Please note that I am sharing more of what we discuss each week about Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra. This week you will also find an index and links to these weekly articles and, for those who are students enrolled in either the Buddhist Studies or Xiuxing Seminary programs, links to the video discussions of our ZOOM sessions.
This class, held on March 11, 2023, discussed the second concept in the title of the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra-“parami.” It is a Sanskrit term meaning “reaching the other shore.” H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III separates it from the second part of the usual term “paramita,” treating “ta” separately. We completed this Lesson 6A on just “parami” by investigating the qualities, state, and location of this other shore as well as “this shore.” We also explored what you must do to stay in that state and how the manas and alaya consciousnesses impact this. The Buddha Master warns us that even if we thoroughly awaken, it does not mean that you will not withdraw from that state. “You will not withdraw from it only if you have the dhyana power to hold onto it. Lacking the power of dhyana won’t do. To hold onto that state, you also have to undergo training.”
We also started the study of “ta,” which the Buddha Master explains is “right dhyana,” correct and without bias. It is non-dual. “Applied correctly, dhyana and wisdom are balanced and equal. This is the correct practice and correct view that is absolutely indispensable in the cultivation of Bodhisattvas.”
Another important teaching in this section is how we should regard good people who follow other religions. How do we know they are not also learning from Buddha?
We will continue to study the meaning of “ta” and look at the many levels of awakening next week when we meet on ZOOM again at 9:00 am on March 18.
DCB21-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: Forwards, Introductions, & Title
March 11, 2023: Lessons 6A and 6B-Part I (296-327) and HERE for recording of that Class.
March 04, 2023: for article on Lesson 5C (281-295) and HERE for recording of that class.
February 25, 2023: for article on Lesson 5B (254-280) and HERE for recording of that class.
February 18, 2023: for article on Lesson 4E (221-228) and HERE for recording of that class and on Lesson 5A (229-253) and HERE for recording of that class.
February 11, 2023: for article on Lesson 4D (199-220) and HERE for recording of that class.
February 04, 2023: for article on Lesson 4C (182-198) and HERE for recording of that class.
January 28, 2023: for article on Lesson 4B (165-181) and HERE for recording of that class.
January 21, 2023: for article on Lesson 4A (157-167) and HERE for recording of that class.
January 14, 2023: for article on Lesson 3B (140-156) and HERE for recording of that class.
January 07, 2023: for article on Lesson 3A (118-139) and HERE for recording of that class.
December 17, 2022: for article on Lesson 2 (82-117) and HERE for the recording of that class.
December 10, 2022: for article on Lesson 1 (54-81) and HERE for the video recording of that class.
December 03, 2022: for article on Lesson 0B (28-53) and HERE for the video recording of that class.
November 26, 2022: for article on 0A (1-27) and HERE for the video recording of that class.
November 21, 2022: for earlier article introducing Lesson 0A.
CLICK for links to articles and recordings of classes held on course DCB26-How to Realize Prajna.
CLICK for article on “Seeing and Awakening” that is related to this class.
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