{"id":1197,"date":"2023-07-20T11:31:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T15:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/?p=1197"},"modified":"2023-07-30T17:01:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-30T21:01:54","slug":"perfect-enlightenment-22-buddha-introduces-the-three-expedient-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/2023\/07\/20\/perfect-enlightenment-22-buddha-introduces-the-three-expedient-means\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Enlightenment 22: Buddha Introduces the Three Expedient Means"},"content":{"rendered":"

Translator’s note: <\/em>In the previous column<\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>Majestic Virtue Unhindered’s\u00a0question finally led to the key of the sutra, where all Buddhist practices are expedient devices leading to the <\/em>oneness\u00a0of perfect enlightenment. In this column, Buddha will begin to illustrate the three practices of <\/em>\u015bamatha, <\/em>sam\u0101patti and <\/em>dhy\u0101na. While different, like sunlight, whether it is a ray through a slit into a dark room, or sunlight in the wide open, they are like the many roads leading to Rome. As usual, the name of the inquiring bodhisattva also sheds light on the nature of the dialogue with Buddha.<\/em><\/p>\n

For the interested reader, you can also click here for the table of contents<\/a> to revisit the dialogue between Buddha and previous bodhisattvas.<\/em><\/p>\n

Show scripture (Chinese).<\/span>

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

Chinese:<\/h2>\n

\u723e\u6642\uff0c\u4e16\u5c0a\u544a\u5a01\u5fb7\u81ea\u5728\u83e9\u85a9\u8a00\uff1a\u300c\u5584\u54c9\uff01\u5584\u54c9\uff01\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u6c5d\u7b49\u4e43\u80fd\u70ba\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u53ca\u672b\u4e16\u773e\u751f\uff0c\u554f\u65bc\u5982\u4f86\u5982\u662f\u65b9\u4fbf\u3002\u6c5d\u4eca\u8ae6\u807d\uff01\u7576\u70ba\u6c5d\u8aaa\u3002\u300d\u6642\uff0c\u5a01\u5fb7\u81ea\u5728\u83e9\u85a9\u5949\u6559\u6b61\u559c\uff0c\u53ca\u8af8\u5927\u773e\u9ed8\u7136\u800c\u807d\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u7121\u4e0a\u5999\u89ba\u904d\u8af8\u5341\u65b9\u51fa\u751f\u5982\u4f86\uff0c\u8207\u4e00\u5207\u6cd5\u540c\u9ad4\u5e73\u7b49\uff0c\u65bc\u8af8\u4fee\u884c\u5be6\u7121\u6709\u4e8c\u3002\u65b9\u4fbf\u96a8\u9806\u5176\u6578\u7121\u91cf\uff0c\u5713\u651d\u6240\u6b78\uff0c\u5faa\u6027\u5dee\u5225\u7576\u6709\u4e09\u7a2e\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u609f\u6de8\u5713\u89ba\uff0c\u4ee5\u6de8\u89ba\u5fc3\uff0c\u53d6\u975c\u70ba\u884c\uff1b\u7531\u6f84\u8af8\u5ff5\uff0c\u89ba\u8b58\u7169\u52d5\uff0c\u975c\u6167\u767c\u751f\uff0c\u8eab\u5fc3\u5ba2\u5875\u5f9e\u6b64\u6c38\u6ec5\uff0c\u4fbf\u80fd\u5167\u767c\u5bc2\u975c\u8f15\u5b89\uff1b\u7531\u5bc2\u975c\u6545\uff0c\u5341\u65b9\u4e16\u754c\u8af8\u5982\u4f86\u5fc3\u65bc\u4e2d\u986f\u73fe\uff0c\u5982\u93e1\u4e2d\u50cf\u3002\u6b64\u65b9\u4fbf\u8005\u540d\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u609f\u6de8\u5713\u89ba\uff0c\u4ee5\u6de8\u89ba\u5fc3\uff0c\u77e5\u89ba\u5fc3\u6027\u53ca\u8207\u6839\u5875\u7686\u56e0\u5e7b\u5316\uff0c\u5373\u8d77\u8af8\u5e7b\u4ee5\u9664\u5e7b\u8005\uff0c\u8b8a\u5316\u8af8\u5e7b\u800c\u958b\u5e7b\u773e\uff1b\u7531\u8d77\u5e7b\u6545\u4fbf\u80fd\u5167\u767c\u5927\u60b2\u8f15\u5b89\uff0c\u4e00\u5207\u83e9\u85a9\u5f9e\u6b64\u8d77\u884c\uff0c\u6f38\u6b21\u589e\u9032\u3002\u5f7c\u89c0\u5e7b\u8005\u975e\u540c\u5e7b\u6545\uff0c\u975e\u540c\u5e7b\u89c0\u7686\u662f\u5e7b\u6545\uff0c\u5e7b\u76f8\u6c38\u96e2\uff1b\u662f\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u6240\u5713\u5999\u884c\uff0c\u5982\u571f\u9577\u82d7\u3002\u6b64\u65b9\u4fbf\u8005\u540d\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u609f\u6de8\u5713\u89ba\uff0c\u4ee5\u6de8\u89ba\u5fc3\u4e0d\u53d6\u5e7b\u5316\u53ca\u8af8\u975c\u76f8\uff0c\u4e86\u77e5\u8eab\u5fc3\u7686\u70ba\u7f63\u7919\uff1b\u7121\u77e5\u89ba\u660e\u4e0d\u4f9d\u8af8\u7919\uff0c\u6c38\u5f97\u8d85\u904e\u7919\u7121\u7919\u5883\u3001\u53d7\u7528\u4e16\u754c\u53ca\u8207\u8eab\u5fc3\u76f8\u5728\u5875\u57df\u5982\u5668\u4e2d\u9360\uff0c\u8072\u51fa\u65bc\u5916\uff0c\u7169\u60f1\u6d85\u69c3\u4e0d\u76f8\u7559\u7919\uff0c\u4fbf\u80fd\u5167\u767c\u5bc2\u6ec5\u8f15\u5b89\u3001\u5999\u89ba\u96a8\u9806\u3001\u5bc2\u6ec5\u5883\u754c\uff0c\u81ea\u4ed6\u8eab\u5fc3\u6240\u4e0d\u80fd\u53ca\uff0c\u773e\u751f\u58fd\u547d\u7686\u70ba\u6d6e\u60f3\u3002\u6b64\u65b9\u4fbf\u8005\u540d\u70ba\u79aa\u90a3\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u6b64\u4e09\u6cd5\u9580\u7686\u662f\u5713\u89ba\u3002\u89aa\u8fd1\u96a8\u9806\u5341\u65b9\u5982\u4f86\uff0c\u56e0\u6b64\u6210\u4f5b\u5341\u65b9\u83e9\u85a9\u7a2e\u7a2e\u65b9\u4fbf\uff0c\u4e00\u5207\u540c\u7570\u7686\u4f9d\u5982\u662f\u4e09\u7a2e\u4e8b\u696d\uff0c\u82e5\u5f97\u5713\u8b49\u5373\u6210\u5713\u89ba\u3002\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u5047\u4f7f\u6709\u4eba\u4fee\u65bc\u8056\u9053\uff0c\u6559\u5316\u6210\u5c31\u767e\u5343\u842c\u5104\u963f\u7f85\u6f22\u3001\u8f9f\u652f\u4f5b\u679c\uff0c\u4e0d\u5982\u6709\u4eba\u805e\u6b64\u5713\u89ba\u7121\u7919\u6cd5\u9580\uff0c\u4e00\u524e\u90a3\u9803\u96a8\u9806\u4fee\u7fd2\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 Majestic Virtue Unhindered, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent, excellent! Good son, you have questioned well for the bodhisattvas and sentient beings of the degenerate age about these expedient methods of the Tath\u0101gata. Listen well now, and I shall explain them for you.\u201d The bodhisattva Majestic Virtue Unhindered received this teaching with awe and joy; all those in the great crowd became silent and listened.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, unsurpassed marvelous enlightenment pervades all the ten directions. It gives birth to all tath\u0101gatas, who share the same equal essence with all dharmas. Thus, as far as the various practices are concerned, there is in reality, no duality. Nonetheless, the expedient methods which conform to Perfect Enlightenment are numberless. Among these, there are three general types which all practitioners rely on, according to the difference in their inclination.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, some bodhisattvas awaken pure Perfect Enlightenment, and using the mind of pure enlightenment take quiescence as their practice. Then, by settling all thoughts they become aware of the agitated motion of the consciousness, and thus produce quiescent wisdom. From this, the mind, the body and external objects are permanently extinguished and they directly generate quiescent pliancy from within themselves. Because of this cessation and quiescence, the minds of all the tath\u0101gatas in all the worlds in the ten directions are made manifest, just like the images in a mirror. This expedient method is called \u015bamatha.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, some bodhisattvas awaken pure Perfect Enlightenment, then using the pure enlightened mind, they completely realize that the nature of mind as well as the faculties and objects are all based on illusory transformations. Then here they produce various illusions in order to remove illusion. Creating (transforming) all illusions, they enlighten the illusory multitude. From the production of illusion they are able to arouse great compassionate pliancy within. All bodhisattvas who follow this ‘arising practice’ gradually advance. Since the meditation on illusion is not the same as illusion, it is also not the same as illusory observation. Since both are [recognized as] illusory, illusory marks are permanently removed. This marvelous practice that is perfected by bodhisattvas is like a shoot growing out of the ground. This expedient method is called sam\u0101patti.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, some bodhisattvas awaken pure Perfect Enlightenment, and using the pure enlightened mind, do not attach to illusory transformation or the marks of quiescence, and fully realize body and mind both to be obstructions. Without awareness of the illumination of enlightenment and without depending on all sorts of obstructions, they eternally transcend realms of obstruction and non-obstruction, the enjoyment world as well as marks of body and mind in the objective realm is comparable to the ringing sound in a bell which penetrates to the outside. Affliction and nirv\u0101\u1e47a not hindering each other, they are directly enabled to produce the pliancy of cessation-extinction from within. Accordance with marvelous enlightenment and the realm of cessation and extinction is something that self and other, body and mind are unable to reach. Sentient beings and life are all just floating concepts. This expedient method is called dhy\u0101na.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, these three practices are all close accordance with Perfect Enlightenment; the tath\u0101gatas in the ten directions achieve Buddhahood depending upon these, and all the various and sundry expedient methods of the bodhisattvas of the ten directions, with all their similarities and differences are without exception derived from these three activities. If you perfectly actualize these, that is the same as perfectly actualizing enlightenment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, if there were a person who cultivated the sagely path and elevated a quadrillion people to the stage of arhat and solitary realizer, he would not be equal to the person who heard this unobstructed teaching of Perfect Enlightenment and practiced it for only an instant.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Commentary:<\/h2>\n

Marvellous enlightenment in ten directions... click to show more.<\/span>

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

In answering Majestic Virtue Unhindered, Buddha said there are three expedient means, yet all practices are no different, because \u201cunsurpassed marvelous enlightenment pervades all the ten directions. It gives birth to all tath\u0101gatas, who share the same equal essence with all dharmas.\u201d This portion of the text illustrates exactly the teaching of the Buddha-Within. It says, tath\u0101gatas and all phenomena both come from the marvelous enlightenment. This marvelous enlightenment pervades all ten directions. This is referring to the Buddha-Within as the realm of buddha\u2019s inner wisdom of self-realization. The realm of awareness of this marvelous enlightenment is exactly buddha\u2019s inner wisdom realm of self-realization, hence we say that tath\u0101gatas come from the marvelous enlightenment. Upon this wisdom realm is the consciousness realm as a spontaneous dependent arising, hence we say that phenomena of all worlds come from the marvelous enlightenment. It, then, becomes clear that tath\u0101gatas and all phenomena share the same essence and are equal.<\/p>\n

Buddha pointed out first in teaching the expedient means, the intent was to point out that, while the essence of tath\u0101gatas is buddha nature, the essence of all phenomena is also buddha nature. Knowing this becomes the basis for understanding the practice.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Buddha then taught the three expedient means. They are \u015bamatha, sam\u0101patti <\/em>and dhy\u0101na.<\/em><\/p>\n

The expedient device of \u015bamatha<\/em>... click to show more.<\/span>

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

\u015aamatha is the cessation in cessation-observation. The scripture describes the appearance of cessation as \u201ctake quiescence as the practice. Then, by settling all thoughts they become aware of the agitated motion of the consciousness.\u201d This means, the illusive mind of a practitioner is perpetually agitated. When practicing cessation, one\u2019s mind is resting on the non-objectifying realm. In case of a distraction has arisen, without intentionally pushing it away, being aware of it, the distracting thought would naturally dissipate. Within this realm one takes the quiescence as the practice such that all distracting thoughts clarify and dissipate themselves. At this point, the practitioner may suffer from the conscious agitation, but knowing so, the quiescent wisdom also awakens.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Like the mirror images in a mirror... click to show more.<\/span>

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

This method of practice is analogous to the Vajray\u0101na practice of development dharma. From the development dharma the pride of self-deity is cultivated. This pride of self-deity can be said to be a quiescent wisdom, quelling the mental agitation of an ordinary consciousness. From this pride, \u201cthe mind, the body and external objects are permanently extinguished and they directly generate quiescent pliancy from within themselves.\u201d The wisdom of the self-deity is aroused to extinguish the ordinary attachment to body and mind, generating quiescent pliancy. The scripture continues, \u201cBecause of this cessation and quiescence, the minds of all the tath\u0101gatas in all the worlds in the ten directions are made manifest, just like the images in a mirror.\u201d \u201cThe minds of all the tath\u0101gatas in all the worlds in the ten directions\u201d is the pride of the self-deity. When the pride reveals itself, it is like \u201cthe images in a mirror.\u201d (Translator’s note: The pride of the deity is meant to echo the analogy of enlightenment as light that pervades in all ten directions, dispelling all darkness.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Arousing the pride of a deity... click to show more.<\/span>

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

How is it possible to arouse the pride of the self-deity in an ordinary mind? One can say it is in accordance with perfect enlightenment, because the scripture says, \u201c[U]nsurpassed marvelous enlightenment pervades all the ten directions. It gives birth to all tath\u0101gatas, who share the same equal essence with all dharmas.\u201d Since being ordinary and being saintly are equal, it means that the saintly mind can be awakened in an ordinary mind.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The expedient device of sam\u0101patti<\/em>... click to show more.<\/span>

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

Sam\u0101patti according to the scripture appears as \u201cusing the pure enlightened mind, they completely realize that the nature of mind as well as the faculties and objects are all based on illusory transformations.\u201d This means using the pure enlightened mind, one becomes aware of the nature of mind (secret), the faculties (inner), and objects (outer), all three are illusory transformations, such that there are illusory appearances (outer), illusory experiences (inner), which becomes the awareness of perceiving the illusion (secret).<\/p>\n

It becomes clear that in the practice of sam\u0101patti, the nature of mind gives rise to various illusory appearances, such that the illusory is eliminated through the illusory. By eliminating the illusory, it is via \u201ccreating (transforming) all illusions, they enlighten the illusory multitude.\u201d From the practice of sam\u0101patti, establishing the illusory world and the illusory beings, the practitioner becomes aware that all sentient and objective worlds are illusory, all phenomena are illusory. Because all the establishments are also none other than illusory transformations.<\/p>\n

This characteristic of meditation is analogous to the Vajray\u0101na practice of perfection dharma. The practice of perfection dharma rests on the foundation of being fluent in the development dharma practice.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Illusory transformation like a crystal... click to show more.<\/span>

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

With the pride of the self-deity, the nature of mind is like a crystal, its luminosity is intrinsic. But when triggered by external circumstances, it reveals a rainbow light. This radiance is an illusory appearance. We can also call it a manifestation according to the dependent arising of mutual obstruction. For instance, a red sparkle in the crystal light with a slight agitation can appear as green, blue, or purple. This way, it becomes clear that the red sparkle is illusory. From the agitation, the green sparkle, or blue, etc. are also illusory. This way, the practitioner would not grasp at the colour of the crystal light. This is exactly to \u201cproduce various illusions in order to remove illusion,\u201d and \u201ccreating (transforming) all illusions, they enlighten the illusory multitude.\u201d From this, if the practitioner can apprehend the virtue of dharmakaya, they are also \u201cable to arouse great compassionate pliancy within,\u201d entering the path of bodhisattva. The analogy here is \u201clike a shoot growing out of the ground.\u201d On the basis of practicing sam\u0101patti, one gradually perfects the bodhisattva\u2019s way to realize perfect enlightenment.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The expedient device of dhy\u0101na<\/em>... click to show more.<\/span>

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

Dhy\u0101na refers to meditation absorption, however, what is meant here goes beyond the four dhy\u0101na and eight concentrations<\/a>, for it refers specifically a meditation realm of being \u201cnot attach to illusory transformation\u201d (not dwelling in the realm of sam\u0101patti), and not attach to \u201cthe marks of quiescence\u201d (not dwelling in the realm of \u015bamatha). When one is not limited by the two realms, one becomes aware of the spontaneously accomplished realm without obstruction.<\/p>\n

The realm without obstruction is as the scripture says, it is the realm of \u201cusing the pure enlightened mind, do not attach to illusory transformation or the marks of quiescence, and fully realize body and mind both to be obstructions.\u201d In the realm, the awareness naturally arises. Yet this awareness is said to be \u201cwithout awareness of the illumination of enlightenment\u201d such that the practitioner is not biased towards the awareness. It is an awareness without objectification. It is without being distracted by the movements of illusory appearances, without being biased towards the quiescent appearance of cessation, nor is it the awareness during meditation absorption. This is then truly the \u201cshedding of body and mind,\u201d the realm of dy\u0101na.<\/p>\n

At this point, \u201cwithout awareness of the illumination of enlightenment and without depending on all sorts of obstructions, they eternally transcend realms of obstruction and non-obstruction.\u201d In the objective realm, \u201cthe enjoyment world\u201d and the appearances of body and mind, the scripture compares it to the sound of an instrument (\u5668\u4e2d\u9360), where the instrument does not obstruct the sound. The sound penetrates to the outside, a listener is instantly aware, enjoying the appearance of music and the appearance of body and mind listening to the music. At this point if there is still the appearance of the instrument, then it is no longer \u201cwithout awareness of the illumination of enlightenment,\u201d because it is still \u201cdepending on all sorts of obstructions.\u201d Many good musicians fall into this trap. This is from an alto instrument, that is from a bass instrument; this is woodwind, that is brass. It is as if a clear distinction has been made, but one has also become trapped by the mutual obstruction of various instruments. What is heard is no longer the sound (\u5668\u4e2d\u9360), but rather, it becomes which instrument producing what sound, no longer transcending obstructions and non-obstruction.<\/p>\n

It is not easy to enter the realm of dhy\u0101na, because it is a realm where \u201caffliction and nirv\u0101\u1e47a [are] not hindering each other.\u201d Using the music analogy, it is the sound of music and \u201cwithout awareness of the illumination of enlightenment\u201d do not hinder each other. The sound of music is analogous to affliction, the awareness of the illumination is analogous to nirv\u0101\u1e47a, hence they are said to \u201cnot hindering each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

This realm is analogous to the Vajray\u0101na practice of the coalescence of development and perfection dharma. It is the coalescence of movements and quiescence leading to the realization of the Buddha-Within. The instructions of the practice must be passed on directly by the guru. For now, we can only point out how the realm of Buddha-Within being profoundly hidden, for we can only expediently say it is the coalescence of buddha\u2019s wisdom realm of inner self-realization (without awareness of the illumination of enlightenment) and mind-consciousness realm (awareness of music). In this coalescence, the consciousness realm does not obstruct the wisdom realm, nor does the wisdom realm obstruct the consciousness realm, giving rise to the realm of cessation and pliancy in accordance with the marvelous enlightenment. It is free from words and concepts, delusive calculations and biases. There are no longer the marks of sentient beings and longevity (\u201csentient beings and life are all just floating concepts\u201d).<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

In the three expedient means, there exists stages of practice. One begins to \u015bamatha, then sam\u0101patti. Alternating between the two repeatedly, one enters into the realm of dhy\u0101na, realizing the spontaneous accomplishment of all dharma, where mutual obstruction is surpassed to the realization of non-obstruction. From the non-obstruction, the perfect enlightenment is awaken.<\/p>\n

In terms of how one can alternate the three practices to perfect enlightenment is the subject of the next conversation.<\/p>\n

Show scripture (Chinese), the dialogue concluding verse.<\/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

\u5a01\u5fb7\u6c5d\u7576\u77e5\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u7121\u4e0a\u5927\u89ba\u5fc3\uff0c
\n\u672c\u969b\u7121\u4e8c\u76f8\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u96a8\u9806\u8af8\u65b9\u4fbf\uff0c
\n\u5176\u6578\u5373\u7121\u91cf\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u5982\u4f86\u7e3d\u958b\u793a\uff0c
\n\u4fbf\u6709\u4e09\u7a2e\u985e\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u5bc2\u975c\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\uff0c
\n\u5982\u93e1\u7167\u8af8\u50cf\uff1b\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u5982\u5e7b\u4e09\u6469\u63d0\uff0c
\n\u5982\u82d7\u6f38\u589e\u9577\uff1b\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u79aa\u90a3\u552f\u5bc2\u6ec5\uff0c
\n\u5982\u5f7c\u5668\u4e2d\u9360\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u4e09\u7a2e\u5999\u6cd5\u9580\uff0c
\n\u7686\u662f\u89ba\u96a8\u9806\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u5341\u65b9\u8af8\u5982\u4f86\uff0c
\n\u53ca\u8af8\u5927\u83e9\u85a9\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u56e0\u6b64\u5f97\u6210\u9053\u3002
\n\u4e09\u4e8b\u5713\u8b49\u6545\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u540d\u7a76\u7adf\u6d85\u69c3\u3002<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Show scripture (English).<\/span>

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

English:<\/h2>\n

Then the World Honoured One, desiring to reiterate the gist of this, spoke a verse. He said:<\/p>\n

Majestic-Virtue, you should know
\nEven though the unsurpassed mind of great enlightenment
\nOriginally has not even two marks.
\nThe expedient methods for according with it
\nAre numberless.
\nWhen I explain them according to general type,
\nThere are three kinds:
\nQuiescent \u015bamatha
\nIs like a mirror reflecting all images;
\nAs-illusion sam\u0101patti
\nIs like a shoot growing out of the ground;
\nDhy\u0101na is only cessation-extinction
\nLike the sound in the bell.
\nThese three kinds of marvelous dharma-practices
\nAre all accordance with enlightenment.
\nThe tath\u0101gatas in the ten directions
\nAs well as all the great bodhisattvas
\nAre able to attain the Dao based on these.
\nThe full actualization of these three activities
\nIs called “absolute nirv\u0101\u1e47a.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Commentary:<\/h2>\n

The verse summarizes the three expedient practices. Quiescent \u015bamatha is like a mirror reflecting all images; as-illusion sam\u0101patti is like a shoot growing out of the ground; dhy\u0101na is like the sound in the bell. All words and thoughts are quelled, entering the realm of neither obstruction nor non-obstruction, the three kinds of \u201caccordance with enlightenment.\u201d The perfection of them is then called \u201cabsolute nirv\u0101\u1e47a.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Translator’s note: In the previous column,\u00a0Majestic Virtue Unhindered’s\u00a0question finally led to the key of the sutra, where all Buddhist practices are expedient devices leading to the oneness\u00a0of perfect enlightenment. In this column, Buddha will...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1201,"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\/1197"}],"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=1197"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1208,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1197\/revisions\/1208"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}