustaswealthy.Hecalledacarpenterandorderedhimtobuildit.Thecarpenterconsentedandimmediatelybegantoconstructthefoundation,thefirststory,thesecondstory,andthenthethirdstory.Thewealthymannoticedthiswithirritationandsaid:-"Idon'twantafoundationorafirststoryorasecondstory;Ijustwantthebeautifulthirdstory.Builditquickly."

Afoolishmanalwaysthinksonlyoftheresults,andisimpatientwithouttheeffortthatisnecessarytogetgoodresults.Nogoodcanbeattainedwithoutpropereffort,justastherecanbenothirdstorywithoutthefoundationandthefirstandthesecondstories.

8.Afoolishmanwasonceboilinghoney.Hisfriendsuddenlyappearedandthefoolishmanwantedtoofferhimsomehoney,butitwastoohot,andsowithoutremovingitfromthefirehefannedittomakeitcool.Inlikemanner,itisimpossibletogetthehoneyofcool[141]wisdomwithoutfirstremovingitfromthefireofworldlypassions.

9.Oncethereweretwodemonswhospentawholedayarguingandquarrelingaboutabox,acaneandapairofshoes.Aman,passingby,inquired,'Whyareyouarguingaboutthesethings?Whatmagicalpowerhavetheythatyoushouldbequarrelingaboutpossessingthem?"

Thedemonsexplainedtohimthatfromtheboxtheycouldgetanythingtheydesired-food,clothingortreasure;withthecanetheycouldsubduealltheirenemies;andwiththepairofshoestheycouldtravelthroughtheair.

Uponhearingthis,themansaid:'Whyquarrel?Ifyouwillgoawayforafewminutes,Icanthinkofafairdivisionofthethingsbetweenyou."Sothetwodemonsretiredandassoonastheyweregone,themanputontheshoes,seizedtheboxandthecaneandwasoffthroughtheair.

The"demons"representmenofheathenbeliefs."Abox"meansthegiftsthataremadeincharity;theydonotrealizehowmanytreasurescanbeproducedfromcharity."Acane"meansthepracticeofconcentrationofthemind.Mendonotrealizethatbythepracticeof[142]spiritualconcentrationofmind,theycansubdueallworldlydesires."Apairofshoes"meansthepuredisciplinesofthoughtandconduct,thatwillcarrythembeyondalldesiresandarguments.Withoutknowingthese,theyquarrelandargueaboutabox,acaneandapairofshoes.

10.Onceuponatimeamanwastravelingalone.Hecametoavacanthousetowardtheeveninganddecidedtospendthenightthere.Aboutmidnightademonbroughtinacorpseandleftitonthefloor.Shortly,anotherdemonappearedandclaimedthecorpseashisandtheyquarreledoverit.

Thenthefirstdemonsaiditwasuselesstoargueaboutitfurtherandproposedthattheyreferittoajudgetodecidethepossessor.Theotherdemonagreedtothisand,seeingthemancoweringinthecorner,askedhimtodecidetheownership.Themanwasterriblyfrightened,forhewellknewthatwhateverdecisionhemightmakewouldangerthedemonthatlostandthatthelosingdemonwouldseekrevengeandkillhim,buthedecidedtotelltruthfullyjustwhathehadwitnessed.

Asheexpected,thisangeredtheseconddemonwhograbbedoneoftheman'sarmsandtoreitoff,butthefirstdemonreplacedthearmwithonetakenfromthecorpse.Theangrydemontoreawaytheman'sotherarm,[143]butthefirstdemonimmediatelyreplacedthatwiththeotherarmofthecorpse.Andsoitwentonuntilbotharms,bothlegs,theheadandthebodyhadbeensuccessivelytornawayandreplacedwiththecorrespondingpartsofthecorpse.Thenthetwodemons,seeingthepartsofthemanscatteredaboutonthefloor,pickedthemupanddevouredthemandwentawaychuckling.

Thepoormanwhohadtakenrefugeinthedesertedhousewasverymuchupsetbyhismisfortunes.Thepartsofhisbodywhichthedemonshadeatenwerethepartshisparentshadgivenhim,andthepartsthathenowhadbelongedtothecorpse.Whowashe,anyway?Realizingallthefacts,hewasunabletofigureitoutand,becomingcrazy,hewanderedoutofthehouse.Comingtoatemple,hewentinandtoldhistroublestothemonks.Peoplecouldseethetruemeaningofselflessnessinhisstory.

11.Onceabeautifulandwell-dressedwomanvisitedahouse.Themasterofthehouseaskedherwhoshewas;andsherepliedthatshewasthegoddessofwealth.Themasterofthehousewasdelightedandsotreatedhernicely.[144]

Soonafteranotherwomanappearedwhowasuglylookingandpoorly

dressed.Themasteraskedwhoshewasandthewomanrepliedthatshewasthegoddessofpoverty.Themasterwasfrightenedandtriedtodriveheroutofthehouse,butthewomanrefusedtodepart,saying,"Thegoddessofwealthismysister.Thereisanagreementbetweenusthatwearenevertoliveseparately;ifyouchasemeout,sheistogowithme."Sureenough,assoonastheuglywomanwentout,theotherwomandisappeared.

Birthgoeswithdeath.Fortunegoeswithmisfortune.Badthingsfollowgoodthings.Peopleshouldrealizethis.Foolishpeopledreadmisfortuneandstriveaftergoodfortune,butthosewhoseekEnlightenmentmusttranscendbothofthemandbefreeofworldlyattachments.

12.Oncetherelivedapoorartistwholefthishome,leavinghiswife,toseekhisfortune.Afterthreeyearsofhardstruggleshehadsavedthreehundredpiecesofgoldanddecidedtoreturntohishome.Onhiswayhecametoagreattempleinwhichagrandceremonyofofferingwasinprogress.Hewasgreatlyimpressedbyitandthoughttohimself"Hitherto,Ihavethoughtonlyofthepresent;Ihaveneverconsideredmyfuturehappiness.ItisapartofmygoodfortunethatIhavecometothisplace;Imusttakeadvantageofittoplantseedsof[145]merit."Thinkingthus,hegratefullydonatedallhissavingstothetempleandreturnedtohishomepenniless.

Whenhereachedhome,hiswifereproachedhimfornotbringinghersomemoneyforhersupport.Thepoorartistrepliedthathehadearnedsomemoneybuthadputitwhereitwouldbesafe.Whenshepressedhimtotellwherehehadhiddenit,heconfessedthathehadgivenittothemonksatacertaintemple.

Thismadethewifeangryandshescoldedherhusbandandfinallycarriedthemattertothelocaljudge.Whenthejudgeaskedtheartistforhisdefence,theartistsaidthathehadnotactedfoolishly,forhehadearnedthemoneyduringlongandhardstrugglesandwantedtouseitasseedforfuturegoodfortune.Whenhecametothetempleitseemedtohimthattherewasthefieldwhereheshouldplanthisgoldasseedforgoodfortune.Thenheadded:'When1gavethemonksthegold,itseemedthatIwasthrowingawayallgreedandstinginessfrommymind,andIhaverealizedthatrealwealthisnotgoldbutmind."

Thejudgepraisedtheartist'sspirit,andthosewhoheardofthismanifestedtheirapprovalbyhelpinghiminvariousways.Thustheartistandhiswifeenteredintopermanentgoodfortune.[146]

13.Amanlivingnearacemeteryheardonenightavoicecallinghimfromagrave.Hewastootimidtoinvestigateithimselfbutthenextdayhementionedittoabravefriend,whomadeuphismindtotracetheplacewhencethevoicecamethefollowingnight.

Whilethetimidmanwastremblingwithfear,hisfriendwenttothe

cemeteryand,sureenough,thesamevoicewasheardcomingfromagrave.Thefriendaskedwhoitwasandwhatitwanted.Thevoicefromunderthegroundreplied:"Iamahiddentreasurethathasdecidedtogivemyselftosomeone.Iofferedittoamanlastnightbuthewastootimidtocomeafterit,soIwillgiveittoyouwhoareworthyofit.TomorrowmorningIwillcometoyourhousewithmysevenfollowers."

Thefriendsaid:"Iwillbewaitingforyou,butpleasetellmehowIamtotreatyou."Thevoicereplied:"Wewillcomeinmonk'srobes.Havearoomreadyforuswithwater;washyourbodyandcleantheroom,andhaveseatsforusandeightbowlsofrice-porridge.Afterthemeal,youaretoleadusonebyoneintoaclosedroominwhichwewilltransformourselvesintocrocksofgold."

Thenextmorningthismanwashedhisbodyandcleanedtheroomjustashehadbeentoldandwaitedfor[147]theeightmonkstoappear.Induetimetheyappearedandhereceivedthemcourteously.Aftertheyhadeatenthefoodheledthemonebyoneintotheclosedroom,whereeachmonkturnedhimselfintoacrockfullofgold.

Therewasaverygreedymaninthesamevillagewholearnedoftheincidentandwantedthecrocksofgold.Heinvitedeightmonkstohishouse.Aftertheirmealheledthemintoaclosedroom,butinsteadofturningthemselvesintocrocksofgold,theybecameangryandroughandreportedthegreedymantothepolicewhoeventuallyarrestedhim.

Asforthetimidman,whenheheardthatthevoicefromthegravehadbroughtwealthtothebraveman,hewenttothehouseofthebravemanandgreedilydemandedthegold,insistingthatitwashis,becausethevoicefirstaddressedhim.Whenthetimidmantriedtotakethecrocksawayhefoundlotsofsnakesinsideraisingtheirheadsreadytoattackhim.

Thekingheardaboutthisandruledthatthecrocksbelongedtothebravemanandutteredthefollowingobservation:"Everythingintheworldgoeslikethis.Foolishpeopleareavariciousforgoodresultsonly,butaretootimidtogoafterthemand,therefore,arecontinuallyfailing.Theyhaveneitherfaithnorcouragetofacetheinternalstrugglesofthemindbywhichalonetrue[148]peaceandharmonycanbeattained."[149]

CHAPTERTWO

THEWAYOFPRACTICALATTAINMENT

I

SEARCHFORTRUTH

1.Inthesearchfortruththerearecertainquestionsthatareunimportant.Ofwhatmaterialistheuniverseconstructed?Istheuniverseeternal?Aretherelimitsornottotheuniverse?Inwhatwayisthishumansocietyputtogether?Whatistheidealformoforganizationforhumansociety?IfamanweretopostponehissearchingandpracticingforEnlightenmentuntilsuchquestionsweresolved,hewoulddiebeforehefoundthepath.

Supposeamanwerepiercedbyapoisonedarrow,andhisrelativesandfriendsgottogethertocallasurgeontohavethearrowpulledoutandthewoundtreated.

Ifthewoundedmanobjects,saying,'Waitalittle.Beforeyoupullitout,Iwanttoknowwhoshotthisarrow.Wasitamanorawoman?Wasitsomeoneofnoblebirth,orwasitapeasant?Whatwasthebowmadeof?Wasitabigbow,orasmallbow,thatshotthearrow?Wasitmadeofwoodorbamboo?Whatwasthebow-[150]stringmadeof?Wasitmadeoffiber,orofgut?Wasthearrowmadeofrattan,orofreed?Whatfeatherswereused?Beforeyouextractthearrow,Iwanttoknowallaboutthesethings."Thenwhatwillhappen?

Beforeallthisinformationcanbesecured,nodoubt,thepoisonwillhavetimetocirculateallthroughthesystemandthemanmaydie.Thefirstdutyistoremovethearrow,andpreventitspoisonfromspreading.

Whenafireofpassionisendangeringtheworld,thecompositionoftheuniversematterslittle;whatistheidealformforthehumancommunityisnotsoimportanttodealwith.

Thequestionofwhethertheuniversehaslimitsoriseternalcanwaituntilsomewayisfoundtoextinguishthefiresofbirth,oldage,sicknessanddeath;inthepresenceofmisery,sorrow,sufferingandagony,oneshouldfirstsearchforawaytosolvetheseproblemsanddevoteoneselftothepracticeofthatway.

TheBuddha'steachingcontainswhatisimportanttoknowandnotwhatisunimportant.Thatis,itteaches[151]peoplethattheymustlearnwhattheyshouldlearn,removewhattheyshouldremove,trainforwhattheyshouldbecomeenlightenedabout.

Therefore,peopleshouldfirstdiscernwhatisthemostimportant,whatproblemshouldbesolvedfirstandwhatisthemostpressingissueforthem.Todoallthis,theymustfirstundertaketotraintheirminds;thatis,theymustfirstseekmind-control.

2.Supposeamangoestotheforesttogetsomeofthepiththatgrowsinthecenterofatreeandreturnswithaburdenofbranchesandleaves,thinkingthathehassecuredwhathewentafter;wouldhenotbefoolish,ifheissatisfiedwiththebark,woodforthepithwhichhewasafter?Butthatiswhatmanypeoplearedoing.

Apersonseeksapaththatwillleadhimawayfrombirth,oldage,sicknessanddeath,orfrommisery,sorrow,sufferingandagony;andyet,hefollowsthepathalittleway,noticessomelittleadvance,andimmediatelybecomesproudandconceitedanddomineering.Heislikethemanwhosoughtpithandwentawaysatisfiedwithaburdenofbranchesandleaves.[152]

Anothermanbecomingsatisfiedwiththeprogresshehasmadebyalittleeffort,relaxeshiseffortandbecomesproudandconceited;heiscarryingawayonlyaloadofbranchesinsteadofthepithhewasseeking.

Stillanothermanfindingthathismindisbecomingcalmerandhisthoughtsclearer,he,too,relaxeshiseffortandbecomesproudandconceited;hehasaburdenofthebarkinsteadofthepithhewaslookingfor.

Thenagain,anothermanbecomesproudandconceitedbecausehenoticesthathehasgainedameasureofintuitiveinsight;hehasaloadofthewoodyfiberofthetreeinsteadofthepith.Alloftheseseekers,whobecomeeasilysatisfiedbytheirinsufficienteffortandbecomeproudandover-bearing,relaxtheireffortsandeasilyfallintoidleness.Allthesepeoplewillinevitablyfacesufferingagain.

ThosewhoseekthetruepathtoEnlightenmentmustnotexpectanyofferofrespect,honorordevotion.Andfurther,theymustnotaimwithaslighteffort,atatriflingadvanceincalmnessorknowledgeorinsight.

Firstofall,oneshouldgetclearlyinmindthebasicandessentialnatureofthisworldoflifeanddeath.[153]

3.Theworldhasnosubstanceofitsown.Itissimplyavastconcordanceofcausesandconditionsthathavehadtheirorigin,solelyandexclusively,intheactivitiesofthemindthathasbeenstimulatedbyignorance,falseimagination,desiresandinfatuation.Itisnotsomethingexternalaboutwhichthemindhasfalseconceptions;ithasnosubstancewhatever.Ithascomeintoappearancebytheprocessesoftheminditself,manifestingitsowndelusions.Itisfoundedandbuiltupoutofthedesiresofthemind,outofitssufferingsandstrugglesincidentaltothepaincausedbyitsowngreed,angerandfoolishness.MenwhoseekthewaytoEnlightenmentshouldbereadytofightsuchamindtoattaintheirgoal.

4."Ohmymind!Whydoyouhoversorestlesslyoverthechangingcircumstancesoflife?Whydoyoumakemesoconfusedandrestless?Whydoyouurgemetocollectsomanythings?Youarelikeaplowthatbreaksin

piecesbeforebeginningtoplow;youarelikearudderthatisdismantledjustasyouareventuringoutontheseaoflieanddeath.Ofwhatusearemanyrebirthsifwedonotmakegooduseofthislife?”

"Ohmymind!Onceyoucausedmetobebornasaking,andthenyoucausedmetobebornasanoutcastandtobegformyfood.Sometimesyoucausemetobeborninheavenlymansionsofthegodsandtodwellinluxuryandinecstasy;thenyouplungemeintothe[154]flamesofhell."

"Oh,myfoolish,foolishmind!ThusyouhaveledmealongdifferentpathsandIhavebeenobedienttoyouanddocile.ButnowthatIhaveheardtheBuddha'steaching,donotdisturbmeanymoreorcausemefurthersufferings,butletusseekEnlightenmenttogether,humblyandpatiently."

"Oh,mymind!Ifyoucouldonlylearnthateverythingisnon-substantialandtransitory;ifyoucouldonlylearnnottograspafterthings,nottocovetthings,nottogivewaytogreed,angerandfoolishness;thenwemightjourneyinquietness.Then,byseveringthebondofdesireswiththeswordofwisdom,beingundisturbedbychangingcircumstances-advantageordisadvantage,goodorbad,lossorgain,praiseorabuse-wemightdwellinpeace."

"Oh,mydearmind!Itwasyouwhofirstawakenedfaithinus;itwasyouwhosuggestedourseekingEnlightenment.Whydoyougivewaysoeasilytogreed,loveofcomfortandpleasantexcitementagain?”

"Oh,mymind!Whydoyourushhitherandthitherwithnodefinitepurpose?Letuscrossthiswildseaofdelusion.HithertoIhaveactedasyouwished,butnowyoumustactasIwishand,together,wewillfollowthe[155]Buddha'steaching."

"Oh,mydearmind!Thesemountains,riversandseasarechangeableandpain-producing.Whereinthisworldofdelusionshallweseekquietness?LetusfollowtheBuddha'steachingandcrossovertotheothershoreofEnlightenment."

5.Thus,thosewhoreallyseekthepathtoEnlightenmentdictatetermstotheirmind.Thentheyproceedwithstrongdetermination.Eventhoughtheyareabusedbysomeandscornedbyothers,theygoforwardundisturbed.Theydonotbecomeangryiftheyarebeatenbyfists,orhitbystones,orgashedbyswords.

Evenifenemiescuttheirheadfromthebody,themindmustnotbedisturbed.Iftheylettheirmindbecomedarkenedbythethingstheysuffer,theyarenotfollowingtheteachingofBuddha.Theymustbedetermined,nomatterwhathappenstothem,toremainsteadfast,unmovable,everradiatingthoughtsofcompassionandgood-will.Letabusecome,letmisfortunecome,andyetoneshouldresolvetoremainunmovedandtranquilinmind,filledwithBuddha's

teaching.ForthesakeofattainingEnlightenment,oneshouldtrytoaccomplishthe

impossibleandoneshouldendure[156]theunendurable.Onemustgivewhathehastothelastofit.IfheistoldthattogainEnlightenmenthemustlimithisfoodtoasinglegrainofriceaday,hewilleatonlythat.IfthepathtoEnlightenmentleadshimthroughfire,hewillgoforward.

Butonemustnotdothesethingsforanyulteriorpurpose.Oneshoulddothembecauseitisthewisething,therightthing,todo.Oneshoulddothemoutofaspiritofcompassion,asamotherdoesthingsforherlittlechild,forhersickchild,withnothoughtofherownstrengthorcomfort.

6.Oncetherewasakingwholovedhispeopleandhiscountryandruledthemwithwisdomandkindnessand,becauseofithiscountrywasprosperousandpeaceful.Hewasalwaysseekingforgreaterwisdomandenlightenment;heevenofferedrewardstoanyonewhocouldleadhimtoworthyteachings.

Hisdevotionandwisdomfinallycametotheattentionofthegods,buttheydeterminedtotesthim.Agodindisguiseasademonappearedbeforethegatesoftheking'spalaceandaskedtobebroughtbeforethekingashehadaholyteachingforhim.[157]

Thekingwhowaspleasedtohearthemessagecourteouslyreceivedhimandaskedforinstruction.Thedemontookonadreadfulformanddemandedfood,sayingthathecouldnotteachuntilhehadthefoodheliked.Choicefoodwasofferedthedemon,butheinsistedthathemusthavewarmhumanfleshandblood.Thecrown-princegavehisbodyandthequeenalsogaveherbody,butstillthedemonwasunsatisfiedandsodemandedthebodyoftheking.

Thekingexpressedhiswillingnesstogivehisbody,butaskedthathemightfirstheartheteachingbeforehewouldofferhisbody.

Thegodutteredthefollowingwiseteaching:"Miseryrisesfromlustandfearrisesfromlust.Thosewhoremovelusthavenomiseryorfear."Suddenlythegodresumedhistrueformandtheprinceandthequeenalsoreappearedintheiroriginalbodies.

7.OncetherewasapersonwhosoughttheTruePathintheHimalayas.Hecarednothingforallthetreasuresoftheearthorevenforallthedelightsofheaven,buthesoughttheteachingthatwouldremoveallmentaldelusions.

Thegodswereimpressedbytheman'searnestnessandsincerityanddecidedtotesthismind.Sooneofthegodsdisguisedhimselfasademonandappearedinthe[158]Himalayas,singing:"Everythingchanges,everythingappearsanddisappears."

Theseekerheardthissongwhichpleasedhimverymuch.Hewasasdelightedasifhehadfoundaspringofcoolwaterforhisthirstorasifaslave

hadbeenunexpectedlyset£ree.Hesaidtohimself,"AtlastIhavefoundthetrueteachingthatIhavesoughtforsolong."Hefollowedthevoiceandatlastcameuponthefrightfuldemon.Withanuneasymindheapproachedthedemonandsaid:'WasityouwhosangtheholysongthatIhavejustheard?Ifitwasyou,pleasesingmoreofit."

Thedemonreplied:'Yes,itwasmysong,butIcannotsingmoreofituntilIhavehadsomethingtoeat;Iamstarving."

Themanbeggedhimveryearnestlytosingmoreofit,saying:"IthasasacredmeaningtomeandIhavesoughtitsteachingforalongtime.Ihaveonlyheardapartofit;pleaseletmehearmore."

Thedemonsaidagain:"Iamstarving,butifIcantastethewarmfleshandbloodofaman,Iwillfinishthesong."

Theman,inhiseagernesstoheartheteaching,promisedthedemonthathecouldhavehisbodyafterhe[159]hadheardtheteaching.Thenthedemonsangthecompletesong.

Everythingchanges,Everythingappearsanddisappears,ThereisperfecttranquilityWhenonetranscendsbothlifeandextinction.

Hearingthis,theman,afterhewrotethepoemonrocksandtreesaround,quietlyclimbedatreeandhurledhimselftothefeetofthedemon,butthedemonhaddisappearedand,instead,aradiantgodreceivedthebodyofthemanunharmed.

8.OnceuponatimetherewasanearnestseekerofthetruepathnamedSadaprarudita.Hecastasideeverytemptationforprofitorhonorandsoughtthepathattheriskofhislife.Onedayavoicefromheavencametohim,saying,"Sadaprarudita!Gostraighttowardtheeast.Donotthinkofeitherheatorcold,paynoattentiontoworldlypraiseorscorn,donotbebotheredbydiscriminationsofgoodorevil,butjustkeepongoingeast.InthefareastyouwillfindatrueteacherandwillgainEnlightenment."

Sadapraruditawasverypleasedtogetthisdefiniteinstructionandimmediatelystartedonhisjourneyeastward.Sometimeshesleptwherenightfoundhimina[160]lonelyfieldorinthewildmountains.

Beingastrangerinforeignlands,hesufferedmanyhumiliations;oncehesoldhimselfintoslavery,sellinghisownfleshoutofhunger,butatlasthefoundthetrueteacherandaskedforhisinstruction.

Thereisasaying,"Goodthingsarecostly,"andSadapraruditafoundittrueinhiscase,forhehadmanydifficultiesonhisjourneyinsearchofthepath.Hehadnomoneytobuysomeflowersandincensetooffertheteacher.Hetriedto

sellhisservicesbutcouldfindnoonetohirehim.Thereseemedtobeanevilspirithinderinghimeverywayheturned.ThepathtoEnlightenmentisahardoneanditmaycostamanhislife.

AtlastSadapraruditareachedthepresenceoftheteacherhimselfandthenhehadanewdifficulty.Hehadnopaperonwhichtotakenotesandnobrushorinktowritewith.Thenheprickedhiswristwithadaggerandtooknotesinhisownblood.InthiswayhesecuredthepreciousTruth.

9.OncetherewasaboynamedSudhanawhoalsowishedforEnlightenmentandearnestlysoughttheway.Fromafishermanhelearnedtheloreofthesea.Fromadoctorhelearnedcompassiontowardsickpeopleintheirsuffering.Fromawealthymanhelearnedthatsavingpennieswasthesecretofhisfortuneandthoughthow[161]necessaryitwastoconserveeverytriflinggainedonthepathtoEnlightenment.

Fromameditatingmonkhelearnedthatthepureandpeacefulmindhadamiraculouspowertopurifyandtranquilizeotherminds.Oncehemetawomanofexceptionalpersonalityandwasimpressedbyherbenevolentspirit,andfromherhelearnedalessonthatcharitywasthefruitofwisdom.Oncehemetanagedwandererwhotoldhimthattoreachacertainplacehehadtoscaleamountainofswordsandpassthroughavalleyoffire.ThusSudhanalearnedfromhisexperiencesthattherewastrueteachingtobegainedfromeverythinghesaworheard.

Helearnedpatiencefromapoor,crippledwoman;helearnedalessonofsimplehappinessfromwatchingchildrenplayinginthestreet;andfromsomegentleandhumblepeople,whoneverthoughtofwantinganythingthatanybodyelsewanted,helearnedthesecretoflivingatpeacewithalltheworld.

Helearnedalessonofharmonyfromwatchingtheblendingoftheelementsofincense,andalessonofthanksgivingfromthearrangementofflowers.Oneday,passingthroughaforest,hetookarestunderanobletreeandnoticedatinyseedlinggrowingnearbyoutofafallenanddecayingtreeandittaughthimalessonofthe[162]uncertaintyoflife.

Sunlightbydayandthetwinklingstarsbynightconstantlyrefreshedhisspirit.ThusSudhanaprofitedbytheexperiencesofhislongjourney.

Indeed,thosewhoseekforEnlightenmentmustthinkoftheirmindsascastlesanddecoratethem.TheymustopenwidethegatesoftheirmindsforBuddha,andrespectfullyandhumblyinviteHimtoentertheinmostchamber,theretoofferHimthefragrantincenseoffaithandtheflowersofgratitudeandgladness.

II

THEWAYSOFPRACTICE

1.ForthosewhoseekEnlightenmenttherearethreewaysofpracticethatmustbeunderstoodandfollowed:First,disciplinesforpracticalbehavior;second,rightconcentrationofmind;andthird,wisdom.

Whataredisciplines?Everyone,whetherapersonisacommonpersonoraway-seeker,shouldfollowthepreceptsforgoodbehavior.Oneshouldcontrolboththemindandbody,andguardthegatesofone'sfivesenses.Oneshouldbeafraidofevenatriflingeviland,frommomenttomoment,shouldendeavortopracticeonlygooddeeds.[163]

Whatismeantbytheconcentrationofmind?Itmeanstogetquicklyawayfromgreedyandevildesiresastheyariseandtoholdthemindpureandtranquil.

Whatiswisdom?ItistheabilitytoperfectlyunderstandandtopatientlyaccepttheFourfoldNobleTruth,toknowthefactofsufferinganditsnature;toknowthesourceofsuffering,toknowwhatconstitutestheendofsuffering,andtoknowtheNoblePaththatleadstotheendofsuffering.

ThosewhoearnestlyfollowthesethreewaysofpracticemayrightlybecalledthedisciplesofBuddha.

Supposeadonkey,thathasnoniceshape,novoiceandnohornslikethoseofthecow,wasfollowingaherdofcowsandproclaiming,"Look,Iamalsoacow."Wouldanyonebelievehim?Itisjustasfoolishwhenapersondoesnotfollowthethreewaysofpracticebutboaststhatheisaway-seekeroradiscipleofBuddha.

Beforeafarmergathersaharvestinthefall,hemustfirstplowtheground,sowtheseed,irrigate,andremovetheweedsastheycomeupinthespringtime.Likewise,theseekerofEnlightenmentmustfollowthethreewaysofpractice.Afarmercannotexpecttoseethe[164]budstoday,toseetheplantstomorrow,andtogathertheharvestthedayafter.SoapersonwhoseeksEnlightenmentcannotexpecttoremoveworldlydesirestoday,toremoveattachmentsandevildesirestomorrow,andtogetEnlightenmentthedayafter.

Justasplantsreceivethepatientcareofthefarmeraftertheseedhasbeensownandduringthechangesofclimateandduringthegrowthfromplanttofruit,sotheseekerofEnlightenmentmustpatientlyandperseveringlycultivatethesoilofEnlightenmentbyfollowingthethreewaysofpractice.

2.ItisdifficulttoadvancealongthepaththatleadstoEnlightenmentsolongasoneiscovetousofcomfortsandluxuriesandhisminddisturbedbythedesiresofthesenses.ThereisawidedifferencebetweentheenjoymentoflifeandtheenjoymentoftheTruePath.

Asalreadyexplained,themindisthesourceofallthings.Ifthemind

enjoysworldlyaffairs,illusionsandsufferingwillinevitablyfollow,butifthemindenjoystheTruePath,happiness,contentmentandenlightenmentwilljustassurelyfollow.

Therefore,thosewhoareseekingEnlightenmentshouldkeeptheirmindspure,andpatientlykeepand[165]practicethethreeways.Iftheykeepthepreceptstheywillnaturallyobtainconcentrationofmind;andiftheyobtainconcentrationoftheminditwillbejustasnaturalforthemtograspwisdom,andwisdomwillleadthemtoEnlightenment.

Indeed,thesethreeways(keepingtheprecepts,practicingconcentrationofmindandalwaysactingwisely)arethetruepathtoEnlightenment.

Bynotfollowingthem,peoplehaveforalongtimeaccumulatedmentaldelusions.Theymustnotarguewithworldlypeople,butmustpatientlymeditateintheirinnerworldofapuremindinordertoattainEnlightenment.

3.Ifthethreewaysofpracticeareanalyzed,theywillrevealtheeightfoldnoblepath,thefourviewpointstobeconsidered,thefourrightprocedures,thefivefacultiesofpowertobeemployed,andtheperfectionofsixpractices.

TheNobleEightfoldPathreferstoRightView,RightThought,RightSpeech,RightBehavior,RightLivelihood,RightEffort,RightMindfulness,andRightConcentration.

RightViewmeanstothoroughlyunderstandtheFourfoldTruth,tobelieveinthelawofcauseandeffect[166]andnottobedeceivedbyappearancesanddesires.

RightThoughtmeanstheresolutionnottocherish,desires,nottobegreedy,nottobeangry,andnottodoanyharmfuldeed.

RightSpeechmeanstheavoidanceoflyingwords,idlewords,abusivewords,anddouble-tongues.

RightBehaviormeansnottodestroyanylife,nottosteal,ornottocommitadultery.

RightLivelihoodmeanstoavoidanyliethatwouldbringshame.RightEffortmeanstotrytodoone'sbestdiligentlytowardtheright

direction.RightMindfulnessmeanstomaintainapureandthoughtfulmind.RightConcentrationmeanstokeepthemindrightandtranquilforits

concentration,seekingtorealizethemind'spureessence.4.TheFourView-pointstobeconsideredare:First,toconsiderthebody

impure,seekingtoremoveallattachmenttoit,second,toconsiderthesensesasasourceof[167]suffering,whatevertheirfeelingsofpainorpleasuremaybe;third,toconsiderthemindtobeinaconstantstateofflux,andfourth,toconsidereverythingintheworldasbeingaconsequenceofcausesand

conditionsandthatnothingremainsunchangedforever.5.TheFourRightProceduresare:First,topreventanyevilfromstarting;

second,toremoveanyevilassoonasitstarts;third,toinducethedoingofgooddeeds;andfourth,toencouragethegrowthandcontinuanceofgooddeedsthathavealreadystarted.Onemustendeavortokeepthesefourprocedures.

6.TheFiveFacultiesofPowerare:First,thefaithtobelieve;second,thewilltomaketheendeavor;third,thefacultyofalertness;fourth,theabilitytoconcentrateone'smind;andfifth,theabilitytomaintainclearwisdom.ThesefivefacultiesarenecessarypowerstoattainEnlightenment.

7.ThePerfectionofSixPracticesforreachingtheothershoreofEnlightenmentare:thepathofOffering,thepathofKeepingPrecepts,thepathofEndurance,thepathofEndeavor,thepathofConcentrationofmind,andthepathofWisdom.Byfollowingthesepaths,onecan[168]surelypassfromtheshoreofdelusionovertotheshoreofEnlightenment.

ThepracticeofOfferinggetsridofselfishness;thepracticeofPreceptskeepsonethoughtfuloftherightsandcomfortsofothers;thepracticeofEndurancehelpsonetocontrolafearfulorangrymind;thepracticeofEndeavorhelpsonetobediligentandfaithful;thepracticeofConcentrationhelpsonetocontrolawanderingandfutilemind;andthepracticeofWisdomchangesadarkandconfusedmindintoaclearandpenetratinginsight.

OfferingandKeepingPreceptsmakethefoundationnecessarytobuildagreatcastleon.EnduranceandEndeavorarethewallsofthecastlethatprotectitagainstenemiesfromoutside.ConcentrationandWisdomarethepersonalarmorthatprotectsoneagainsttheassaultsoflifeanddeath.

Ifonegivesawayagiftonlywhenconvenient,orbecauseitiseasiertogivethannottogive,itisanoffering,ofcourse,butitisnotaTrueOffering.ATrueOfferingcomesfromasympatheticheartbeforeanyrequestismade,andaTrueOfferingistheonethatgivesnotoccasionallybutconstantly.

NeitherisitaTrueOfferingifaftertheactthereare[169]feelingsofregretorofself-praise;aTrueOfferingisonethatisgivenwithpleasure,forgettingoneselfasthegiver,theonewhoreceivesitandthegiftitself.

TrueOfferingspringsspontaneouslyfromone'spurecompassionateheartwithnothoughtofanyreturn,wishingtoenterintoalifeofEnlightenmenttogether.

Therearesevenkindsofofferingwhichcanbepracticedbyeventhosewhoarenotwealthy.Thefirstisthephysicaloffering.Thisistoofferservicebyone'slabor.Thehighesttypeofthisofferingistoofferone'sownlifeasisshowninthefollowingstory.Thesecondisthespiritualoffering.Thisistoofferacompassionatehearttoothers.Thethirdistheofferingofeyes.Thisistooffer

awarmglancetootherswhichwillgivethemtranquility.Thefourthistheofferingofcountenance.Thisistoofferasoftcountenancewithsmiletoothers.Thefifthistheoraloffering.Thisistoofferkindandwarmwordstoothers.Thesixthistheseatoffering.Thisistoofferone'sseattoothers.Theseventhistheofferingofshelter.Thisistoletothersspendthenightatone'shome.Thesekindsofofferingcanbepracticedbyanyoneineverydaylife.[170]

8.OncetherewasaprincenamedSattva.Onedayheandhistwoelderbrotherswenttoaforesttoplay.Theretheysawafamishedtigresswhichwasevidentlytemptedtodevourherownsevencubstosatisfyherhunger.

TheelderbrothersranawayinfearbutSattvaclimbedupacliffandthrewhimselfoverittothetigressinordertosavethelivesofthebabytigers.

PrinceSattvadidthischaritableactspontaneouslybutwithinhismindhewasthinking:"Thisbodyischangingandimpermanent;Ihavelovedthisbodywithnothoughtofthrowingitaway,butnowImakeitanofferingtothistigresssothatImaygainEnlightenment."ThisthoughtofPrinceSattvashowsthetruedeterminationtogainEnlightenment.

9.ThereareFourUnlimitedStatesofMindthattheseekerofEnlightenmentshouldcherish.TheyareCompassion,Tenderness,GladnessandEquanimity.OnecanremovegreedbycherishingCompassion;onecanremoveangerbyTenderness;onecanremovesufferingbyGladness,andonecanremovethehabitofdiscriminationofenemiesandfriendsbycherishinganEquitablemind.

Itisagreatcompassionthatmakespeoplehappyandcontented;itisagreattendernessthatremoves[171]everythingthatdoesnotmakepeoplehappyandcontented;itisagreatgladnessthatmakeseveryonehappyandcontentedwithamindofjoy;thereisagreatpeacefulnesswheneveryoneishappyandcontented,andthenonecanhaveequalfeelingstowardeverybody.

WithcareonemaycherishtheseFourUnlimitedStatesofMindandmaygetridofgreed,anger,suffering,andthemindsoflove-hate,butitisnotaneasythingtodo.Anevilmindisashardtogetridofasawatchdog,andarightmindisaseasytoloseasadeerinaforest;oranevilmindisashardtoremoveasletterscarvedinstone,andarightmindisaseasytoloseaswordswritteninwater.Indeed,itisthemostdifficultthinginlifetotrainoneselfforEnlightenment.

10.TherewasayoungmannamedSronawhowasborninawealthyfamilybutwasofdelicatehealth.HewasveryearnesttogainEnlightenmentandbecameadiscipleoftheBlessedOne.OnthepathtoEnlightenment,hetriedsohardthatfinallyhisfeetbled.

TheBlessedOnepitiedhimandsaid,"Sronamyboy,didyoueverstudy

theharpatyourhome?Youknowthataharpdoesnotmakemusicifthestringsarestretchedtootightortooloose.Itmakesmusiconlywhenthestringsarestretchedjustright.[172]

"ThetrainingforEnlightenmentisjustlikeadjustingtheharpstrings.YoucannotattainEnlightenmentifyoustretchthestringsofyourmindtoolooselyortootightly.Youmustbeconsiderateandactwisely."Sronafoundthesewordsveryprofitableandfinallygainedwhathesought.

11.Oncetherewasaprincewhowasskillfulintheuseofthefiveweapons.Onedayhewasreturninghomefromhispracticeandmetamonsterwhoseskinwasinvulnerable.

Themonsterstartedforhimbutnothingdauntedtheprince.Heshotanarrowathimwhichfellharmless.Thenhethrewhisspearwhichfailedtopenetratethethickskin.Thenhethrewabarandajavelinbuttheyfailedtohurtthemonster.Thenheusedhisswordbuttheswordbroke.Theprinceattackedthemonsterwithhisfistsandfeetbuttonopurpose,forthemonsterclutchedhiminhisgiantarmsandheldhimfast.Thentheprincetriedtousehisheadasaweaponbutinvain.

Themonstersaid,"Itisuselessforyoutoresist;Iamgoingtodevouryou."Buttheprinceanswered,'YoumaythinkthatIhaveusedallmyweaponsandamhelpless,butIstillhaveoneweaponleft.Ifyoudevourme,Iwilldestroyyoufromtheinsideofyourstomach."[173]

Thecourageoftheprincedisturbedthemonsterandheasked,"Howcanyoudothat?"Theprincereplied,"BythepoweroftheTruth."

ThenthemonsterreleasedhimandbeggedforhisinstructionintheTruth.Theteachingofthisfableistoencouragedisciplestopersevereintheir

effortsandtobeundauntedinthefaceofmanysetbacks.12.Bothodiousself-assertionandshamelessnessoffendmankind,but

dishonorandshameprotecthumanbeings.Peoplerespecttheirparents,elders,brothersandsistersbecausetheyaresensitivetodishonorandshame.Afterself-reflectionitismeritorioustowithholdhonorfromone'sselfandtofeelashamedbyobservingotherpeople.

Ifapersonpossessesarepentantspiritone'ssinswilldisappear,butifonehasanunrepentantspiritone'ssinswillcontinueandcondemnthatpersonforever.

Itisonlytheonewhohearsthetrueteachingrightlyandrealizesitsmeaningandrelationtooneselfwhocanreceiveandprofitbyit.

Ifapersonmerelyhearsthetrueteachingbutdoesnotacquireit,onewillfailinone'ssearchforEnlightenment.[174]

Faith,modesty,humbleness,endeavorandwisdomarethegreatsourcesof

strengthtohimwhoisseekingEnlightenment.Amongthese,wisdomisthegreatestofallandtherestarebuttheaspectsofwisdom.Ifaman,whileinhistraining,lovesworldlyaffairs,enjoysidletalkorfallsasleep,hewillberetiredfromthepathtoEnlightenment.

13.IntrainingforEnlightenment,somemaysucceedquickerthanothers.Therefore,oneshouldnotbediscouragedtoseeothersbecomingenlightenedfirst.

Whenamanispracticingarchery,hedoesnotexpectquicksuccessbutknowsthatifhepracticespatiently,hewillbecomemoreandmoreaccurate.Ariverbeginsasabrookbutgrowseverlargeruntilitflowsintothegreatocean.

Liketheseexamples,ifapersontrainswithpatienceandperseverance,onewillsurelygainEnlightenment.

Asalreadyexplained,ifonekeepsone'seyesopen,hewillseetheteachingeverywhere,andsohisopportunitiesforEnlightenmentareendless.

Oncetherewasamanwhowasburningincense.Henoticedthatthefragrancewasneithercomingnorgoing;itneitherappearednordisappeared.ThistrifleincidentledhimtogainEnlightenment.[175]

Oncetherewasamanwhogotathornstuckinhisfoot.Hefeltthesharppainandathoughtcametohim,thatpainwasonlyareactionofthemind.Fromthisincidentadeeperthoughtfollowedthatthemindmaygetoutofhandifonefailstocontrolit,oritmaybecomepureifonesucceeds.Fromthesethoughts,alittlelater,Enlightenmentcametohim.

Therewasanothermanwhowasveryavaricious.Onedayhewasthinkingofhisgreedymindwhenherealizedthatgreedythoughtswerebutshavingsandkindlingsthatwisdomcouldburnandconsume.ThatwasthebeginningofhisEnlightenment.

Thereisanoldsaying:"Keepyourmindlevel.Ifthemindislevel,thewholeworldwillbelevel."Considerthesewords.Realizethatallthedistinctionsoftheworldarecausedbythediscriminatingviewsofthemind.ThereisapathtoEnlightenmentinthoseverywords.Indeed,thewaystoEnlightenmentareunlimited.

III

THEWAYOFFAITH

1.ThosewhotakerefugeintheThreeTreasures,theBuddha,theDharmaandtheSamgha,arecalledthedisciplesofBuddha.ThedisciplesofBuddhaobserve(the[176]fourpartsofmind-control)theprecepts,faith,offeringandwisdom.

ThedisciplesofBuddhapracticetheFivePrecepts:nottokill,nottosteal,nottocommitadultery,nottolie,andnottotakeintoxicantsofanykind.

ThedisciplesofBuddhahavefaithintheBuddha'sperfectwisdom.Theytrytokeepawayfromgreedinessandselfishnessandtopracticeoffering.Theyunderstandthelawofcauseandeffect,keepinginmindthetransiencyoflifeandconformtothenormofwisdom.

AtreeleaningtowardtheeastwillnaturallyfalleastwardandsothosewholistentotheBuddha'steachingandmaintainfaithinitwillsurelybebornintheBuddha'sPureLand.

2.IthasrightlybeensaidthatthosewhobelieveintheThreeTreasuresoftheBuddha,theDharmaandtheSarnghaarecalledthedisciplesofBuddha.

TheBuddhaistheonewhoattainedperfectEnlightenmentandusedHisattainmenttoemancipateandblessallmankind.TheDharmaisthetruth,thespiritofEnlightenmentandtheteachingthatexplainsit.TheSamghaistheperfectbrotherhoodofbelieversintheBuddhaandDharma.[177]

WespeakofBuddhahood,theDharmaandtheBrotherhoodasthoughtheyarethreedifferentthings,buttheyarereallyonlyone.BuddhaismanifestedinHisDharmaandisrealizedbytheBrotherhood.Therefore,tobelieveintheDharmaandtocherishtheBrotherhoodistohavefaithintheBuddha,andtohavefaithintheBuddhameanstobelieveintheDharmaandtocherishtheBrotherhood.

Therefore,peopleareemancipatedandenlightenedsimplybyhavingfaithintheBuddha.BuddhaistheperfectlyEnlightenedOneandHeloveseveryoneasthougheachwereHisonlychild.SoifanyoneregardsBuddhaashisownparent,heidentifieshimselfwithBuddhaandattainsEnlightenment.

ThosewhothusregardBuddhawillbesupportedbyHiswisdomandperfumedbyHisgrace.

3.NothingintheworldbringsgreaterbenefitthantobelieveinBuddha.JusthearingBuddha'sname,believingandbeingpleasedevenforamoment,isincomparablyrewarding.

Therefore,onemustpleaseoneselfbyseekingtheteachingofBuddhainspiteoftheconflagrationthatfillsalltheworld.[178]

ItwillbehardtomeetateacherwhocanexplaintheDharma;itwillbehardertomeetaBuddha;butitwillbehardesttobelieveinHisteaching.

ButnowthatyouhavemettheBuddha,whoishardtomeet,andhavehaditexplainedtoyouwhatishardtohear,yououghttorejoiceandbelieveandhavefaithinBuddha.

4.Onthelongjourneyofhumanlie,faithisthebestofcompanions;itisthebestrefreshmentonthejourney;anditisthegreatestpossession.

FaithisthehandthatreceivestheDharma;itisthepurehandthatreceivesallthevirtues.Faithisthefirethatconsumesalltheimpuritiesofworldlydesires,itremovestheburden,anditistheguidethatleadsone'sway.

Faithremovesgreed,fearandpride;itteachescourtesyandtorespectothers;itfreesonefromthebondageofcircumstances;itgivesonecouragetomeethardship;itgivesonepowertoovercometemptations;itenablesonetokeepone'sdeedsbrightandpure;anditenrichesthemindwithwisdom.[179]

Faithistheencouragementwhenone'swayislongandwearisome,anditleadstoEnlightenment.

FaithmakesusfeelthatweareinthepresenceofBuddhaanditbringsustowhereBuddha'sarmsupportsus.Faithsoftensourhardandselfishmindsandgivesusafriendlyspiritandamindofunderstandingsympathy.

5.ThosewhohavefaithgainthewisdomtorecognizetheBuddha'steachinginwhatevertheyhear.Thosewhohavefaithgainthewisdomtoseethateverythingisbuttheappearancethatarisesfromthelawofcausesandconditions,andthenfaithgivesthemthegraceofpatientacceptanceandtheabilitytoconformtotheirconditionspeacefully.

Faithgivesthemthewisdomtorecognizethetransiencyoflifeandthegracenottobesurprisedorgrievedatwhatevercomestothemorwiththepassingoflifeitself,knowingthat,howeverconditionsandappearancesmaychange,thetruthofliferemainsalwaysunchanged.

Faithhasthreesignificantaspects:repentance,arejoicingandsincererespectforthevirtuesofothers,andagratefulacceptanceofBuddha'sappearance.[180]

Peopleshouldcultivatetheseaspectsoffaith;theyshouldbesensitivetotheirfailingsandimpurities;theyshouldbeashamedofthemandconfessthem;theyshoulddiligentlypracticetherecognitionofthegoodtraitsandgooddeedsofothersandpraisethemfortheirsake;andtheyshouldhabituallydesiretoactwithBuddhaandtolivewithBuddha.

Themindoffaithisthemindofsincerity;itisadeepmind,amindthatissincerelygladtobeledtoBuddha'sPureLandbyHispower.

Therefore,BuddhagivesapowertofaiththatleadspeopletothePureLand,apowerthatpurifiesthem,apowerthatprotectsthemfromself-delusion.Eveniftheyhavefaithonlyforamoment,whentheyhearBuddha'snamepraisedallovertheworld,theywillbeledtoHisPureLand.

6.Faithisnotsomethingthatisaddedtotheworldlymind-itisthemanifestationofthemind'sBuddha-nature.OnewhounderstandsBuddhaisaBuddhahimself;onewhohasfaithinBuddhaisaBuddhahimself.

Butitisdifficulttouncoverandrecoverone'sBuddhanature;itisdifficult

tomaintainapuremindintheconstantriseandfallofgreed,angerandworldlypassion;yetfaithenablesonetodoit.[181]

WithintheforestofthepoisonousErandatreesonlyErandatreesaresaidtogrow,butnotthefragrantChandana.ItisamiracleifaChandanatreegrowsinanErandaforest.Likewise,itisoftenamiraclethatfaithinBuddhagrowsintheheartofthepeople.

Therefore,thefaithtobelieveinBuddhaiscalleda"rootless"faith.Thatis,ithasnorootbywhichitcangrowinthehumanmind,butithasaroottogrowinthecompassionatemindofBuddha.

7.Thusfaithisfruitfulandsacred.Butfaithishardtoawakeninanidlemind.Inparticular,therearefivedoubtsthatlurkintheshadowsofthehumanmindandtendtodiscouragefaith.

First,thereisdoubtintheBuddha'swisdom;second,thereisdoubtintheBuddha'steaching;third,thereisdoubtinthepersonwhoexplainstheBuddha'steachings;fourth,thereisdoubtastowhetherthewaysandmethodssuggestedforfollowingtheNoblePatharereliable;andfifth,thereisapersonwho,becauseofhisarrogantandimpatientmind,maydoubtthesincerityofotherswhounderstandandfollowtheBuddha'steachings.[182]

Indeed,thereisnothingmoredreadfulthandoubt.Doubtseparatespeople.Itisapoisonthatdisintegratesfriendshipsandbreaksuppleasantrelations.Itisathornthatirritatesandhurts;itisaswordthatkills.

ThebeginningsoffaithwerelongagoplantedbythecompassionofBuddha.Whenonehasfaith,oneshouldrealizethisfactandbeverygratefultoBuddhaforHisgoodness.

Oneshouldneverforgetthatitisnotbecauseofone'sowncompassionthatonehasawakenedfaith,butbecauseoftheBuddha'scompassionwhichlongagothrewitspurelightoffaithintohumanmindsanddispelledthedarknessoftheirignorance.Hewhoenjoysthepresentfaithhasenteredintotheirheritage.

Evenlivinganordinarylife,onecanbeborninthePureLand,ifheawakensfaiththroughtheBuddha'slongcontinuedcompassion.

Itis,indeed,hardtobeborninthisworld.ItishardtoheartheDharma;itishardertoawakenfaith;therefore,everyoneshouldtryone'sbesttoheartheBuddha'steachings.[183]

IVSACREDSAYINGS

1."Heabusedme,helaughedatme,hestruckme."Thusonethinksand

solongasoneretainssuchthoughtsone'sangercontinues.Angerwillneverdisappearsolongastherearethoughtsofresentmentin

themind.Angerwilldisappearjustassoonasthoughtsofresentmentareforgotten.

Ifaroofisimproperlymadeorindisrepair,rainwillleakintothehouse;sogreedentersthemindthatisimproperlytrainedoroutofcontrol.

Tobeidleisashortroadtodeathandtobediligentisawayoflife;foolishpeopleareidle,wisepeoplearediligent.

Anarrow-makertriestomakehisarrowsstraight;soawisemantriestokeephismindstraight.

Adisturbedmindisforeveractive,jumpinghitherandthither,andishardtocontrol;butatranquilmindispeaceful;therefore,itiswisetokeepthemindundercontrol.

Itisaman'sownmind,nothisenemyorfoe,thatlureshimintoevilways.[184]

Theonewhoprotectshismindfromgreed,angerandfoolishness,istheonewhoenjoysrealandlastingpeace.

2.Toutterpleasantwordswithoutpracticingthemislikeafineflowerwithoutfragrance.

Thefragranceofaflowerdoesnotfloatagainstthewind;butthehonorofagoodmangoesevenagainstthewindintotheworld.

Anightseemslongtoasleeplesspersonandajourneyseemslongtoawearytraveler;sothetimeofdelusionandsufferingseemslongtoapersonwhodoesnotknowtherightteaching.

Onatripamanshouldtravelwithacompanionofequalmindoronewhohasabettermind;onehadbettertravelalonethantotravelwithafool.

Aninsincereandevilfriendismoretobefearedthanawildbeast;awildbeastmaywoundyourbody,butanevilfriendwillwoundyourmind.

Solongasamancannotcontrolhisownmind,howcanhegetanysatisfactionfromthinkingsuchthoughtsas,"Thisismyson"or"Thisismytreasure"?Afoolish[185]mansuffersfromsuchthoughts.

Tobefoolishandtorecognizethatoneisafool,isbetterthantobefoolishandimaginethatoneiswise.

Aspooncannottasteofthefooditcarries.Likewise,afoolishmancannotunderstandthewiseman'swisdomevenifheassociateswithasage.

Freshmilkisoftenslowtocurdle;sosinfulactionsdonotalwaysbringimmediateresults.Sinfulactionsaremorelikecoalsoffirethatarehiddenintheashesandkeeponsmoldering,finallycausingagreaterfire.

Apersonisfoolishtodesireprivileges,promotion,profits,orhonor,for

suchdesirescanneverbringhappinessbutwillbringsufferinginstead.Agoodfriendwhopointsoutmistakesandimperfectionsandrebukesevil

istoberespectedasifherevealsthesecretofsomehiddentreasure.3.Apersonwhoispleasedwhenonereceivesgoodinstructionwillsleep

peacefully,becauseone'smindistherebycleansed.Acarpenterseekstomakehisbeamstraight;anarrow-makerseeksto

makehisarrowswell-balanced;the[186]diggerofanirrigationditchseekstomakethewaterrunsmoothly;soawisepersonseekstocontrolone'smindsothatitwillfunctionsmoothlyandtruly.

Agreatrockisnotdisturbedbythewind;themindofawisepersonisnotdisturbedbyeitherhonororabuse.

Toconqueroneselfisagreatervictorythantoconquerthousandsinabattle.

Toliveasingledayandhearagoodteachingisbetterthantoliveahundredyearswithoutknowingsuchteaching.

Thosewhorespectthemselvesmustbeonconstantguardlesttheyyieldtoevildesires.Onceinalifetime,atleast,theyshouldawakenfaith,eitherintheiryouth,orinmiddleage,oreveninoldage.

Theworldisalwaysburning,burningwiththefiresofgreed,angerandfoolishness;oneshouldfleefromsuchdangersassoonaspossible.

Theworldislikeabubble,itislikethegossamerwebofaspider,itislikethedefilementinadirtyjar;oneshouldconstantlyprotectthepurityofone'smind.[187]

4.Toavoidanyevil,toseekthegood,tokeepthemindpure:thisistheessenceofBuddha'steaching.

Enduranceisoneofthemostdifficultdisciplines,butitistohimwhoenduresthatthefinalvictorycomes.

Onemustremoveresentmentwhenheisfeelingresentful;onemustremovesorrowwhileheisinthemidstofsorrow;onemustremovegreedinesswhileheissteepedingreed.Toliveapureunselfishlife,onemustcountnothingasone'sowninthemidstofabundance.

Tobehealthyisagreatadvantage;tobecontentedwithwhatonehasisbetterthanthepossessionofgreatwealth;tobeconsideredreliableisthetruestmarkoffriendliness;toattainEnlightenmentisthehighesthappiness.

Whenonehasthefeelingofdislikeforevil,whenonefeelstranquil,whenonefindspleasureinlisteningtogoodteachings,whenonehasthesefeelingsandappreciatesthem,oneisfreeoffear.

Donotbecomeattachedtothethingsyoulike,donotmaintainaversiontothethingsyoudislike.Sorrow,fearandbondagecomefromone'slikesand

dislikes.[188]5. Rustgrowsfromironanddestroysit;soevilgrowsfromthemindof

humananddestroyshim.Ascripturethatisnotreadwithsinceritysoonbecomescoveredwithdust;

ahousethatisnotfixedwhenitneedsrepairingbecomesfilthy;soanidlepersonsoonbecomesdefiled.

Impureactsdefileaperson;stinginessdefilesanoffering;soevilactsdefilenotonlythislifebutalsothefollowinglives.

Butthedefilementtobemostdreadedisthedefilementofignorance.Apersoncannothopetopurifyeitherone'sbodyorminduntilignoranceisremoved.

Itiseasytoslipintoshamelessness,tobepertandboldlikeacrow,tohurtotherswithoutanyfeelingofregretforsuchaction.

Itishard,indeed,tofeelhumble,toknowrespectandhonor,togetridofallattachments,tokeeppureinthoughtanddeed,andtobecomewise.

Itiseasytopointoutthemistakesofothers,whileitishardtoadmitone'sownmistakes.Apersonbroadcaststhesinsofotherswithoutthinking,butonehidesone'sownsinsasagamblerhideshisextradice.[189]

Theskyholdsnotraceofbirdorsmokeorstorm;anevilteachingcarriesnoEnlightenment;nothinginthisworldisstable;butanEnlightenedmindisundisturbed.

6.Asaknightguardshiscastlegate,soonemustguardone'smindfromdangersoutsideanddangersinside;onemustnotneglectitforamoment.

Everyoneisthemasterofoneself,oneistheoasishecandependon;therefore,everyoneshouldcontrolhimselfaboveall.

Thefirststepstowardspiritualfreedomfromtheworldlybondsandfettersaretocontrolone'smind,tostopidletalk,andtobesomewhatpensive.

Thesunmakesthedaybright,themoonmakesthenightbeautiful,disciplineaddstothedignityofawarrior;soquietmeditationdistinguishestheseekerforEnlightenment.

Onewhoisunabletoguardone'sfivesensesofeyes,ears,nose,tongueandbody,andbecomestemptedbyone'ssurroundings,isnottheonewhocantrainforEnlightenment.Onewhofirmlyguardsthegatewaysofone'sfivesensesandkeepsone'smindundercontrolistheonewhocansuccessfullytrainforEnlightenment.[190]

7.Onewhoisinfluencedbyone'slikesanddislikescannotrightlyunderstandthesignificanceofcircumstancesandtendstobeovercomebythem;onewhoisfreefromattachmentsrightlyunderstandscircumstancesandtoone'sallthingsbecomenewandsignificant.

Happinessfollowssorrow,sorrowfollowshappiness,butwhenonenolongerdiscriminatesbetweenhappinessandsorrow,agooddeedandabaddeed,oneisabletorealizefreedom.

Toworryinanticipationortocherishregretforthepastislikethereedsthatarecutandwitheraway.

Thesecretofhealthforbothmindandbodyisnottomournforthepast,nottoworryaboutthefuture,ornottoanticipatetroubles,buttolivewiselyandearnestlyforthepresent.

Donotdwellinthepast,donotdreamofthefuture,concentratethemindonthepresentmoment.

Itisworthytoperformthepresentdutywellandwithoutfailure;donotseektoavoidorpostponeittilltomorrow.Byactingnow,onecanliveagoodday.[191]

Wisdomisthebestguideandfaithisthebestcompanion.Onemusttrytoescapefromthedarknessofignoranceandsuffering,andseekthelightofEnlightenment.

Ifaperson'sbodyandmindareundercontroloneshouldgiveevidenceofitinvirtuousdeeds.Thisisasacredduty.Faithwillthenbehiswealth,sinceritywillgivehislifeasweetsavor,andtoaccumulatevirtueswillbehissacredtask.

Onlife'sjourneyfaithisnourishment,virtuousdeedsareashelter,wisdomisthelightbydayandrightmindfulnessistheprotectionbynight.Ifapersonlivesapurelifenothingcandestroythatperson;ifonehasconqueredgreednothingcanlimitone'sfreedom.

Oneshouldforgetoneselfforthesakeofone'sfamily;oneshouldforgetone'sfamilyforthesakeofone'svillage;oneshouldforgetone'svillageforthesakeofthenation;andoneshouldforgeteverythingforthesakeofEnlightenment.

Everythingischangeable,everythingappearsanddisappears;thereisnoblissfulpeaceuntilonepassesbeyondtheagonyoflifeanddeath.[192]

THEBROTHERHOOD

CHAPTERONE

DUTIESOFTHEBROTHERHOODI

Renunciants

1.Amanwhowishestobecomemydisciplemustbewillingtogiveupalldirectrelationswithhisfamily,thesociallifeoftheworldandalldependenceuponwealth.

AmanwhohasgivenupallsuchrelationsforthesakeoftheDharmaandhasnoabidingplaceforeitherhisbodyormindhasbecomemydiscipleandistobecalledarenunciant.

Thoughhisfeetleavetheirimprintsinmyfootstepsandhishandscarrymygarment,ifhismindisdisturbedbygreed,heisfarfromme.Thoughhedresseslikeamonk,ifhedoesnotaccepttheteaching,hedoesnotseeme.

Butifhehasremovedallgreedandhismindispureandpeaceful,heisveryclosetomethoughhebethousandsofmilesaway.IfhereceivestheDharma,heseesmeinit.[194]

2.Mydisciples,therenunciantsmustobservethefourrulesandbuildtheirlivesuponthem.

First,theywearoldandcast-offgarments;second,theygettheirfoodthroughalms-begging;third,theirhomeiswherenightfindsthemasunderatreeoronarock;and,fourth,theyuseonlyaspecialmedicinemadefromurinelaiddownbytheBrotherhood.

Tocarryabowlinthehandandgofromhousetohouseisabegger'slife,butabrotherisnotcompelledtodosobyothers,heisnotforcedintoitbycircumstancesorbytemptation;hedoesitofhisownfreewillbecauseheknowsthatalifeoffaithwillkeephimawayfromthedelusionsoflife,willhelphimtoavoidsuffering,andwillleadhimtowardEnlightenment.

Thelifeofarenunciantisnotaneasyone;heoughtnottoundertakeitif

hecannotkeephismindfreefromgreedandangerorifhecannotcontrolhismindorhisJfivesenses.

3.Hewhobelieveshimselftobearenunciantandtobeabletoanswerwhenheisaskedaboutit,mustbeabletosay:

"Iamwillingtoundertakewhateverisnecessaryto[195]bearenunciant.Iwillbesincereaboutitandwilltrytoaccomplishthepurposeforbecomingone.Iwillbegratefultothosewhohelpmebydonationsandwilltrytomakethemhappybymyearnestnessandgoodlife."

Tobearenuncianthemusttrainhimselfinmanyways:Hemustbesensitivetoshameanddishonorwhenhefails;hemustkeephisbody,speechandmindpureifhislifeistobepure;hemustguardthegatesofhisfivesenses;hemustnotlosecontrolofhismindforthesakeofsomepassingpleasure;hemustnotpraisehimselforrebukeothers;andhemustnotbeidleorgiventolengthysleep.

Intheeveningheshouldhaveatimeforquietsittingandmeditationandashortwalkbeforeretiring.Forpeacefulsleepheshouldrestontherightsidewithhisfeettogetherandhislastthoughtshouldbeofthetimewhenhewishestoriseintheearlymorning.Earlyintheimorningheshouldhaveanothertimeforquietsittingandmeditationandashortwalkafterwards.

Duringthewholedayheshouldalwaysmaintainanalertmind,keepingbothbodyandmindundercontrol,resistingalltendencytowardsgreed,anger,foolishness,sleepiness,inattention,regret,suspicion,andallworldlydesires.[196]

Thus,withhismindconcentrated,heshouldcultivateexcellentwisdomandaimonlyatperfectEnlightenment.

4.Ifarenunciant,forgettinghimself,lapsesintogreed,anger,resentment,jealousy,conceit;self-praise,orinsincerity,heislikeonecarryingakeentwo-edgedsword,coveredonlybyathincloth.

Heisnotarenunciantsimplybecausehewearsamonk'sragsandcarriesabeggingbowl;heisnotarenunciantjustbecauseherecitesscriptureseasily;heisonlyamanofstrawandnothingmore.

Evenifhisexternalappearanceisthatofamonk,hecannotremovehisworldlydesires.Heisnotarenunciant;heisnomorethananinfantclothedinamonk'srobe.

Thosewhoareabletoconcentrateandcontrolthemind,whocontainwisdom,whohaveremovedallworldlydesires,andwhoseonlypurposeistoattainEnlightenment-onlythesecanbecalledthetruerenunciant.

AtruerenunciantdeterminestoreachhisgoalofEnlightenmenteventhoughheloseshislastdropofbloodandhisbonescrumbleintopowder.Sucha

man,[197]tryinghisbest,willfinallyattainthegoalandgiveevidenceofitbyhisabilitytodothemeritoriousdeedsofarenunciant.

5.ThemissionofarenunciantistocarryforwardthelightoftheBuddha'steachings.Hemustpreachtoeveryone;hemustwakeupsleepingpeople;hemustcorrectfalseideas;hemusthelppeoplehavearightviewpoint;hemustgoeverywheretospreadtheteachingevenattheriskofhisownlife.

Themissionofarenunciantisnotaneasyone,sohewhoaspirestoitshouldwearBuddha'sclothes,sitonBuddha'sseatandenterintoBuddha'sroom.

TowearBuddha'sclothesmeanstobehumbleandtopracticeendurance;tositonBuddha'sseatmeanstoseematterasnon-substantialandtohavenoattachments;toenterintoBuddha'sroommeanstoshareHisallembracinggreatcompassionandtohavesympathyforeveryone.[198]

6.ThosewhowishtoteachtheBuddha'steachingacceptablymustbeconcernedaboutfourthings:first,theymustbeconcernedabouttheirownbehavior;second,theymustbeconcernedabouttheirchoiceofwordswhentheyapproachandteachpeople;third,theymustbeconcernedabouttheirmotiveforteachingandtheendtheywishtoaccomplish;andfourth,theymustbeconcernedaboutthegreatcompassion.

Firstly,tobeagoodteacheroftheDharma,then,arenunciantmustfirstofallhavehisfeetwellsetonthegroundofendurance;hemustbemodest;hemustnotbeextremeordesirepublicity;hemustconstantlythinkoftheemptinessofthings;andhemustnotbecomeattachedtoanything.Ifheisthusconcernedhewillbecapableofrightconduct.

Secondly,hemustexercisecautioninapproachingpeopleandsituations.Hemustavoidpeoplewhoarelivingevillivesorpeopleofauthority;hemustavoidoppositesex.Thenhemustapproachpeopleinafriendlyway;hemustalwaysrememberthatthingsrisefromacombinationofcausesandconditions,and,standingatthatpoint,hemustnotblameorabusethem,orspeakoftheirmistakes,orholdtheminlightesteem.

Thirdly,hemustkeephismindpeaceful,consideringBuddhaashisspiritualfather,consideringother[199]renunciantswhoaretrainingforEnlightenmentashisteachers,andlookinguponeveryonewithgreatcompassion.Thenhemustteachallequally.

Fourthly,hemustlethisspiritofcompassiondisplayitself,evenasBuddhadid,totheutmostdegree.EspeciallyheshouldlethisspiritofcompassionflowouttothosewhodonotknowenoughtoseekEnlightenment.HeshouldwishthattheymightseekEnlightenment,andthenheshouldfollowhiswisheswithunselfishefforttoawakentheirinterest.

II

LAYFOLLOWERS

1.IthasalreadybeenexplainedthattobecomeadiscipleofBuddhaonemustbelieveintheThreeTreasures:theBuddha,theDharma,andtheSamgha.

Tobecomealayfolloweronemusthaveanunshak ablefaithinBuddha,mustbelieveinHisteachings,Dharma,studyandputpreceptsintopractice,andmustcherishtheBrotherhood,Samgha.

LayfollowersshouldfollowtheFivePrecepts:nottokill,nottosteal,nottocommitadultery,nottolieordeceive,andnottouseintoxicants.[200]

LayfollowersshouldnotonlybelieveintheThreeTreasuresandkeepthepreceptsbythemselves,butalsotheyshould,asfarastheyareable,helpothersobservethem,especiallytheirrelativesandfriends,tryingtoawakeninthemanunshakablefaithintheBuddha,theDharma,andtheSamgha,sothatthey,too,mayshareinBuddha'scompassion.

LayfollowersshouldalwaysrememberthatthereasontheybelieveintheThreeTreasuresandkeepthepreceptsistoenablethemselvesultimatelytoattainEnlightenment,andforthatreasontheyshould,thoughlivingintheworldofdesires,avoidbecomingattachedtosuchdesires.

Layfollowersshouldalwayskeepinmindthatsoonerorlatertheywillbeobligedtopartwiththeirparentsandfamiliesandpassawayfromthislifeofbirthanddeath;therefore,theyshouldnotbecomeattachedtothingsofthislifebutshouldsettheirmindsontheworldofEnlightenment,whereinnothingpassesaway.

2.IflayfollowerswanttoawakenanearnestandundisturbedfaithintheBuddha'steachings,theyshouldrealizewithintheirmindsaquietandundisturbedhappiness,thatwillshineoutonalltheirsurroundingsandwillbereflectedbacktothem.[201]

Thismindoffaithispureandgentle,alwayspatientandenduring,neverarguing,nevercausingsufferingtoothersbutalwaysponderingtheThreeTreasures:theBuddha,theDharma,andtheSamgha.Thushappinessspontaneouslyrisesintheirminds,andthelightforEnlightenmentcanbefoundeverywhere.

SincetheyarerestinginthebosomofBuddhabyfaith,theyarekeptfarfromhavingaselfishmind,fromattachmenttotheirpossessions,and,therefore,theyhavenofearintheirdailylifeordreadofbeingcriticized.

TheywillhavenofearabouttheirfuturedeathsincetheybelieveinthebirthinBuddha'sLand.Sincetheyhavefaithinthetruthandtheholinessofthe

teachings,theycanexpresstheirthoughtsfreelyandwithoutfear.Sincetheirmindsarefilledwithcompassionforallpeople,theywillmake

nodistinctionsamongthembutwilltreatallalike,andsincetheirmindsarefreefromlikesanddislikesitwillbepureandequitableandhappyforthemtodoanygooddeed.

Whethertheyliveinadversityorinprosperity,itwillmakenodifferencetotheincreaseoftheirfaith.Iftheycherishhumility,iftheyrespecttheBuddha'steachings,[202]iftheyareconsistentinspeechandaction,iftheyareguidedbywisdom,iftheirmindisasimmovableasamountain,thentheywillmakesteadyprogressonthepathtoEnlightenment.

Andthoughtheyareforcedtoliveinadifficultsituationandamongpeopleofimpureminds,iftheycherishfaithinBuddhatheycaneverleadthemtowardbetterdeeds.

3.Therefore,oneshouldfirsthavethewishofhearingtheBuddha'steachings.

IfanyoneshouldtellhimthatitwouldbenecessaryforhimtogothroughfiretogainEnlightenment,thenheshouldbewillingtopassthroughsuchafire.

ThereissatisfactioninhearingtheBuddha'sname,thatisworthpassingthroughaworldfilledwithfires.

IfonewishestofollowtheBuddha'steachingonemustnotbeegoisticorself-willed,butshouldcherishfeelingsofgood-willtowardallalike;oneshouldrespectthosewhoareworthyofrespect;oneshouldservethosewhoareworthyofserviceandtreateveryonewithuniformkindness.[203]

Thus,layfollowersaretotraintheirownmindsfirstandnotbedisturbedbytheactionsofothers.Inthismanner,theyaretoreceivetheBuddha'steachingandputitintopractice,notenvyingothers,notbeinginfluencedbyothers,andnotconsideringotherways.

ThosewhodonotbelieveintheBuddha'steachinghaveanarrowvisionand,consequently,adisturbedmind.ButthosewhobelieveintheBuddha'steaching,believethatthereisagreatwisdomandagreatcompassionembracingeverythingand,inthatfaith,theyareundisturbedbytrifles.

4.ThosewhohearandreceivetheBuddha'steachingknowthattheirlivesaretransientandthattheirbodiesaremerelytheaggregationofsufferingsandthesourceofallevils,andsotheydonotbecomeattachedtothem.

Atthesametime,theydonotneglecttotakegoodcareoftheirbodies,notbecausetheywishtoenjoythephysicalpleasuresofthebody,butbecausethebodyistemporarilynecessaryfortheattainmentofwisdomandfortheirmissionofexplainingthepathtoothers.

Iftheydonottakegoodcareoftheirbodiestheycannotlivelong.Ifthey

donotlivelong,theycannot[204practicetheteachingpersonallyortransmitittoothers.

Ifamanwishestocrossariverheisverycarefulofhisraft.Ifhehasalongjourneytomake,hetakesgoodcareofhishorse.So,ifamanseekstoattainEnlightenmenthemusttakegoodcareofhisbody.

ThedisciplesofBuddhamustwearclothingtoprotectthebodyfromextremesofheatandcoldandtocoveritsprivateparts,andshouldnotwearitfordecoration.Theymusteatfoodtonourishthebodysothattheymayhearandreceiveandexplaintheteaching,buttheyshouldnoteatformereenjoyment.

TheymustliveinthehouseofEnlightenmenttobeprotectedfromthethievesofworldlypassionsandfromthestormsofevilteaching,andtheyshohldusethehouseforitsrealpurposeandnotfordisplayortheconcealmentofselfishpractices.

Thus,oneshouldvaluethingsandusethemsolelyintheirrelationtoEnlightenmentandtheteaching.Heshouldnotpossessthemorbecomeattachedtothemforselfishreasonsbutonlyastheyserveausefulpurposeincarryingtheteachingtoothers.[205]

Therefore,hismindshouldalwaysdwellontheteachingevenwhenheislivingwithhisfamily.Heshouldcareforthemwithawiseandsympatheticmind,seekingvariousmeanstoawakenfaithintheirminds.

5. LaymembersoftheBuddha'sSamghashouldstudythefollowinglessonseveryday:Howtoservetheirparents,howtolivewiththeirwivesandchildren,howtocontrolthemselves,andhowtoserveBuddha.

Tobestservetheirparentstheymustlearntopracticekindnesstowardallanimatelife.Tolivehappilywiththeirwivesandchildrentheymustkeepawayfromlustandthoughtsofselfishcomfort.

Whilehearingthemusicofthefamilylifetheymustnotforgetthesweetermusicoftheteaching,andwhilelivingintheshelterofthehome,theyshouldoftenseekthesafershelterofZenpractice,wherewisemenfindrefugefromallimpurityandalldisturbance.

Whenlaymenaregivingofferingstheyshouldremoveallgreedfromtheirhearts;whentheyareinthemidstofcrowds,theirmindsshouldbeinthecompanyofwisemen;whentheyfacemisfortune,theyshouldkeeptheirmindstranquilandfreefromhindrances.[206]

WhentheytakerefugeintheBuddha,theyshouldseekHiswisdom.WhentheytakerefugeintheDharma,theyshouldseekitstruthwhichis

likeagreatoceanofwisdom.WhentheytakerefugeintheSamgha,theyshouldseekitspeaceful

fellowshipunobstructedbyselfishinterests.

Whentheywearclothes,theymustnotforgettoputonalsothegarmentofgoodnessandhumility.

Whentheywanttorelievethemselves,theymustwishtodischargeallgreed,angerandfoolishnessfromtheirminds.

Whentheyaretoilingonanup-hillroad,theyshouldthinkofitastheroadtoEnlightenmentthatwillcarrythembeyondtheworldofdelusion.Whentheyarefollowinganeasyroad,theyshouldtakeadvantageofitseasierconditionstomakegreaterprogresstowardBuddhahood.

Whentheyseeabridge,theymustwishtoconstructthebridgeoftheteachingtoletthepeoplecross.[207]

Whentheymeetasorrowfulman,theyshouldlamentthebitternessofthisever-changingworld.

Whentheyseeagreedyman,theyshouldhaveagreatlongingtokeepfreefromtheillusionsofthislifeandtoattainthetruerichesofEnlightenment.

Whentheyseesavoryfood,theymustbeonguard;whentheyseedistastefulfood,theyshouldwishthatgreedmightneverreturn.

Duringtheintenseheatofsummer,theymustwishtobeawayfromtheheatofworldlydesiresandgainthefreshcoolnessofEnlightenment.Duringtheunbearablecoldofwinter,theymustthinkofthewarmthofBuddha'sgreatcompassion.

Whentheyrecitethesacredscriptures,theyshouldbedeterminednottoforgetthemandresolvetoputtheirteachingintopractice.

WhentheythinkofBuddha,theyshouldcherishadeepwishtohaveeyeslikeBuddha.

Astheyfallasleepatnight,theyshouldwishthattheirbody,speechandmindmightbepurifiedandrefreshed;whentheyawakeinthemorning,theirfirstwishshouldbethatduringthatdaytheirmindsmightbe[208]cleartounderstandallthings.

6.ThosewhofollowtheteachingofBuddha,becausetheyunderstandthateverythingischaracterizedby"nonsubstantiality,"donottreatlightlythethingsthatenterintoaman'slife,buttheyreceivethemforwhattheyareandthentrytomakethemfittoolsforEnlightenment.

Theymustnotthinkthatthisworldismeaninglessandfilledwithconfusion,whiletheworldofEnlightenmentisfullofmeaningandpeace.Rather,theyshouldtastethewayofEnlightenmentinalltheaffairsofthisworld.

Ifamanlooksupontheworldwithdefiledeyesdimmedbyignorance,hewillseeitfilledwitherror;butifhelooksuponitwithclearwisdom,hewillseeitastheworldofEnlightenment,whichitis.

Thefactisthereisonlyoneworld,nottwoworlds,onemeaninglessandtheotherfullofmeaning,oronegoodandtheotherbad.Peopleonlythinktherearetwoworlds,duetotheirdiscriminatingfaculty.

Iftheycouldridthemselvesofthesediscriminationsandkeeptheirmindspurewiththelightofwisdom,thentheywouldseeonlyoneworldinwhicheverythingismeaningful.[209]

7.ThosewhobelieveinBuddhatastethisuniversalpurityofonenessineverything,andinthatmindtheyfeelcompassionforallandhaveahumbleattitudetoserveeveryone.

Therefore,theyshouldcleansetheirmindsofallprideandcherishhumility,courtesyandservice.Theirmindsshouldbelikethefruitfulearththatnourisheseverythingwithoutpartiality,thatserveswithoutcomplaint,thatendurespatiently,thatisalwayszealous,thatfindsitshighestjoyinservingallpoorpeoplebyplantingintheirmindstheseedsoftheBuddha'steaching.

Thus,themindthathascompassionforpoorpeople,becomesamothertoallpeople,honorsallpeople,looksuponallaspersonalfriends,andrespectsthemasparents.

Therefore,thoughthousandsofpeoplemayhavehardfeelingsandcherishill-willtowardBuddhistlayfollowers,theycandonoharm,forsuchharmislikeadropofpoisoninthewatersofagreatocean.

8.Alayfollowerwillenjoyhishappinessbyhabitsofrecollection,reflectionandthanksgiving.Hewillcometo[210]realizethathisfaithisBuddha'scompassionitselfandthatithasbeenbestoweduponhimbyBuddha.

Therearenoseedsoffaithinthemudofworldlypassion,but,becauseofBuddha'scompassion,theseedsoffaithmaybesownthere,andtheywillpurifytheminduntilithasfaithtobelieveinBuddha.

Ashasbeensaid,thefragrantChandanatreecannotgrowinaforestofErandatrees.Inalikemanner,theseedsoffaithinBuddhacannotbeinthebosomofdelusion.

Butactually,theflowerofjoyisbloomingthere,sowemustconcludethatwhileitsblossomsareinthebosomofdelusion,itsrootsareelsewhere;namely,itsrootsareinthebosomofBuddha.

Ifalayfollowerbecomesego-centered,hewillbecomejealous,envious,hatefulandharmful,becausehismindhasbecomedefiledwithgreed,angerandfoolishness.ButifhereturnstoBuddha,hewillaccomplishevenagreaterserviceforBuddhaasmentionedabove.Itis,indeed,beyondanyexpression.[211]

III

PRACTICALGUIDETOTRUEWAYOFLIVING

1.Itiswrongtothinkthatmisfortunescomefromtheeastorfromthewest;theyoriginatewithinone'sownmind.Therefore,itisfoolishtoguardagainstmisfortunesfromtheexternalworldandleavetheinnerminduncontrolled.

Thereisacustomthathascomedownfromancienttimesthatcommonpeoplestillfollow.Whentheygetupinthemorning,theyfirstwashtheirfaceandrinsetheirmouth,andthentheybowinthesixdirections-totheeast,west,south,north,aboveandbelow-wishingthatnomisfortunemaycometothemfromanydirectionandthattheymayhaveapeacefulday.

ButitisdifferentintheBuddha'steaching.BuddhateachesthatwearetopayrespecttothesixdirectionsofTruthandthenthatwearetobehavewiselyandvirtuouslyandthuspreventallmisfortunes.

Toguardthegatesinthesesixdirections,peoplearetoremovethedefilementofthe"fourdeeds,"restrainthe"fourevilminds,''andplugthe"sixholes"whichcausethelossofhouseandproperty.[212]

Bythe"fourdeeds"itismeantkilling,stealing,committingadulteryandfalsehood.The"fourevilminds"aregreed,anger,foolishnessandfear.The"sixholes"whichcausethelossofwealtharedesireforintoxicatingdrinksandbehavingfoolishly,stayinguplateatnightandlosingthemindinfrivolity,indulginginmusicalandtheatreentertainments,gambling,associatingwithevilcompanions,andneglectingone'sduties.

Afterremovingthesefourdefilements,avoidingthesefourevilstatesofmind,andpluggingthesesixholesofwaste,thedisciplesofBuddhadoreverencetothesixdirectionsofTruth.

Now,whatarethesesixdirectionsofTruth?Theyareeastforthewayofparentsandchild,southforthewayofteacherandpupil,westforthewayofhusbandandwife,northforthewayoffriends,belowforthewayofmasterandservant,andaboveforthewayofservingthosewhoexpoundtheteachings.

First,asforthewayoftheparentsandchildintheeasterndirection,thechildshouldcarryoutfivedeeds.Oneshouldtakecareoftheparents,workforthesakeoftheparents,protectthefamilylineage,inheritthefamilyproperty,andholdmemorialservicefortheancestors.

Inreturntheparentsshouldcarryoutfivedeedsforthechild.Theyshouldavoidwrongdeeds,promotegooddeeds,havethechildacquireknowledgeandskills,seeittothatonegetsmarried,andhandoverthefamily[213]propertyatanappropriatetime.Ifthesefivethingsarefollowed,thewayoftheparentsand

thechildintheeasterndirectionwillbepeacefulandwithoutsorrow.Next,asforthewayoftheteacherandstudentinthesoutherndirection,

thestudentshouldstandwhentheteacherapproaches,attendtotheteacher'sneedsclosely,shouldlistenearnestlytotheteacher,notneglectofferingsfortheteacher,andreceivehisteachingswithrespect.

Inreturntheteachershouldguidethestudentbyconductingoneselfproperly,correctlypassoneverythingthattheteacherhaslearned,havethestudentnotforgetwhathehaslearned,andpreparethewayforthestudenttoreceivehonorsaswellasbenefitsandrespectanywhere.Thus,thewayoftheteacherandstudentinthesoutherndirectionwillbepeacefulandwithoutsorrow.

Next,asforthewayofthehusbandandwifeinthewesterndirection,thehusbandshouldtreatherwithrespect,courtesyandfaithfulness,entrustherwithdecision-making,andpresentherwithgifts.Thewifeshouldcarryoutallherworkwell,attendtotheneedsofthefamilymembers,befaithfultoherhusband,protectthefamilyproperty,andmakethefamilyaffairsgowell.Thus,thewayofthehusbandandwifeinthewesterndirectionwillbepeacefulandwithoutsorrow.

Next,asforthewayoffriendsinthenortherndirection,oneshouldprovidethemwithwhatone'sfriendslack,speaktothemwithkindness,workfortheir[214]benefits,alwaysbethoughtful,andtreatthemwithhonesty.

Oneshouldmakeefforttopreventone'sfriendsfromfallingintowrongways,protecttheirpropertyintheeventtheylosetheirway,listentotheirconcernswhentheyhaveproblems,lendthemahelpinghandintimesoftrouble,andsupporttheirfamilywhennecessary.Thus,thewayoffriendsinthenortherndirectionwillbeoneofpeacewithoutsorrow.

Next,asforthewayofthemasterandservantinthelowerdirection,oneshouldobservethefollowingfivepointsindealingwithone'sservants.Maketheservantsworkinaccordancewiththeirability,providegoodmealsandamplecompensation,careforthemwithkindnesswhentheyaresick,sharewiththemanydeliciousfood,andhavethemrestatappropriatetimes.

Inturn,aservantshouldserveone'smasterwiththefollowingpointsinmind.Oneshouldgetupinthemorningbeforethemaster,gotosleepafterthemaster,behonestatalltimes,beproficientinone'swork,andnotbringdisgracetothemaster'sgoodname.Thus,thewayofthemasterandservantinthelowerdirectionwillbeoneofpeacewithoutsorrow.

Next,asforthewayofservingthosewhopreachtheteachingsintheupperdirection,oneshouldtreatthosewhopreachtheteachingswithutmostrespectinbody,speechandmind.Oneshouldalsowelcomethepreacherswith

courtesy,listenandobservetheirteachings,andmakeofferingsforthem.[215]Inturn,onewhopreachestheteachingsshouldrejectevil,fostergoodness,

becompassionatewithgoodheart,preachthemoralstandards,makethelistenersunderstandtheteachingsfully,andhavethepeopleattainthestateofpeace.Thus,thewayofservingthosewhopreachtheteachingsintheupperdirectionwillbeoneofpeacewithoutsorrow.

Apersonwhobowsinthesixdirectionsdoesnotdosoinordertoescapefromexternalmisfortunes.Apersondoesitinordertobeonone'sguardtopreventevilsfromarisingwithinone'sownmind.

2.Apersonshouldrecognizeamongone'sacquaintancesthosewithwhomoneshouldassociateandthosewithwhomoneshouldnot.

Theoneswithwhomapersonshouldnotassociatearethosewhoaregreedy,clevertalkers,flatterersorwasters.

Theoneswithwhomapersonshouldassociatearethosewhoarehelpful,whoarewillingtosharehappinessaswellassufferings,whogivegoodadviceandwhohaveasympatheticheart.

Atruefriend,theonewithwhomapersonmaysafelyassociate,willalwaysstickcloselytotherightway,willworrysecretlyaboutone'sfriend'swelfare,will[216]consolethefriendinmisfortune,willofferhimahelpinghandwhenheneedsit,willkeephissecrets,andwillalwaysgivehimgoodadvice.

Itisverydifficulttofindafriendlikethis,and,therefore,oneshouldtryveryhardtobeafriendlikethis.Asthesunwarmsthefruitfulearth,soagoodfriendshinesinsocietybecauseofone'sgooddeeds.

3.Itwouldbeimpossibleforasontorepayhisparentsfortheirgraciouskindness,evenifhecouldcarryhisfatheronhisrightshoulderandhismotheronhisleftforonehundredlongyears.

Andevenifhecouldbathethebodiesofhisparentsinsweet-smellingointmentsforahundredyears,serveasanidealson,gainathroneforthem,andgivethemalltheluxuriesoftheworld,stillhewouldnotbeabletorepaythemsufficientlyforthegreatindebtednessofgratitudeheowestothem.

ButifheleadshisparentstoBuddhaandexplainstheBuddha'steachingstothem,andpersuadesthemtogiveupawrongcourseandfollowarightone,leadingthemtogiveupallgreedandenjoythepracticeofoffering,thenhewillbemorethanrepayingthem.

4.Afamilyisaplacewheremindscomeincontactwithoneanother.Ifthesemindsloveoneanother,the[217]homewillbeasbeautifulasaflowergarden.Butifthesemindsgetoutofharmonywithoneanother,itislikeastormthatplayshavocwiththegarden.

Ifdiscordariseswithinone'sfamily,oneshouldnotblameothersbutshouldexamineone'sownmindandfollowarightpath.

5.Oncetherewasamanofdeepfaith.Hisfatherdiedwhenhewasyoung;helivedhappilywithhismother,andthenhetookawife.

Atfirst,theylivedhappilytogetherandthen,becauseofasmallmisunderstanding,thewifeandhermother-in-lawcametodislikeeachother.Thisdislikegrewuntilfinallythemotherlefttheyoungcoupletolivebyherself.

Afterthemother-in-lawleft,asonwasborntotheyoungcouple.Arumorreachedthemother-in-lawthattheyoungwifehadsaid,"Mymother-in-lawwasalwaysannoyingmeandaslongasshelivedwithusnothingpleasanteverhappened;butassoonasshewentwehadthishappyevent."

Thisrumorangeredthemother-in-lawwhoexclaimed,"Ifthehusband'smotherischasedawayfromthehouseandahappyeventtakesplace,thenthingshavecometoaprettypass.Righteousnessmusthavedisappearedfromtheworld."[218]

Thenthemothershouted,"Now,wemusthaveafuneralofthis'righteousness'."Likeamadwomanshewenttothecemeterytoholdafuneralservice.

ThegodIndra,hearingofthisincident,appearedinfrontofthewomanandtriedtoreasonwithher,butinvain.

ThegodIndrathensaidtoher,"Ifso,Imustburnthechildandhismothertodeath.Willthatsatisfyyou?"

Hearingthis,themother-in-lawrealizedhermistake,apologizedforheranger,andbeggedthegodIndratosavethelivesofthechildandhismother.Atthesametime,theyoungwifeandherhusbandrealizedtheirinjusticetotheoldwomanandwenttothecemeterytoseekher.ThegodIndrareconciledthemandthereaftertheylivedtogetherasahappyfamily.

Righteousnessisneverlostforeverunlessonecastsitawayoneself.Righteousnessoccasionallymayseemtodisappearbut,infact,itneverdisappears.Whenitseemstobedisappearing,itisbecauseoneislosingtherighteousnessofone'sownmind.

Discordantmindsoftenbringdisaster.Atriflingmisunderstandingmaybefollowedbygreatmisfortune.Thisisespeciallytobeguardedagainstinfamilylife.[219]

6.Infamilylife,thequestionastohowthedailyexpensesaretobemetalwaysrequirestheutmostcare.Everymembermustworkhardlikethediligentantsandthebusybees.Noonemustrelyupontheindustryofothers,orexpecttheircharity.

Ontheotherhand,amanmustnotconsiderwhathehasearnedastotally

hisown.Someofitmustbesharedwithothers,someofitmustbesavedforanemergency,someofitmustbesetasidefortheneedsofthecommunity,andsomeofitmustbedevotedtotheneedsofthereligiousteachers.

Oneshouldalwaysrememberthatnothingintheworldcanstrictlybecalled"mine."Whatcomestoapersoncomestohimbecauseofacombinationofcausesandconditions;itcanbekeptbyhimonlytemporarilyand,therefore,hemustnotuseitselfishlyorforunworthypurposes.

7.WhenSyamavati,thequeen-consortofKingUdayana,offeredAnandafivehundredgarments,Anandareceivedthemwithgreatsatisfaction.

TheKing,hearingofit,suspectedAnandaofdishonesty,sohewenttoAnandaandaskedwhathewasgoingtodowiththesefivehundredgarments.[220]

Anandareplied:"Oh,King,manyofthebrothersareinrags;Iamgoingtodistributethegarmentsamongthebrothers."

'Whatwillyoudowiththeoldgarments?"'Wewillmakebed-coversoutofthem.""Whatwillyoudowiththeoldbed-covers?"'Wewillmakepillow-cases."'Whatwillyoudowiththeoldpillow-cases?"'Wewillmakefloor-coversoutofthem."'Whatwillyoudowiththeoldfloor-covers?"'Wewillusethemforfoot-towels."'Whatwillyoudowiththeoldfoot-towels?"'Wewillusethemforfloor-mops.""Whatwillyoudowiththeoldmops?"'YourHighness,wewilltearthemintopieces,mixthemwithmudanduse

themudtoplasterthehousewalls."Everyarticleentrustedtousmustbeusedwithgoodcareinsomeuseful

way,becauseitisnot"ours"butisonlyentrustedtoustemporarily.8.Therelationofhusbandandwifewasnotdesignedmerelyfortheir

convenience.Ithasadeepersignificancethanthemereassociationoftwophysicalbodiesinonehouse.Husbandandwifeshouldtakeadvantageoftheintimaciesoftheirassociationtohelpeachotherintrainingtheirmindsintheholyteaching.[221]

Anoldcouple,an"idealcouple"astheywerecalled,oncecametoBuddhaandsaid,"Lord,weweremarriedafterwehadbeenacquaintedinchildhoodandtherehasneverbeenacloudinourhappiness.Pleasetellusifwecanberemarriedinthenextlife."

TheBuddhagavethemthiswiseanswer:-"Ifyoubothhaveexactlythe

samefaith,ifyoubothreceivedtheteachinginexactlythesameway,ifyouperformcharityinthesamewayandifyouhavethesamewisdom,thenyouwillhavethesamemindinthenextbirth."

9.TherearenodistinctionsofsexonthepathtoEnlightenment.IfawomanmakesuphermindtoseekEnlightenment,shewillbecomeaheroineoftheTruePath.

Mallika,thedaughterofKingPrasenajitandtheQueenofKingAyodhya,wassuchaheroine.ShehadgreatfaithintheteachingoftheBlessedOneandmadeinHispresencethetenfollowingvows:

"MyLord,untilIgainEnlightenmentIwillnotviolatethesacredprecepts;Iwillnotbearrogantbeforepeoplewhoareolderthanmyself;Iwillnotbecomeangrywithanyone."

"Iwillnotbejealousofothersorenvytheirpossessions;Iwillnotbeselfisheitherinmindorproperty;IwilltrytomakepoorpeoplehappywiththethingsI[222]receiveandwillnothoardthemformyself."

"Iwillreceiveallpeoplecourteously,givethemwhattheyneed,andspeakkindlytothem;considertheircircumstancesandnotmyconvenience;andtrytobenefitthemwithoutpartiality."

"IfIseeothersinsolitude,inprison,orsufferingfromdiseaseorothertroubles,Iwilltrytorelievethemandmakethemhappy,byexplainingthereasonsandlawstothem."

"IfIseeotherscatchinglivinganimalsandbeingcrueltothemorviolatinganysuchprecept,Iwillpunishthemiftheyaretobepunished,orteachthemiftheyaretobetaught,andthenIwilltrytoundowhattheyhavedoneandcorrecttheirmistakes,tothebestofmyability."

"Iwillnotforgettoheartherightteaching,forIknowthatwhenoneneglectstherightteachingonequicklyfallsawayfromthetruththatabideseverywhere,andwillfailtoreachtheshoreofEnlightenment."

Thenshemadethefollowingthreewishestosavepoorpeople:"First,Iwilltrytomakeeveryonepeaceful.Thiswish,Ibelieve,inwhateverlifeImayhereafterreceive,willbetherootofgoodnessthatwillgrowinto[223]thewisdomofgoodteaching."

"Second,afterIhavereceivedthewisdomofgoodteaching,Iwilluntiringlyteachallpeople."

"Third,Iwillprotectthetrueteaching,evenatthesacrificeofmyownbody,lifeorproperty."

ThetruesignificanceoffamilylifeistheopportunityitgivesformutualencouragementandaidonthepathtoEnlightenment.IfawomanhasthesamemindtoseekEnlightenment,andmakesthesamevowsandwishes,maybecome

asgreatadiscipleofBuddhaasMallikawas.[224]

CHAPTERTWO

BUILDINGABUDDHALANDI

THEHARMONYOFBROTHERHOOD

1.Letusimagineadesertcountrylyinginabsolutedarknesswithmanylivingthingsswarmingblindlyaboutinit.

Naturallytheywillbefrightenedandastheyrunaboutwithoutrecognizingoneanotherduringthenight,therewillbefrequentsquirmingandloneliness.Thisisindeedapitifulsight.

Thenletusimaginethatsuddenlyasuperiorpersonwithatorchappearsandeverythingaroundbecomesbrightandclear.

Thelivingbeingsinthedarksolitudesuddenlyfindagreatreliefastheylookabouttorecognizeoneanotherandhappilysharetheircompanionship.

By"adesertcountry"ismeantaworldofhumanlifewhenitliesinthedarknessofignorance.Thosewhohavenolightofwisdomintheirmindswanderaboutin[225]lonelinessandfear.Theywerebornaloneanddiealone;theydonotknowhowtoassociatewiththeirfellowhumaninpeacefulharmony,andtheyarenaturallydespondentandfearful.

By"asuperiorpersonwithtorch"ismeantBuddhaassumingahumanform,andbyHiswisdomandcompassionHeilluminestheworld.

Inthislightpeoplefindthemselvesaswellasothersandaregladtoestablishhumanfellowshipandharmoniousrelations.

Thousandsofpeoplemayliveinacommunitybutitisnotoneofrealfellowshipuntiltheyknoweachotherandhavesympathyforoneanother.

Atruecommunityhasfaithandwisdomthatilluminateit.Itisaplacewherethepeopleknowandtrustoneanotherandwherethereissocialharmony.

Infact,harmonyisthelifeandrealmeaningofatruecommunityoranorganization.

2.Oforganizations,therearethreekinds.First,therearethosethatareorganizedonthebasisofthepower,wealthorauthorityofgreatleaders.[226]

Second,therearethosethatareorganizedbecauseofitsconveniencetothemembers,whichwillcontinuetoexistaslongasthememberssatisfytheirconveniencesanddonotquarrel.

Third,therearethosethatareorganizedwithsomegoodteachingasitscenterandharmonyasitsverylife.

Ofcourse,thethirdorlastoftheseistheonlytrueorganization,forinitthemembersliveinonespirit,fromwhichtheunityofspiritandvariouskindsofvirtuewillarise.Insuchanorganizationtherewillprevailharmony,satisfactionandhappiness.

Enlightenmentislikerainthatfallsonamountainandgathersintorivuletsthatrunintobrooks,andthenintoriverswhichfinallyflowintotheocean.

Therainofthesacredteachingfallsonallpeoplealikewithoutregardtotheirconditionsorcircumstances.Thosewhoacceptitgatherintosmallgroups,thenintoorganizations,thenintocommunitiesand,finally,findthemselvesinthegreatOceanofEnlightenment.

ThemindsofthesepeoplemixlikemilkandwaterandfinallyorganizeintoaharmoniousBrotherhood.[227]

Thus,thetrueteachingisthefundamentalrequirementofaperfectorganizationand,asmentionedabove,itisthelightwhichenablespeopletorecognizeoneanother,tobecomeadjustedtooneanotherandtosmoothouttheroughplacesintheirthinking.

Thus,theorganizationthatisformedontheperfectteachingsofBuddhacanbecalledaSamgha.

Theyshouldobservetheseteachingsandtraintheirmindsaccordingly.Thus,theBuddha'sSamghawilltheoreticallyincludeeveryone,but,infact,onlythosewhohavethesamereligiousfaitharemembers.

3.TheBuddha'sSamghawillhavetwotypesofmembers:-therewillbethosewhoareteachingthelaymembers,andthosewhoaresupportingtheteachersbyofferingtheneededfoodandclothing.Theytogetherwilldisseminateandperpetuatetheteaching.

Then,tomaketheSamghacomplete,theremustbeperfectharmonyamongthemembers.Theteachersteachthemembersandthemembershonortheteacherssothattherecanbeharmonybetweenthem.[228]

MembersoftheBuddha'sSamghashouldassociatetogetherwithaffectionatesympathy,beinghappytolivetogetherwithfellow-followers,andseekingtobecomeoneinspirit.

4.TherearesixthingsthatwillhelptoleadaSamghatoharmony.Theyare:first,sincerityofspeech;second,sincerityandkindnessofaction;third,sincerityandsympathyofspirit;fourth,equalsharingofcommonproperty;fifth,followingthesamepureprecepts;andsixth,allhavingrightviews.

Amongthesethings,thesixthor"allhavingrightviews"formsthenucleus,withtheotherfiveservingaswrappingsforit.

TherearetwosetsofsevenrulestobefollowediftheBrotherhoodistobeasuccess.Thefirstis,asagroup:

(1)theyshouldgathertogetherfrequentlytolistentotheteachingsandtodiscussthem;

(2)theyshouldminglefreelyandrespectoneanother;(3)theyshouldreveretheteachingandrespecttherulesandnotchange

them;[229](4)elderandyoungermembersaretotreateachotherwithcourtesy;(5)theyshouldletsincerityandreverencemarktheirbearing.(6)theyshouldpurifytheirmindsinaquietplacewhichtheyshould,

nevertheless,offertoothersbeforetakingitforthemselves.(7)theyshouldloveallpeople,treatvisitorscordially,andconsolethesick

withkindness.ASamghathatfollowstheseruleswillneverdecline.Thesecondis,individuallyeachshould:(1)maintainapurespiritandnot

askfortoomanythings;(2)maintainintegrityandremoveallgreed;(3)bepatientandnotargue;(4)keepsilentandnottalkidly;(5)submittotheregulationsandnotbeoverbearing;(6)maintainanevenmindandnotfollowdifferentteachings;and(7)bethriftyandfrugalindailyliving.

Ifitsmembersfollowtheserules,theSamghawillendureandneverdecline.

5.Asmentionedabove,aSamghashouldmaintainharmonyinitsveryessence;therefore,onewithoutharmonycannotbecalledabrotherhood.Eachmember[230]shouldbeonguardnottobethecauseofdiscord.Ifdiscordappearsitshouldberemovedasearlyaspossible,fordiscordwillsoonruinanyorganization.

Bloodstainscannotberemovedbymoreblood;resentmentcannotberemovedbymoreresentment;resentmentcanberemovedonlybyforgettingit.

6.OncetherewasakingnamedCalamity,whosecountrywasconqueredbyaneighboringwarlikekingnamedBrahmadatta.KingCalamity,afterhidingwithhiswifeandsonforatime,wascapturedbutfortunatelyhisson,theprince,couldescape.

Theprincetriedtofindsomewayofsavinghisfatherbutinvain.Onthedayofhisfather'sexecution,theprinceindisguisemadehiswayintotheexecutiongroundwherehecoulddonothingbutwatchinmortificationthedeathofhisill-fatedfather.

Thefathernoticedhissoninthecrowdandmutteredasiftalkingtohimself,"Donotsearchforalongtime;donotacthastily;resentmentcanbecalmedonlybyforgettingit."

Afterward,theprincesoughtaftersomewayofrevengeforalongtime.At

lasthewasemployedasanattendantintheBrahmadatta'spalaceandcametowin[231]theking'sfavors.

Onadaywhenthekingwenthunting,theprincesoughtsomeopportunityforrevenge.Theprincewasabletoleadhismasterintoalonelyplace,andtheking,beingveryweary,fellasleepwithhisheadonthelapoftheprince,sofullyhadhecometotrusttheprince.

Theprincedrewhisdaggerandplaceditattheking'sthroatbutthenhesitated.Thewordshisfatherhadexpressedatthemomentofhisexecutionflashedintohismindandalthoughhetriedagainhecouldnotkilltheking.SuddenlythekingawokeandtoldtheprincethathehadhadabaddreaminwhichthesonofKingCalamitywastryingtokillhim.

Theprince,flourishingthedaggerinhishand,hastilygraspedthekingand,identifyinghimselfasthesonofKingCalamity,declaredthatthetimehadfinallycomeforhimtoavengehisfather.Yethecouldnotdoso,andsuddenlyhecasthisdaggerdownandfellonhiskneesin.frontoftheking.

Whenthekingheardtheprince'sstoryandthefinalwordsofhisfather,hewasveryimpressedandapologizedtotheprince.Later,herestoredtheformerkingdomtotheprinceandtheirtwocountriescametoliveinfriendshipforalongtime.[232]

ThedyingwordsofKingCalamity,"Donotsearchforalongtime,"meanthatresentmentshouldnotbecherishedforlong,and"Donotacthastily"meanthatfriendshipshouldnotbebrokenhastily.

Resentmentcannotbesatisfiedbyresentment;itcanonlyberemovedbyforgettingit.

InthefellowshipofaBrotherhoodthatisbasedontheharmonyofrightteaching,everymembershouldalwaysappreciatethespiritofthisstory.

NotonlythemembersoftheBrotherhoodbutalsopeopleingeneralshouldappreciateandpracticethisspiritintheirdailylives.

IITHEBUDDHA'SLAND

1.Ashasbeenexplained,ifaBrotherhooddoesnotforgetitsdutyof

spreadingBuddha'steachingandoflivinginharmony,itwillsteadilygrowlargeranditsteachingwillspreadmorewidely.

ThismeansthatmoreandmorepeoplewillbeseekingEnlightenment,anditalsomeansthattheevilarmiesofgreed,anger,andfoolishness,whichareledbythedevilofignoranceandlust,willbegintoretreat,andthat[233]wisdom,light,faithandjoywilldominate.

Thedevil'sdominionisfullofgreed,darkness,struggling,fighting,swordsandbloodshed,andisrepletewithjealousy,prejudice,hatred,cheating,flattering,fawning,secrecyandabuse.

Nowsupposethatthelightofwisdomshinesuponthatdominion,andtherainofcompassionfallsuponit,andfaithbeginstotakeroot,andtheblossomsofjoybegintospreadtheirfragrance.Thenthatdevil'sdomainwillturnintoBuddha'sPureLand.

Andjustlikeasoftbreezeandafewblossomsonabranchthattellthecomingofspring,sowhenapersonattainsEnlightenment,grass,trees,mountains,riversandallotherthingsbegintothrobwithnewlife.

Ifaperson'smindbecomespure,hissurroundingswillalsobecomepure.2.Inalandwherethetrueteachingprevails,everydwellerhasapureand

tranquilmind.Indeed,Buddha'scompassionuntiringlybenefitsallpeople,andHisshiningspiritexorcizesallimpuritiesfromtheirminds.

Apuremindsoonbecomesadeepmind,amindthatiscommensuratewiththeNoblePath,amindthat[234]lovestogive,amindthatlovestokeeptheprecepts,anenduringmind,azealousmind,acalmmind,awisemind,acompassionatemind,amindthatleadspeopletoEnlightenmentbymanyandskillfulmeans.ThusshalltheBuddha'sLandbebuilt.

Ahomewithone'swifeandchildrenistransformedintoahomewhereBuddhaispresent;acountrythatsuffersbecauseofsocialdistinctionsislikewisetransformedintoafellowshipofkindredspirits.

Agoldenpalacethatisblood-stainedcannotbetheabidingplaceforBuddha.AsmallhutwherethemoonlightleaksinthroughchinksintheroofcanbetransformedintoaplacewhereBuddhawillabide,ifthemindofitsmasterispure.

WhenaBuddhaLandisfoundeduponthepuremindofasingleperson,thatsinglepureminddrawsotherkindredmindstoitselfintheSamgha.FaithinBuddhaspreadsfromindividualtofamily,fromfamilytovillage,fromvillagetotowns,tocities,tocountries,andfinallytothewholeworld.

Indeed,earnestnessandfaithfulnessinspreadingtheteachingoftheDharmaarewhatbuildtheBuddhaLand.[235]

3.Tobesure,whenviewedfromoneangle,theworldwithallitsgreedandinjusticeandbloodshedappearsasadevil'sworld;but,aspeoplecometobelieveinBuddha'sEnlightenment,bloodwillbeturnedintomilkandgreedintocompassion,andthen,thedevil'slandbecomesaBuddhaLandofPurity.

Itseemsanimpossibletasktoemptyanoceanwithasmallladle,butthedeterminationtodoit,evenifittakesmany,manylives,isthemindwithwhichoneshouldreceiveBuddha'sEnlightenment.

Buddhaiswaitingontheothershore;thatis,HisworldofEnlightenment,whereinthereisnogreed,noanger,noignorance,nosuffering,noagony,butwherethereareonlythelightofwisdomandtherainofcompassion.

Itisalandofpeace,arefugeforthosewhosufferandwhoareinsorrowandagony;aplaceofrestforthosewhotakeabreakintheirspreadingoftheteachingsoftheDharma.

InthisPureLandthereareboundlessLightandeverlastingLife.Thosewhoreachthishavenwillneverreturntotheworldofdelusion.

Indeed,thisPureLand,wheretheflowersperfume[236]theairwithwisdomandthebirdssingtheholyDharma,isthefinaldestinationforallmankind.

4.ThoughthisPureLandistheplacefortakingrest,itisnottheplaceforidleness.Itsbedsoffragrantflowersarenotforslothfulindolence,butaretheplacesforrefreshmentandrest,whereoneregainsenergyandzealtocontinuetheBuddha'smissionofEnlightenment.

Buddha'smissioniseverlasting.Aslongaspeopleliveandcreaturesexist,andaslongasselfishanddefiledmindscreatetheirownworldsandcircumstances,therewillbenoendtoHismission.

ThechildrenofBuddha,whohavecrossedtothePureLandbymeansofthegreatpowerofAmida,maybezealoustoreturntothelandwhencetheycameandwheretheystillhaveties.TheretheywilltaketheirpartintheBuddha'smission.

Asthelightofasmallcandlewillspreadfromonetoanotherinsuccession,sothelightofBuddha'scompassionwillpassonfromonemindtoanotherendlessly.

ThechildrenofBuddha,realizingHisspiritofcompassion,adoptHistaskofEnlightenmentandPurification,andpassitonfromonegenerationtoanotherinordertomaketheBuddha'sLandglorifiedeternally[237]andforever.

III

THOSEWHOHAVERECEIVEDGLORYINBUDDHA'SLAND

1.Syamavati,theconsortofKingUdayana,wasdeeplydevotedto

Buddha.Shelivedintheinnermostcourtsofthepalaceanddidnotgoout,buther

maid,Uttara,whohadanexcellentmemory,usedtogooutandattendtheBuddha'spreachings.

Onherreturn,themaidwouldrepeattotheQueentheteachingsofthe

BlessedOne,andthustheQueendeepenedherwisdomandfaith.ThesecondwifeoftheKingwasjealousofthefirstwifeandsoughttokill

her.SheslanderedhertotheKinguntilfinallyhebelievedherandsoughttokillhisfirstwife,Syamavati.

QueenSyamavatistoodinfrontoftheKingsocalmlythathehadnohearttokillher.Regainingcontrolofhimselfheapologizedtoherforhisdistrust.

Thejealousyofthesecondwifeincreasedandshe[238]sentwickedmentosetfiretotheinnermostcourtsofthepalaceduringtheKing'sabsencefromhome.Syamavatiremainedcalm,quietedandencouragedthebewilderedmaids,andthen,withoutfear,diedpeacefullyinthespiritshehadlearnedfromtheBlessedOne.Uttaradiedwithherinthefire.

AmongthemanywomendisciplesofBuddha,thesetwoweremosthighlyhonored:QueenSyamavatiasacompassionatespiritandhermaid,Uttara,asagoodlistener.

2.PrinceMahanama,oftheShakyaclanandacousinofBuddha,hadgreatfaithintheteachingsofBuddhaandwasoneofhismostfaithfulfollowers.

AtthattimeaviolentkingnamedVirudakaofKosalaconqueredtheShakyaclan.PrinceMahanamawenttotheKingandsoughtthelivesofhispeople,buttheKingwouldnotlistentohim.HethenproposedthattheKingwouldletasmanyprisonersescapeascouldrunawaywhilehehimselfremainedunderwaterinanearbypond.

TothistheKingassented,thinkingthatthetimewouldbeveryshortforhimtobeabletostayunderwater.[239]

ThegateofthecastlewasopenedasMahanamadivedintothewaterandthepeoplerushedforsafety.ButMahanamadidnotcomeup,sacrificinghislifeforthelivesofhispeoplebytyinghishairtotheunderwaterrootofawillowtree.

3.UtpalavarnawasafamousnunwhosewisdomwascomparedwiththatofMaudgalyayana,agreatdiscipleofBuddha.Shewas,indeed,thenunofallnunsandwasalwaystheirleader,nevertiringofteachingthem.

DevadattawasaverywickedandcruelmanwhopoisonedthemindofKingAjatasatruandpersuadedhimtoturnagainsttheteachingsofBuddha.Butlater,KingAjatasatrurepented,brokeoffhisfriendshipwithDevadatta,andbecameahumblediscipleofBuddha.

AtonetimewhenDevadattawasrepulsedfromthecastlegateinanattempttoseetheKing,hemetUtpalavarnacomingout.Itmadehimveryangry,sohestruckandseriouslywoundedher.

Shereturnedtoherconventingreatpainandwhentheothernunstriedtoconsolehershesaidtothem:"Sisters,humanlifeistheunforeseen,everythingis

transientandegoless.OnlytheworldofEnlightenmentis[240]tranquilandpeaceful.Youmustkeeponwithyourtraining."Thenshepassedawayquietly.

4.Angulimalya,onceaterriblebanditwhohadkilledmanypeople,wassavedbytheBlessedOne,andhebecameoneofHisdisciples.

Onedayhewentbegginginatownandenduredmuchhardshipandsufferingforhispastevildeeds.

Thevillagersfelluponhimandbeathimseverely,buthewentbacktotheBlessedOnewithhisbodystillbleeding,fallingatHisfeetandthankingHimfortheopportunitythathadcometohimtosufferforhisformercrueldeeds.

Hesaid,"BlessedOne,mynameoriginallywas'NoHarming,'butbecauseofmyignorance,Itookmanypreciouslives,andfromeachItookafinger;becauseofthat,IcametobecalledAngulimalya,thecollectoroffingers!

'Then,throughyourcompassion,IlearnedwisdomandbecamedevotedtothethreetreasuresoftheBuddha,theDharmaandtheSamgha.Whenamandrivesahorseoracowhehastouseawhiporarope,butyou,theBlessedOne,purifiedmymindwithouttheuseofwhiporropeorhook.[241]

'Today,BlessedOne,Ihavesufferedonlywhatwasmydue.Idonotwishtolive,Idonotwishtodie.Ionlywaitformytimetocome."

5.Maudgalyayana,togetherwiththevenerableSariputra,wasoneoftheBuddha'stwogreatestdisciples.WhentheteachersofotherreligionssawthatthepurewateroftheBuddha'steachingswasspreadingamongthepeopleandfoundthepeopleeagerlydrinkingit,theybecamejealousandappliedvarioushindrancestohispreaching.

Butnoneofthehindrancescouldstoporpreventhisteachingfromspreadingwidely.ThefollowersoftheotherreligionsattemptedtokillMaudgalyayana.

Twiceheescapedbutthethirdtimehewassurroundedbymanyheathensandfellundertheirblows.

SustainedbyEnlightenment,hecalmlyreceivedtheirblows,andthoughhisfleshwastornandhisbonescrushed,hediedpeacefully.[242]

ANGUTTARANIKAYA(TheBookoftheGradualSayings)

Monks,thereisonepersonwhosebirthintotheworldisforthewelfareof

many,forthehappinessofmany:whoisbornoutofcompassionfortheworld,fortheprofit,welfareandhappinessofheavenlybeingsandmankind.Whoisthatperson?ItisaTathagatawhoisanArahat,afullyEnlightenedOne.This,

monks,isthatoneperson.Monks,themanifestationofonepersonishardtofindintheworld.

Ofwhatperson?OfaTathagatawhoisanArahat,afullyEnlightenedOne.Heistheoneperson.

Monks,hardtobefoundintheworldisthatoneextraordinaryperson.Whatperson?ATathagatawhoisanArahat,afullyEnlightenedOne.Heistheoneperson.

Monks,thedeathofonepersonistoberegrettedbyall.Ofwhatperson?OfaTathagatawhoisanArahat,afullyEnlightenedOne.Heistheoneperson.

Monks,thereisonepersonbornintotheworldwhoisincomparableandunequalled.Whoisthatperson?ItisaTathagatawhoisanArahat,afullyEnlightenedOne.Heistheoneperson.

Monks,themanifestationofonepersonisthemanifestationofamightyeye,amightylight,amightyradiance.Ofwhatperson?OfaTathagatawhoisanArahat,afullyEnlightenedOne.Heistheoneperson.(AnguttaraNikiya1-13)[243]

SOURCEREFERENCESFOR'THETEACHINGOFBUDDHA"

Abbreviations:DN-DighaNikayaMN-MajjhimaNikayaSN-SamyuttaNikayaAN-AnguttaraNikaya

BUDDHA

ChapterOneSectionIPage:Line:Source2:1:VariousScriptures5:1:AN3-38,Sukhumālā-sutta5:12:MN3-26,Ariyapariyesana-sutta5:22:VariousScriptures7:1:MN9-85,Bodhirājakumāra-sutta7:6:VariousScriptures

7:14:Sutta-nipāta3-2,Padhāna-sutta7:20:VariousScriptures8:11:Vinaya,Mahāvagga19:11:DN16,Mahāparinibbāna-suttaSectionII10:16:DN16,Mahāparinibbāna-sutta11:10:Parinibbāna-sutta13:9:Parinibbāna-sutta13:16:DN16,Mahāparinibbāna-suttaChapterTwoSectionIPage:Line:Source15:1:Amitāyur-dhyana&Vimalakirtinirdesasūtras15:6:Sūramgama-sūtra15:11:Vimalakirtinirdesa&Mahāparinirvānasūtras16:7:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra1617:1:Mahāyāna-jātaka-cittabhūmipariksa-sūtra17:7:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtraSectionII19:1:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra320:1:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra421:14:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra5SectionIII22:18:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra16Chapter3Section125:1:Avatamsaka-sūtra526:5:Mahgparinirvgna-sūtra26:11:Avatamsaka-siitra26:19:Suvarnaprabhasottamarāja-sūtra3SectionII29:6:Avatamsaka-sūtra29:12:Avatamsaka-sūtra34,Gandavyūha29:15:SmallerSukhāvativyūha-sūtra29:20:Avatamsaka-sūtra30:6:SN35-530:10:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtraSectionIII

32:10:MN8-77,Mahāsakulūdayi-sutta33:5:Mahāparivirvāna-sūtra33:16:Lankāvatāra-sūtra34:4:Avatamsaka-sūtra3234:20:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra2535:1:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra35:13Saddharmapundarika-sūtra235:20:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra3

DHARMAChapterOneSectionI38:1:Vinaya,Mahāvagga1-6&SN56-11-12,Dhammacakka-pavattana-sutta39:18:Itivuttaaka10340:6:MN2,Sabbāsava-sutta40:13SūtraofForty-twoSections1841:2:Srimālādevisimhanāda-sūtraSectionIII42:21:Avatamsaka-sūtra22,DasabhūmikaChapter2SectionI46:1:MN4-35,Cūlasaccaka-sutta48:9:AN5-49,Mundarāja-vagga48:18:AN4-185,Samana-sutta49:1:AN3-134,Uppāda-suttaSectionII49:8:Lankāvatāra-sūtra49:12:Avatamsaka-sūtra250:1:Avatamsaka-sūtra1650:15:Avatamsaka-sūtra22,Dasabhūmika51:1:Lankāvatāra-sūtra51:6:AN4-186,Ummagga-sutta51:10:Dhammapadal,2,17,1852:1SN2-1-6,Kāmada-suttaSectionIII52:12:Avatamsaka-sūtra16

52:19:Lankāvatāra-sūtra53:14:MN3-22,Alagaddūpama-sutta54:9:Lankāvatāra-sūtra54:14:Lankāvatāra-sūtraSectionIV57:8:Vinaya,Mahāvagga1-658:1:Lankāvatāra-sūtra58:7:SN35-200,Dārukkhandha-sutta58:18:Lankāvatāra-sūtraandothers59:8:MN2-18,Madhupindika-sutta59:22:Lankāvatāra-sūtra60:14:Lankāvatāra-sūtra61:11:Vimalakirtinirdesa-sūtra63:15:Avatamsaka-sūtra34,Gandavyūha63:24:Lankāvatāra-sūtraandothersChapter3SectionI65:1:Vinaya,Mahāvagga1-565:16:Vinaya,Cūlavagga5-2166:6:Sūramgama-sūtraSectionII71:9:Sūramgama-sūtra73:5:Mahaparinirvāna-sūtra73:13:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra7&Sūramgama-sūtra74:3:Avatamsaka-sūtra3274:9:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra74:14:Brahmajāla-sūtra75:2:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtraSectionIII75:21:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtraChapter4SectionI81:1:Srimālādevisimhanāda-sūtra82:10:AN2-1182:14:Itivuttaka9382:21:Vinaya,Mahāvagga83:9:AN3-68,Annātitthika-sutta

83:23:AN3-34,Alavaka-sutta84:15:Vaipulya-sūtra84:21:Vinaya,Mahāvagga1-6,Dhammacakkapravattana-sutta85:1:MN2-14,Cūladukkhakkhandha-sutta85:16:Mahāparinirvana-sūtra86:16Itivuttaka24SectionII88:11:MN6-51,Kandaraka-suttanta89:9:AN3-13089:19:AN3-113SectionIII90:6:Itivuttaka10090:18:Samyuktaratnapitaka-sūtra91:16:Mahāparinirvana-sūtra93:1:AN3-6293:16:AN3-35,Devadūta-sutta94:20:TherigāthāAtthakathāSectionIV95:17:Sukhāvativyūha-sūtravo1.2Chapter5SectionI102:1:Sukhāvativyūha-sūtravol.1105:18:Sukhāvativyūha-sūtravo1.2107:6:Amitiiyur-dhyZna-siitraSectionII110:15:SmallerSukhāvativyūha-sūtra

THEWAYOFPRACTICEChapter1SectionI116:1:MN2,Sabbāsava-sutta117:23:MN3-26,Ariyapariyesana-sutta118:14:SN35-206,Chapāna-sutta119:11:SūtraofForty-twoSections41-2121:20:MN2-19,Dvedhāvitakka-sutta122:13:DhammapadaAtthakathāSectionII123:12:AN3-117

124:1:MN3-21,Kakacūpama-sutta127:1:MN3-23,Vammika-sutta128:17:JātakaIV-497,Mātanga-Jātaka132:4:SūtraofForty-twoSections9132:13:SūtraofForty-twoSections11133:5:SūtraofForty-twoSections13134:3:AN2-4,Samacitta-suttaSectionIII134:18:Samyuktaratnapitaka-sūtra140:2:Upamā-sataka-sūtra143:7:Mahāptsjnāpāramitā-upadesa-sāstra144:18:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra145:17:Samyuktaratnapitka-sūtraChapter2SectionI150:1:MN7-63,Cūlamālunkya-suttanta152:9:MN3-29,Mahāsāropama-sutta154:1:Mahāmāyā-sūtra154:14:TheragāthāAtthakathā156:7:MN3-28,Mahāhatthipadopama-sutta156:22:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra157:12:Avadānasataka-sūtra158:18:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra160:12:Pancavimsatisāhasrikā-prajnāpāramitā-sūtra161:20:Avatamsaka-sūtra34,GandavyūhaSectionII163:13:AN3-88164:10:AN3-81164:18:AN3-82165:12:Parinibbāna-suttavo1.2166:13:MN14-141,Saccavibhanga-sutta167:18:Parinibbāna-suttavo1.2168:12:AN5-16,Bala-sutta168:18:Avatamsaka-sūtra6169:18:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra170:7:Samyuktaratnapitaka-sūtra171:1:Suvarnaprabhāsa-sūtra26171:15:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra

172:15:TheragāthāAttakathā173:7:Jātaka55,Pancāvudha-Jātaka174:9:Itivuttaka39&40174:16:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra174:19:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra175:1:AN5-12175:8:Parinibbāna-sutta175:18:Sūramgama-sūtraSectionIII176:21:SN55-21&22,Mahānāma-sutta177:15:AN5-32,Cundi-sutta178:1:Vimalakirtinirdesa-sūtra178:15:Sūramgama-sūtra178:21:Sukhāvativyūha-sūtravo1.2179:8:SN1-4-6179:11:Avatamsaka-sūtra33180:7:Avatamsaka-sūtra24180:19:Suvarnaprabhāsa-sūtra4181:8:Arnitāyur-dhyāna-sūtra181:11:Sukhāvativyūha-sūtra181:17:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra182:10:MN2-16,Cetokhila-sutta183:5:Sukhāvativyūha-sūtravol.2SectionIV184:1:Dhammapada192:1:SN1-46192:15:AN192:20:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra

THEBROTHERHOODChapter1SectionI194:1:Itivuttaka100&MN1-3,Dhammadāyāda-sutta194:8:Itivuttaka92195:1:Vinaya,Mahāvagga1-30195:19:MN439,Mahāassapura-sutta197:4:MN440,Cūla-assapura-sutta198:4:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra10

198:10:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra10199:1:Saddharmapundarika-sūtra14SectionII200:13:SN55-37,Mahānāma-sutta201:1:AN3-75201:8:SN55-37,Mahānāma-sutta201:14:SN55-54,Gilāyanam-sutta201:20:Avatamsaka-sūtra22203:9:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra206:5:Avatamsaka-sūtra7209:2:Mahamāyā-sūtra210:1:Avatamsaka-sūtra21210:20:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtraSectionIII212:1:DN31,Singālovāda-sutta217:8:AN2-4,Samacitta-sutta217:23:AN3-31218:7:Jātaka417,Kaccāni-Jātaka220:1:DN31,Singālovāda-sutta220:12:DhammapadaAtthakathā1221:21:(BurmeseCommentaries)222:11:Srimālādevāsimhanāda-sūtraChapter2SectionI225:1:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra226:19:AN3-118,Soceyyan-sutta228:12:SN229:5:Vinaya,Mahāvagga10-1&2229:14:DN16,Mahāparinibbāna-sutta230:20:Vinaya,Mahāvagga10-1&2SectionII233:15:SN234:11:Antarābhava-sūtra234:17:Vimalakirtinirdesa-sūtra236:1:Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra236:20SmallerSukhāvativyūha-sūtra237:3:Sukhāvativyūha-sūtra237:17:Vimalakirtinirdesa-sūtra

SectionIII238:5:DhammapadaAtthakathā1238:14:AN34-2239:11:DhammapadaAtthakathā1240:6:AN5-1240:10:Mūla-sarvāstivāda-vinaya,Sanghabheda-vastu10241:3:MN9-86,Atigulimāla-sutta242:4:AN26

THEAPPENDIXES

BRIEFHISTORYOFBUDDHISM-TransmissionfromIndiatoJapan-

1.INDIA

Oneofthegreatestepoch-makingeventsinthespiritualhistoryofmankindwasmarkedwhenthe"LightofAsia"wassetoutbrightlyinthecentralpartofIndia,or,inotherwords,whentheSpringofGreatWisdomandCompassiongushedupthere,which,inthecourseoftimehascometoenrichthehumanmindovermanycenturiesuptothepresentday.

GautamaBuddha,whocametobeknownbylaterBuddhistfollowersasShakyamuniorthe"SageoftheShakyaclan,"abandonedHishome,becameamendicantandturnedHisstepstowardthesouth,toMagadha.Itisbelievedtohavebeeninthemiddleofthe5thcenturyB.C.,thatHefinallyattainedEnlightenmentunderaBodhi-treethere.HecontinuedHisuntiringeffortsforforty-fivelongyears,fromthistimeontoHis"GreatDeath"bywhichHeenteredMaha-pari-Nirvana,allthewhilepreachingtheteachingofWisdomandCompassion.Asaresult,greatBuddhistssteadfastlycontinuedtoappearinthekingdomsandvarioustribesinmid-India.

DuringthetimeofKingAsoka(reigning:268-232B.C.),thethirdruleroftheMauryaKingdom,theteachingofGautamaBuddhaspreadthroughoutthewholeofIndiaandwasalsobeingpropagatedbeyondtheboundariesofthecountry.

MauryahadbeenthefirstoftheconsolidatedkingdomsinIndia.Thiskingdomatthetimeofitsfirstruler,Chandragupta(reigning:317-293B.C.orthereabouts,)wasalreadyoccupyingavastdomain,extendingfromtheHimalayanmountainsinthenorth,totheBayofBengalintheeast,totheHinduKushmountainsinthewest,andbeyondtheVindhyamountainstothesouth.KingAsokafurtherexpandedthisdomaintotheDeccanPlateau,byconqueringKalingaandothers.[258]

ThisKingissaidtohavebeenveryfuriousinnature,beingcalledbyhispeopleChandiisoka(theFuriousAsoka);buthischaractershowedacompletechangewhenhewitnessedthedisastrousconditionscausedbythewarinwhichKalingahadbeenconquered.HebecameanearnestdevoteeoftheteachingofWisdomandCompassion.Afterthat,hedidmanythingsasaBuddhistbeliever,amongwhichthefollowingtwoundertakingsaremostnoteworthy.

Firstwasthe"Asoka'scarvededict,"ortheadministrativeconceptsbasedontheBuddhistteachingcarvedontostonepillars,oronpolishedcliiwalls,whichheordereddoneatnumerousplaces,thusspreadingtheteachingofBuddha.Secondly,hesentmissionsbeyondhiskingdomtocountriesinalldirectionsconveyingtheteachingofWisdomandCompassion.EspeciallyremarkableisthefactthatsomeofthemissionsweresentouttosuchplacesasSyria,Egypt,Kyrene,MacedoniaandEpeiros,spreadingBuddhismfarandwidetothewesternworld.Moreover,Mahendra(inthePālilanguageMahinda),theenvoysenttoSriLanka,wassuccessfulin"EstablishingthebeautifulteachingonthebeautifulLankādvipa(Pāli,Lankādipa)",andthusfoundedthestartingpointoftheBuddhistteachingforitssuccessfulpropagationontheisland.

2.THERISEOFMAHAYANABUDDHISM

The"EastwardMovementofBuddhism"hasoftenbeenspokenofbytheBuddhistsofthelateryears.ButduringtheB.C.centuries,thefaceofBuddhismwasevidentlyturnedtowardtheWest.ItwassometimearoundthebeginningoftheChristianErathatthis"face"ofBuddhismbegantobeturnedtowardtheEast.However,beforewerefertothismatter,wemustspeakofthegreatchangethatwasoccurringinBuddhism.Thischangewasnoneotherthanthe"NewWave"whichisknownas"MahayanaBuddhism,"orGreaterVehicleBuddhism,thatwastakingstrongrootandappearingasaconspicuouselementintheteachingofthetime.[259]

When,howandbywhomwassucha"NewWave"started?Nobodyisasyetabletodefinitelyanswerthesequestions.Allweknowis:First,thetrendmusthavebeenbroughtaboutintheso-calledthought-genealogyconstituentoftheMahāsamghikaschoolbytheprogressivepriestsofthetime;Second,thefactisthattherehadalreadyexistedsomeoftheimportantelementsoftheMahayanascripturesduringtheperiodfromoneortwocenturiesB.C.tothefirstcenturyoftheChristianEra.AndwhenthesuperbthoughtofNāgārjuna,backedbytheMahayanascriptures,developed,MahayanaBuddhismvividlypresenteditselfintheforegroundonthestageofthehistoryofthereligion.

TherolethatwasplayedbyMahayanaBuddhismwasverygreatinthelonghistoryofBuddhism.Now,astoChinaandJapan,BuddhisminthesecountriesthroughalmostalltheirhistoryhasdevelopedundertheinfluenceoftheMahayanateaching.Thisdoesnotseemstrangebecausetherewasalreadyworkedoutanewidealforthesalvationofthemasses,envisaginglivingsaintsintheformofBodhisattvastopracticethisideal;moreover,tosupportthem,theintellectualresultsinthemetaphysicalorpsychologicaldomainsthatwerebroughtaboutbytheMahayanathinkerswerereallymagnificent.Inthisway,althoughitwaslinkedwiththeteachingofGautamaBuddhaontheonehand,manynewphasesofWisdomandCompassionwereadded.Withthesenewadditions,BuddhismbecamefullofardorandenergyandcametoenrichthecountriesintheEastliketherushingstreamofagreatriver.[260]

3.CENTRALASIA

ItwasthroughtheCentralAsiancountriesthatChinacametolearnofBuddhismforthefirsttime.Therefore,totelloftheteachingspreadingfromIndiatoChina,itisnecessarytospeakoftheSilkRoad.ThisroadpassedthroughtheboundlessterritoriesinCentralAsiatoconnecttheWestandtheEast,anditwasduringtheageofKingWuoftheHandynasty(reigning:140-87B.C.)thatthistraderoutewasopened.Atthattime,thedomainofHanextendedfarwestward,andinsuchadjoiningcountriesasFerghana,Sogdiana,TukharaandevenParthia,thespiritofmercantilismwhichhadformerlybeeninspiredbyAlexandertheGreatwasstillvigorouslyactive.Alongthisancientroutethatranthroughthesecountriessilkplayedthemostimportantrole,hencethenameSilkRoad.FromthetimealittlebeforeorafterthebeginningoftheChristianEra,IndiaandChinastartedtheirculturalcontactsfirstbymeansofthetraderoute.Thus,theroadcanbesaidtohavebeentherouteforBuddhismaswell.

4.CHINA

ThehistoryofChineseBuddhismstartsfromtheiracceptanceoftheBuddhistscripturesandtranslationthereof.Theoldestworkfromtheancienttimesissaidtobethe"Ssu-shih-er-chang-ching(SutrainForty-twoSectionsSpokenbyBuddha)"atranslationdonebyKāsyapamātangaandothersduringtheYing-p'ingEra(58-76AD.)ofKingMingoftheLatterEasternHan,butitistodayregardedasadoubtfullegendarystory.ThecorroboratedopinionnowgivesthecredittoAn-shih-kaowhowasengagedintranslationatLo-yangfromabout148to171AD..FromthistimetothetimeoftheNorthernSungDynasty(960-1129A.D.),thetranslationworkcontinuedfornearlyonethousandyears.[261]

Duringtheearlieryears,thosewhoplayedpivotalrolesintheintroductionofthescripturesandinmakingtranslationsthereofweremostlythepriestsfromtheCentralAsiancountries.Forinstance,An-shih-kao,mentionedabove,camefromParthia;K'angs6ng-k'ai,fromtheSamarkandregioncametoLo-yanginaboutthe3rdcenturyandtranslated"Sukhāvativyūha"(theBookofLimitlessLife).Moreover,Chu-fa-hu

orDharmaraksha,whoisknownasthetranslatorofthe"Saddhamapundarika,”camefromTukhāraandstayedinLo-yangfromthelatterpartofthethirdcenturytotheearlypartofthefourthcentury.WhenKumārajiva,whocamefromKucha,appearedintheearlypartofthefifthcentury,thetranslationworkinChinareachedahighpoint.

FromaboutthattimepriestsbeganvisitingIndiafromChinatolearnSanskrit.ThepioneerofsuchpriestswasFa-hsien(339-420?AD.).HeleftCh'ang-anin399forIndiaandreturnedhomefifteenyearslater.ThemostdistinguishedofthesepriestsvisitingIndiawasHsuan-chuang(602-664A.D.)wholeftforIndiain627andreturnedhomein645,afternineteenlongyears.Further,I-ching(635713A.D.)(nottobeconfusedwiththebookI-ching)leftforIndiabyseain671andreturnedhomebythesameroutetwenty-fiveyearslater.

ThesepriestsvisitedIndiabythemselvestolearnSanskritandbroughthomethosescripturestheyhadchosen,playingtheleadingroleinthescripturestranslationwork.ThelinguisticabilitythatHsuan-chuangshowedwasespeciallyoutstanding,andbyhisenergeticwork,thetranslationofthescripturesinChinareachedanotherpeak.TheworksoftheformerdaysdonebythoserepresentedbyKumārajivaarecalledthe"OldTranslations"andtheworksbyHsuan-chuangandthelatertranslatorsarecalledthe"NewTranslations"byBuddhistscholarsinlaterperiods.[262]

BasedonthisenormousnumberofvolumeswhichtheyhadtranslatedfromSanskrit,thetendencyofthoughtandreligiousactivityoftheselearnedmengraduallybutstronglyturnedtowardSinicism.Thereappearedplainlytheracialnature,needsandconfidences.Thatthepriestsintheearlystagesturnedtheirmindsmetaphysicallytowards"Non-substantiality"especially,whichisdealtwithinthePrajnāoftheSutras,wasamanifestationofthistendency.Later,theycastawaytheso-called"Hinayana",ortheLesserVehicle,andturnedtheirattentionexclusivelytoward"Mahayana",theGreaterVehicle.Moreover,thistendencygraduallybecamenotableintheTendaiSectandmaybesaidtohavereacheditsheightwhentheZenSectappeared.

ItwasinthelatterhalfofthesixthcenturythattheTendaiSectsawitscompletioninChina,whichwasperfectedbyTendaiDaishi,Chih-i(538-597AD.),itsthirdpatriarch.HewasoneofthemostoutstandingfiguresinBuddhistthought,andthecriticalclassificationofBuddha'steachingintotheFivePeriodsandEightDoctrinesworkedoutbythissainthavelongmaintainedawideinfluenceontheBuddhismofChinaaswellasofJapan.

AreviewwillshowthatinChinathevarioussutraswerebroughtinwithoutregardtotheorderofthetimeoftheiroriginsandweretranslatedastheyweretakenin.Inthefaceoftheenormousnumberofthesesutras,theproblemwashowtounderstandtheiroriginandevaluations.ItwasnecessarytoappreciateBuddhismasawholeandtoshowhowoneshouldstandaccordingtoone'sownunderstandingofit.Astotheevaluationofthesutras,thetrendoftheChinesethought,firstofall,comestothefore.Aboveall,thatofChih-iwasmostsystematicand,therefore,splendidlypersuasive.But,withtheappearanceoftheBuddhistresearchworkofmoderntimes,evensuchadominatinginfluencewastocometoanend.[263]

InthehistoryofBuddhisminChina“Theonethatcamelast"wastheZenSect.ItsfounderissaidtohavebeenSramana,ofaforeigncountry,orBodhidharma(-528AD.);buttheseedsownbyhimhadseenitsgloriousfloweronlyafterthetimeofHui-neng(638-713AD.),thesixthpatriarchoftheline.Aftertheeighthcentury,thesectinChinahadsentoutmanypriestsoftalentinsuccession,bringingabouttheprosperityofZenforaperiodofseveralcenturies.

ItcanbeseenthattherewasanewwayofthinkinginBuddhism,whichwasdeeplyrootedinthenatureoftheChinesepeople.ItwasnothingotherthanaBuddhismcoloredbytheChinesewayofthinking.AndyetthestreamoftheteachingofGautamaBuddha,withthisfreshcurrentadded,hadgrownintoastilllargerriverandcametoenrichthecountriestotheeast.

5.JAPAN

ThehistoryofBuddhisminJapanbeganinthesixthcentury.In538A.D.,theKingofPaikche(or

Kudara,Korea)dispatchedhisenvoytopresentaBuddhistimageandscrollofsutrastotheImperialCourtofEmperorKinmei.ThismarkedthefirstintroductionofBuddhismintothiscountry.ThehistoryofthereligioninJapanisthereforemorethan1,400yearsoldnow.

Inthislonghistory,wecanthinkofJapaneseBuddhisminconnectionwiththreefoci.ThefirstcanbeplacedontheBuddhismofroughlytheseventhandeighthcenturies.ToshowthismateriallywecanrefertotheHōryujiTemple(607A.D.)andtheTōdaijiTemple(752A.D.),whichwereconstructedduringthisperiod.Inlookingbacktothistime,theonethingthatcannotbeoverlookedisthefactthatthetideofcultureroseunusuallyhighthroughoutthewholeofAsiaduringthisperiod,whilethecivilizationoftheWestwasshutupindeepdarkness.TheEastwasdevelopinganastonishinglyactiveandmagnificentmovement.InChina,inCentralAsia,inIndiaandintheSouth-seacountries,theactivitiesintheintellectual,religiousandartfieldsweregoingonstrongly.Joiningthesemovements,BuddhismwaswashingtheEasternworldwithitsvasttideofhumanism.AndthisnewmovementoftheJapanesecultureaswitnessedbytheconstructionofthebrilliantHōryujiandthemagnificentTōdaiji,andalsointhecolorfulreligiousandartactivitiesthatcameaboutinconnectionwiththeseevents,showsthisabsorptionattheextremeeasternendofthegeneralculturaltidethatwascoveringallthevastareaofAsia.[264]

Thepeopleofthiscountry,whichhadbeeninanuncivilizedstateforalongtime,nowbathedinthecurrentofagreatculture;theflowerofcivilizationopenedupallofasudden.SuchwasthegoodturnoffortunethatfavoredJapaninthosecenturies.AndthechiefchampionresponsiblefortheriseinthisculturewasnoneotherthanBuddhism,theBuddhisttemplesofthetimebecameveryimportantsocialcenters,andthepriestsweretheleadersofthenewlearning.Theredevelopedawideandgreatcultureratherthanjustareligion.ThiswastheactualstateofBuddhismthatwasfirsttransplantedtothiscountry.

Intheninthcentury,twogreatpriests,Saichō(DengyōDaishi,767-822)andKūkai(KōbōDaishi,774-835)appearedonthesceneandfoundedtwoBuddhistdenominationsusuallyreferredtotogetherasHeianBuddhism.ThiswastheestablishmentofapurelyJapaneseBuddhism.TheygraspedBuddhisminitsoriginalstandpointandpractice,andfoundedthecentralmonasteriesonMt.HieiandMt.Kōyarespectively.Duringthethreehundredyearsaftertheirfounding,untiltheKamakuraPeriod,thesetwoesotericdenominations,theTendaiandtheShingon,prosperedchieflyamongthearistocratsandintheImperialcourts.[265]

ThesecondofthefocicanbeplacedontheBuddhismofthetwelfthandthirteenthcenturies.ThereappearedsuchgreatpriestsasHōnen(1133-1212AD.),Shinran(1173-1262AD.),Dōgen(1200-1253AD.)andNichiren(1222-1282A.D.).WhenwetalkoftheBuddhismofJapanwecannotdosowithoutmentioningthenamesofthesegreatpriests.Whythendidonlythosecenturiesinquestionproducesuchoutstandingmen?Itisbecauseofthefactthatacommonproblemwasfacingthemallatthattime.Whatwasthiscommonproblem,then?PerhapsitwasthefactthatBuddhismwasbeingaccepted,butinauniqueJapaneseway.

Thismightleadtothequestion,“Why?WasitnottruethatBuddhismhadbeenintroducedtothiscountrylongbeforethattime?"Itissohistorically.Butitisalsotruethatseveralhundredyearswereneededforthepeopleofthiscountrytosufficientlydigestandremodeltheimportedreligionsoastomakeitcompletelytheirown.Inshort,itwasintheseventhandeighthcenturiesthattheeffortsinthiscountryfortheacceptanceofBuddhismbegan,andasaresultoftheseefforts,thereligionbloomedthroughthoseBuddhistsofthetwelfthandthirteenthcenturies.

Afterthis,BuddhisminJapan,basedonthefoundationbuiltupbythoseprominentpriests,haskeptupitsworktothisday.Sincethetimethosedistinguishedmenappeared,nomoreofthebrilliancyofthosecenturieshaseveragainappearedinthehistoryofJapaneseBuddhism.However,itseemstothepresentwriterthatthereisanotherthingthatattractsourattentionandthatisthefruitoftheresearchintooriginalBuddhismmadeinourmoderntimes.

Sincethetimeofitsfirstacceptance,practicallyallofBuddhisminJapan,wasMahayana,undertheinfluenceofChineseBuddhism.Especiallyaftertheappearanceofthegreatteachersduringthetwelfthandthirteenthcenturies,theMahayanateachingformedthemaincurrentwiththesectfoundersasitscenter;thisviewhascontinuedtothisdate.InthehistoryofBuddhisminJapanassuch,thestudyoforiginalBuddhismwasstartedafterthemid-MeijiEra.ThefigureofGautamaBuddhavividlyreappearedbeforethosewhowereapttoforgetthattherewasalsothefounderofBuddhismbesidesthesectfounders,anditwas[266]madeplaintothosewhodidnotheedanythingotherthantheMahayanateachingthattherewasalsothesystematiccreedofBuddhism.Thesenewphasesstillremainwithinthesphereofscholasticlearningandasyetarenotstrongenoughtoawakereligiousenthusiasmamongthemasses.Butitseems

thattheknowledgeofthepeopleofthiscountryinregardtoBuddhismappearstobetakingaturn.Thewriterwouldliketoputamarkonthisphase,tomakeitthethirdorthelastofthethreefocireferredtoabove.

TRANSMISSIONOFBUDDHA'STEACHING

BuddhismisareligionwhichisbuiltupontheteachingShakyamunihadpreachedforforty-five

yearsofhislife.Thewordsheusedinhisteaching,therefore,haveabsoluteauthorityinthisreligion,andinspiteofthefactthatthereare84,000dharmagatesandalargenumberofschools,allofthemarerelatedtothescripturesofShakyamuni.ThosebooksinwhichtheBuddha'steachingisrecordedareknownastheIssaikyōortheDaizōkyō,thatis,acompletecollectionofthesacredscriptures.

Shakyamunistronglyadvocatedtheequalityofhumanbeingsandpreachedhisteachingintheplainandsimplewordsofeverydayusagesothateveryonecouldfullyunderstandthem.Hecontinuedhispreachingforthebenefitofmultitudesofpeopleuptotheveryminuteofhisdeathattheageofeighty.

AfterthedemiseofShakyamuni,hisdisciplespreachedthegospelaccordingtowhattheyhadheard.However,astheteachingwastransmittedandretold,theremightpossiblyhaveoccurredsomevariationsduetounconsciouserrorsonthepartofthedisciplesastowhattheythoughttheyhadheardorunderstood.And,yet,thewordsofShakyamunimustalwaysbetransmittedpreciselyandcorrectly,andopportunitiesofhearingtheteachingmustbeaffordedtoeveryandallpeoplewithoutdiscrimination.Therefore,manyoftheseniorpriestsgottogetherforthepurposeofadjustingandconsolidatingthewordsandteachingbymutuallyrecitingwhateachthoughthehadheard,andtheyspentmanyamonthontheirdiscussions.TheworkthatresultedinthiswayisknownastheKetsujūorregimentation.Thisshowshowpiouslyanddeliberatelytheyhadtriedtotransmittheverywordsthathadbeenspokenbythegreatteacher.

Theteachingthusadjustedhadcometobeputintowriting.Totheteachingrecordedinawrittenformwereaddedthecommentsandinterpretationsmadebythelearnedpriestsofthelaterages,whichcametobeknownasRonorcomments.TheBuddha'steachingitself,thecomments[268]addedinlateragesandtheBuddhistpreceptsallcametobecalledastheSanzō(ThreeSectionsofBuddhistScriptures)orTripitakainSanskrit.

SanzōorTripitakaincludesKyōzō,RitsuzōandRonzō;thewordZōmeansareceptacleorcontainer.KyōreferstotheBuddhistscriptures,RitsutothepreceptsfortheBuddhistBrotherhood,andRontothecommentswrittenbythehighpriests.

AlmostalltheschoolsmaintainedtheirownCanon(Sanskrit:Tripitaka,Pali:Tipitaka),buttheonlycompletesetthathassurvivedistheoneinPalithatbelongstotheTheravadins.ThisPaliCanonhasplayedanimportantroleasthecommonwrittensourceamongtheBuddhistcountriesofSouthandSoutheastAsia.

Accordingtotradition,BuddhismissaidtohavebeenintroducedinChinain67AD.duringthereignofKingMingoftheLatterEasternHanDynasty(25-220A.D.).But,actually,itwaseighty-fouryearslaterthattheBuddhistscriptureswereintroducedtoandtranslatedinChina(in151A.D.)byKingHuanofthesamedynasty.AsMahayanaBuddhismhadalreadybeenestablishedinIndiabythattime,boththescripturesofearlyandMahayanaBuddhismweretransmittedtoChinawithoutanydistinction.Foroveraperiodofmorethan1,700yearssincethen,effortsinthetranslationofthescripturesintotheChineselanguagecontinued.Thenumberofbooksandvolumesthustranslatedreached1,440scripturesin5,586volumes.EffortstowardtheconservationofthesetranslatedscriptureswerebegunasearlyastheWeiDynasty,butitwasaboutthetimeoftheNorthernSungDynastythattheirprintingwasstarted.However,fromaboutthistimetheworksofthehighpriestsofChinacametobeaddedtotheBuddhistscripturesanditwasnolongerappropriatetocallthesebooksTripitaka.WhentheeraofSueicame,thetitleofIssaikyōoracompletecollectionofallthesacredwritingswasgiventothebooks,andintheeraofTangtheycametobecalledbythenewtitleofDaizōkyōorthecollectionofalltheBuddhistscriptures,lawsandtreatises.

BuddhismwasintroducedintoTibetaroundtheseventhcenturyA.D.,andforabout150yearsduringtheninththrougheleventhcentury,A.D.,[269]effortsinthetranslationoftheBuddhistscripturescontinued,andpracticallyallofthemhadbeentranslatedbythattime.

InviewofthefactthatthescriptureshadbeentranslatedintonotonlytheKorean,Japanese,

Sinhalese,Cambodian,TurkishandalmostalloftheOrientallanguagesbutalsointotheLatin,French,English,GermanandItaliantongues,itmaysafelybesaidthattheblessingoftheBuddha'steachinghasnowspreadtoeverycorneroftheworld.

But,onsecondthought,inreviewingfromthestandpointofthequalityofthetranslations,andthehistoryofthereligion'sdevelopmentandoriginduringmorethantwothousandyears,withtenthousandormoretranslationsofthebookshavingbeenwritten,itstillseemsdifficulttograspthetruemeaningofthewordsspokenbyShakyamuni,evenwiththeaidof"Daizōkyō".Itis,therefore,indispensabletopickoutthoseessentialpointsfromthe"Daizōkyō"andmakethemthecriteriaorfoundationuponwhichonecanbaseone'sfaithinthereligion.

InBuddhismthesupremeauthorityarethewordsutteredbyShakyamuni.Therefore,theteachingofBuddhismmustbetheteachingthatiscloselylinkedtoandintimatewiththerealitiesofoureverydaylife;otherwise,itwillbutfailininspiringthehumanmindfromitsverydepthstowardabeliefintheteachings.Inthissense,fortheteachingtobeonethatwecanmakeourown,itisdesirabletobeplainandsimple,impartialinitsquality,sufficientinrepresentingthewholeandyetaccurateandfamiliarinthewordsthatareusedinourdailylife.

Thisbookhascomeintobeingundertheaboveconsiderations,inheritingthe"stream"oftheDaizōkyōwithitshistoryofmorethantwothousandandseveralhundredyears.Ofcourse,thispublicationcannotbetakenasperfectinitscontents.ThewordsofBuddhaareinfinitelydeepintheirmeaningandHisVirtuesaresoboundlessthatonecannoteasilyappreciatethem.

Itissincerelywished,therefore,thatthisbookwillbeimprovedintoastillmoretruthfulandvaluableoneastherevisededitionscomeoutinthefuture,asisintended.[270]

HISTORYOF"THETEACHINGOFBUDDHA"

ThisBuddhisttextwascompiledandrevisedonthebasisoftheJapaneseeditionoftheNewly

TranslatedBuddhistTextpublishedinJuly,1925,bytheAssociationforSpreading"NewlyTranslatedBuddhistText"headedbyRev.MuanKizu.ThisfirstJapaneseEditionwascompiledbyProf.ShūgakuYamabeandProf.ChizenAkanuma,incooperationwithmanyBuddhistscholarsinJapan,takingalmostfiveyearstopublish.

IntheShōwaEra(1926-1989),thePopularEditionoftheNewlyTranslatedBuddhistTextinJapanesewasalsopublishedbytheAssociationanddistributedwidelythroughoutJapan.

InJuly,1934,whenthePan-PacificBuddhistYouthMeetingwasheldinJapan,TheTeachingofBuddha,theEnglishtranslationoftheabovePopularEditionofBuddhistText,waspublishedbytheAllJapanBuddhistYouthFederation,withtheassistanceofMr.D.Goddard,asoneofitsworks.In1962,commemoratingthe70thanniversaryoftheintroductionofBuddhismtoAmerica,Mr.YehanNumata,founderoftheMitutoyoCorporation,publishedanEnglisheditionofTheTeachingofBuddha.

In1965,whenMr.NumatafoundedSocietyforthePromotionofBuddhisminTokyo,thepopularizationofthisEnglishtextallovertheworldwasplannedasoneoftheactivitiesoftheFoundation.

Inordertorealizethisplan,acommitteetorevisethisTeachingofBuddhawasorganizedin1966.MembersofthecommitteewereProfessorsKazuyoshiKino,ShūyūKanaoka,ZennōIshigami,ShinkōSayeki,KōdōMatsunami,ShōjunBandō,andTakemiTakase.Prof.FumioMasutani,Mr.N.A.Waddell,andMr.ToshisukeShimizualsoworkedontherevision.Thus,anEnglish-JapaneseeditionofTheTeachingofBuddhawaspublishedonmodernprinciples.[271]

In1972,onthebasisofthisEnglish-Japaneseedition,ProfessorsShūyūKanaoka,ZennōIshigami,ShōyūHanayama,KwanseiTamura,andTakemiTakaseundertookthecompilationofanEnglishversion,whichwaspublishedinthesameyear.

Next,acommitteeconsistingofProfessorsRyōtatsuShioiri,TakemiTakase,HiroshiTachikawa,KwanseiTamura,ShōjunBandō,andShōyūHanayama(EditorinChief)wasorganizedtorecompiletheJapaneseversionofTheTeachingofBuddha,andthiswaspublishedin1973.

Again,in1974,acommitteeconsistingofProfessorsKōdōMatsunami,ShōjunBandō,ShinkōSayeki,DōyūTokunaga,KwanseiTamura,andShōyūHanayama(EditorinChief)wasorganizedtorecompiletheEnglishversionofTheTeachingofBuddha,whichtheydidwiththecooperationofMr.

RichardR.Steiner.ThiswascombinedwiththeJapaneseversion(publishedin1973),resultinginthepublicationoftheEnglish-JapaneseeditionofTheTeachingofBuddha.

In1978ProfessorsShigeoKamataandYasuakiNarajoinedthecommittee.Thenin2001thecompilationcommitteewasreconstitutedwiththefollowingmembers:ProfessorsZennōIshigami,YasuakiNara,KōdōMatsunami,ShōjunBandō,KennethTanaka,ShōgoWatanabe,YoshiyasuYonezawa,andSengakuMayeda(ActingEditorinChief).December,2004[272]

INDEXTO“THETEACHINGOFBUDDHA"

HumanLifePageLineMeaningoflife.......................................................512Actualstateofthisworld.........................................9620Idealwaysofliving..............................................23417Wrongviewpointsoflife...........................................4421Acorrectnotionoflife..............................................419Aprejudicedlife......................................................578Tothosewhoaredeluded(Fable)................................1271Alifeofman(Fable)...............................................9018Ifoneleadsalifeoflustandpassion(Fable).............................906Whattheaged.thesickandthedeadwillteach(Story)............9316Deathisinevitable(Story)..........................................9420Thefivethingsthatnoonecanaccomplishinthisworld..........489Thefourtruthsinthisworld........................................4818BothdelusionandEnlightenmentoriginatewithinthemind...498Thetwentythingsthataredifficultbutvaluableforordinarypersonstoaccomplish...............................1335FaithFaithisthefire......................................................1798Faithhasthreesignificantaspects................................18019Faithisamanifestation............................................1821Faithappearsinthesinceremind.................................1818Tofindtruthisasdifficultasforblindmento[273]trytodescribetherealformofanelephantbytouch(Fable)....752WheretheBuddha-natureexistsisshownbythe

trueteachingofBuddhism(Fable)...............................7720Buddha-natureishiddenbypassion(Fable)..............................7313Doubtsimpedefaith...............................................18210BuddhaisFathertoalltheworldandhumanbeingsareHischildren.............................................3520Buddha'sWisdomisaswideanddeepasagreatocean......349Buddha'sSpiritisfullofGreatCompassion.............................151Buddha'sCompassioniseternal..................................167Buddhahasnophysicalbody.....................................1320BuddhapreachedthroughoutHislife............................2315Buddhausedthefictionoflifeanddeathtopersuadepeople..2315Buddhasavedpeoplefromtheirsufferingsbyusingtheexpedientoffables......................................196TheworldofEnlightenment....................................23611TobecomedevoteestotheBuddha,theDharmaandtheSamgha....................................................1781Tolearnthewaysofkeepingprecepts,practicingtheconcentrationofmindandactingwisely...........................16313TheEightfoldNoblePath........................................16617ThesixpathsforreachingtheothershoreofEnlightenment.....................................................16818Thefourrightprocedures[274].................................1686Thefourpointstobeconsidered................................16718ThefivefacultiesofpowerfortheattainmentofEnlightenment.......................................................16812Thefourunlimitedstatesofmind...............................17115ThosewhounderstandtheFourfoldNobleTruth.....................3918Man'sdeathandthetransiencyoflife............................1223ThosewhoreciteAmidaBuddha'snamewillbeborninHisLandofPurity....................................1131Makeofyourselfalight,relyuponyourself....................1018MentalTrainingOneshoulddiscernwhatisofthemostimportancetooneself(Parable)................................................1509

Becarefulofyourfirststeps.....................................1331Donotforgetwhatyouareseeking(Parable).................1529Toattainsuccessinanything,oneshouldenduremanyahardship(Story)..........................................15818Braceyourself,eveninthefaceofrepeatedfailures(Story).1737Donotletyourmindbedisturbedevenunderunsatisfactorycircumstances(Story)............................1241ThosewhounderstandandfollowtheNoblePatharelikegoingintodarknesswithlight...............................4013Onewillfindteachingsforhumanlifewhereveronegoes(Story)[275].............................................16120Humanbeingstendtomoveinthedirectiontheirminddirectsthem............................................12120Thepointoftheteachingistocontrolone'sownmind........1115Controlyourmindinthefirstplace..............................2121Ifyoucontrolyourmind...........................................1221Variousstatesofthemind(Fable)...............................11814Themindisnottheego-personality...............................4614Donotallowthemindtoswayyou...............................1021Conqueryourmind.................................................15414Bethemasterofyourmind........................................1121Allevilscomefromthebody,mouthandmind..................872Therelationofmindandwords...................................1259Thisbodyisnothingbutaborrowedthing(Story)..............1437Thisbodyisfullofimpuritiesofallkinds.....................13022Donotcovetanything...............................................1021Keepthebody.mouthandmindpure............................12312Beimpartialandtryhard(Story)..................................17215HumanSufferingHumansufferingsarisefromthemindofattachment.................4221Howtopreventsufferings...........................................139DelusionandignoranceformtheentrancetoEnlightenment...5917

Howtobeemancipatedfromsufferings[276]..................1161Whenthehotfireofpassionisextinguished,refreshingEnlightenmentcanbeattained........................4121Lustistheverysourceofdelusion.................................8516Thinkoflustasaviperhiddenamongflowers....................8520Havenoattachmenttotheburninghouse(Fable).................1917Passioninthesourceofevils......................................1186Thisworldisintheburningfire....................................8221Ifpeoplechaseafterfameandhonor,itislikeburningthemselves.................................................11911Ifamanchasesafterwealthandlust.hewillruinhimself.....11917Wisemenandfoolishmendifferintheirfundamentalnatures1343Foolishmenarenotawareoftheirerrors(Fable)................1411Foolishmenenvythegoodfortuneofothersbylookingonlyattheresults(Fable)................................1415Thewayinwhichfoolishmenareapttoact(Fable)...........1471EverydayLivingGiveofferingsandforgetaboutthem............................16924Sevenkindsofofferingwithoutwealth..........................1707Thewaytogainwealth(Story)...................................14517Howhappinessisbroughtforth..................................13216Nevertoforgetkindnessreceived(Story).......................1391Varietiesinthecharacterofmen....................................899Misfortunealwaysdogsthestepsofonewhogiveswaytothedesireforrevenge...............................1324Howtosubduethefeelingsofresentment(Story)...............2317Donotbedisturbedbycriticismfromothers(Story)...........12213Youarenotlivingforclothing,foodorshelter..................2059Foodandclothingarenotforcomfortorpleasure..............1171Whattothinkaboutwhenyoutakefood..........................2086Whattothinkaboutwhenyouwearclothes...............................2078Whattothinkaboutwhenyougotobed........................20819Whattothinkaboutwhenitishotorcold.......................2089

Whattothinkaboutinyourdailylife............................20613EconomicsThingsmustbeusedproperly(Story)............................22018Nopropertyisone'sownforever................................2206Oneshouldnothoardthingssolelyforone'ssake.............22223Howtogainwealth(Story).........................................14517FamilyLifeThefamilyistheplacewherethemindsofitsmemberscomeincontactwithoneanother[278].....................21723Thingsthatwilldamagethefamily................................2133Waystorepaythegreatindebtednessoneowestoone'sparents......................................................21718Theproperwayofthechildtowardsone'sparents..............21319Rightwaybetweenhusbandandwife............................21417Husbandandwifeshouldhavethesamefaith(Story)..........22121TheWayfortheRenunciantsOneisnotarenunciantsimplybecauseonedresseslikeamonkandrecitessutras........................................1978Therenunciantsarenottheinheritorsofthetempleanditsproperty.........................................1941Covetousmencannotberealmonks.............................1948Thereallifethatarenunciantshouldlead........................1965CommunityLifeThemeaningofacommunitylife.................................22614Theactualstateofcommunitiesinthisworld.....................9620Threekindsoforganizations.......................................22619Atruecommunitylife..............................................2277Thegreatlightthatilluminatesthedarkness............................2258Harmonyinhumanrelations.......................................22720Thingsthatwillhelpleadasocialorganization[279]toharmony............................................................2295

TheidealoftheBrotherhood......................................2286ThesocialidealoftheBuddhistfollowers.....................2361Thosethatdisturbthelawoforderwillcometoruin(Fable)........................................................1402Thosewhoarejealousandsquabblewithotherswillcometoruin(Fable)...................................1402Holdtheagedinrespect(Story)...................................13418Howthestudentshouldacttowardhisteacherandviceversa..............................................2144Therulesforfriendship.............................................21426Howtochoosegoodfriends.......................................21612Howamasterandhisservantsshouldbehavetowardeachother....................................................2159Attitudetowardcriminals...........................................2236ThingstobeconcernedaboutbythosewhowishtoteachtheDharma...........................................1991

SANSKRITGLOSSARY(AlphabeticalOrder)ANĀTMAN(Egolessness):

ThisisoneofthemostfundamentalpointsinBuddhism.Allexistenceandphenomenainthisworlddonot,ultimately,haveanysubstantialreality.ItisverynaturalforBuddhism,whichadvocatestheimpermanenceofallexistence,toinsistthatsuchanimpermanentexistencecouldnotthereforepossessanyperpetualsubstanceinit.AnātrnanmayalsobetranslatedasNon-Soul.ANITYA(T'ransitorinessorImpermanency):

AnotherfundamentalpointinBuddhism.Allexistenceandphenomenainthisworldarechangingconstantlyanddonotremainthesameforevenasinglemoment.Everythinghastodieorendsomedayinitsfuture,andsuchaprospectistheverycauseofsuffering.Thisconceptshouldnot,however,beinterpretedonlyfromapessimisticornihilisticviewpoint,becausebothadvancementandreproductionarealsomanifestationsofthisconstantchange.BODHISA'ITVA(TheOneStrivingforEnlightenment):

Originally,thisnamewasusedtoindicateGautamaSiddhārthabeforehehadattainedthestateofEnlightenment.AftertheriseofMahāyānaBuddhism,allthosewhoarestrivingfortheBuddhahoodhavecometobecalledbythisname.Finally,eventhosewhoaretryingtoleadotherstotheBuddhahoodbymeansoftheirgreatcompassionwhilestrivingthemselvesforthesamegoal,havebeensymbolicallypersonifiedasBodhisattvas;Avalokitesvara(Kwannon),Ksitigarbha(Jizō),Manjusri(Monju)areonlyafewofthebetterknownones.

BUDDHA(TheEnlightenedOne):Originally,GautamaSiddhārtha(Sākyamuni)founderofBuddhism,wascalledbythisname,ashe

wastheonewhohadattainedthestateofEnlightenmentat35about2,500yearsagoinIndia.ThefinalgoalforallBuddhistsis,irrespectiveoftheirschoolorstream,tobecomeaBuddha.Becauseofthedifferenceofmeansastohowtoreachthisstate,Buddhismhasdividedintovarioussectsandschools.InMahāyānaBuddhism,besidesthehistoricalBuddhaSākyamuni,manyBuddhassuchasAmitābha(Amida),Mahāvairocana(Dainichi),Bhaisajyaguru[282](Yakushi),etc.,aregenerallyacceptedassymbolsofBuddhistteachings.BeinginfluencedbytheconceptofthePureLandtypeofBuddhisminJapan,(onebecomesaBuddhaafterrebirthinthePureLand),allthosewhohavepassedawayareusuallycalled"Buddhas,"orHOTOKEinJapanese.[282]DHARMA(TrueTeaching):

ThisistheTeachingtaughtbytheEnlightenedOne,theBuddha.Therearethreetypesofcanonsintheteachings:Sūtras,(teachingstaughtbyBuddhaHimself),Vinayas,(disciplinesprovidedbyBuddha),andAbhidharmas,(commentariesanddiscussionsontheSūtrasandVinayasbyscholarsinlaterperiods).ThesethreearecalledtheTripitaka.DharmaisoneoftheThreeTreasuresofBuddhism.KARMAN(Deeds):

Althoughtheoriginalmeaningofthistermsimplymeant"Deeds",ithas,inrelationwiththetheoryofcausation,cometoberegardedasakindofpotentialpowergainedasaresultofeachdeeddoneinone'spast.Thatis,eachofouractsresultsineithergoodorbad,sufferingorpleasure,dependingupontheact,andithasaninfluencingpoweruponourfutureandthisisregardedasone'sKarma.Itisbelievedthatifagooddeedisrepeated,goodwillbeaccumulated,anditspotentialpowerwillfunctionuponthefutureasabeneficialinfluence.Therearethreekindsofdeeds;physical,oral,andmental,inthisconcept.[283]MAHĀYĀNA(GreatVehicle):

InthecourseofBuddhisthistory,thereappearedtwomainstreamsofthought,MahāyānaandTheravāda(orHinayāna).TheMahāyānatypeofBuddhismspreadtoTibet,China,Korea,Japan,etc.,whileTheravādatoMyanmar,SriLanka(Ceylon),Thailand,etc.Thetermmeansa"GreatVehicle"whichcanacceptallbeingssufferinginthisworldofbirthanddeath,andcanleadallofthem,withoutanydiscrimination,tothestateofEnlightenment.NIRVĀNA(PerfectTranquility):

Literally,itmeans"toblowoff."ThisisthestatewhereallhumandefilementandpassionhavebeencompletelyextinguishedthroughcertainpracticesandmeditationbaseduponRightWisdom.ThosewhohadattainedthisstatearecalledBuddhas.GautamaSiddhārthahadattainedthisstateandbecameaBuddhaat35.However,itisnowbelievedthatitwasonlyafterhehadpassedawaythathereachedsuchastateofperfecttranquility,becausesomeresidueofhumandefilementwouldcontinuetoexistaslongashisphysicalbodyexisted.PĀLI(-Language):

ThisisthelanguageusedinTheravādaBuddhism.TheoldesttypeofBuddhistcanonsarebelievedtohavebeenwritteninthislanguage.AsthisisakindofPrakrit,adialectofSanskrit,thereisnotabigdifferencebetweenPāliandSanskrit;DharmainSanskrit,DhammainPāli;NirvānainSanskrit,NibbānainPāli.See--Sanskrit.[284]PĀRAMITĀ(TocrossovertotheOtherShore):

"TocrossovertotheOtherShore"meanstoreachtheBuddhaLandbymeansofpracticingvariousBuddhistdisciplines.UsuallythefollowingsixpracticaldisciplinesareregardedasthosewhichenableonetocrossfromthisworldofbirthanddeathtotheworldofEnlightenment:Offerings,Morality,Patience,Endeavoring,Concentration,andRightJudgment(orWisdom).ThetraditionalJapaneseHIGANweeksinspringandautumnarederivedfromthisBuddhistconcept.

PRAJNĀ(Wisdom):

OneoftheSixPāramitās.Thementalfunctionwhichenablesonetoperceivelifewithouterrorandtodistinguishbetweenwhatistrueandwhatisfalse.OnewhohadacquiredthisperfectlyiscalledaBuddha.Therefore,thisisthemostrefinedandenlightenedwisdom,distinctfromordinaryhumanintelligence.SANGHA(ABuddhistBrotherhood):

Itconsistsofmonks,nuns,laymenandlaywomen.Inearlytimes,itconsistedofmonksandnuns.Later,whentheMahāyānamovementarose,thosewhoaimedatthestateofBodhisattva,regardlessofbeinglaymanormonk,joinedtogetherinaBrotherhood.OneoftheThreeTreasuresofBuddhism.SANSKRIT(-Language):

TheclassicalliterarylanguageofancientIndia;oneoftheIndo-Europeanfamilyoflanguages.ItisdividedintoVedicandClassicalSanskrit.ThescripturesoftheMahāyānatraditionhadbeenwritteninthislanguagewhichstyleiscalledBuddhistHybridSanskrit.[285]SAMSĀRAReincarnation):

Perpetualrepetitionofbirthanddeathfromthepastthroughthepresenttothefuturethroughthesesixillusoryrealms:Hell,HungrySpirits,Animals,AsuraorFightingSpirits,Men,andHeaven.Unlessenlightened,onecannotbefreedfromthiswheeloftransmigration.ThosewhoarefreefromthiscanbecalledBuddhas.SŪNYATĀ(Non-Substantiality):

ThisistheconceptthateverythinghasneithersubstancenorpermanenceandisoneofthefundamentalpointsinBuddhism.Sinceeverythingisdependentuponcausation,therecanbenopermanentegoasasubstance.But,oneshouldneitheradheretotheconceptthateverythinghassubstancenorthatitdoesnot.Everybeing,humanornon-human,isinrelativity.Therefore,itisfoolishtoholdtoacertainideaorconceptorideologyastheonlyabsolute.ThisisthefundamentalundercurrentintheWisdom(Prajnā)ScripturesofMahāyānaBuddhism.SŪTRA(Scriptures):

TherecordsoftheBuddha'steachings.Thetermmeansoriginally"string",whichsignifiescompendiumthreadingthroughthevastquantityofstudiesinreligionorscience.OneoftheTripitaka.[286]THERAVĀDA(Elders'Advocators):

ThesoutherntraditionofBuddhismisrepresentedgenerallybythisappellation."Thera"meanselders.Thisistheschoolofelderswhichwashistoricallyagroupofconservativeseniormonkswhoadvocatedastrictadherencetothepreceptsasopposedtoanothergroupofratherfreerprogressivemonks(whosebeliefsweretodeveloplaterintoMahāyānathatisthenortherntradition).ThiskindofopposingtrendsinBuddhistOrdersissaidtohavestartedinanearlyperiod,afewcenturiesafterthedeceaseoftheBuddha,whenMahādeva,aprogressivemonk,insisteduponthefreerinterpretationunderthefivecategoriesoftheBuddhistprecepts.ThisprovokedthesplitintoTheravādaandMahāsānghikawhichwasthefountainheadoflaterMahāyāna.TRIPITAKA(ThreeBaskets):

ThethreebranchesoftheBuddhistscriptures,Dharma,aremeantbythis.TheyareSūtras,whichcontaintheBuddha'steachings;Vinayas,whichcontainhisdisciplines;andAbhidharmas,whichcontainvariouscommentariesandessaysonBuddhistdoctrinesandprecepts.Later,BuddhistwritingsbyChineseandJapanesehigh-priestswerealsoincludedintheBuddhistcanons.See-Dharma.[287]

SOCIETYFORTHEPROMOTIONOFBUDDHISMANDDISTRIBUTIONOF

'THETEACHINGOFBUDDHA"

IndescribingSocietyforthePromotionofBuddhismitisnecessarytospeakofabusinessman,andthisgentlemanisMr.YehanNumata,theFounderofMitutoyoCorporation.

Heestablishedacompanytomanufactureprecisionmeasuringinstrumentsin1934.HissolidconvictionisthatthesuccessofanenterprisedependsontheharmoniousassociationofHeaven,EarthandManandthattheperfectionofthehumanmindisattainableonlybyawell-balancedcoordinationofwisdom,compassionandcourage.Heisdoingeverythinghecanunderthisconvictiontowardsthetechnicalimprovementofmeasuringinstrumentsmanufacture,andthedevelopmentofthehumanmind.

Itishisbeliefthattheattainmentofworldpeaceispossibleonlyupontheperfectionofthehumanmind,forthepurposeofwhichthereistheteachingofBuddha.Therefore,alongwithmanaginghisenterprise,hehasbeenexertinghiseffortseversincetheestablishmentofhiscompanyinthespreadingandmodernizationofBuddhistmusicandthespreadingofBuddha'spicturesandteaching.

InDecember,1965,hehadafoundationincorporatedwithhisprivatefundstoengageinthepropagationofBuddhism,andatthesametime,tobeanaidtowardsworldpeace.Thus,SocietyforthePromotionofBuddhismwasinitiatedasapublicorganization.

WhatisbeingdonetodiffusetheTeachingofBuddhafarandwidesothateveryhumanbeingcanbenefitbyitandenjoytheLightofHisGreatWisdomandCompassion?ItistheworkofthisSocietyforthePromotionofBuddhismtoseekthesolutiontothisproblem,keepingupthewillofitsfounder.[288]

Inshort,everypossibleefforttowardthepropagationoftheBuddha'steachingistheveryheartandsoulthatthisSocietyforthePromotionofBuddhismisundertaking.

Thisbook,"TheTeachingofBuddha,"isaresultofourreflectingonthehistoryinthiscountryofthereligion,thattherehashardlybeenanythingwrittenthatwecancallabookofBuddhistteachingasinterpretedintheJapaneseway,initsrealsense,inspiteofthefactthatwehavealwaysregardedourBuddhistculturewithgreatpride.

Thisbookwillserveasspiritual"food"foreachandeveryonewhoreadsit.Itissopreparedthatanyonecankeepitonone'sdeskorcarryitwithhimandcomeincontact,atwill,withtheLightalivespiritually.

Thoughstillnotasperfectaswewouldlike,thepresenteditionof"TheTeachingofBuddha"hascomealongway,throughtheworkandeffortsofmanypeople,tomeetingtheneedbycontemporarypeopleforanaccurate,easytoreadandauthoritativeintroductiontoBuddhismthatis,atthesametime,apracticalguideanddailysourceofinspirationandtruth.

ItisthewishofSocietyforthePromotionofBuddhismtoseeadaycomesoonwhenasmanyhomesaspossiblewillhavethisbookandasmanyaspossibleofourfellow-menwillenjoyandbatheintheLightoftheGreatTeacher.

Readers'commentsarealwayswelcome.PleasefeelfreetowritetoSocietyforthePromotionofBuddhismanytime.[289]

Forfurtherinformation,PleasecontactyournearestBDKoffice.JAPAN:BDKJAPAN(BUKKYODENDOKYOKAI)3-14.Shiba4-chome.Minato-ku.Tokvo108-0014Tel:(03)3455-5851Fax:(03)3798-2758E-mail:bdk@bdk.or.jphttp://www.bdk.or.jpNORTHAMERICA:BDKAMERICAP.O.Box5478Berkeley,CA94705,U.S.A.Tel:(510)540-0799Fax:(510)540-0877

E-mail:director@bdkamerica.orghtt.p://www.bdkamerica.org-NUMATACENTERFORBUDDHISTTRANSLATION&RESEARCH2620WarringStreet,Berkeley,CA,94704,U.S.A.Tel:(510)843-4128Fax:(510)845-3409E-mail:manaqer@numatacenter.comhttp://www.numatacenter.comBDKHAWAII1757AlgarobaStreet,Honolulu,HI96826,U.S.A.Tel:(808)942-1511Fax:(808)942-2622E-mail:bdkshi@hotmail.comhttp://www.bdkhawaii.comBDKCANADAc/oMitutoyoCanadaInc.2121MeadowvaleBlvd.Mississauga,OntL5N5N1,CANADATel:(905)821-1261Fax:(905)821-4968E-mail:bdk@mitutoyo.caCENTRALANDSOUTHAMERICA:BDKMEXICOProlg.EugeniaNo.17,Col.Napoles,C.P.03810MexicoD.F.,MexicoTel/Fax:(55)5669-1088E-mail:bdkmexico@prodigy.net.mxBDKSOUTHAMERICAA/CMITUTOYOSULAMERICANALTDA.Av.JoaoCarlosdaSilvaBorges,1240CEP04726-002,Cx.Postal4255,SantoAmaro,SaoPaulo-SP,BRAZILTel:(011)5643-0006Fax:(011)5641-3745E-mail:bdk@mitutoyo.com.brEUROPE:BDKGERMANY(EKO-HausderJapanischenKulture.V.)BriiggenerWeg6,40547Diisseldorf,F.R.GermanyTel:(0211)577918-0Fax:(0211)577918-219E-mail:pool@eko-hause.dehttp://www.eko-haus.deBDKU.K.C/OMITUTOYO(UK)Ltd.JouleRoad,WestPointBusinessPark.Andover.HantsSPlO3UX.U.K.Tel:01264-353123Fax:01264-354883E-mail:bdk@mitutoyo.co.ukASIA:BDKASIAC/OMITUTOYOASlAPACIFICPTE,LTD.24KallangAvenue,MitutoyoBuilding,Singapore,339415,SINGAPORETel:6294-2211Fax:6299-6666E-mail:bdk@mitutoyo.com.sgBDKTAIWANC/OMITUTOYOTAIWANCO.,LTD.4F,No.71,ZhouZiStreet,Neihu,Taipei114,TaiwanTel:(02)8752-3636Fax:(02)8752-3267E-mail:sharon@mitutoyo.com.twInadditiontotheEnglish,Japanese,andJapanese-Englishversions,TheTeachingofBuddhaisavailableinthefollowingtranslations:

FrenchDutchPortugueseTurkishSpanishThaiIndonesianRussianNepaliTibetanGermanCambodianItalianSinghaleseKoreanArabicEsperantoGreekNorwegianMyanmarChinese(Simp1ified)UrduChinese(Regular)MongolianFinnishKyrgyzRumanianSwahiliPolishDzongkhaPersianKazakhVietnameseUzbekSwedishBengaliTagalogMalayalamDanishMagyarSerbo-CroatianBulgarianHindi

TableofContents

CopyrightDHAMMAPADABUDDHA

CHAPTERONESHAKYAMUNIBUDDHACHAPTERTWOTHEETERNALANDGLORIFIEDBUDDHACHAPTERTHREETHEFORMOFBUDDHAANDHISVIRTUES

DHARMACHAPTERONECAUSATIONCHAPTERTWOTHETHEORYOFMIND-ONLYANDTHEREALSTATEOFTHINGSCHAPTERTHREEBUDDHA-NATURECHAPTERFOURDEFILEMENTSCHAF'TERFIVETHERELIEFOFFEREDBYBUDDHA

THEWAYOFPRACTICECHAPTERONETHEWAYOFPURIFICATIONCHAPTERTWOTHEWAYOFPRACTICALATTAINMENT

THEBROTHERHOODCHAPTERONEDUTIESOFTHEBROTHERHOODCHAPTERTWOBUILDINGABUDDHALAND

ANGUTTARANIKAYASOURCEREFERENCESFOR'THETEACHINGOFBUDDHA"THEAPPENDIXESINDEXTO“THETEACHINGOFBUDDHA"SANSKRITGLOSSARY(AlphabeticalOrder)SOCIETYFORTHEPROMOTIONOFBUDDHISMANDDISTRIBUTIONOF'THETEACHINGOFBUDDHA"