Receiving and Embracing Sutras

“We say that we should base ourselves on receiving and embracing the sutras [those which plumb the depths of the true spirit of the Buddha-Dharma], and not on the non-receiving and embracing the sutras. The non-receiving and embracing the sutras are the vehicle of Sravaka (Listener). Even listening to the deep and hidden storehouse of Buddha-Tathagata, doubts arise in their minds regarding all things and the person does not realize that this storehouse arises from the sea of Great Wisdom, as in the case of a child who cannot distinguish one thing from another. This is the not-apprehension of the meaning. The attainment of the meaning is nothing more than the True Wisdom of the Bodhisattva. It flows forth from the unobstruction of the Great Wisdom of his mind, as with an adult, for whom there is nothing that is not known. This is the attainment of the meaning.”

Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 8 - On the Four Dependables.

Wisdom and Consciousness

“We say that we rely on Wisdom and not on consciousness. Wisdom is an allusion to the Tathagata. If any Sravaka does not well understand the virtues of the Tathagata, such a consciousness is not to be followed. If he knows that the Tathagata is the Dharma-Body, such true Wisdom can indeed be followed. If a person sees the expedient body of the Tathagata and says that it belongs to the five skandhas, to the eighteen realms [i.e., the six sense organs, the six sense-fields and the six consciousnesses], to the twelve balls [the six sense organs and the six sense-fields], and that it arises from feeding, such things should not be followed. This means that even consciousness is not to be followed. If a sutra says such a thing, it cannot be followed.”

Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 8 - On the Four Dependables.

The Meaning and the Words

“We say that we base ourselves on the meaning, not in the words. The meaning connotes fully Enlightened beings. Full Enlightenment means non-weak. Non-weak means (full) satisfaction. Satisfaction means that the Tathagata is Eternal and Unchanging. That the Tathagata is Eternal and Unchanging means that the Dharma is eternal. That the Dharma is eternal means that the Sangha is eternal. This is basing oneself on the meaning. Do not base yourself on the words. What are the words in which we should not base ourselves on? These are the discursive and decorative words. They [those who adhere to the letters, rather than the spirit] seek, also, greedily and insatiably all the innumerable sutras of the Buddha. Wickedly, skillfully and disingenuously, they cheat and, displaying a semblance of sympathy and benevolence, they seek profits. Garbed in white, they climb ranks. They also loudly proclaim: ‘The Buddha allows to the Bhiksus receive all [kinds of] services (aid in tasks) and impure things, trading gold, silver, rare gems, to store rice, to trade cattle, sheep, horses and elephants; and so seek profits. And also there may arise a famine, and out of pity of children, the Bhiksus may look for profits, store things and keep them in a house, prepare food with their own hands and for your own support, instead of receiving [the alms of others]’. All such words are not to be followed.”

Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 8 - On the Four Dependables.

The Dharma and the Person

The Buddha said: "Being based on Dharma means nothing more than basing oneself on the Mahaparinirvana of the Tathagata. All Buddhist teachings are nothing more than 'Dharmata' [essence of Dharma, essence of Reality]. This 'Dharmata' is the Tathagata. Hence, the Tathagata is Eternal and Unchanging. Any person who says that the Tathagata is non-Eternal does not know the 'Dharmata'. Such a person is not someone to base oneself upon. All the four (kinds) of persons mentioned above appear in the world, protect, act and become a refuge [for all beings]. Why? Because they thoroughly understand the deepest points of what the Tathagata says and know that the Tathagata is Eternal and Unchanging. It is not good to say that the Tathagata is non-Eternal and that He changes.

The four (kinds) of people, when they (appear) as such, are the Tathagata. Why? Because such kinds (of people) well understand and speak about the undisclosed words of the Tathagata. Someone who well understands what is deeply hidden and knows that the Tathagata is Eternal and Unchanging, will never, for profit, says that the Tathagata is non-Eternal. Such a person is someone to base oneself upon - why not on those four (kinds) of people?”

Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 8 - On the Four Dependables.

Pearls of Universe - Volume XIV

The Buddha said: "Oh, good man! [Suppose that] there is a flat road. Beings walk [along it], and there is nothing to hinder their progress. In the middle of the road there is a tree, whose shade is fresh. The travellers make a stop in this place with their palanquin and take a rest. But there is always the shade of the tree there, and there is no difference. The shade does not die out, and nobody takes it away. The road is the Holy Way, and the shade the Buddha Nature."

Read more at Pearls of Universe - Volume XIV.

Contents

The Kushinagar Castle History  3

The Kapilavastu Castle History  4

The Jetavana Vihara History  5

The Unsurpassed Boy  7

The Eleven Virtues of the Full Moon  7

Right Time To Practice Meditation  8

Right Time To Practice Wisdom  9

Right Time To Practice Equanimity  9

Ten Virtues of the Bodhisattva  10

• Faith  10
• Precepts  11
• Friendship with Good Friends of the Way  11
• Quietude  11
• Effort  12
• Remembrance  12
• Gentleness  12
• Protection of Dharma  12
• Donation  13
• Wisdom  13

Karma Definite and the Indefinite  14

The Karmic Retribution of Bodhisattva  14

True Word  15

Two Kinds of People  16

The Body and the Fire  17

The Practice of the Body  17

The Practice of the Precepts  18

The Practice of the Mind  18

The Practice of Wisdom  19

Getaway from Hell  20

The Bodhi Tree  21