We finished Lesson 15 of Learning from Buddha College & Seminary course DCB23 with a discussion of the three doubts of Bodhisattvas and related principles. Part of this discussion follows:
What are the three kinds of doubts that Bodhisattvas are confused about?
“The first doubt is they suspect that emptiness is different from form. That is, they give rise to the suspicion that emptiness is different and separate from form, is distinct from form. They think that emptiness can be realized only after one forgets forms and obliterates objects from one’s mind. They think that by forgetting forms and not giving rise to any thoughts, there will be no objects. Only at such time, they think, is emptiness realized. What is pursued is the emptiness outside of form. What is pursued is a state of emptiness that is outside of form rather than the state that form is emptiness. . . , Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva told us that emptiness is not outside of form and that we should not depart from form to search for emptiness. Thus, form should not be different from emptiness. Form should not be separated from emptiness.”
“The second doubt that Bodhisattvas who are confused about emptiness have is that they suspect that form can be eliminated only after the realization of emptiness. This state of suspicion harbored by Bodhisattvas who are confused about emptiness adopts the extreme view of nihilist emptiness whereby form is empty only after realization of emptiness is attained. . . One must not apply either the extreme of nihilism or the extreme of eternalism.”
“The third doubt that Bodhisattvas confused about emptiness have is that they suspect that emptiness is all of the things that exist in actual life. They regard emptiness as existence. . . So, we must not pursue emptiness through non-existence. We cannot pursue emptiness through nothingness. Some may deny form in pursuit of emptiness. It is even worse to pursue emptiness through denying form. We also cannot deny emptiness by taking form as emptiness. We cannot deny emptiness and then take form as being emptiness. Rather, emptiness is true emptiness and form is illusory form. Emptiness being true emptiness and form being illusory form do not obstruct each other. They do not impede each other and coexist as one entity. They exist together as a single entity.”
What is the complete definition of the form aggregate?
“Form . . . refers to everything that has shape and is impermanent as well as everything that has no manifest form. That is, everything in the outside world that is a combination of the four great elements as well as the illusory body of the body sense-base within oneself are all included in the form aggregate. That is, combinations of the four great elements of earth, water, fire and wind in the external world as well as the illusory body that is the internal sense-base, which is illusorily formed by the six great elements of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness, are all included in the form aggregate.”
We also discussed what Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva taught to eliminate the doubts that obstruct both Hinayana and Mahayana followers concerning emptiness as well as the nature of insanity and hallucinations held by someone who is ill, qigong, and the Dharma of Tummo. CLICK for more information on “Qigong.”
Next:
We will start Lesson 16 of DCB23 at our September 7, 2024 ZOOM session at 9:00 am discussing the “Second-Phase Principles” in questions 49-85.
If you have enrolled in C41 or DCB22 (or DCB21 or DCB26) you may continue to use the same ZOOM link to attend the Saturday morning discussions. You will need to enroll in DCB23 to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes or study the related questions.
TO DATE: DCB23-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–II and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice
The recording of the August 31 DCB23-Lesson 15B class is now available. You must be enrolled in DCB23 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.
“Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ from Emptiness; Emptiness Does Not Differ from Form. Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form. The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, conceptualization, action, or consciousness; no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; no avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . .”
August 31, 2024: Lesson 15B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ from Emptiness; Emptiness Does Not Differ from Form.” (34-48) and (HERE) for recording of class.
August 24, 2024: Lesson 15A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ from Emptiness; Emptiness Does Not Differ from Form.” (1-33) and (HERE) for recording of class.
CLICK for article on the entire text of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
CLICK for article with instructions on how to enroll in LFBCS classes and how to register for the 8 ZOOM discussions.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB22 and links to videos of all 21 ZOOM class discussions on DCB22 held from February 10, 2024 to August 3, 2024.
CLICK for 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 article on last class held on DCB26 and links to videos of all 8 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 held from April 2024 to June 2024.
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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