Today we started our discussion on Lesson 24 of DCB24-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-III with the meaning of the line from the Heart Sutra that says “. . . no wisdom and also no attainment.” The following are a some of the other questions addressed during this ZOOM session:
Is the intrinsic nature of living beings different from that of a Buddha?
”The intrinsic nature of living beings is no different from that of a Buddha. Each living being is a Tathagata. Every person has a dharmakaya. Although living beings are hindered and deluded by avidya, their intrinsic nature is not thereby lost or damaged. When the brightness of wisdom awakens one, there is also no attainment.”
Is it possible to lose your original nature?
”One’s original nature will never be lost no matter what the situation may be. Whether one realizes it or not, it exists on its own all the same. . . Actually, your original nature cannot be lost even if you tried to discard it, and cannot be found by searching for it.”
What is the huge shortcoming of the Arhats?
”Arhats in the dharma realm of Savakas have a huge shortcoming. That is, all Dharmas that they practiced with success were through the effort of realization. They cut off attachment to self but do not cut off attachment to the Dharma. They do not understand things through the aspect of reasoning. They do not awaken to or realize the single flavor of principles and actuality. Consequently, they cannot pull out the big tree along with its roots. Rather, they pick leaves in search of branches. . . As Arhats, they will again learn the Dharma to become Bodhisattvas. They will then be Bodhisattvas lifetime after lifetime, continuing with their learning and elevating themselves higher and higher until they realize the state of Buddhahood. The time this takes is too long, too long.“
Why, then, do the sutras say that there is attainment?
”Sutras say that there is attainment in order to edify living beings. It is the expedient use of a false name in the principles of the text to establish a skillful or convenient means of explanation. So, sutras tell everyone that there is attainment in order to explain things clearly and tell everyone the truth. The specifics of what exactly is to be realized can only be explained with language. So, this is a skillful means of explanation in sutras to inform everyone.”
What is the danger in using skillful means?
”Now, this does not mean that the no attainment I speak of is the same as the no attainment of those ordinary people. Rather, it entails the attainment of no attainment. You must be clear about this. It entails realizing a kind of state of no attainment. If one realizes the state of attainment where there is attainment, then one becomes an Arhat. Then, there is Dharma that is attainable. Therefore, what one attains in the end is attachment to that holy state. Thus, one descends into the conditioned form of attainment. Consequently, one cannot achieve great liberation and become a Bodhisattva. . . That is why the Suramgama Sutra says, “Perfect bodhi comes down to realizing that there is nothing to attain.” In one sentence, the Suramgama Sutra clearly indicates that if one attains complete, perfect enlightenment, ultimately, nothing has been attained. Thus, there is the saying “There are no Buddhas above whose Buddhahood one can attain. There are no living beings below one can save.”
What does this principle of emptiness entail?
”Thus, this principle of emptiness entails emptiness. It is the principle of emptiness by which one realizes emptiness but is not attached to emptiness. It is the truth of emptiness by which one realizes emptiness but is not attached to emptiness. Realizing emptiness, one penetrates the empty forms or characteristics, knowing there is no form or characteristic to be attached to. The myriad forms and characteristics are undergoing a myriad of changes. There is no form or characteristic that does not appear. One should not grasp or cling to any, yet greatly utilize the whole. This is the principle that true emptiness is marvelous existence.”
The Buddha Master gave us several analogies to help explain these principles. We also discussed the two things you can say about prajna and what we can do with what we learned as well as how to avoid entering the nothingness of nihilism. He also gave us a detailed description of the Western World of Ultimate Bliss.
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 Lesson 24“. . . no wisdom, also no attainment.” of LFBCS Course DCB24 at our February 1, 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 25, 2025 DCB24-Lesson 24A 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 25, 2025: Lesson 24A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–III, No Wisdom, Also No Attainment (57-70) and (HERE) for recording of class.
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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