{"id":1134,"date":"2023-04-29T08:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-04-29T12:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/?p=1134"},"modified":"2023-06-26T14:53:09","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T18:53:09","slug":"perfect-enlightenment-17-severing-the-root-of-sa%e1%b9%83sara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/2023\/04\/29\/perfect-enlightenment-17-severing-the-root-of-sa%e1%b9%83sara\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Enlightenment 17: Severing the Root of Sa\u1e43s\u0101ra"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the previous column, bodhisattva Maitreya asks Buddha the way to sever the root of samsara (cyclical existence). Previously, bodhisattva Vajragarbha’s questions led to the conclusion that it is the cyclical perspective that obscures awareness (and thus, wisdom), thereby leading to suffering. How, then, can one sever oneself from the root of samsara? Maitreya asks by way of three questions: <\/em><\/p>\n

1. How many types of beings are there? <\/em>
\n2. What are the different practices to enlightenment? <\/em>
\n3. What are the ways to guide sentient beings towards enlightenment?<\/em><\/p>\n

Click here for the table of contents<\/a> to revisit the dialogue between Buddha and previous bodhisattvas.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Show scripture (Chinese).<\/span>

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chinese:<\/h2>\n

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\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u83e9\u85a9\u8b8a\u5316\u793a\u73fe\u4e16\u9593\u975e\u611b\u70ba\u672c\uff0c\u4f46\u4ee5\u6148\u60b2\u4ee4\u5f7c\u6368\u611b\uff0c\u5047\u8af8\u8caa\u6b32\u800c\u5165\u751f\u6b7b\u3002\u82e5\u8af8\u672b\u4e16\u4e00\u5207\u773e\u751f\u80fd\u6368\u8af8\u6b32\uff0c\u53ca\u9664\u618e\u611b\u6c38\u65b7\u8f2a\u8ff4\uff0c\u52e4\u6c42\u5982\u4f86\u5713\u89ba\u5883\u754c\uff0c\u65bc\u6e05\u6de8\u5fc3\u4fbf\u5f97\u958b\u609f\u3002<\/p>\n

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\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u83e9\u85a9\u552f\u4ee5\u5927\u60b2\u65b9\u4fbf\u5165\u8af8\u4e16\u9593\u958b\u767c\u672a\u609f\uff0c\u4e43\u81f3\u793a\u73fe\u7a2e\u7a2e\u5f62\u76f8\u9006\u9806\u5883\u754c\uff0c\u8207\u5176\u540c\u4e8b\u5316\u4ee4\u6210\u4f5b\uff0c\u7686\u4f9d\u7121\u59cb\u6e05\u6de8\u9858\u529b\u3002\u82e5\u8af8\u672b\u4e16\u4e00\u5207\u773e\u751f\u65bc\u5927\u5713\u89ba\u8d77\u589e\u4e0a\u5fc3\uff0c\u7576\u767c\u83e9\u85a9\u6e05\u6de8\u5927\u9858\uff0c\u61c9\u4f5c\u662f\u8a00\uff1a\u300e\u9858\u6211\u4eca\u8005\u4f4f\u4f5b\u5713\u89ba\uff0c\u6c42\u5584\u77e5\u8b58\u83ab\u503c\u5916\u9053\u53ca\u8207\u4e8c\u4e58\u3002\u300f\u4f9d\u9858\u4fee\u884c\uff0c\u6f38\u65b7\u8af8\u969c\uff0c\u969c\u76e1\u9858\u6eff\uff0c\u4fbf\u767b\u89e3\u812b\u6e05\u6de8\u6cd5\u6bbf\uff0c\u8b49\u5927\u5713\u89ba\u5999\u838a\u56b4\u57df\u3002\u300d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Show scripture (English).<\/span>

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

English:<\/h2>\n

Then the World Honoured One, addressing the Bodhisattva Maitreya, said: \u201cExcellent, excellent! Good son, you have questioned well on behalf of the bodhisattvas and sentient beings of the degenerate age about the Tath\u0101gata\u2019s mysterious, secret, subtle doctrine. You have enabled the Bodhisattvas to purify their Wisdom Eye, and allowed all sentient beings of the degenerate age to permanently sever themselves from cyclic existence. Their minds will awaken to their true characteristic and they will possess the equipoise that comes with the awareness of the non-arising characteristic of existence. Now listen well, and I shall explain this for you.\u201d Maitreya received this instruction with joy and great reverence. All those in the great assembly became silent and listened.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, all sentient beings transmigrate because of their possession, from beginningless time, of affection, attached love, craving and desire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince all the different types of beings\u2014those born from eggs, those born from wombs, those born from moisture and those born by transformation all receive their birth and life from sexual desire, you should realize that cyclic existence has attached love as its basis. This tendency to be gripped by attached love is abetted by the existence of all desires, therefore it is able to empower the continuity of sa\u1e43s\u0101ra. Desire arises depending upon attached love; life force exists depending upon desire. Furthermore, the attached love and life of sentient beings have desire as their root. Attached love and desire are causes, attached love and life are results.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is in reference to the objects of desire that you arise all likes and dislikes. When the object is contrary to the attached mind, you arise aversion and jealousy and go around creating all sorts of karma. It is because of this that you are reborn as a hell-being or a hungry ghost. But then, knowing that desire should be abandoned and attaching to the path of abandonment of karmic activity, you cast off evil and enjoy goodness; hence, you are reborn as a god or man. Again, knowing that you should dislike all forms of attachment, you let go of attachment and enjoy detachment. This greatly nourishes the root of attachment and you automatically produce conditionally enhanced positive states. But since all of this is cyclic existence, you still do not attain to the sagely way. Therefore, sentient beings who desire to be free from birth and death and want to escape cyclic existence, first have to sever desire and rid themselves of attached love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, when bodhisattvas appear in the world to teach, it is not based on attachment. It is only their compassionate intention to have the sentient beings discard attachment that they provisionally take on all kinds of desire and enter birth-and-death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf all sentient beings of the degenerate age can cast off their desires and remove love and hate, they will permanently end their cyclic existence. Seeking the perfectly enlightened state of the Tath\u0101gata in their pure minds, they will directly attain awakening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, sentient beings, because of their base of desire, generate ignorance and manifest the distinctions and inequalities of the Five Natures. Because of the Two Hindrances there is manifestation of deep and shallow. What are the Two Hindrances? The first is the noumenal hindrance which obstructs correct awareness; the second is the phenomenal hindrance which enables the continuation of sa\u1e43s\u0101ra.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are the Five Natures? Good sons, if sentient beings have not yet been able to destroy the Two Hindrances, this is called non-consummation of one\u2019s Buddhahood. If sentient beings permanently discard desire, first removing the phenomenal hindrance, but not yet severing the noumenal hindrance, they are able to awaken in the way of direct disciples and solitary realizers but are not able to manifest and dwell in the state of the bodhisattva.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, if all sentient beings of the degenerate age desire to float on the great ocean of the Tath\u0101gata\u2019s Perfect Enlightenment, they should first arouse the determination to do away with the Two Hindrances. Once the Two Hindrances are subdued, one can awaken and enter the state of the bodhisattva; after permanently destroying the noumenal and phenomenal hindrances, one is able to enter the sublime Perfect Enlightenment of the Tath\u0101gata, and able to fully accomplish bodhi and great nirvana.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, all sentient beings without exception actualize Perfect Enlightenment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you meet a Genuine Teacher, rely on the reality-practice of the causal stage that he sets up for you. When you follow this practice, both sudden and gradual will be contained. If you come upon the correct path of practice of the unsurpassed bodhi of the Tath\u0101gatas, then there are no superior or inferior abilities of people: all accomplish Buddhahood. If, while seeking a Genuine Teacher, sentient beings meet one with mistaken views, they will not gain the correct awakening. Although this is called the heterodox nature, the mistake is the fault of the teacher, and not that of the sentient beings. This is the distinction of the five natures of sentient beings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, it is only through their Greatly Compassionate expedient means that bodhisattvas enter the secular world, awakening the unenlightened, manifesting various forms and shapes, functioning in agreeable and disagreeable circumstances. It is only relying on the beginningless pure power of their vow to save all beings that they physically work together with these people and cause them to accomplish Buddhahood. Any sentient being of the degenerate age who would arouse the mind intensified toward great Perfect Enlightenment, must arouse the pure great determination of the bodhisattvas. He should say \u2018I hereby vow to dwell in the Perfect Enlightenment of the Buddha, to seek Genuine Teachers and not to plant roots with heterodox paths or practitioners of the Two Vehicles.\u2019 Practicing based on this vow, you sever the hindrances one by one. When the hindrances are gone, the vow is fulfilled. You will automatically ascend to the Pure Dharma Palace of Liberation, and actualize the marvelously adorned realm of Great Perfect Enlightenment.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Commentary:<\/h2>\n

Buddha began by praising Maitreya for having \u201cquestioned well on behalf of the bodhisattvas and sentient beings of the degenerate age about the Tath\u0101gata\u2019s mysterious, secret, subtle doctrine,\u201d to allow all sentient beings of the degenerate age 1. \u201cto permanently sever themselves from cyclic existence\u201d; 2. \u201ctheir minds will awaken to their true characteristic\u201d and 3. \u201cthey will possess the equipoise that comes with the awareness of the non-arising characteristic of existence.\u201d The three are the fruition from practicing the Tath\u0101gata\u2019s mysterious, secret, subtle doctrine. The answers that follow will also based upon this meaning of fruition.<\/p>\n

Buddha's answer to the first question... click to show more.<\/span>

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Buddha first answered the question on the root of cyclical existence. It is \u201cbecause of their possession, from beginningless time, of affection, attached love, craving and desire.\u201d Consider the four types of beings, they \u201call receive their birth and life from sexual desire\u201d (in contrast to in-vitro fertilization), or in other words, \u201ccyclic existence has attached love as its basis.\u201d Because of \u201cthis tendency to be gripped by attached love is abetted by the existence of all desires,\u201d the root of sa\u1e43s\u0101ra has \u201cattached love and desire [as] causes, attached love and life [as] results.\u201d With such causes and results, there are three types of cyclical existences. With the arising of aversion and jealousy, one is reborn in the lower three realms (hell-beings or hungry ghosts); \u201cknowing that desire should be abandoned and attaching to the path of abandonment of karmic activity,\u201d one is reborn in the higher three realms (gods or humans); \u201cknowing that you should dislike all forms of attachment, you let go of attachment and enjoy detachment\u2026 produce[s] conditionally enhanced positive states.\u201d None of the three cyclical existences are the sagely way because they are all limited by desire and attached love.<\/p>\n

Regarding the last kind (\u201cconditionally enhanced positive states\u201d), this kind \u201clet go attachment and enjoy detachment,\u201d which is the four dhy\u0101na practices and the eight sam\u0101dhi (\u56db\u79aa\u516b\u5b9a) to let go of attachments and desires. However, one has yet to become free. By letting go of the unrefined body, it becomes the subtle body; by letting go of the unrefined mind, it becomes the subtle mind. However, there still exists the limitation of body and mind. This way is not yet the unconditioned and the sagely way to liberation.<\/p>\n

This concludes the first answer.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Buddha's answer to the second question... click to show more.<\/span>

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The second question is on the different kinds of beings. We begin with bodhisattvas. They appear in the world not because of attachments. They only intend to have the sentient beings discard attachment that they provisionally take on all kinds of desire and enter the cycle of birth-and-death. In Avatamsaka S\u016btra<\/em>, Sudhana\u2019s journey to visit fifty-three \u201cgood friends\u201d describes various bodhisattvas\u2019 appearances of greed, envy, and ignorance, these are acts of compassion compelling sentient beings to discard their attachments.<\/p>\n

To distinguish the differences in the practice of perfect awareness, one begins with knowing the different kinds of beings. Beings are of Five Natures: ordinary beings, the two vehicles of \u015ar\u0101vakas and Pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, undetermined, and outsiders (non-Buddhists). They all possess Two Hinderances, the difference is only a matter of degree. The Two Hinderances are noumenal and phenomenal hinderances. The former obstructs the correct view, the latter is what enables the continuation of the cycle of life and death.<\/p>\n

Buddha describes the Five Natures from the Two Hinderances:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Ordinary beings: The two hinderances are not detached, Buddhahood is not accomplished.<\/li>\n
    2. \u015ar\u0101vakas and Pratyekabuddhas: Afflictions are severed, but they have yet severed the noumenal hinderances, and therefore not able to dwell in the state of bodhisattvahood.<\/li>\n
    3. Bodhisattvas: They vow to detach from the two hinderances; when the two hinderances are subdued, they enter bodhisattvahood; when the two hinderances are forever severed, they enter Tath\u0101gata\u2019s marvelous perfect enlightenment, attaining the great bodhi and the great nirv\u0101\u1e47a.<\/li>\n
    4. Undetermined: Sentient beings enter into the practice according to their faculty, which could be along the paths of \u015ar\u0101vakas, Pratyekabuddhas, or bodhisattvas. Because there exist also the differences of sudden and gradual realization, they are said to be undetermined. Nevertheless, they will eventually, without exception, realize perfect enlightenment.<\/li>\n
    5. Outsiders: They are met with a teacher with mistaken views, hence called outsiders.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Given the Five Natures, the practice manifests the five differences. But since even ordinary beings and outsiders without exception will realize perfect enlightenment, Buddha referred to them as the vehicle of humans and heavens. Ordinary beings yearn for good fortune, they are thus called the vehicle of humans; outsiders yearn for the divine, they are thus called the vehicle of heavens. Buddhists are warned not to be arrogant and boastful, for all beings without exception will accomplish Buddhahood realizing perfect enlightenment.<\/p>\n

      The above concludes the second answer.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n

      Buddha's answer to the third question... click to show more.<\/span>

      <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      The answer to the third question. How many expedient devices are there to awaken the unenlightened? Buddha only spoke of one: to arouse them into the bodhisattva\u2019s way, such that their nature becomes undetermined, such that they do not fall into the way of \u015ar\u0101vakas and Pratyekabuddhas, nor into the way of outsiders. Beings of five natures ultimately enter into the bodhisattva\u2019s way.<\/p>\n

      This way, \u201cbodhisattvas enter the secular world, awakening the unenlightened,\u201d which is the expedient means. Yet, how does one enter the secular world? This is to manifest \u201cvarious forms and shapes, functioning in agreeable and disagreeable circumstances. It is only relying on the beginningless pure power of their vow to save all beings that they physically work together with these people and cause them to accomplish Buddhahood.\u201d This is the expedient means to enter the secular world.<\/p>\n

      For all sentient beings, they arouse the pure great determination of bodhisattvas, vowing to follow the Great Teachers, not plant roots with the practices of outsiders and the two vehicles. \u201cPracticing based on this vow, you sever the hindrances one by one. When the hindrances are gone, the vow is fulfilled. You will automatically ascend to the Pure Dharma Palace of Liberation, and actualize the marvelously adorned realm of Great Perfect Enlightenment.\u201d This is the expedient means for beings in the degenerate age.<\/p>\n

      The above concludes the third answer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      Stanza to conclude the section... click to show scripture (Chinese).<\/span>

      <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      Chinese:<\/h2>\n

      \u723e\u6642\uff0c\u4e16\u5c0a\u6b32\u91cd\u5ba3\u6b64\u7fa9\u800c\u8aaa\u5048\u8a00\uff1a<\/p>\n

      \u5f4c\u52d2\u6c5d\u7576\u77e5\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u4e00\u5207\u8af8\u773e\u751f\uff0c
      \n\u4e0d\u5f97\u5927\u89e3\u812b\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u7686\u7531\u8caa\u6b32\u6545\uff0c
      \n\u58ae\u843d\u65bc\u751f\u6b7b\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u82e5\u80fd\u65b7\u618e\u611b\uff0c
      \n\u53ca\u8207\u8caa\u778b\u7661\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u4e0d\u56e0\u5dee\u5225\u6027\uff0c
      \n\u7686\u5f97\u6210\u4f5b\u9053\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u4e8c\u969c\u6c38\u92b7\u6ec5\uff0c
      \n\u6c42\u5e2b\u5f97\u6b63\u609f\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u96a8\u9806\u83e9\u63d0\u9858\uff0c
      \n\u4f9d\u6b62\u5927\u6d85\u69c3\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u5341\u65b9\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\uff0c
      \n\u7686\u4ee5\u5927\u60b2\u9858\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u793a\u73fe\u5165\u751f\u6b7b\u3002
      \n\u73fe\u5728\u4fee\u884c\u8005\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u53ca\u672b\u4e16\u773e\u751f\uff0c
      \n\u52e4\u65b7\u8af8\u611b\u898b\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u4fbf\u6b78\u5927\u5713\u89ba\u3002<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n

      Show scripture (English).<\/span>

      <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      English:<\/h2>\n

      Then the World Honoured One, wanting to restate the gist of this, spoke a verse; he said:<\/p>\n

      Maitreya, you should know
      \nThat the non-attainment of great liberation
      \nBy all sentient beings
      \nIs only due to desire;
      \nTherefore they are drawn into birth and death.
      \nIf you can separate yourself from like and dislike,
      \nAs well as desire, hatred and ignorance
      \nYou will all perfect the Buddha\u2019s way
      \nAnd permanently destroy the Two Hindrances,
      \nWithout needing any distinctions in nature.
      \nSeek a teacher who has the correct awakening
      \nPractice the vow to arouse the bodhi-mind
      \nRely on Great Nirv\u0101\u1e47a.
      \nThe bodhisattvas in the ten directions
      \nAll appear in the world of sa\u1e43s\u0101ra
      \nRelying on the Greatly Compassionate vow.
      \nPresent practitioners
      \nAs well as sentient beings of the degenerate age
      \nShould strive to eliminate all attached views
      \nAnd directly return to Great Perfect Enlightenment.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n

      Commentary:<\/h2>\n

      The verse re-emphasizes the root of sa\u1e43s\u0101ra lies in greed and desire; desire is rooted in likes and dislikes, giving rise to hatred and ignorance. One should strive to eliminate greed and attachments, and by \u201celiminating,\u201d it is a transcendence via various expedient means, where lies the differences of Five Natures. Among them, the bodhisattva\u2019s way is considered the superior way. Relying on the power of the Greatly Compassionate Vow, one enters the secular world of life and death to attain perfect enlightenment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      In the previous column, bodhisattva Maitreya asks Buddha the way to sever the root of samsara (cyclical existence). Previously, bodhisattva Vajragarbha’s questions led to the conclusion that it is the cyclical perspective that obscures...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1134"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1134"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1142,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1134\/revisions\/1142"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}