We continued our ZOOM class discussion of Lesson 37 “How to Realize Prajna” with a discussion of the methods used in the various sects of Buddhism to generate a mind that is determined to leave samsara and how to generate good causes and transform bad effects. We also started Lesson 38 focusing on the Three Categories of Pure Precepts and other dharmas like the Ten Wholesome Behaviors and the Four Limitless States of Mind needed to become accomplished.
What must you do after you are determined to leave samsara?
“You still must strictly abide by the precepts. Only then can you plant good causes. Only then can you transform bad effects such that they are postponed into the future, when they will continue to arise. Bad effects are pushed toward a later time, when they will continue to arise.“
Why do bad effects continue to arise even after they are pushed toward a later time?
“It is because of the fixed law that causes and effects cannot be eliminated. Causes and effects cannot be eliminated, disciples. Your causes and effects are there. All we can say is that your good effects can be made to mature first, thereby occupying that position at the front. That way, your bad effects cannot emerge there.“
What are the “Three Categories of Pure Precepts”?
The Disciplinary Precept to Prevent Evil, the Precept Relating to the Cultivation of Goodness, and the Precept to Save Living Beings–vows Buddhists take when they take refuge and become a Buddhist.
What else must you practice?
The “Ten Wholesome Behaviors”: 1-“One does not kill living beings; rather, one frees captive living beings“; 2-“One does not steal; rather, one performs charity“; 3-“One does not engage in sexual misconduct; rather, one practices pure behavior“; 4-“One does not lie; rather, one speaks the truth“; 5-“One does not engage in frivolous, ornate, or fancy speech; rather, one speaks words that are substantive and straightforward“; 6-“One does not speak divisively; rather, one speaks words that bring about peace and accord“; 7-“One does not speak harshly; rather, one speaks gentle words“; 8-“One is not greedy; rather, one cultivates the view of the impurity of whatever one desires“; 9-“One is not angry; rather, one cultivates the view of loving-kindness and compassion“; 10-“One is not ignorant; rather, one cultivates the view of causes and conditions“.
Building on the foundation of the Ten Wholesome Behaviors, what else should you do?
“On that foundation, you then carry out the Four Limitless States of Mind, establishing virtuous conduct. To cultivate the Four Limitless States of Mind, one first must set in motion the implementation of effects as well as causes.” They are: 1-[LOVING KINDNESS] “May all living beings forever have peace of mind and happiness as well as the causes of peace of mind and happiness“; 2-[COMPASSION] “May all living beings forever be free from the myriad sufferings and the causes of the myriad suffering“; 3-[SYMPATHETIC or EMPATHETIC JOY] “May all living beings forever have the happiness of no suffering, and may my heart be joyful of this“; and 4-[NON-DIFFERENTIATING GENEROSITY] “May all living beings forever stay far away from a mind of greed and anger, and may they abide in non-differentiating generosity“.
Next:
We will continue DCB26 with a discussion on Dharma practice and how to realize prajna at our May 25, 2024 ZOOM session starting at 9:00 am. We will consider the Four Limitless States needed to become accomplished. If time permits, we will start Lesson 39 and consider the Dharma to Pass Through Barriers.
The recordings of the May 11 DCB26 class are now available. You must be enrolled in DCB26 in one of the membership programs at the LFBCS to access the course materials, questions covered (in parenthesis), and/or the class recordings. Please note that these links will only work if you are logged into LFBCS with your membership identification number AND are enrolled in this class. THERE WILL BE NO ZOOM CLASS ON MAY18.
DCB26-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: “How to Realize Prajna”
May 11, 2024: Lesson 38.1-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (82-94) and (HERE) for recording of class.
May 11, 2024: Lesson 37.2-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (76-81) and (HERE) for recording of class.
May 4, 2024: Lesson 37.1-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (53-75B) and (HERE) for recording of class.
May 4, 2024: Lesson 36.3-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (47-52) and (HERE) for recording of class.
April 27, 2024: Lesson 36.2-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (18-46) and (HERE) for recording of class.
April 20, 2024: Lesson 36.1-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (1-17) and (HERE) for recording of class.
CLICK for links to DCB22-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–I. through Lesson 11a.2-“Consciousness.”
CLICK for link to article on the last class held on DCB21 and links to videos of all 18 ZOOM class discussions on DCB21 held from November 2022 to April 2023. Note: not all of the forwards, notes, and introductions are complete.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
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