“Oh good man! There are five kinds of secular dharma, which are: 1) the world of names, 2) the world of sentences, 3) the world of bonds, 4) the world of law and 5) the world of clinging. Oh good man! What is the world of names? [Things] such as man, woman, pot, clothing, vehicle (car) and house are all of the world of names. Something such as a gatha (verse) of four lines belongs to the world of sentences. What are the things of the world of bonds? Things such as joining, binding, restraining and folding of the hands (in reverence) are (things) of the world of bonds. What is the world of law? Calling the bhiksus by hammering (the bells), warning soldiers by drumming and announcing the time by sounding a horn are (things) of the world of law. What belongs to the world of clinging? Seeing from afar a person wearing a colorful clothes, one imagines that this is a Shramana, and not a Brahmin; seeing a person with fabrics, one thinks that this is a Brahmin, and not a Shramana. This is what belongs to the world of clinging (paradigms). Oh good man! Thus goes with the five kinds of things in the world. Oh good man! If the mind of beings, [when confronted with these] five worldly phenomena, do not get turned upside down, but recognize things just as they are, this is the truth of 'Paramartha-satya' ('Ultimate Reality').”
Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 20 - On Holy Actions 2.
Mostrando postagens com marcador Paramartha-satya. Mostrar todas as postagens
Mostrando postagens com marcador Paramartha-satya. Mostrar todas as postagens
2012-02-14
2011-11-23
I'm Always Here
Then, all those gathered
there, in accordance with the wish of the Buddha, thought so: ‘The
Tathagata now accepts our offerings. Before long, he will enter
Nirvana.’
Thinking thus, they were both glad and sad. Through the divine power of the Buddha, in a space the size of the tip of a needle, there were gathered together innumerable Buddhas and their retinues, who all sat and ate. What they ate was all equal [the same food], without difference.
Then the devas, asuras and all others wept and were sad. They said: ‘The Tathagata has received our final offerings. Having received them, he will enter Nirvana. To whom can we make offerings now? Now, with the unsurpassed Trainer parted from us, we are all like blind men.’
Then the World Honored One, in order to comfort all those gathered there, spoke in a gatha:
"Do not weep! The Dharma of all Buddhas is thus.
There are already innumerable kalpas since I entered Nirvana.
I have reached the best of the Bliss
and rested myself forever in the peace.
Now, listen with all your heart!
I shall now speak about Nirvana.
I am now segregated from the sense of [the tasting] food;
I now do not feel thirsty.
I shall now, for your sake,
Speak about the vows, step by step
Thinking thus, they were both glad and sad. Through the divine power of the Buddha, in a space the size of the tip of a needle, there were gathered together innumerable Buddhas and their retinues, who all sat and ate. What they ate was all equal [the same food], without difference.
Then the devas, asuras and all others wept and were sad. They said: ‘The Tathagata has received our final offerings. Having received them, he will enter Nirvana. To whom can we make offerings now? Now, with the unsurpassed Trainer parted from us, we are all like blind men.’
Then the World Honored One, in order to comfort all those gathered there, spoke in a gatha:
"Do not weep! The Dharma of all Buddhas is thus.
There are already innumerable kalpas since I entered Nirvana.
I have reached the best of the Bliss
and rested myself forever in the peace.
Now, listen with all your heart!
I shall now speak about Nirvana.
I am now segregated from the sense of [the tasting] food;
I now do not feel thirsty.
I shall now, for your sake,
Speak about the vows, step by step
and cause all to be
blessed with peace
Listen carefully and practice the eternal Dharma of all Buddhas.
If crows and owls live in a tree
and become friends of each other like brothers,
I will enter Nirvana for eternity.
The Tathagata sees all beings as he sees Rahula.
I will always be the most honored to all beings.
How could I enter Nirvana for eternity?
If snakes, rats and wolves live in a hole
and become friends of each other like brothers,
I will enter Nirvana for eternity.
The Tathagata sees all beings as he sees Rahula.
He always becomes the most honored by the beings.
How can he stay long in Nirvana?
If saptaparna [a bitter plant] transmutes into varsika [jasmine],
if karu [gentian] transmutes into tinduka [diospyros embryoteris],
then I might well enter Nirvana.
The Tathagata sees everyone as he sees Rahula.
How could he abandon compassion
and enter Nirvana for a long time?
If an icchantika could, in his present body,
attain Enlightenment and Bliss in first-grade,
then surely I would enter Nirvana.
The Tathagata sees everyone as he sees Rahula.
How could he abandon compassion
and enter Nirvana for a long time?
If everyone at once attain Enlightenment,
and abandon all evils,
I certainly would reach Nirvana.
The Tathagata sees everyone as he sees Rahula.
How could he abandon compassion
and enter Nirvana for a long time?
If the water (impure) of mosquitoes and flies
could indeed wet the whole earth
and fill the rivers, valleys and seas,
I would enter Nirvana.
My compassionate heart sees everyone as I see Rahula.
I'm always the most honored of all beings,
How could I stay long in Nirvana?
For this reason, seek deeply for the Wonderful Dharma.
Do not be overmuch worried, do not cry, do not weep.
If you desire to act properly,
practice the eternity of the Tathagata;
keep the thought that such a Dharma lives long
and that there is no change.
Also, be aware of the fact that the Three Treasures are all eternal.
This will beget a great protection.
It is as in the case of a dead tree
which, as a result of magic charms, brings forth fruit.
These are the Three Treasures.
All of you, the four classes of people! Listen up!
On listening well, the joy will arise and Bodhicitta will come about.
If the Three Treasures come about as (being) eternals
and are like 'Paramartha-satya’ [Ultimate Reality],
This is the utmost of vows of all the Buddhas."
Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 17 - On the Questions
Raised by the Crowd.
2011-10-03
The Apprehension of Meaning
“We say 'meaning'. 'Meaning' means 'be satisfied'. This is never, to the
end, cheat seeking to demonstrate pureness of deportment and, with arrogance, show
up as being of a high position, and so greedily to seek profit. Also, one
should not show clinging to what the Tathagata says for reasons of expediency. This is to achieve the
meaning. If a person abides in this, then we may say that this person abides in 'Paramartha-Satya' [Ultimate Reality].
This is why we say that we base ourselves on the meaning of the sutras and not on
the non-apprehension of the meaning.
Non-apprehension of the meaning relates to what is established in the sutras saying that everything can be extinguished, everything is non-eternal, everything is suffering, everything is empty, and all is devoid of self. This is non-apprehension of meaning. How so? Because such a person is unable to grasp the intended meaning, but only the appearance of [literal] meaning. This leads all beings to fall into Avichi hell. Why? Because of attachment, as a result of that a person does not grasp the meaning. A person [might] say that everything is headed for extinction, implying that the entrance of the Tathagata into Nirvana constitutes extinction. A person [might] say that everything is non-eternal, meaning that even Nirvana is non-eternal, and so is with suffering, void, and non-self too. That's why we say that this is non-apprehension of the essence of the sutras. One cannot follow such.”
Non-apprehension of the meaning relates to what is established in the sutras saying that everything can be extinguished, everything is non-eternal, everything is suffering, everything is empty, and all is devoid of self. This is non-apprehension of meaning. How so? Because such a person is unable to grasp the intended meaning, but only the appearance of [literal] meaning. This leads all beings to fall into Avichi hell. Why? Because of attachment, as a result of that a person does not grasp the meaning. A person [might] say that everything is headed for extinction, implying that the entrance of the Tathagata into Nirvana constitutes extinction. A person [might] say that everything is non-eternal, meaning that even Nirvana is non-eternal, and so is with suffering, void, and non-self too. That's why we say that this is non-apprehension of the essence of the sutras. One cannot follow such.”
2011-08-16
Paramartha-satya
Bodhisattva Kasyapa said again to the Buddha: "Oh World Honored One! How did you, the Tathagata, obtained eternal life?"
The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Kasyapa: "Oh good man! There are eight great rivers, which are: 1) Ganges, 2) Yamuna, 3) Sarabhu, 4) Ajitavati, 5) Mahi, 6) Indus, 7) Pasu, and 8) Sita. All of these eight great rivers, and other smaller rivers, drain into the great ocean. Oh Kasyapa! All the great rivers of life of all people, heavenly beings, from earth and sky drain into the life's ocean of the Tathagata. Hence, the longevity of life of the Tathagata is incalculable. Furthermore, next, oh Kasyapa! As an illustration: it is like the case of Lake Anavatapta, which comprise (the water of) four rivers. The same applies to the Tathagata. It embraces all lifes. Oh Kasyapa! As an example: of all eternal things, that (eternity) of space is the foremost. The same is the case with the Tathagata. He is the foremost of all eternal things. Oh Kasyapa! This is as in the case of sarpirmanda [the most delicious and effective medicine], the first of all medicines. The same is the case with the Tathagata. He is endowed with the longest life."
Bodhisattva Kasyapa said again to the Buddha: "If the life of the Tathagata is like this, you should live for one kalpa, or less than one kalpa, and be delivering sermons like the great rain falls."
"Oh Kasyapa! Do not distort the idea of extinction regarding the Tathagata. Oh Kasyapa! There may be amongst the bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas, upasikas, or even among Tirthikas [deluded beings, non-Buddhists], a person who holds the five divine powers or the unlimited power of a Rishi (Great Sage). This person may live one kalpa or less than one kalpa; it may be able to fly through the air, and be unconstrained whether it is sitting or reclining. It may emit fire from the left side of his body and water from his right side. His body may release smoke and flames like a fireball. If it desires to live long, it can do as wish. It can lengthen or shorten his life freely. With such divine powers, it has freedom of power. How this could not possible with the Tathagata, who possess unlimited power over all things? How could not be possible that it can live for half kalpa, one kalpa, 100 kalpas, 100 000 kalpas, or countless kalpas? For this reason, know that 'the Tathagata is an eternal and unchanging existence’. The body of the Tathagata is a transformed body (not born) and is not nourished by the various kinds of food. In order to pass beings to the other side, it manifests itself amidst poisonous trees. Thus, it manifests itself discarding his carnal body and entering Nirvana. Know, oh Kasyapa, that the Buddha is an eternal and unchanging existence. Oh all of you! Practice the Way in this Paramartha-satya [Truth of the Transcendent Reality], make effort, and practice the Way with a single mind, having practiced the Way, expound it widely to others."
Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 4 - On Long Life.
The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Kasyapa: "Oh good man! There are eight great rivers, which are: 1) Ganges, 2) Yamuna, 3) Sarabhu, 4) Ajitavati, 5) Mahi, 6) Indus, 7) Pasu, and 8) Sita. All of these eight great rivers, and other smaller rivers, drain into the great ocean. Oh Kasyapa! All the great rivers of life of all people, heavenly beings, from earth and sky drain into the life's ocean of the Tathagata. Hence, the longevity of life of the Tathagata is incalculable. Furthermore, next, oh Kasyapa! As an illustration: it is like the case of Lake Anavatapta, which comprise (the water of) four rivers. The same applies to the Tathagata. It embraces all lifes. Oh Kasyapa! As an example: of all eternal things, that (eternity) of space is the foremost. The same is the case with the Tathagata. He is the foremost of all eternal things. Oh Kasyapa! This is as in the case of sarpirmanda [the most delicious and effective medicine], the first of all medicines. The same is the case with the Tathagata. He is endowed with the longest life."
Bodhisattva Kasyapa said again to the Buddha: "If the life of the Tathagata is like this, you should live for one kalpa, or less than one kalpa, and be delivering sermons like the great rain falls."
"Oh Kasyapa! Do not distort the idea of extinction regarding the Tathagata. Oh Kasyapa! There may be amongst the bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas, upasikas, or even among Tirthikas [deluded beings, non-Buddhists], a person who holds the five divine powers or the unlimited power of a Rishi (Great Sage). This person may live one kalpa or less than one kalpa; it may be able to fly through the air, and be unconstrained whether it is sitting or reclining. It may emit fire from the left side of his body and water from his right side. His body may release smoke and flames like a fireball. If it desires to live long, it can do as wish. It can lengthen or shorten his life freely. With such divine powers, it has freedom of power. How this could not possible with the Tathagata, who possess unlimited power over all things? How could not be possible that it can live for half kalpa, one kalpa, 100 kalpas, 100 000 kalpas, or countless kalpas? For this reason, know that 'the Tathagata is an eternal and unchanging existence’. The body of the Tathagata is a transformed body (not born) and is not nourished by the various kinds of food. In order to pass beings to the other side, it manifests itself amidst poisonous trees. Thus, it manifests itself discarding his carnal body and entering Nirvana. Know, oh Kasyapa, that the Buddha is an eternal and unchanging existence. Oh all of you! Practice the Way in this Paramartha-satya [Truth of the Transcendent Reality], make effort, and practice the Way with a single mind, having practiced the Way, expound it widely to others."
Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 4 - On Long Life.
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