We finished Lesson 21 and all of Learning from Buddha College and Seminary (LFBCS) course DCB23 with a discussion of the truth of emptiness as expressed from the Heart Sutra that says, “. . . no avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . .” We continued our discussion of the three spheres of samsara and the method used by the Pratyekabuddhas; the method recommended by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to achieve enlightenment; and the nature of “marvelous existence.” The following are key points from that discussion:
What constitutes the three spheres?
“Living beings live within the three spheres that are composed of all together twenty-eight heavens and five realms. The twenty-eight heavens refer to celestials in the twenty-eight kinds of heaven.“
We know from last week that the five realms are the hell being, hungry ghost, animal, human, and deva realms that make up the desire sphere. Six of the twenty-eight kinds of heaven are also in that sphere while the next level of eighteen heavens make up the sphere of form with the four empty heavens or formless states existing above that in the formless sphere. None of the beings living in these realms have ended the cycle of birth and death and therefore all are still part of samsara.
What is the highest level within the three spheres?
“. . . the highest state of the three spheres is the fourth formless dhyana state, the Abode of Neither Conceptualization nor Non-Conceptualization.”
Where does Daoism fit in?
“. . . the doctrines of Daoism simply fall short.”
Because the celestials even at the level of the Heaven of the Jade Emperor have not ended the cycle of birth and death and are still in samsara.
“However, we should not slander Daoism because at a certain time when causes and conditions mature, Daoists will also begin to learn from Buddha. Because the intelligence of devas is relatively high, once they start to learn from Buddha, they progress so much faster than we humans. We can only say that the doctrines of Daoism are the views of those devas; that is, the views of one category within the six realms.“
What is the method used by the Pratyeka-buddhas to achieve their level of realization.
“. . . they adopt contemplating in forward order the twelve links of conditioned origination, they enter into that practice and experience first-hand realization. Upon entering that practice, one understands that once avidya is extinguished, then the other eleven branch-causes, which are action and so on, will all be extinguished. With such extinguishment, there is no delusion. Without delusion, there is no karma. Without karma, there is no suffering. So, in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha, one resolves to cut off avidya.”
What is the method recommended by the Buddha Master to achieve realization?
“Once you know that everything is caused by avidya [ignorance], you must immediately correct your conduct and first extinguish avidya. After you extinguish avidya, delusion-based karma will naturally no longer exist. There will be no delusion and no karma. Without karma, there is no more suffering. Suffering will be gone. In accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and in accordance with my discourses based on Buddha Dharma, resolve to cut off avidya. Adopt methods that will thoroughly eliminate it. “This big tree must be pulled out along with its roots. One cannot just pluck its leaves in search of its branches.” This is the upper-level way of those with sharp innate faculties.”
And what warning did the Budha Master give us?”
. . . do not go onto a side path as a shortcut. You have to start with cultivating yourself. You must not recklessly covet underserved gain, such as desiring some supernormal power, some ability, or cultivated power. If you do, in the end you will gain nothing. You will surely descend into evil views and will be unable to attain accomplishment or liberation. Cultivated powers and abilities are very important, but they have to come from your continual practice. Only that is the correct path that leads to realization powers generated from correct views and correct conduct. . . Through according one’s life with the guidance of the Bodhisattva, one can naturally end cyclic birth and death and exit the three spheres. One then breaks away from samsara, from the bonds of the three spheres. One can realize nirvana. One can naturally realize enlightenment.
How does one achieve realization of “True emptiness is marvelous existence”?
“To understand and awaken to the true import of the inner-secret of this, one must cultivate oneself according to the precepts and Dharma that the Buddha taught and practice correspondence of the three karmas.”
The Buddha Master also discussed the nature of so-called “time” and the relative time spent in each of the realms and why we should free ourselves from the time and space of samsara. He also explained how “happiness is suffering” because we are confused about our original nature and cling to the three spheres.
This lesson contains additional and very important teachings on nirvana and the nature of Bodhisattvas and “marvelous existence” that require studying or listening to the actual text in whole and cannot be summarized here.
Next:
We will start our discussion of the “Four Noble Truths” and LFBCS Course DCB24 at our January 4, 2025 ZOOM session at 9:00 am discussing the Heart Sutra. THERE WILL BE NO MORE CLASSES IN 2024.
The class is still open to anyone who wants to join. If you have enrolled in C41 or DCB23 (or DCB22 or DCB21 or DCB26) you may continue to use the same ZOOM link to attend the Saturday morning discussions. You will need to enroll in DCB24 to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions.
TO DATE: DCB23-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–II and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice
The recording of the November 16, 2024 DCB23-Lesson 21B class is now available. You must be enrolled in DCB23 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.
“Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ from Emptiness; Emptiness Does Not Differ from Form. Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form. The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, conceptualization, action, or consciousness; no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; no avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . .”
November 16, 2024: Lesson 20B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . . No avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and Including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . . ” (271-284) and (HERE) for recording of class.
November 9, 2024: Lesson 20B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . . No avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and Including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . . ” (243-270) and (HERE) for recording of class.
November 2, 2024: Lesson 20B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . . No avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and Including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . . ” (235-242) and (HERE) for recording of class.
October 26, 2024: Lesson 20A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . . No avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and Including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . . ” (220-235) and (HERE) for recording of class.
October 26, 2024: Lesson 19B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; . . . ” (215-219) and (HERE) for recording of class.
October 19, 2024: Lesson 19A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; . . . ” (177-191 192-214) and (HERE) for recording of class.
October 12, 2024: Lesson 18B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; . . . ” (155-176) and (HERE) for recording of class.
October 5, 2024: Lesson 18A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, conceptualization, action or consciousness; . . .” (133-154) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 28, 2024: Lesson 17B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease.” (122-132) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 21, 2024: Lesson 17A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease.” (86-89 and 90-121) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 14, 2024: Lesson 16B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” Second-Phase Principles” (71-85) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 7, 2024: Lesson 16A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” Second-Phase Principles (49-70) and (HERE) for recording of class.
August 31, 2024: Lesson 15B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” (34-48) and (HERE) for recording of class.
August 24, 2024: Lesson 15A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ from Emptiness; Emptiness Does Not Differ from Form. Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” (1-33) 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 ZOOM discussions.
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 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 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.
Add comment