Buddhism of Wisdom & Faith
3. FAITH
The Importance of Faith
It is
not easy for sentient beings in this Saha World to progress in their
cultivation, living as they are in the realm of the Five Turbidities, subject
to heavy afflictions and surrounded by violence. Moreover, they usually go
astray and become deluded each time they die and are reborn, so that it is very
difficult for them to attain Enlightenment. As the ancients often noted:
Those
who enter the clergy are as numerous as hairs on a water buffalo, but those who
attain the Way are as scarce as rabbits' horns.
Our
Master, Buddha Sakyamuni, experienced the Way to Buddhahood first hand, and
knew full well which path was easy to tread and which was difficult. Therefore,
with his compassionate, enlightened mind, he purposely taught the special
method of Buddha Recitation. Followers of this method, even while not entirely
rid of afflictions, may "bring their residual karma along" to the
Pure Land. Once reborn there, thanks to the highly favorable conditions of that
Land, progress in cultivation and attainment of the Way are as easy as holding
an object before one's eyes.
Since
Buddha Sakyamuni has such great compassion, one would think that all sentient
beings would attain the Way through this method. Nevertheless, relatively few
are reborn in the Pure Land. Why is this so? It is because sentient beings have
little wisdom and heavy karma, or they doubt the Buddha's words and refuse to
cultivate. Or else, they may cultivate but their Faith and Vows are not strong
and earnest, or they may recite the Buddha's name but their practice is not in
accord with Buddhist teachings. For these reasons, though they may cultivate,
their practice will not lead to Enlightenment. The fault lies with the
practitioner, not the method.
The
Avatamsaka Sutra teaches:
Faith
is the basis of the Path, the mother of virtues Nourishing and growing all good
ways... Faith can assure arrival at enlightenment.
Therefore,
Faith is of great importance to the cultivator. If we lose Faith, not only will
our base for progress in the Way crumble, but none of our liberating deeds will
succeed. This Faith is not blind faith, but is Faith grounded in wisdom, based
entirely on the words of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Patriarchs, as taught in
the sutras.
Why is
it that after relying on wisdom, we should still put our complete Faith in the
teachings of the sages? It is because the Pure Land method, belonging as it
does to the Mahayana tradition, is concerned with many transcendental realms
beyond human knowledge or wisdom. Therefore, there are many realities that
ordinary sentient beings cannot readily understand.
Once,
when Buddha Sakyamuni was lecturing on the Lotus Sutra at the
Vulture Peak Assembly, five thousand great Sravakas, many of whom were Arhats,
did not believe His words and left the Assembly. Even these venerable Sravakas
endowed with transcendental wisdom had doubts about the Dharma preached by
Buddha Sakyamuni Himself. We can see, then, that Mahayana teachings are not
easy to understand and believe.
For
this reason, there are many passages in the Mahayana sutras in which Buddha
Sakyamuni requested that such and such a teaching not be preached
indiscriminately to those without Faith and with too many view-attachments,
lest they develop slanderous thoughts and reap evil karma. When the Mahayana
doctrine began to spread widely, the ancient sages, too, admonished Buddhist
followers to adopt the following approach to studying Mahayana sutras:
Understand
with your mind those passages that you can. As for those passages which you
cannot fully comprehend through reflection, just put your Faith entirely in the
words of the Buddhas. That is the only way to avoid the offense of vilifying
the great Dharma and losing merits and virtues thereby.
In
the Amitabha Sutra, Buddha Sakyamuni reminded us about Faith
several times, as in the following passage:
Sariputra,
all of you should believe and accept my words and those of all Buddhas...
Sariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable merits and virtues of all Buddhas,
all those Buddhas equally praise my inconceivable merits and virtues with the
words "Sakyamuni Buddha can accomplish extremely rare and difficult deeds!
In the Saha World, in the evil time of the Five Turbidities... he can attain
Buddhahood for the sake of all living beings and preach this Pure Land method,
which people the world over are inclined to doubt."
If
Sakyamuni Buddha, in his wisdom, has spoken these words, we can see that the
Pure Land Dharma door is indeed difficult to grasp, and that Faith is very
important! The ancients have likewise stated:
It is
very difficult to believe deeply in the Pure Land method. Only sentient beings
who have planted the good roots of Buddha Recitation or Bodhisattvas at the
Equal Enlightenment stage can truly believe and accept it. Other sentient
beings, including even Arhats, Pratyeka Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas at the
Expedient Stage, sometimes do not believe in or accept this method.
Reading
such remarks, this writer was surprised at first and asked himself why Buddhist
disciples did not believe Buddha Sakyamuni's words. The sages of the Two
Vehicles (Sravakas and Pratyeka Buddhas) and Bodhisattvas at the Expedient
Stage have transcendental wisdom and their attainments are already high; why is
it that they do not believe in the Pure Land method? Later on, however, upon
observing that there are monks and nuns who can explain the Dharma in a
thorough manner but do not believe in the Land of Ultimate Bliss and reject the
idea of seeking rebirth there, he conceded that this observation was indeed
true. Looking for an explanation, he found it written in the sutras that... the
perception of the Arhats, Pratyeka Buddhas and beginning Bodhisattvas is
limited; they cannot fully participate in what the Buddhas perceive and understand.
The
critical elements of the Pure Land method are Faith, Vows and Practice. These
three conditions interact like the three legs of an incense burner; if one is
lacking or broken, the incense burner cannot stand. Among these conditions,
Faith is fundamental. If this critical condition is missing, the mind of Vows
and sincere Practice cannot truly develop.
This
element of Faith consists, in general, of three factors.
First,
we should believe in the words of the Buddhas, truly acknowledging that the
Pure Land, from its inhabitants to the environment itself, does
"exist."
Next,
we should believe that the Lord Amitabha Buddha is always true to his Vows, and
that however deep the evil karma of sentient beings may be, if they earnestly
recite His name, they will be reborn in the Pure Land.
Finally,
we should believe that if we recite Amitabha Buddha's name and vow to be reborn
in the Pure Land, we will certainly see the Buddha and be reborn there, as
cause and effect cannot diverge. These three factors are, of course,
only generalities.
The
first factor encompasses faith in the words of the Buddhas and in the noumenal
and phenomenal aspects of the Pure Land.
The
second encompasses faith in the great Vows of Amitabha Buddha and in his
"other-power" to rescue us and lead us to rebirth in His Land.
The
third factor encompasses faith in our own Self-Nature, our own vows, and the
cause and effect of the practice of Buddha Recitation. To recognize
these three factors fully is to have deep Faith.
Moreover,
deep Faith is not a question of words or discriminating thought; it is a
profound realization, it is the Pure Mind without a trace of doubt. In this
regard, a layman of old once asked a wise monk: "How can we fully ensure
rebirth in the Pure Land?" The monk replied, "You need only
have a mind of deep and true Faith for rebirth in the Pure Land to be
assured." Having been enlightened by this answer, the layman
acted accordingly and later on did in fact achieve his aspiration.
Deep Faith is, therefore, of great benefit indeed.
Actions
that Reduce and Destroy Faith
There are cultivators who teach Buddha Recitation, but do so
according to the practices of externalists. There are others who vilify
Buddha Recitation because they lack deep knowledge or because they have an
erroneous understanding of Pure Land. Thus, some clarification of the Pure Land
method is required.
Let us leave aside, for the moment, those who do not believe in
cause and effect or the Dharma and consider only those who are connected, at
least on the surface, with Buddhism.
There are some externalists who appear to be monks and nuns,
residing in temples and pagodas. However, they neither study nor understand
Buddhism and only follow the practices of externalist cults. These people are
peddling a hodgepodge of other beliefs under the label of Buddhism. They and
their followers secretly transmit their beliefs to one another. Many of them,
while claiming to practice meditation, in fact specialize in exercises to
balance energy currents, with little knowledge of what meditation is all about.
As far as the Pure Land method is concerned, they teach that one should
visualize the Buddha's name "shooting" from the navel to the back of
the body and up the spinal column, and then returning to the navel. This, they
say, is "turning the Dharma wheel." This is the practice
of "releasing blockages in the energy system," according to certain
non-Buddhist schools. Such teaching is not consonant with Buddhism.
Other persons teach that we should stop breathing and recite the
Buddha's name at one stretch, then rapidly swallow saliva. This, they say,
consolidates our "true source." Still others teach that we should
figuratively distribute the words "taking refuge in Amitabha Buddha"
all around our body. Yet others explain the Shorter
Amitabha Sutra in a non-Buddhist way, claiming
that the seven jewel lotus pond represents the stomach, the seven rows of
precious trees stand for the rib cage, the water of the eight virtues
represents blood, marrow and other bodily fluids ... Such persons who purport
to practice the Dharma do not represent the correct Faith. How, then, can they
be reborn in the Pure Land and escape Birth and Death?
Apart from these externalists who hide in the shadow of the
Dharma, we should mention true followers of the Buddhas. Among them are some
who believe in, understand and accept the teachings of the Buddhas with regard
to Pure Land, but do not find Buddha Recitation consonant with their deep
preferences. They therefore follow other methods. These are, of course, genuine
cultivators of the Dharma. However, there are other persons who do not
understand Pure Land in depth, or who, because of their attachment to a
particular school, not only do not believe in Buddha Recitation but even
criticize it
For example, we can think of some Zen followers with not
much practice who object a
priori to Buddha Recitation. Little do they realize that many
high-ranking Zen Masters of the past, having experienced Awakening and
seen their True Nature through meditation, subsequently favored Pure Land.
Within the Zen tradition, these Masters were renowned spiritual advisors who
taught meditation. In the Pure Land tradition, they were Masters of great
repute and virtue who taught Buddha Recitation. This shows that Zen and Pure
Land are complementary.
We also have the example of Zen Master Hsu Yun, a high-ranking
Chinese monk who passed away not many years ago. He was recognized by all as a
transcendentally enlightened Master. However, whenever he was in a Zen hall, he
would preach meditation; in a Buddha Recitation hall, he would urge followers
to recite the Buddha's name. Not only did he not oppose the Pure Land School,
he in fact spoke highly of it.
There are also followers of the Mind-Only school, who, barely
having taken up their studies, begin to oppose Buddha Recitation. Little do
they realize that the founder and first Patriarch of that school in China, the
Great Master Hsuan Tsang, whose teachings they are now following, not only did
not oppose Pure Land, but actually propagated it. Indeed, when he brought
Indian sutras back to China, he took along a copy of the Amitabha Sutra in
Sanskrit, which he translated into Chinese. Even the Second Patriarch of the
Mind-Only school, the Great Master K'uei Chi, authored two commentaries
favorable to Pure Land.
Furthermore, the Great Master T'ai Hsu, a high-ranking Chinese
monk of recent times, is recognized by everyone as the foremost Master who
revitalized the Mind-Only school; yet, whenever Pure Land followers requested
his teaching, he would lecture on and explain Buddha Recitation. He wrote
numerous books on the Pure Land method, containing thousands of fascicles,
which are still being reprinted.
This demonstrates that high-ranking Patriarchs of the Mind-Only
school not only did not criticize or reject Pure Land, on the contrary, they spoke
highly of it and disseminated its teaching.
The first criterion of Pure Land is correct Faith and
understanding. If Faith is lacking, how can we make vows, let alone practice?
As indicated earlier, there are generally three types of people who create
misunderstanding of the Pure Land teaching. First are those ordinary people who
do not believe in cause and effect or the Dharma and therefore belittle the
practice of Buddha Recitation. Second are those externalists who hide behind
the label and appearance of Buddhism to teach Buddha Recitation in a manner
inconsistent with the Buddhas' teachings. Third are those within Buddhism
proper who criticize Buddha Recitation because they have only an elementary
understanding of it.
Pure Land followers should be aware of these persons and their
views, realize what is false and what is true, and firmly maintain their Faith
in the Way.
Ordinary, Everyday
Doubts about Pure Land
Above
we were discussing the views of outsiders looking at the Pure Land school.
Below we will take up the reservations of those who truly have the intention of
cultivating or who have already started Pure Land practice.
There
are some people who truly want to recite the Buddha's name or have already
engaged in the practice; however, because their study and understanding of the
Dharma are still wanting, they develop doubts as soon as they hear the
criticisms of others. There are many such doubts; I shall only mention here
three of the most common: Pure Land is really just an expedient teaching; the
method is too easy; sentient beings lack conditions and merit and therefore
cannot achieve rebirth in the Pure Land. What follows is a summary explanation
on these points.
1.- Seeing
the Pure Land described in overly majestic terms in the sutras, some people
suddenly develop the idea that the Pure Land is merely an expedient of the
Buddhas. How can there exist a world in which everything, from the ground to
the trees and towers, is made of the seven jewels (gold, silver, lapis
lazuli...)? Moreover, the inhabitants radiate health and tranquillity; they
spring to life from lotus blossoms, free of old age, disease and death. Ethereal
food and clothing appear before them according to their wishes. All these are
far removed from the realities spread before our own eyes; how can we believe
in them?
In
reply to this I will say: all these doubts
derive from the limited sights and sounds perceived by the eyes and ears of
common mortals. Those who wish to study the Dharma should not assess the realms
of the saints with the limited faculties of sentient beings.
Let us
not talk of faraway things. In Asia, in the last century, when a certain high-ranking
official returned from Europe, he reported that over there, lamps required no
fire to light them, while carriages and barges moved on their own, without
horses or men to pull them. He then praised Europeans for their intelligence
and skills, which in hundreds of instances rivaled those of God -- only life
and death remaining within the purview of the Almighty. His words were met with
disbelief from the king on down to his entire court. Even the official's
closest friends smiled and thought that returning from far away, he was just
exaggerating!
Let us
ask ourselves: the king and his entire court were all erudite and worldly.
Therefore, they did not believe the official because "their ears had not
heard, their eyes had not seen, their imagination could not conceive" of
such occurrences. However, can we in fact say that they did not exist?
Extrapolating from this small example, we can see that if we measure the realms
of the saints with the fixed ideas gathered through our limited senses and imagination,
everything is distorted.
Moreover,
if there is no such thing as Amitabha Buddha "welcoming and escorting
back" to the Pure Land, why is it that numerous people who practice Buddha
Recitation know the time of their death in advance, and witness scenes of the
Pure Land as well as of Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas welcoming them? If the
Pure Land is non-existent, why is it that there are Pure Land followers who in
this very life suddenly experience an Awakening and clearly see the adorned
Pure Land realm, exactly as explained in the sutras? If we who are the
followers of the Buddhas or wish to study Buddhism are not guided by the
teaching of the Buddhas, upon whom else can we rely?
Therefore,
based on the "teachings of the Buddhas and sages" and on the
"attainments of cultivators," we should believe that the adornments
of the Pure Land all exist.
2.- Hearing
that the Pure Land method is easy to practice but the results are speedy and
lofty, some people develop this doubt: How can there be such an easy method
leading to Buddhahood? The usual way of Buddhist cultivation centers around
concentration and contemplation. When we start cultivating, we practice first
concentration (samatha) then contemplation (vipasyana), or we can begin first
with contemplation and follow up with concentration. We then progress to the
stage where "in contemplation there is concentration, in concentration
there is contemplation." Upon reaching the level of "non-dual
concentration and contemplation, still-but-illuminating samadhi and
wisdom," we have stepped into the realm of the Self-Nature. From
then on, if we vigorously keep up with our cultivation life after life, it will
take ten thousand eons before we reach the level of non-retrogression,
according to the sutras and commentaries. How is it that after only a few
single-minded utterances of the Buddha's name, we can be reborn in the Pure
Land in this very lifetime, at the stage of non-retrogression? Is it not really
too easy?
When
responding to this doubt, we should realize that most other methods involve
complete reliance on "self-power," and are therefore bound to be
difficult. The Pure Land method characteristically involves two factors, the
power of one's own mind and Amitabha Buddha's power of "welcoming and
escorting." Therefore, obtaining results is extremely easy. For example,
if someone with weak, hobbled feet wanted to climb a mountain unaided, it would
be difficult indeed! However, if he were assisted by a great athlete who took
him by the arm and climbed the mountain along with him, head held high, the
result would not be that difficult to achieve.
The
same is true of Pure Land. As we earnestly recite the Buddha's name, our
mind-power keeps developing. When one-pointedness of mind is achieved, the
mind-power manifests itself perfectly. At that point the power of our karma is
subdued and is no longer a hindrance. If we add to that Amitabha Buddha's power
to "welcome and escort," we will achieve rebirth in the Pure Land in
spite of the fact that not all of our bad karma is extinguished.
Once
reborn, our lifespan extends over innumerable eons. Non-retrogression until
complete Enlightenment and Buddhahood are attained is therefore an easily
understandable occurrence.
3.- the
Land of Ultimate Bliss is so extremely lofty and beautifully adorned that we
cannot rely merely on "a few good roots, blessings, virtues, causes and
conditions" to achieve rebirth in that Land. Reflecting upon ourselves, we
see that our good roots, merits and virtues are indeed shallow, while our bad
karma and obstructions are heavy; how can we expect to attain, in this very
life, conditions favorable to rebirth in the Pure Land?
I
respectfully beg of you, ten million times, not to have such doubts! For, if
you can finger a rosary and recite the Buddha's name, you already have deep
roots of merit and virtue. Do think again. How many people are there on this
very earth who lack the opportunity to hear the Buddha's name? How many, even
after hearing Amitabha Buddha's name, continue to seek fame and profit, chasing
after mundane dusts and refusing to recite the Buddha's name? You have now
heard the Dharma and recited the Buddha's name in all sincerity. Is this not
proof enough that you already have many good roots, merits and virtues?
In
the Longer Amitabha Sutra, Buddha Sakyamuni said to the Bodhisattva
Maitreya:
If any
sentient being hears the name of Amitabha Buddha and is transported with
delight even for a moment, you should know that he has received great benefit
and has perfected supreme merit and virtue.
This
quote should be proof enough: the very fact that a person practices Buddha
Recitation shows that he already has many good roots, merits and virtues. The
book, Biographies of Pure Land Sages and Saints, records the life
histories of individuals who committed extremely heavy transgressions, yet
achieved rebirth in the Pure Land through single-minded recitation of the
Buddha's name at the time of death. Your good roots, merits and virtues far
surpass those of the evil beings cited in these biographies.
Therefore, why should you have
doubts about being reborn in the Pure Land in this very lifetime?
Doctrinal
Doubts about Pure Land
Apart
from the three common doubts discussed above, there are a number of doubts of a
doctrinal nature, ranging from the shallow to the deep. I will indicate the
important details in question and answer form.
Question I:
The Pure Land method is not for those of high capacities, who
should follow the Zen or Mind-Only school. Moreover, people should have
strong wills, be independent and rely on their own strength to become
emancipated. Is it not a sign of weakness to depend on the other-power of
Amitabha Buddha?
Answer:
I
will answer this question by referring first to the capacities of sentient
beings and then to the issue of self-power vs. other-power.
1. Pure Land embraces people of all capacities -- whether
limited, moderate or high. Sentient beings of limited and moderate capacities
who recite the Buddha's name can rid themselves of afflictions and karmic
obstacles and develop merit, virtue and wisdom, leading in time to the state of
samadhi. They will then be reborn within the nine "lotus grades" of
the Land of Ultimate Bliss, the exact grade depending on the amount of effort
they exert in cultivation.
Those
of high capacities, on the other hand, enter deeply into the state of samadhi
and wisdom as soon as they begin uttering the Buddha's name. Whether walking,
standing, lying down or sitting, they are always in the "Buddha Recitation
Samadhi." After death they will be reborn in the highest lotus grade. Some
of the sages of old who entered this realm described it in the following terms:
Holding
the rosary, I am rid of worldly thoughts,
Suddenly, I already became a Buddha a long time ago.
Thus,
Pure Land embraces people of all levels. For those of high capacities it is a
sublime method; for those of limited capacities it turns into a simple method.
High-ranking
masters of the Buddhist canon often commented:
The
Buddha Recitation method encompasses the Zen, Sutra Studies, Discipline and
Esoteric Schools.
Why is it that Buddha Recitation encompasses all four schools? It is because when reciting the Buddha's name, we rid ourselves of all deluded thoughts and attachments, which is Zen . The sacred words "Amitabha Buddha" contain innumerable sublime meanings, hidden in and springing forth from those words, which is the Sutra Studies School. Reciting the Buddha's name at the deepest level stills and purifies the three karmas (of mind, speech and body), which is the Discipline School. The words "Amitabha Buddha" have the same effect as a mantra, eliminating grievances and wrongs, severing evil karma, granting wishes and subduing demons. This is the Esoteric School.
For
example, during a year of long, severe drought, the Great Master Lien Ch'ih,
instead of reciting the "rain mantra," just walked around the
countryside hitting his gong while reciting the Buddha's name. It was reported
that wherever he went, the rain would begin to fall. There is also the case of
the Elder Zen Master Yuan Chao Pen, who, rather than practice meditation, would
just recite the sacred words "Amitabha Buddha." In the process, he
became enlightened to the Original Nature and attained the Buddha Recitation
Samadhi. Extrapolating from the above, the words "Amitabha Buddha"
include the Five Periods and the Eight Teachings [i.e., all the teachings of
Buddha Sakyamuni] and encompass all the paramitas.
The Meditation Sutra further teaches:
A single wholehearted recitation of Buddha Amitabha's name will
obliterate all the heavy karma committed in of Birth and Death.
If
Pure Land followers can concentrate their minds, they are bound to develop
wisdom, as with other methods. In addition, since they recite the Buddha's name
while in concentration, their evil karma and obstructions will easily be
dissolved, and they will attain a high degree of merit and wisdom much sooner.
For this reason, Elder Master Lien Ch'ih lauded the Buddha Recitation method as
"great samadhi" "great wisdom," "areas merit and
virtue," and "great emancipation."
According to the Meditation Sutra, if anyone who has committed the "Five Grave Offenses" or "Ten Evil Deeds" sees evil omens appear as he is on the verge of death, he need only recite the Buddha's name one to ten times with all his heart, and Buddha Amitabha will descend to welcome and escort him to the Pure Land. For an extremely sinful person to be saved and reach the stage of non-retrogression with just a few recitations of Buddha Amitabha's name is quite an accomplishment. The Patriarch Yin Kuang has these words of praise:
Persons
of the highest capacities can attain samadhi if they practice Buddha Recitation
with an undisturbed mind. Those of the lowest capacities will still succeed
with only ten utterances [as they may be reborn in the Pure Land and ultimately
achieve samadhi and Buddhahood]. This is an outstanding feature not found in
any other method.
2. As far as the question of "self-power" vs.
"other power" is concerned,
it is wrong to understand the Pure Land method as exclusive reliance on Buddha
Amitabha's power. The Pure Land practitioner should use all his own power to
rid himself of afflictions, while reciting to the point where his mind and the
Mind of Amitabha Buddha are in unison. At that moment, in this very life, the
Buddha will emit rays to silently gather him in and at his death, he will be
welcomed and guided back to the Pure Land. The "welcoming and
escorting" feature is really the principal manifestation of the
"other-power."
As
an analogy, for a student to exert his own efforts to the utmost is, of course,
a laudable thing. If, in addition, he has the benefit of an excellent teacher
who follows his progress and assists him, his level of achievement will be
higher, resulting in assured success in his final examinations.
Adding
other-power to self-power is similar. Therefore, how can it be considered weak
or mistaken to exert all of our own efforts to cultivate and then seek
additional help to achieve rapid success?
The
great and lofty Pure Land method is lauded by such great Bodhisattvas and
Patriarchs as Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna as well as eminent
Masters of various schools and traditions. To belittle Buddha Recitation is to
belittle these very Bodhisattvas, Patriarchs and high-ranking Masters. To claim
that Buddha Recitation is low-level, relying only on other-power, is to lack a
real understanding of the Pure Land method.
Question II:
In the words of an ancient poem,
Cultivating to the point where the body is as light as a fairy
crane,
We return to the Pure Land in a horizontal line.
Therefore, we should keep practicing meditation until such time
as we develop spiritual powers. At that point, we can return to the Land of
Ultimate Bliss or go to other pure lands at will. Where then is the need
to continuously recite the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in His Land. of
Ultimate Bliss?
Answer:
The
meaning of the above verse is that the realm of the practitioner's Self-Mind
accords with the "gathering in" power of Amitabha Buddha. It does not
refer to the realm of mystical power. I will discuss these subjects, beginning
with mystical powers.
The
sutras relate an instance where even the great Arhat Maudgalyayana had
difficulty finding the Pure Land through his own strength. For ordinary people
in the Dharma-Ending Age to seek the higher stages of Bodhisattvahood is
sheer delusion. Therefore, seeking the help of Amitabha Buddha is an essential
factor for rebirth in the Pure Land.
What
is meant by the realm of the Self-Mind harmonizing with the "gathering
in" power of Amitabha Buddha? The sutras state:
Amitabha
Buddha constantly emits rays of light, gathering in all sentient beings in the
ten directions who practice Buddha Recitation, without exception.
For
this reason, when reciting the Buddha's name, the practitioner is immediately
"gathered in," silently, by the Vow-power of Amitabha Buddha. As he
singlemindedly recites, his bad karma is "sunk and deposited," his
pure mind is revealed, and the light of his mind interacts with the light of
Amitabha Buddha. This makes it possible for him to see the Pure Land, or the
deities strolling there, before his very eyes.
The
power of the cultivator's pure vows directed toward the Pure Land is called
"self-power;" the power to emit light and to escort the cultivator
back to the Pure Land is called the Buddhas' power or "other-power."
Thanks to these two powers, the Pure Land cultivator, although not yet
possessing extensive mystical powers, can still be reborn in the Pure Land. At
the time of death, depending on his virtues, he will see Amitabha Buddha, the
great Bodhisattvas, or members of the Pure Land Assembly reaching out to him,
to welcome and escort him. Some cultivators, while not witnessing anything,
also achieve rebirth in the Pure Land thanks to the power of their vows and the
power of Buddha Amitabha's guiding light. Therein lies the importance of
"other-power."
Question III:
When practicing Pure Land, we need to attain the Buddha
Recitation Samadhi, or at least reach the stage of one-pointedness of mind, in
order to achieve rebirth in the Western Land. Those of limited capacities are
not necessarily able to practice at such a level. Therefore, how can these
sentient beings be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss? And, if such persons
cannot achieve rebirth there, how can Buddha Recitation be said to "gather
in" all types of people?
Answer:
In truth, the capacities of people being what they are these days, even one-pointedness of mind is extremely difficult to achieve, not to mention the state of Buddha Recitation Samadhi! However, according to the Meditation Sutra, if anyone who has committed the "Five Grave Offenses" or "Ten Evil Deeds" sees evil omens appear as he is on the verge of death, he need only recite the Buddha's name one to ten times with all his heart and Buddha Amitabha will descend to welcome him and guide him back to the Pure Land. Thus, one-pointedness of mind resulting in rebirth in the Pure Land refers to the time of death, not the present time.
However,
in order to achieve such a state of mind at the time of death, the cultivator
should practice Buddha Recitation in daily life to the point where it becomes
second nature. As he constantly recites the Buddha's name in daily life, even
though one-pointedness of mind is not yet achieved, the seeds of Buddha
Recitation are accumulated and stored away in great quantities. On his
deathbed, the practitioner who begins to recite "activates" those
seeds immediately and with great force, resulting in one-pointedness of mind.
Those of limited capacities who achieve rebirth in the Pure Land through Buddha
Recitation usually fall into this category.
Question IV:
The purpose of Buddha Recitation is to sever the mind of
delusion, put an end to afflictions and reach the state of No-Thought. This
being the case, we need only keep the mind pure, and we will progress gradually
toward the realm of No-Thought. Where is the need to expend time and effort in
Buddha Recitation?
Answer:
The
aim of the Pure Land method is the Buddha Recitation Samadhi, achieving, in
totality, our Self-Nature Amitabha -- the realm of the "Ever-Silent
Illuminating Pure Land." However, the most urgent and immediate aim is
rebirth in the Pure Land. This ensures an end to transmigration, and then,
through the excellent environment of the Land of Bliss, progress in cultivation
and swift attainment of Buddhahood. For this reason, Pure Land cultivators
should recite the name of Amitabha Buddha. This is the principal approach of
Pure Land; it does not consist of rapidly reaching the realm of No-Thought and
becoming enlightened to our Original Nature, as in Zen.
However,
while working toward that goal, the practitioner should recite until he reaches
the state of one-pointedness of mind. Thus, although he does not seek the realm
of "No-Thought," that realm will nevertheless appear naturally.
Moreover, it will appear that much sooner, thanks to the virtues accumulated
through Buddha Recitation, which help to erase bad karma swiftly. Here we can
see a new ray of light, a new vista: to achieve "No-Thought" swiftly,
to become enlightened to the Original Nature speedily, we should recite the
Buddha's name all the more.
Probing deeper, if we have the roots and the temperament of Mahayana followers, we should understand that the ultimate goal of Buddha Recitation is to achieve Buddhahood. If we understand that goal to be merely the elimination of deluded thoughts, we have already strayed into the "Five Meditations to calm the mind" approach of the Theravada tradition.
Why
is it that the goal of Buddha Recitation is to become a Buddha? It is because
as soon as we begin reciting, the past, present and future have lost their
distinctions, marks exist but they have been left behind, form is emptiness,
thought is the same as No-Thought, the realm of the Original Nature "apart
from thought" of the Tathagata has been penetrated. This state is
Buddhahood. What else could it be?
If
we were to think that to recite is to remain attached to the
"conditioned", then, when Buddha Sakyamuni displayed such concrete
marks as eating a meal, donning a robe, conversing, preaching the Dharma,
walking, standing, lying down, or sitting up, was He not attached to the
conditioned and therefore not a Tathagata?
Moreover,
if we were to think that reciting the Buddha's name is not yet No-Thought,
then, when high-ranking Zen masters are meditating on a koan, preaching the
Dharma, or, at times, reciting sutras, genuflecting, seeking repentance, or
circumambulating, are they therefore not practicing Zen?
We
should know that the essence of the "unconditioned" is to
"practice all conditioned dharmas without seeing the mark of
practice." The same is true of No-Thought. It does not mean that entirely
eliminating all actions and words is the unconditioned, the No-Thought! Because
they fail to understand this truth, some persons who are attached to the
teaching of Emptiness think: Buddha Recitation is like a moving vehicle
carrying an added heavy load, impure gold with traces of lead, rice mixed with
sand, not light, pure and unmixed. How wrong can they be!
However,
reciting to the point of "not reciting," is the sphere of those of
the highest capacities. I merely raise the issue to reply to a point of doubt.
As far as most of us are concerned, making the effort to recite the Buddha's
name in an accomplished manner is already a very worthwhile thing!
Question V:
The nature of all dharmas is "emptiness," from time
immemorial, ever non-arising, equal, serene and still. When the mind is pure,
though we may be living in an impure world, the mind is just as pure. On the
other hand, if the mind is not pure, even if we are living in a "pure
land," it will be full of afflictions and disturbances. If there is
"arising," there is "extinction;" where there is birth,
there is death. Thus, is it not contrary to the Dharma to leave the Saha World
and seek rebirth in the Pure Land?
Answer:
This question can be answered on two levels. I will follow the explanations of the T'ien T'ai Patriarch Chih I in his treatise Ten Doubts about the Pure Land and add a few explanatory comments of my own, from the two viewpoints of generality and specificity.
On the level of generality, if we consider that seeking rebirth in the Pure Land means "leaving here and going there," which is inconsistent with the principle of Equal True Thusness, then what about remaining in the Saha World and not seeking rebirth in the Pure Land? Is that not also making the mistake of "leaving there and grasping here"? Now, if we say that "I neither seek to go there nor am I attached to here," we are also caught in the error of nihilism. For this reason, the Diamond Sutra states:
Subhuti,
do not think that to develop the Bodhi Mind is to annihilate all the marks of
the dharmas. Why is this so? It is because developing the Bodhi Mind with
respect to phenomena is not the same as nihilism.
On the level of specificity, I will now explain the truth of No-Birth and the Pure Mind.
"No-Birth" is precisely the
truth of No-Birth No-Death. No-Birth means that dharmas are born of illusory
combinations of causes and conditions, with no Self-Nature and thus, no true
mark of birth. Because they are illusory, they are not really born nor do they
appear from anywhere. Therefore, they are said to have No-Birth.
"No-Death" means that when
dharmas disintegrate, there is no Self-Nature remaining. Since they have no
true place of return, no place of extinction, they are said to be
"undying." The truth of No-Birth, or neither Birth nor Death, cannot
exist outside of conditioned dharmas. Thus, No-Birth does not mean not seeking
rebirth in the Pure Land, or that being reborn in the Pure Land is to be
subject to death and extinction This is from the viewpoint of principle
or noumenon.
On
the level of phenomena, those who are reborn in the Pure Land have reached the
stage of non-retrogression, with a life extending over innumerable eons. During
that period, they will have ample opportunity to progress toward the fruit of
No-Birth. Thus, the issue is moot: there is no arising, no extinction, no Birth
and no Death to worry about!
The
principle of the Pure Mind is similar. Practicing with a Pure Mind in the Saha
World, and "anchoring" the Pure Mind in the Pure Land to progress in
cultivation are not contradictory.
Although
he knows that Buddha lands
Are void like living beings
He goes on practicing the Pure Land
To teach and convert men.
Therefore,
the wise, while diligently reciting the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the
Pure Land, do not grasp at the mark of Birth, because that mark does not really
exist. Although they are clearly aware that dharmas from time immemorial are
ever pure, empty and still, they do not hesitate to seek rebirth in the Pure
Land. This is because they rely on the supremely auspicious environment there
to progress in their cultivation and to teach and enlighten others. This is
true No-Birth and also the true meaning of a Pure Mind in accord with a pure
environment.
On the other hand, those who lack knowledge and true
understanding are caught up in the mark of Birth. Hearing of Birth, they
immediately think that it really exists, along with death and extinction.
Hearing of No-Birth, they immediately become attached to the notion that there
is no rebirth anywhere. Little do they realize that Birth is really No-Birth,
No-Birth is not incompatible with Birth. With a Pure Mind, where is the worry
about seeking rebirth in the Pure Land? Not understanding this truth, they
develop a contentious and discriminatory Mind, belittling those who seek
rebirth in the Pure Land. How mistaken and lost can they be?
Doubts
Based on Misreading the Sutras
Apart from the above, there are numerous students of the Dharma
who raise a number of issues based on the teachings in the sutras. I will
follow the question and answer formula to reply to them.
Question 1
The Diamond
Sutra states:
All mundane dharmas are like dreams, illusions' shadows and
bubbles.
Therefore, the Saha World being illusory, so is the Land of
Ultimate Bliss. Why not enter directly into the True Original Mind instead of
seeking rebirth in an illusory world?
Answer
In truth, all the pure and impure lands in the ten directions
are like dreams and illusions; however, only when we have attained the
"Illusion-like Samadhi" can we see them as illusory and false. If we
have not yet reached that stage, we still see them as real, we are still
subject to their sway, we still know sorrow and happiness, we still feel
uncomfortable during the summer heat and are even bothered by such small things
as mosquito bites. Thus, how can we speak about things being illusory?
We should realize that the Pure Land method is a wonderful
expedient of the Buddhas -- borrowing an illusory realm of happiness to help
sentient beings escape from an illusory realm of great suffering, full of
obstructing conditions and dangers. Then, in that happy, peaceful, illusory
realm, cultivation progresses easily, and the ever-silent realm of the True
Mind is swiftly attained.
To take an example, in this Saha World of ours, the scenes of
stifling family life and noisy downtown business districts are illusory, and so
are the scenes of temples and pagodas or mountain wildernesses. However, why is
it that cultivators leave the noisy environment of the cities to seek the
quiet, sparsely populated landscapes of temples and pagodas hidden in the
mountains? Is it not because family life creates many binding ties and bustling
urban intersections are not conducive to concentration, while temples, pagodas
and mountain wildernesses facilitate cultivation? For this reason, the
circumstances of ordinary people are different from those of the saints. For common
mortals to put themselves in the place of the saints is far-fetched and
unrealistic. We who are still common mortals should follow the path of ordinary
people, and cultivate gradually. We should not look with the eyes of saints and
comment too far above our level, to avoid the transgression of false speech.
There was once a Zen Master who thought that the Pure Land was
illusory and that reciting the Buddha's name seeking rebirth there was useless.
Upon hearing this, Elder Master Ch'e Wu said immediately:
This is a mistake. Bodhisattvas of the Seventh Stage and below
are all cultivating in a dream. Even those Bodhisattvas who have reached the
level of Equal Enlightenment are still fast asleep within the great dream of
delusion. Only the Buddhas can be honored with the designation Great
Enlightened, i.e., those who have completely awakened. When our own body is in
a dream, happiness and suffering are to be expected; we still experience
happiness and still know suffering. How can we consider ourselves awakened from
a dream and our environment dreamlike?
This being the case, how can remaining in the suffering dream of
the Saha World compare with returning to the blissful dream of the Pure Land?
Moreover, the Saha World dream goes from dream to dream, subject to the laws of
karma, eternally revolving in the cycle of Birth and Death. The Pure Land dream
on the other hand, is from dream to Enlightenment and gradual awakening to the
ultimate stage of Buddhahood. Although the illusory dreams are the same, the conditions
of the dreaming state in the two instances are really different. Thus, it is
truly necessary to recite the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the Pure Land!
These explanations have clearly demonstrated the need to seek
rebirth in the Pure Land. However, the stanza from the Diamond
Sutra quoted above is still an expedient explanation to help
sentient beings abandon the common mortal's concept of attachment. Going one
step further, as stated in the Great Prajna Paramita Sutra:
Buddha Sakyamuni explained to those of dull capacities that all dharmas
are dreamlike, silent, and still, lest they develop view-attachment. To those
of sharp capacities He spoke of the embellishments of the Buddhas, because they
are like lotus blossoms, untouched by worldly dusts.
For this reason, Subhuti, who of all the Arhat disciples of
Buddha Sakyamuni was foremost in the realization of the Truth of Emptiness,
characteristically received a prediction that he would attain Buddhahood in the
future under the title of "Name and Mark Buddha." Thus, the sublime
truth of no name or mark is inseparable from name and mark -- all illusory
dharmas are the Buddhas' dharmas, true and unchanging.
Going still deeper, to the ultimate and perfect stage, as the
Sixth Patriarch has said:
Sentient beings are originally Buddhas, afflictions are Bodhi,
all delusions are the perfect and illuminating state, truly enlightened, of the
womb of the Tathagatas.
Question 2
The Platform
Sutra states:
Recitation with no thought of recitation is true; recitation
while recitation is wrong.
Thus, is not Buddha Recitation deviant and false?
Answer
The meaning of No-Birth, No-Thought of Recitation has been
discussed earlier, but I will give a direct explanation here. "No-Thought
of Recitation" does not mean no Buddha or Sutra Recitation, but rather
habitual recitation of the Buddha's name and the sutras with a completely empty
mind, neither seeing nor grasping at the thought that we are the ones doing the
reciting. This is called No-Thought of Recitation. On the other hand, though we
may sit still and at peace, our minds completely empty, if we are still aware
that we are sitting in meditation, this is still grasping at the thought of
recitation.
If we think that No-Thought of Recitation is not to recite the
Buddha's name or the sutras, not to lecture on the Dharma and not to reflect or
meditate, then we have turned into wood and stone. While avoiding the error of
grasping at forms, we have fallen into the error of grasping at emptiness --
thus going against the very meaning of the Platform Sutra. For
this reason, the Sixth Patriarch continued:
He who is above "affirmative" and
"negative"
Rides permanently in the white bullock cart.
High-ranking monks of old often practiced Buddha Recitation
seeking rebirth in the Pure Land, but they were not attached to the mark of
Buddha Recitation or seeking rebirth. Therefore, they left behind this stanza:
To recite is the same as not to recite,
No-Birth is precisely birth,
Not bothering to move even half a step
The body has reached the city of Great Enlightenment.
However, we have spoken so far of the practice of exceptional
individuals. Persons of limited or moderate capacities should strive to repeat
the Buddha's name as many times as possible. While they may still have
attachments and see themselves as reciting the Buddha's name earnestly seeking
rebirth in the Pure Land, it is still a good thing. This is because by so
doing, they will assuredly achieve rebirth in the Pure Land at the time of
death and ultimately enter the realm of No-Recitation, No-Birth. Where is the
worry? Otherwise, seeking a direct and lofty way without gauging their own
limitations and grasping at the teachings of Emptiness while incapable of
following the truth of No-Recitation -- yet unwilling to practice at the level
of seeking rebirth in the Pure Land through Buddha Recitation -- in the end
they achieve nothing. They just remain common mortals in the painful cycle of
Birth and Death!
Question 3
In The Platform
Sutra, the Sixth Patriarch stated:
Those living in the East who commit transgressions recite the
Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the West. Where do those transgressors living
in the West seek rebirth when they recite?
Thus, we should only aim at eliminating transgressions. What
need is there to recite the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the Pure Land?
Answer
The Sixth Patriarch and high-ranking Zen Masters were intent on
teaching the doctrine of Mind. Thus, all of their words were based on these
tenets, pointing directly to the Self-Nature, with the mind as the center. What
the Patriarch really meant was that if the mind is pure, even though we may be
in the Saha World, we are emancipated and free. If the mind is impure, even
though we may be in the Pure Land, we are still subject to the sufferings of
Birth and Death.
In truth, for the Pure Land cultivator who understands the
Dharma, the Patriarch's words serve only to urge him on, encouraging him to
recite the Buddha's name to the level of purity of mind, devoid of all
attachment to forms. The Patriarch certainly did not reject the act of reciting
the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the Pure Land as Buddha Sakyamuni, the
Buddhas of the ten directions, the great Bodhisattvas and the Patriarchs all
recommended seeking rebirth there. In fact, the two foremost Indian Zen Patriarchs,
Asvaghosha and Nagarjuna, both recommended the Pure Land method. Nagarjuna
himself, according to the Lankavatara Sutra, was enlightened to the
preliminary Bodhisattva ground of "extreme Joy," and was reborn in
the Pure Land.
If the Sixth Patriarch had truly intended to reject Buddha
Recitation, he would have been criticizing and rejecting Buddha Sakyamuni, the
Buddhas of the ten directions, the Bodhisattvas and the Patriarchs, including
the very precursors who established his own Zen School, the Patriarchs
Asvaghosha and Nagarjuna. How could that be?
Therefore, if we were to misunderstand the Sixth Patriarch's
words and use those very words to deprecate Buddha Recitation, we would be
slandering and sowing the seeds of injustice toward him.
Moreover, every method has two aspects noumenon and phenomena.
The quotation from the Sixth Patriarch is at the level of principle. We must
also consider the phenomenal aspect of the path to liberation.
Let us restate the question. "Those who commit
transgressions in the secular world seek refuge in temples and pagodas, where
they cut their hair, become vegetarians, and keep the precepts, looking for a
place of purity and tranquility in order to cultivate. Where do those living in
temples and pagodas who transgress go to cultivate?" If we base ourselves
only at the level of noumenon and follow the above reasoning, then can such
actions as entering the monastic life, being vegetarian, and keeping the
precepts, including Buddha, Sutra and Mantra Recitation as well as meditation,
all be mistakes?
The Pure Land method is similar. In truth, people in the East do
not recite the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the West merely because they
have committed transgressions; rather, they do so precisely to take advantage
of the excellent conditions of that Land to cultivate and swiftly attain the
level of No-Birth and liberation. This is also the goal pursued by those who
have committed evil deeds but who now repent and recite the Buddha's name.
Moreover, the inhabitants of the Western Pure Land cannot commit
transgressions because once reborn there, they are surrounded by Buddha
Amitabha, Bodhisattvas and "morally superior beings." Around them are
"birds singing the Dharma and music expounding the sutras," while
they are free from such daily worries as food, clothing, disease, calamities,
hatred and resentment. Thus, they can only progress along the path of
cultivation. Where are the causes and conditions for creating bad karma?
In conclusion, we should understand the Sixth Patriarch's words
as an explanation and exhortation based exclusively on pure noumenon or
essence. We should not misunderstand them and use them to reject phenomena and
marks. This being the case, Pure Land cultivators should redouble their efforts
and practice to the point of emptiness of mind. Only then will they be in
accord with the intent of the Patriarch.
The
Need to Sever Dualistic Attachments
Many
similar doubts remain concerning the Pure Land method. This is because most
cultivators are still attached to "duality," and have not reconciled
essence and marks, existence and non-existence, noumenon and phenomena. That is
why they embrace essence to reject marks, noumenon to reject phenomena,
Emptiness to reject Existence, and vice versa -- thus creating disputes, doubts
and perplexity.
Little
do they suspect that there is mutual identity between noumenon and phenomena --
phenomena are noumenon, noumenon is phenomena. If we divide them and consider
them separately, phenomena are not true phenomena, noumenon is not true
noumenon. This is true also of essence and marks, existence and non-existence
and other dualistic dharmas.
For this reason, the Vimalakirti Sutra speaks of the non-dual method to destroy this attachment. Non-dual means reconciling all things, penetrating into their very nature; it does not mean "one." This is the true realm of "Mind-Only." Any other doctrine based on the Dharma Doors of Existence or Emptiness is merely an expedient for teaching purposes.
The
sutras state:
To
tire of and abandon "conditioned" virtues is the action of demons.
Yet, to be greedy and attached to transcendental, unconditioned virtues is also
demonic action.
Ancient
sages have also said:
Conditioned dharmas, while illusory, cannot be abandoned if we are
to attain the Way. Although unconditioned dharmas are true, if we become
attached to them, our wisdom-nature will not be comprehensive.
These words clearly show that on the path to Enlightenment,
unconditioned and conditioned dharmas, noumenon and phenomena are inseparable.
It is also stated in the Treatise on the Middle Way:
Because common sentient beings grasp at external forms, the
sutras destroy this attachment with the truth of Emptiness. If as soon as they
are free of the disease of attachment to Existence they fall into the error of
grasping at Emptiness, there is no medicine that can help them.
As
the Prajna Paramita Truth of Emptiness sounds lofty and
miraculous, when educated people read this literature, they usually get caught
up in the error of "speaking on the level of principle" about
everything and look down on those who follow forms and marks in their practice.
Thus, they create the karma of arrogance and self-importance. While they
expound the Truth of Emptiness, their actions are entirely in the realm of
Existence, as exemplified by the following couplet:
Above,
their mouths speak about the totally wonderful,
Below, their feet do not part with even a mote of dust.
In
the past, high-ranking spiritual teachers often used the Truth of Emptiness to
cure the disease of attachment to Existence. However, the achievements of these
masters were genuine, and their teachings were adapted to the capacities and
circumstances of the recipients, bringing them actual benefits. This can be
seen from the following stories.
There
was once a Zen Master who cultivated with extreme diligence. He usually slept
in a sitting position rather than lying down, and hardly rested much at all.
However, despite engaging in ascetic practices for many years, he still had not
become enlightened to the Way. One day, a novice of unknown provenance sought
permission to join the Order. This novice was habitually lazy, to the point
where he would often remain in bed even after the bell announcing the early
prayer session had been rung. Informed of this, the Master summoned him and
scolded him in the following terms, "How is it that you have
joined the Order but are still so lazy as to be always lying down? Don't you
remember what the rules of discipline say: 'Remaining in bed and failing to
arise after hearing the bell will bring the future retribution of rebirth as a
snake?"'
The novice replied, "You said, Master, that I often lie
down and therefore will become a snake. How about you, who are attached to the
sitting posture? You will be reborn a toad. What can you ever hope to awaken
to?"
Immediately
after this exchange, the novice disappeared. However, the Master had been
awakened. As the story goes, the novice was in fact a Bodhisattva, who had
assumed the appearance of a novice in order to enlighten the Master.
There
is also a well-known story about a Zen master who sat astride the neck of a
Buddha statue and split and burned wooden Buddhas in order to destroy the
concept of attachment to the Buddhas.
Enlightened
Masters of the past, with their high level of practice and achievement, could
teach the Dharma according to the times and conditions. Moreover, the
practitioners of the time included individuals of the highest capacities, so
that the teaching of Emptiness was often fruitful. Today, the majority are of
limited and moderate capacity. Therefore, in our teaching, we should
harmonize theory and practice, nature and marks, so as not to engender doubts,
and to keep the Bodhi Mind of the cultivators from retrogressing. Since the
majority of practitioners cannot enter directly into the sphere of True Emptiness
in one step, rejection of external forms would bring on the calamity of "prematurely
destroying the boat before stepping onto the shore." How, then,
could they escape drowning?
One
more point to bear in mind: if we speak about the Truth of Emptiness without
having attained that stage or at least reached a certain level of achievement
in our practice, we certainly cannot convert others, but will only end up in
useless arguments and disputes.
A
few years ago, this author witnessed the following occurrence: a young monk
versed in the Dharma was staying at a certain temple to lecture on the sutras.
The abbot, who was advanced in age, was diligent in his daily recitation, but
accustomed to traditional ways of worship. He took a dislike to the young monk
and his free, progressive ways and said to him, "You are teaching and
urging people to follow the Way, yet you yourself have never been seen to
recite a single sutra or the Buddha's name. Under these circumstances, how can
you be a model of cultivation for the Four-Fold Assembly?"
The young monk replied, "There are many ways to cultivate.
It is not necessary to follow appearances, reciting the sutras and the Buddha's
name day and night, as you do, Master, to qualify as a cultivator. The Diamond Sutra states:
Who
sees Me by form,
Who sees Me in sound,
Perverted are his footsteps upon the Way;
For he cannot perceive the Tathagata.
"Take the Sixth Patriarch, who recited neither the sutras
nor the Buddha's name, yet attained Enlightenment and became a Patriarch." The abbot at a loss for
words, remained silent.
In
truth, the abbot was guilty of attachment to appearances and forms; the young
monk, on the other hand, while citing abstruse principles, actually practiced
neither meditation nor recitation. Therefore, he not only failed to enlighten
the abbot, he irritated him unnecessarily.
Of
the two types of attachments, to Existence and to Emptiness, the latter is the
more dangerous.
It
is better to be attached to Existence, though the attachment may be as great as
Mount Sumeru, than to be attached to Emptiness, though the attachment may be as
small mustard seed.
Attachment to Existence leads to mindfulness of cause and effect, wariness of transgressions and fear of breaking the precepts, as well as to such practices as Buddha and Sutra Recitation and performance of good deeds. Although these actions are bound to forms and not liberated and empty, they are all conducive to merit, virtue and good roots. On the other hand, if we are attached to Emptiness without having attained True Emptiness, but refuse to follow forms and cultivate merit and virtue, we will certainly sink into the cycle of Birth and Death.
This
author, knowing himself to be filled with karmic obstructions and being of
limited capacity, has no desire to discuss lofty doctrinal questions, lest his
practice not be in accord with his words, thus creating the karma of false
speech. However, with a sincere mind, wishing people to eliminate doubts and
believe in Buddha Recitation, he has reluctantly provided some explanations. He
always compares himself to a handicapped person sitting at the crossroads;
although he himself cannot walk, he strives to show others the way, reminding
passersby to avoid the dangerous paths and follow the wide, even and peaceful
way. He certainly would never entertain the ambition to engage in
discussions designed to separate the important from the trivial or the true
from the false.
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