Today we discussed the methods used by different schools and traditions to attain awakening including the Chan/Zen School, the Dharma Characteristics-Consciousness Only School, the Pure Land School, the Huayen School, the Esoteric School, and the hinayana method. CLICK for link to article on roadmap to origins of different Buddhist schools and traditions. The following is a summary of some of that discussion:
What are the two methods of the Chan or Zen School to attain awakening?
“Generally speaking, in the Chan school, one is first required to attain awakening. That is, you are first required to awaken to this truth. Only after awakening to the truth can you speak of striving to see it. It can be called dhyana only when you see the truth and abide in the Buddha-nature of true emptiness that is imperturbable thusness. Upon entering dhyana, you yourself generate the effects of contemplative-illumination prajna. Then, one’s dhyana power to exhaustively observe grows more and more. By calming the mind consciousness, one completely empties the mind consciousness. Only after the manas and alaya consciousnesses are also completely emptied can one enter the correct wisdom of prajna; that is, the state of supreme prajna. Such is what the Chan school requires. . . However, the Chan school also emphasizes the attainment of awakening, especially the method of gradual awakening. One begins with the doctrine. Through examining and analyzing, one gradually understands the doctrine and uses the doctrine to reach awakening.”
What is the method of the Pure Land School to attain awakening?
“The Pure Land school simply does not tell you about whether you have to illuminate of your mind or whether you have to see your original nature. It is good enough if you just earnestly chant “Amitabha Buddha” and abide by the precepts well. You should know that silently chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha is to concentrate your mind. If you can chant the name of Amitabha Buddha well, if you chant it with a totally undistracted mind, Amitabha Buddha will come to receive you at your death. There is only this one sincere and respectful wish. That is, you calm your mind and just earnestly chant the name of Amitabha Buddha.”
What is the Hinayana method?
“Hinayana also has its observation practices, such as samatha and vipasyana, and breath counting. Its wonderful effects are realized by directing one’s efforts toward one’s thought and breath. As one’s thought and breath merge into oneness, one clearly observes one’s inhalations and exhalations. Through stabilization, one attains observation, or insight. Observation then strengthens stabilization. Thoughts end at the nostrils. One’s focus does not move away from the nostrils. As one follows the breath with clarity, the observance is very clear. One’s thoughts are not scattered. One does not enter a muddled, drowsy state. Observation and stabilization are in balance. This is correct dhyana. If stabilization is without observation or if in the midst of observation there is no stabilization, then this is a meditational defect. The specific subtleties of this should be explained in further detail, but I will not say more about it at this time.”
What about the methods of Dharma practice of the Esoteric School?
“The situation in esoteric Buddhism is different. There are numerous levels and methods of Dharma practice in esoteric Buddhism. There are practices to directly realize emptiness. There are practices to directly realize the dharmakaya, the body that is not different from emptiness. There are practices to directly realize the sambhogakaya. There are practices to directly realize the nirmanakaya. There are Dharmas that one practices together to realize all three bodies—the dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, and nirmanakaya.”
“However, esoteric Dharma is called the mantra school. Why is that? It is because esoteric Dharmas are inseparable from chanting mantras. Esoteric Dharmas use the power of mantras plus the learning of theories and the states of realization from the practice of contemplation, observation, or visualization.”
Why were the many schools and sects established?
“I just spoke to all of you about those many schools and sects. They were also established in order to save living beings with different causes and conditions, whose differences arise through causal conditions.”
There was more discussion on the schools, problems or drawbacks with certain of the methods, and related matters. We also began the discussion of the Four Noble Truths and the Twelve Links of Conditioned Origination.
Be sure and enroll in DCB24-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: Part TWO-III, if you want to join our long term study of the Heart Sutra or the broader study of C41(A)-the Three Principle Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. There is an expanded article on C41(A) that explains its scope and content, which was discussed before starting DCB24 last Saturday. CLICK for video of that discussion and revised maps of this roadmap to C41(A). DCB24 is one of the Learning from Buddha College & Seminary (LFBCS) courses that are included in C41(A). There is also another article that discusses G03(A) and G03 Evolution of Buddhism, two additional courses that are also part of C41(A).
CLICK for a list of available classes in each of the programs: Auditing, Buddhist Studies, and Xiuxing Seminary. Those with membership in the Xiuxing Seminary Program who are only interested in serious practice and not opening a Dharma Center may also elect to follow the Xiuxing Practice Program and take a seven or thirty-day Solitary Retreat.
Next:
We will continue our discussion of the “The Twelve Links and the Four Noble Truths” and Lesson 23 of LFBCS Course DCB24 at our January 18, 2025 ZOOM session at 9:00 am discussing the Heart Sutra.
If you have enrolled in C41(A) or DCB24 or DCB23 or DCB22 or DCB21 or DCB26) you may continue to use the same ZOOM link to attend the Saturday morning discussions. However, you will need to enroll in the appropriate course to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions.
TO DATE: DCB24-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–III and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice
The recording of the January 11, 2025 DCB24-Lesson 23A class is now available. All of the recordings and summary of ZOOM discussions for DCB21, DCB22, DCB23. and DCB26-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra are now available. You must be enrolled in each of these classes in one of the full 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.
“. . . no suffering, no accumulation, no cessation, and no path; no wisdom, also no attainment. With nothing to be attained, therefore, . . .”
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 ZOOM discussions.
January 11, 2025: Lesson 23A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–III, Methods Used by Different Schools & Traditions (15-30) and (HERE) for recording of class.
January 4, 2025: Lesson 22–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–III, “. . . no suffering, no accumulation, no cessation, and no path; . . .” (1-14) and (HERE) for recording of class.
January 4, 2025: Roadmap to C41(A)–Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. Video of class discussion.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB23 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB23 held from August 24, 2024 to November 16, 2024,
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 April 20, 2024 and from June 29, 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 21, 2022 to April 1, 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 20, 2024 to June 22, 2024.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
CLICK for information on S01-Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation (SAUMOL) Seminar.
Add comment