All six of the courses related to Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra have been posted. DCB25, the last of the courses on the actual text of the Heart Sutra is now ready.
We continued with DCB24 today with a discussion of the Four Noble Truths and the differences between the understanding of them held by followers of the Hinayana and Mahayana traditions. We also discussed what it means to become accomplished and a Buddha in this lifetime as well as the different states of nirvana. The following is a small sample of the questions discussed
What then is “truth”?
“Suffering, accumulation, cessation, and path are called the four noble truths. Truth means true principles or doctrines. In other words, that which is real rather than false, is fact or reality, and is devoid of the slightest falsity. . . You disciples might be able to understand those few sentences. Truth means reality. Now, this meaning of reality can refer to what truly exists and what does not exist. However, such non-existence is real. Therefore, know that neither existence nor non-existence is false. There is existence, but it is within a state of non-existence. Still, it is not false. This is the truth of the reality of true emptiness. Emptiness and existence are one, not two. They exist as thusness, just as they are. Such reality is the truth of liberation. However, when one is attached to states, regarding them as reality, one descends into worldly truth. That which is called truth has many meanings, such as the truth of liberation and worldly truth. That is, what is named truth is the essential meaning realized from the reality that is in between existence and non-existence and that entails the non-obtainability of either.”
What are the “thirty-seven ”factors of enlightenment?
After discussing the Truth of each of the Four Noble Truths (suffering, accumulation, cessation, and path), the Buddha Master elaborated on the meaning of “path” in this context:
“Path means a way or road that can be traversed. There are thirty-seven types of preparations or resources for traversing the path to nirvana. These are the four applications of mindfulness, the four right efforts, the four bases of supernormal powers, the five spiritual faculties, the five powers, the seven limbs of enlightenment, and the eightfold correct path. . . However, the path I am referring to here in my discourse refers to a path in the ultimate sense. It is the path in the context of suffering, accumulation, cessation, and path. It refers to the path realized by Arhats, the path to be traversed by Arhats.”
Does H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha advocate taking this path?
“So, this Dharma of the factors of enlightenment refers to the thirty-seven factors of enlightenment. You disciples may look into those thirty-seven factors of enlightenment. It is okay to use them as a reference. However, I do not advocate that you take them as your main practice. You should concentrate on practicing the Dharma that I transmitted to you. From Mahayana, you should directly enter Tantrayana, or Vajrayana. Of course, it would be best if you entered The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation, which will be available in the future. That is a matter of future karmic conditions and a matter of becoming a Buddha in this very lifetime.
Is the Buddha Master partial to studying the esoteric Dharma?
“This matter of attaining Buddhahood in one’s current lifetime is frequently mentioned in the esoteric Dharma. Of course, by speaking such words, it sounds as if I am partial toward esoteric Dharma, as if my perspective is one that [is[ definitely emphasizing esoteric Dharma. No, that is not right. As I just told you a short while ago, I respect all Dharmas and view them equally. As long as it is Dharma imparted by the Buddha, we should respect it. Each Dharma has its own benefits. As long as that Dharma corresponds with the practitioner’s spiritual capacity, it is a good Dharma.”
What does it mean to become a Buddha in this lifetime?
“There is no possibility of you becoming in this very lifetime the type of Buddha that Shakyamuni is. That is impossible. There is no such possibility. Why do I say there is no such possibility? This is because even Maitreya Bodhisattva, the next Buddha, is waiting. Even He has still not realized Buddhahood. Even He has to wait to become a Buddha at the Dragon-Flower Assembly. How, then, can we speak of becoming a Buddha in this very lifetime? . . . Additionally, if you really want to become a Buddha in this very lifetime and have made a firm and resolute determination, then know that a Buddha has the three bodies and four wisdoms. . . Esoteric Dharma does have Dharma that one can practice to develop the three bodies and four wisdoms. Although the realization one attains from practicing such Dharma is not as great or supreme as the realization attained by the Buddha, one can nevertheless at least realize the dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, and nirmanakaya states in this very lifetime. This is the meaning of becoming a Buddha through the esoteric Dharma. As such, becoming a Buddha is a figure of speech to express the accomplishment of the three bodies and four wisdoms. If one wants to become equal to the Buddha in this very lifetime, that is simply impossible.”
We also learned about the “Clay Bodhisattvas”, what it means to become “accomplished”, and why the Buddha Master advocates cultivating the state of a Bodhisattva and not an Arhat. We also discussed the different states of nirvana especially as they are understood in both the hinayana and mahayana traditions. This was one of our most intense discussions on a very important and enlightening part of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra. I can only hope that all living beings are able to read or hear and understand this magnificant sutra.
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 “. . . no wisdom, also no attainment.” and Lesson 24 of LFBCS Course DCB24 at our January 25, 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 18, 2025 DCB24-Lesson 23B 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 18, 2025: Lesson 23B-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 (31-56) and (HERE) for recording of class.
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.
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