{"id":1241,"date":"2023-11-30T08:05:37","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T13:05:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/?p=1241"},"modified":"2023-11-30T08:05:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T13:05:37","slug":"perfect-enlightenment-25-buddha-teaches-25-expedient-practices-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/2023\/11\/30\/perfect-enlightenment-25-buddha-teaches-25-expedient-practices-part-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Enlightenment 25: Buddha Teaches 25 Expedient Practices, Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Show scripture (Chinese).<\/span>

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

Chinese:<\/h2>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u5148\u53d6\u81f3\u975c\uff0c\u4ee5\u975c\u6167\u5fc3\u7167\u8af8\u5e7b\u8005\uff0c\u4fbf\u65bc\u662f\u4e2d\u8d77\u83e9\u85a9\u884c\uff1b\u6b64\u83e9\u85a9\u8005\uff0c\u540d\u5148\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\uff0c\u5f8c\u4fee\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u4ee5\u975c\u6167\u6545\u8b49\u81f3\u975c\u6027\uff0c\u4fbf\u65b7\u7169\u60f1\u6c38\u51fa\u751f\u6b7b\uff1b\u6b64\u83e9\u85a9\u8005\uff0c\u540d\u5148\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\uff0c\u5f8c\u4fee\u79aa\u90a3\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u4ee5\u5bc2\u975c\u6167\uff0c\u5fa9\u73fe\u5e7b\u529b\u7a2e\u7a2e\u8b8a\u5316\u5ea6\u8af8\u773e\u751f\uff0c\u5f8c\u65b7\u7169\u60f1\u800c\u5165\u5bc2\u6ec5\uff1b\u6b64\u83e9\u85a9\u8005\uff0c\u540d\u5148\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\uff0c\u4e2d\u4fee\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0\uff0c\u5f8c\u4fee\u79aa\u90a3\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u4ee5\u81f3\u975c\u529b\u65b7\u7169\u60f1\u5df2\uff0c\u5f8c\u8d77\u83e9\u85a9\u6e05\u6de8\u5999\u884c\u5ea6\u8af8\u773e\u751f\uff1b\u6b64\u83e9\u85a9\u8005\uff0c\u540d\u5148\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\uff0c\u4e2d\u4fee\u79aa\u90a3\uff0c\u5f8c\u4fee\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u4ee5\u81f3\u975c\u529b\u5fc3\u65b7\u7169\u60f1\uff0c\u5fa9\u5ea6\u773e\u751f\u5efa\u7acb\u4e16\u754c\uff1b\u6b64\u83e9\u85a9\u8005\uff0c\u540d\u5148\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\uff0c\u9f4a\u4fee\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0[5]\u79aa\u90a3\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u4ee5\u81f3\u975c\u529b\u8cc7\u767c\u8b8a\u5316\uff0c\u5f8c\u65b7\u7169\u60f1\uff1b\u6b64\u83e9\u85a9\u8005\uff0c\u540d\u9f4a\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\u3001\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0\uff0c\u5f8c\u4fee\u79aa\u90a3\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u83e9\u85a9\u4ee5\u81f3\u975c\u529b\u7528\u8cc7\u5bc2\u6ec5\uff0c\u5f8c\u8d77\u4f5c\u7528\u8b8a\u5316\u5883\u754c\uff1b\u6b64\u83e9\u85a9\u8005\uff0c\u540d\u9f4a\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\u3001\u79aa\u90a3\uff0c\u5f8c\u4fee\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0\u3002<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Show scripture (English).<\/span>

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

English:<\/h2>\n

\u201cSome bodhisattvas first attain perfect quiescence, and through the mind of quiescent wisdom shed light on all illusions and directly within these illusions arise the bodhisattva practices. These bodhisattvas are called practitioners of \u015bamatha first and sam\u0101patti next.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome bodhisattvas actualize the perfectly quiescent nature through quiescent wisdom, and then directly sever affliction and permanently escape from birth and death. These bodhisattvas are called practitioners of \u015bamatha first and dhy\u0101na next.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome bodhisattvas use cessation-quiescent wisdom to re-manifest illusion-power and establish all kinds of transformations to save sentient beings. Subsequently they sever affliction and enter cessation-extinction. These bodhisattvas are called practitioners of \u015bamatha first, sam\u0101patti next, and dhy\u0101na last.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome bodhisattvas use the power of perfect quiescence to sever all affliction. They then arise the pure, marvelous practices of the bodhisattvas and save all sentient beings. These bodhisattvas are called practitioners of \u015bamatha first, dhy\u0101na next and sam\u0101patti last.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome bodhisattvas use the mind empowered by perfect quiescence to sever affliction and then save sentient beings and establish objective realms. These bodhisattvas are called practitioners of \u015bamatha first and subsequent simultaneous sam\u0101patti and dhy\u0101na.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome bodhisattvas use the power of perfect quiescence to aid in the initiation of transformations, then subsequently sever afflictions. These bodhisattvas are called practitioners of simultaneous \u015bamatha and sam\u0101patti, followed by the practice of dhy\u0101na.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome bodhisattvas use perfect quiescence to aid in extinction, and subsequently carry out activities to transform the world. These bodhisattvas are called practitioners of simultaneous \u015bamatha and dhy\u0101na, who subsequently practice sam\u0101patti.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Commentary:<\/h2>\n

Buddha answered Voice of Discernment, taught the twenty-five expedient practices. Previously we discussed the first three. Among the twenty-five, twenty-one belong to the alternating practice, within which, they can be further divided into three groups. The first group include seven practices with \u015bamatha as the main practice, where the primary practice is cessation; there are seven practices with sam\u0101patti as the main practice, where the primary practice is on the illusion; there are also seven practices with dhy\u0101na as the main practice, where one dwells in neither cessation nor illusion, the primary practice is on the awareness.<\/p>\n

We begin with the \u015bamatha-based practices (the fourth to the tenth practices). Note that the \u015bamatha-based practices do not mean that one practices \u015bamatha only and nothing else. Because in the practice of \u015bamatha, it has already aspects of sam\u0101patti and dhy\u0101na. To practice \u015bamatha first, it means \u015bamatha is the main practice, such that through \u015bamatha awareness is aroused, leading to fruition. For example, practicing \u015bamatha one attains the fruition of quiescent wisdom. If the main practice is sam\u0101patti, one attains the fruition of transcending illusion; if the main practice is dhy\u0101na, one attains the fruition of severing affliction.<\/p>\n

Also note that this is similar to the tantric practices where the development dharma includes the perfection and the great perfection dharma; the perfection dharma is inclusive of the development dharma and the great perfection dharma; the great perfection dharma is inclusive of the development dharma and the perfection dharma. Therefore, analogously, \u015bamatha includes sam\u0101patti and dhy\u0101na; sam\u0101patti includes \u015bamatha and dhy\u0101na; dhy\u0101na includes \u015bamatha and sam\u0101patti. The inclusivity can either be general or specific, therefore together there are twenty-five expedient practices.<\/p>\n

4. \u015aamatha first and sam\u0101patti next.<\/span>

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
    \n
  1. \u015aamatha first and sam\u0101patti next. <\/strong>One begins with the utmost quiescence, awakening the mind of quiescent wisdom. With the mind of quiescent wisdom, all illusory appearances are illuminated. This is the conduct of a bodhisattva.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In the tantric practice of development dharma, the practitioner\u2019s self-manifested samaya deity (vows) and the wisdom deity (wisdom) coalesce, arousing the deity of sam\u0101dhi. This way, the three deities of vows, wisdom, and sam\u0101dhi abides without duality. This can be the realm of utmost tranquility awakening the mind of quiescent wisdom, or some calls it the pride of the self-manifested deity (\u672c\u5c0a\u6162). This practice is only an accomplishment of \u015bamatha. From here proceeding to the perfection stage is to illuminate and observe all illusory appearances with the quiescent wisdom.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    5. \u015aamatha first and dhy\u0101na next.<\/span>

    <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
      \n
    1. \u015aamatha first and dhy\u0101na next. <\/strong>As per the previous practice one begins with \u015bamatha. In turn with the quiescent wisdom, the primordial wisdom is awakened. Because the primordial awareness is beyond sophistry and discrimination, all afflictions are also cut off. This is the conduct of a bodhisattva.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In the tantric practice, with the already arisen realm of utmost quiescence, instantly entering the coalescence of development and perfection dharma, such that the primordial awareness is awakened. The practitioner abides in equipoise in the primordial awareness, one enters nirv\u0101\u1e47a where all afflictions are severed. The difference between this practice and the fourth one is that there is not a need to illuminate and observe illusory appearances. As such, one naturally does not enter the realm of illusion.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n

      6. \u015aamatha first, sam\u0101patti next, and dhy\u0101na last.<\/span>

      <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
        \n
      1. \u015aamatha first, sam\u0101patti next, and dhy\u0101na last. <\/strong>Beginning with \u015bamatha as before, one proceeds to practice illuminating and observing illusory appearances. If one can yet enter nirv\u0101\u1e47a from departing from illusion, the practitioner would have to rely on the various illusion-like transformations to cultivate the primordial awareness that severs afflictions to enter quiescence-cessation. This is the conduct of a bodhisattva.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        In the tantric practice, one follows the stages of practice here where one begins with the development dharma, then the perfection dharma, then the coalescent of the two, and subsequently one enters the nature of phenomena, attaining accomplishment in stages.<\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n

        7. \u015aamatha first, dhy\u0101na next, and sam\u0101patti last.<\/span>

        <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
          \n
        1. \u015aamatha first, dhy\u0101na next and sam\u0101patti last.<\/strong> In this kind of practice, in the middle practice of dhy\u0101na, the power of quiescence has severed all afflictions. To further practicing sam\u0101patti is to cultivate the power of benefitting all sentient beings, for it is also through the power of illusory transformation, sentient beings can benefit. This is no different from tath\u0101gata\u2019s virtue of illusory transformation allowing the existence of all worlds through the virtue of vitality. The only difference lies in how the virtue manifests itself. On this issue, I have discussed in details in my other books on the Buddha-Within.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          In the tantric practice, this practice relies on the pervasiveness of perfection dharma to benefit sentient beings, as in the practices of four dharma of action, twenty-one Taras, Vajradrolod, where there is the capacity of transforming illusory appearances, from benefitting the illusion-like sentient beings, to the liberation of illusion-like sentient beings.<\/p>\n

          <\/div>\n

          8. \u015aamatha first, and subsequently, simultaneous sam\u0101patti and dhy\u0101na.<\/span>

          <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
            \n
          1. \u015aamatha first and subsequently, simultaneous sam\u0101patti and dhy\u0101na.<\/strong> Begin with \u015bamatha as before. This bodhisattva conduct is to illuminate and observe illusory appearances while the primordial awareness is awakened at the same time. Here, quiescence-extinction and illusion-like are simultaneous, that is also a simultaneous benefitting self and others, awareness and action are simultaneous. Therefore, this is an advanced stage bodhisattva conduct.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            In the tantric practice, one practices the development dharma to its ultimate. At this point, one\u2019s faculty is capable of severing afflictions, as well as managing matters of afflictions, where the coalescence of development and perfection gives rise to the perfection dharma, illuminating all things illusory as well as transforming illusory appearances. This kind of conduct is discussed in Longchenpa\u2019s Finding Rest in Illusion<\/em>.<\/p>\n

            <\/div>\n

            9. Simultaneous \u015bamatha and sam\u0101patti, followed by the practice of dhy\u0101na.<\/span>

            <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
              \n
            1. Simultaneous \u015bamatha and sam\u0101patti, followed by the practice of dhy\u0101na.<\/strong> The practitioner begins with \u015bamatha and sam\u0101patti, until the power of quiescent wisdom aids in the illusory transformation, then subsequently one pratices dhy\u0101na transcending quiescence and transformation. This is the conduct of a bodhisattva.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              In the tantric practice, this is equivalent to a simultaneous alternating of the development dharma and perfection dharma. The practice has reached maturity, one proceeds to the coalescent of the two. This is also an advanced stage bodhisattva conduct. During the alternating practice, the power of transformation is beneficial to illusion-like sentient beings. The subsequent dhy\u0101na practice is the accomplishment of primordial awareness.<\/p>\n

              <\/div>\n

              10. Simultaneous \u015bamatha and dhy\u0101na, then subsequently sam\u0101patti.<\/span>

              <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
                \n
              1. Simultaneous \u015bamatha and dhy\u0101na, then subsequently sam\u0101patti.<\/strong> Here the practitioner attains quiescent wisdom from \u015bamatha, without going through sam\u0101patti, one attains quiescence-extinction through the awareness of illusory extinction. This is a bodhisattva conduct of a sharp faculty. One then further practices sam\u0101patti illuminating illusory appearances, carrying out activities transforming the world, from benefitting to leading sentient beings to liberation. This is the bodhisattva conduct.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                In the tantric practice, from the development dharma the practitioner enters the primordial awareness, where it is realized through the coalescence of development and perfection dharma. One subsequently carries out various activities via perfection dharma.<\/p>\n

                One might ask, how can one through the development dharma to attain the coalescence of development and perfection. Note that, as per previously discussed, the development dharma itself is already complete with the three dharma: the development of development, the perfection of development, the great perfection of development. As such, from one dharma, one practices all three.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Commentary: Buddha answered Voice of Discernment, taught the twenty-five expedient practices. Previously we discussed the first three. Among the twenty-five, twenty-one belong to the alternating practice, within which, they can be further divided into...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1244,"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\/1241"}],"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=1241"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1245,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1241\/revisions\/1245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}