We started a discussion of what beginning Bodhisattvas fear last week and will continue this Saturday. You can join this discussion. You need to enroll in either DCB25 or C41 AND register with ZOOM. This was a discussion that our group found most interesting, even wanting to repeat hearing some of the text again.
We know from the text of the Heart Sutra that “. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance. Because there is no hindrance, they have no fear.“ But this is not so for even Bodhisattvas when they start their journey–when they are just beginners.
What are these fears? There are five:
- the fear of having no livelihood,
- the fear of a bad reputation,
- the fear of death,
- the fear of descending into one of the bad or lower realms, and
- the fear of speaking to an assembly in which there are those of mighty virtue.
We will also discuss what ordinary living beings fear most–death, and why that is so.
The Living from Buddha College & Seminary (LFBCS) course DCB25 covers the last part of the Heart Sutra. It includes “Inverted Dream Thinking” and “Ultimate Nirvana” and how Arhats relate to these states and what it means to become a Buddha, the various levels of nirvana, and much more. It also includes an explanation of the meaning of the famous mantra at the end of this sutra:
“. . . gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha”
We know we only have a preliminary translation of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha’s Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra, but even so, we have somethng precious–something that can help us on our journey. You should try your best to hear it or even come to the Holy Vajrasana Temple and read it. We pray that an English translation be made available in printed form asap, but until that happens, join us in sharing what we have. I only hope that this simple BLOG can give you an idea of the profundity and wisdom you can experience in this gift from our Buddha Master. Remember His last words to us:
“. . . At all times, we must think about bringing auspiciousness, serenity, happiness, and peace to living beings and to the world, to the extent of giving our all and even our lives. I have already brought true Buddha Dharma to this world. Everyone who practices in accordance with The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation and Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra will surely attain liberation. That’s all. I wish all living beings happiness.”
CLICK for article on how to enroll in one of the DCB21-DCB26 courses and join our Saturday morning discussions of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra. It is the same procedure for DCB21 thru DCB26 and, of course DCB25 where we are now. Enroll in Learning from Buddha College & Seminary Courses as either a Buddhist Studies or Xiuxing Seminary Student. Once enrolled you may go to course and download the questions covered in the discussions and watch videos of sessions held on the earlier classes. You may also watch and participate in the ZOOM sessions for this class by enrolling in C41(A)-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice, but you will not be able to access the questions or the video recordings of the DCB zoom classes. C41(A) is available for Auditing Students with a free membership as well as the full membership students in the Buddhist Studies and Xiuxing Seminary programs. The DCB courses do require membership in either the Buddhist Studies or Xiuxing Seminary programs. The second step is to register for ZOOM discussions (Only those enrolled in courses C41(A) or DCB 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26 can attend these ZOOM discussions). Remember you do need to complete both steps. There are a couple of prerequisites you need to complete, so allow enough time for this process.
CLICK for article on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra that contains an outline of what is included in DCB21-DCB26 and links to more background on the text itself.
CLICK for link to article on what was discussed at last week’s ZOOM discussion on DCB25 that also contains links to all previous BLOG discussions on this holy text.
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