We returned to the text of DCB22-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO-I at our June 29, 2024 ZOOM session. We discussed Lesson 11B: Dual-use/Two-body Dharma (Yam-Yum) including H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha’s position on this Dharma and various other Dharmas. We discussed this and learned more about this special dharma. Those who are enrolled in the class can listen to the full discussion on the video, but these brief responses are offered as an overview.
What is the Buddha Master’s position on the Two-Body or Yam-Yum Dharma?
“I very much oppose this type of Dharma! . . .I regard it as evil conduct.”
Why are there people who practice esoteric Buddhism who hate the Buddha Master?
“It is because I cut off their path to male-female sexual misconduct. It is that simple.“
What happens to someone who practices the Two-Body Dharma?
“Not one person who practices that type of Dharma will be able to open the crown of his or her head through vajra dhyana. . . He or she simply will not become liberated from the cycle of birth and death.”
What Dharmas should we practice?
“. . . practice the Ten Wholesome Behaviors and the Four Limitless States of Mind, follow the path of a Bodhisattva, and truly carry out well the myriad practices subsumed in the Six Paramitas. If you do, I of course will teach you very high and marvelous Dharma, enabling you to become liberated and accomplished in this very lifetime. Only that is the correct path.”
What must we rely upon to start our journey to liberation?
“. . . the key issue is still that you must rely on cultivation to start the journey on the way. Without relying on cultivation, one cannot get started on the way.”
Does doing good deeds enable you to become liberated?
“Doing good deeds leads to the good fortune of ascending to a heavenly realm.“
Only through developing a state of conduct based on kindheartedness can you meet the prerequisites to be able to learn the Buddha Dharma you need to become liberated.
Next:
We will continue DCB22 at our July 6, 2024 ZOOM session starting at 9:00 am. We will discuss several topics remaining in Lesson 11 including 11C becoming a good person and what happens if you give up on learning the Dharma once you start on this path. We may be able to start Lesson 11.D on the “Four Great Elements.”
TO DATE; DCB22-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–I and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice
The recording of the June 29 DCB22 class is now available. You must be enrolled in DCB22 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. Please note that Lessons 6A and 6B are part of Course C41.
“Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, when practicing deeply the prajna-paramita, illuminated the five aggregates, saw that they are all empty, and crossed beyond all suffering and adversity.”
June 29, 2024: Lesson 11B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Dual-Use/Two-body Dharma”, (181-192) and (HERE) for recording of class.
April 20, 2024: Lesson 11A.2-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Consciousness”, (171-180) and (HERE) for recording of class.
March 30, 2024: Lesson 11A.1-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Consciousness”, (155-170) and (HERE) for recording of class.
March 23, 2024: Lesson 10B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Five Aggregates”, (144-154) and (HERE) for recording of class.
March 16, 2024: Lesson 10A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Five Aggregates”, (114-143) and (HERE) for recording of class.
March 16, 2024: Lesson 9B.2-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Two Levels”, (108-113) and (HERE) for recording of class.
March 9, 2024: Lesson 9B.1-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Two Levels”, (87-107) and (HERE) for recording of class.
March 9, 2024: Lesson 9A.3-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Practicing Deeply”, (78-86) and (HERE) for recording of class.
February 24, 2024: Lesson 9A.2-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Practicing Deeply”, (59-77) and (HERE) for recording of class.
February 17, 2024: Lesson 9A.1-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Practicing Deeply”, (51-58) and (HERE) for recording of class.
February 17, 2024: Lesson 8C-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Bodhisattva”, (37-50) and (HERE) for recording of class.
February 17, 2024: Lesson 8B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Avalokiteshvara”, (31-36) and (HERE) for recording of class.
February 10, 2024: Lesson 8A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–I, “Avalokiteshvara”, (1-30) and (HERE) for recording of class.
February 3, 2024: Lesson 6B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-Prajna(Wisdom) & Dhyana(Ta), (355-369) and HERE for recording of class.
January 20, 2024: Lesson 6A–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-Prajna & Dhyana(Ta), (317-354) 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 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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