{"id":1300,"date":"2024-09-01T10:45:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-01T14:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/?p=1300"},"modified":"2024-09-01T11:06:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-01T15:06:28","slug":"perfect-enlightenment-34-on-conducting-meditation-retreats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/2024\/09\/01\/perfect-enlightenment-34-on-conducting-meditation-retreats\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Enlightenment 34: On Conducting Meditation Retreats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Show scripture (Chinese).<\/span>

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

Chinese:<\/h2>\n

\u723e\u6642\uff0c\u4e16\u5c0a\u544a\u5713\u89ba\u83e9\u85a9\u8a00\uff1a\u300c\u5584\u54c9\uff01\u5584\u54c9\uff01\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u6c5d\u7b49\u4e43\u80fd\u554f\u65bc\u5982\u4f86\u5982\u662f\u65b9\u4fbf\uff0c\u4ee5\u5927\u9952\u76ca\u65bd\u8af8\u773e\u751f\u3002\u6c5d\u4eca\u8ae6\u807d\uff01\u7576\u70ba\u6c5d\u8aaa\u3002\u300d\u6642\uff0c\u5713\u89ba\u83e9\u85a9\u5949\u6559\u6b61\u559c\uff0c\u53ca\u8af8\u5927\u773e\u9ed8\u7136\u800c\u807d\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u4e00\u5207\u773e\u751f\uff0c\u82e5\u4f5b\u4f4f\u4e16\uff0c\u82e5\u4f5b\u6ec5\u5f8c\u3001\u82e5\u6cd5\u672b\u6642\uff0c\u6709\u8af8\u773e\u751f\u5177\u5927\u4e58\u6027\uff0c\u4fe1\u4f5b\u7955\u5bc6\u5927\u5713\u89ba\u5fc3\uff0c\u6b32\u4fee\u884c\u8005\uff0c\u82e5\u5728\u4f3d\u85cd\u5b89\u8655\u5f92\u773e\uff0c\u6709\u7de3\u4e8b\u6545\u96a8\u5206\u601d\u5bdf\uff0c\u5982\u6211\u5df2\u8aaa\uff1b\u82e5\u5fa9\u7121\u6709\u4ed6\u4e8b\u56e0\u7de3\uff0c\u5373\u5efa\u9053\u5834\u7576\u7acb\u671f\u9650\uff0c\u82e5\u7acb\u9577\u671f\u767e\u4e8c\u5341\u65e5\uff0c\u4e2d\u671f\u767e\u65e5\uff0c\u4e0b\u671f\u516b\u5341\u65e5\uff0c\u5b89\u7f6e\u6de8\u5c45\u3002\u82e5\u4f5b\u73fe\u5728\uff0c\u7576\u6b63\u601d\u60df\uff1b\u82e5\u4f5b\u6ec5\u5f8c\uff0c\u65bd\u8a2d\u5f62\u50cf\uff0c\u5fc3\u5b58\u76ee\u60f3\u751f\u6b63\u61b6\u5ff5\uff0c\u9084\u540c\u5982\u4f86\u5e38\u4f4f\u4e4b\u65e5\u3002\u61f8\u8af8\u5e61\u82b1\u7d93\u4e09\u4e03\u65e5\uff0c\u7a3d\u9996\u5341\u65b9\u8af8\u4f5b\u540d\u5b57\uff0c\u6c42\u54c0\u61fa\u6094\uff1b\u9047\u5584\u5883\u754c\u5f97\u5fc3\u8f15\u5b89\u3002\u904e\u4e09\u4e03\u65e5\uff0c\u4e00\u5411\u651d\u5ff5\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u7d93\u590f\u9996\uff0c\u4e09\u6708\u5b89\u5c45\uff0c\u7576\u70ba\u6e05\u6de8\u83e9\u85a9\u6b62\u4f4f\uff0c\u5fc3\u96e2\u8072\u805e\u4e0d\u5047\u5f92\u773e\u3002\u81f3\u5b89\u5c45\u65e5\u5373\u65bc\u4f5b\u524d\u4f5c\u5982\u662f\u8a00\uff1a\u300e\u6211\u6bd4\u4e18\u3001\u6bd4\u4e18\u5c3c\u3001\u512a\u5a46\u585e\u3001\u512a\u5a46\u5937\u67d0\u7532\uff0c\u8e1e\u83e9\u85a9\u4e58\u4fee\u5bc2\u6ec5\u884c\uff0c\u540c\u5165\u6e05\u6de8\u5be6\u76f8\u4f4f\u6301\uff0c\u4ee5\u5927\u5713\u89ba\u70ba\u6211\u4f3d\u85cd\uff0c\u8eab\u5fc3\u5b89\u5c45\uff0c\u5e73\u7b49\u6027\u667a\uff0c\u6d85\u69c3\u81ea\u6027\uff0c\u7121\u7e6b\u5c6c\u6545\u3002\u4eca\u6211\u656c\u8acb\u4e0d\u4f9d\u8072\u805e\uff0c\u7576\u8207\u5341\u65b9\u5982\u4f86\u53ca\u5927\u83e9\u85a9\u4e09\u6708\u5b89\u5c45\uff0c\u70ba\u4fee\u83e9\u85a9\u7121\u4e0a\u5999\u89ba\u5927\u56e0\u7de3\u6545\u4e0d\u7e6b\u5f92\u773e\u3002\u300f\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u6b64\u540d\u83e9\u85a9\u793a\u73fe\u5b89\u5c45\uff0c\u904e\u4e09\u671f\u65e5\u96a8\u5f80\u7121\u7919\u3002\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u5f7c\u672b\u4e16\u4fee\u884c\u773e\u751f\u6c42\u83e9\u85a9\u9053\u5165\u4e09\u671f\u8005\uff0c\u975e\u5f7c\u6240\u805e\u4e00\u5207\u5883\u754c\u7d42\u4e0d\u53ef\u53d6\u3002<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Show scripture (English).<\/span>

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

English:<\/h2>\n

Then the World Honoured One, addressing the bodhisattva Perfect Enlightenment, said: \u201cExcellent! Excellent! Good Son, you have questioned well to the Tath\u0101gata about these kind of expedient means in order to confer great benefit on the sentient beings. Now listen well, and I shall explain for you.\u201d The bodhisattva Perfect Enlightenment received this teaching with great joy. All those in the great assembly became silent and listened.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood Sons, among all sentient beings, whether it is when the Buddha is alive, or after he has passed away, or even during the period of the degeneration of the dharma, there are a number who have the aptitude for Mahayana and who have faith in the Buddha’s mysterious mind of great Perfect Enlightenment, and who want to practice it. If they are living in the temple with many other followers, then they have numerous commitments and so they should just analyze according to the situation, as I have already taught.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the other hand, if they are not bound by commitments then they should erect a site of enlightenment and institute an intensive retreat. A long-term retreat should be one hundred and twenty days. A medium-length retreat should be one hundred days. A short one, eighty days, sitting quietly in a pure environment. If the Buddha is present, then you can directly correct your thoughts. If he has already passed away, then set up an image of him, and letting your mind abide in the mental picture of this image, you can bring about correct mindfulness, just the same as when he was here. After hanging up the banners and flowers, go through a period of three weeks, making obeisance to the names of all the Buddhas in the ten directions repenting and confessing all of your sins. Passing through three weeks with your thoughts focused, you will encounter excellent states of consciousness, and your mind will attain pliancy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you pass through to the beginning of the retreat, then for three months you will abide in stillness, and carry out the pure quiet sitting of the bodhisattvas, with your mind free from the designs of the direct disciples and from involvements with other practitioners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you come to the day of the retreat, in front of the Buddha, say this: \u2018I, bhiksu\/bhiksuni\/upasaka\/upasika so-and-so, would board the vehicle of the bodhisattvas, cultivate their practices of cessation-extinction and enter with them into their abiding in the pure marks of the real. I take great Perfect Enlightenment as my temple, with body and mind dwelling peacefully in the wisdom of the equality of the nature. Since the self-nature of nirvana is not restricted in any way, I now respectfully pray that I may not abide in the views of the direct disciples. And I will abide for three months of quiet retreat with the tath\u0101gatas and great bodhisattvas of the ten directions. Since I will be cultivating the bodhisattva\u2019s great causes and conditions of unsurpassed marvelous enlightenment, I will not be constrained by the limitations of the other practitioners.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, this is called the bodhisattvas exemplifying silent retreat. After passing through the three terms, you can practice anywhere without obstruction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, if, when these practicing sentient beings of the degenerate age who seek the Way of the bodhisattvas enter the three meditation terms, they experience meditational states which are different from those outlined in this sutra, they should not attach to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Commentary:<\/h2>\n

On conducting meditation retreats, Buddha\u2019s answer was very concrete. He said,<\/p>\n

\u201cGood Sons, among all sentient beings, whether it is when the Buddha is alive, or after he has passed away, or even during the period of the degeneration of the dharma, there are a number who have the aptitude for Mahayana and who have faith in the Buddha’s mysterious mind of great Perfect Enlightenment, and who want to practice it. If they are living in the temple with many other followers, then they have numerous commitments and so they should just analyze according to the situation, as I have already taught.\u201d<\/p>\n

Answering the first question: On conducting meditation retreats.<\/span>

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

Temple is sa\u1e43ghar\u0101ma (\u50e7\u4f3d\u85cd\u6469 or \u4f3d\u85cd in the Chinese text). Living in the temple means it is complete with four matters: food and water, clothing, bedding, medicine. In the temple, one practices as Buddha instructed earlier. If one has other commitments and cannot live in the temple with others, one can \u201canalyze according to the situation.\u201d It means that besides living in the temple, there are other living arrangements possible for the practice. This is the expedient means for practitioners.<\/p>\n

There is a limit to the duration of a retreat. The longest is 120 days, the middle is 100 days, the shortest is 80 days. It means that there is limit to how long practitioners should gather for group practices.<\/p>\n

After Buddha had passed away, one can set up an image of him, abiding in the mental picture of this image, thinking of him, just the same as when he was here.<\/p>\n

One can also hang up banners and flowers, recite mantras and scriptures for 21 days (\u4e09\u4e03\u65e5). As well, one repents and confesses all sins, such that one\u2019s mind has become at ease. Nowadays, meditations follow the Samantabhadra\u2019s seven-aspect offering of paying homage, offering, confession, rejoice, praying for the perpetual turning of dharma-wheel, praying for Buddha\u2019s abiding, and dedication to all beings.<\/p>\n

This way, one\u2019s mind is at rest. The duration of 21 days, there is oneness of mind devoted to the practice.<\/p>\n

According to the Indian tradition, the summer retreat is three months long. During the retreat, one\u2019s mind is free from the involvement of other practitioners (\u5fc3\u96e2\u8072\u805e\u4e0d\u5047\u5f92\u773e). Therefore group meditation is not a must. However, if one commits to a group retreat, practitioners of \u015ar\u0101vaka may join.<\/p>\n

During a retreat, one makes the following vow in front of Buddha:<\/p>\n

I, bhiksu\/bhiksuni\/upasaka\/upasika so-and-so, would board the vehicle of the bodhisattvas, cultivate their practices of cessation-extinction and enter with them into their abiding in the pure marks of the real. I take great Perfect Enlightenment as my temple, with body and mind dwelling peacefully in the wisdom of the equality of the nature. Since the self-nature of nirvana is not restricted in any way, I now respectfully pray that I may not abide in the views of the direct disciples. And I will abide for three months of quiet retreat with the tath\u0101gatas and great bodhisattvas of the ten directions. Since I will be cultivating the bodhisattva\u2019s great causes and conditions of unsurpassed marvelous enlightenment, I will not be constrained by the limitations of the other practitioners.<\/p>\n

This is the bodhisattva retreat. After the designated period, one can leave as one pleases. Whether one chooses to enter a retreat or not, if the experience is different from what one is taught, one should not become attached to them. This is a warning to the practitioners regarding the maras of the mind, or in other words, one should steer clear of the four maladies (all realms that deviate from the teaching).<\/p>\n

This concludes the answer on conducting meditation retreats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Show scripture (Chinese).<\/span>

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

Chinese:<\/h2>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u8af8\u773e\u751f\u4fee\u5962\u6469\u4ed6\uff0c\u5148\u53d6\u81f3\u975c\u4e0d\u8d77\u601d\u5ff5\uff0c\u975c\u6975\u4fbf\u89ba\u3002\u5982\u662f\u521d\u975c\uff0c\u5f9e\u65bc\u4e00\u8eab\u81f3\u4e00\u4e16\u754c\uff0c\u89ba\u4ea6\u5982\u662f\u3002\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u89ba\u904d\u6eff\u4e00\u4e16\u754c\u8005\uff0c\u4e00\u4e16\u754c\u4e2d\u6709\u4e00\u773e\u751f\u8d77\u4e00\u5ff5\u8005\u7686\u6089\u80fd\u77e5\uff0c\u767e\u5343\u4e16\u754c\u4ea6\u5fa9\u5982\u662f\uff1b\u975e\u5f7c\u6240\u805e\u4e00\u5207\u5883\u754c\u7d42\u4e0d\u53ef\u53d6\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u8af8\u773e\u751f\u4fee\u4e09\u6469\u9262\u63d0\uff0c\u5148\u7576\u61b6\u60f3\u5341\u65b9\u5982\u4f86\u3001\u5341\u65b9\u4e16\u754c\u4e00\u5207\u83e9\u85a9\uff0c\u4f9d\u7a2e\u7a2e\u9580\u6f38\u6b21\u4fee\u884c\u52e4\u82e6\u4e09\u6627\uff0c\u5ee3\u767c\u5927\u9858\u81ea\u718f\u6210\u7a2e\uff1b\u975e\u5f7c\u6240\u805e\u4e00\u5207\u5883\u754c\u7d42\u4e0d\u53ef\u53d6\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u5584\u7537\u5b50\uff01\u82e5\u8af8\u773e\u751f\u4fee\u65bc\u79aa\u90a3\uff0c\u5148\u53d6\u6578\u9580\uff0c\u5fc3\u4e2d\u4e86\u77e5\u751f\u4f4f\u6ec5\u5ff5\uff0c\u5206\u9f4a\u982d\u6578\uff0c\u5982\u662f\u5468\u904d\u56db\u5a01\u5100\u4e2d\uff0c\u5206\u5225\u5ff5\u6578\u7121\u4e0d\u4e86\u77e5\uff0c\u6f38\u6b21\u589e\u9032\u4e43\u81f3\u5f97\u77e5\u767e\u5343\u4e16\u754c\u4e00\u6ef4\u4e4b\u96e8\uff0c\u7336\u5982\u76ee\u89a9\u6240\u53d7\u7528\u7269\uff1b\u975e\u5f7c\u6240\u805e\u4e00\u5207\u5883\u754c\u7d42\u4e0d\u53ef\u53d6\u3002\u662f\u540d\u4e09\u89c0\u521d\u9996\u65b9\u4fbf\u3002<\/p>\n

\u300c\u82e5\u8af8\u773e\u751f\uff0c\u904d\u4fee\u4e09\u7a2e\u52e4\u884c\u7cbe\u9032\uff0c\u5373\u540d\u5982\u4f86\u51fa\u73fe\u4e8e\u4e16\uff1b\u82e5\u5f8c\u672b\u4e16\u920d\u6839\u773e\u751f\u5fc3\u6b32\u6c42\u9053\uff0c\u4e0d\u5f97\u6210\u5c31\u7531\u6614\u696d\u969c\uff0c\u7576\u52e4\u61fa\u6094\u5e38\u8d77\u5e0c\u671b\uff0c\u5148\u65b7\u618e\u3001\u611b\u3001\u5ac9\u59ac\u3001\u8ac2\u66f2\uff0c\u6c42\u52dd\u4e0a\u5fc3\uff0c\u4e09\u7a2e\u6de8\u89c0\u96a8\u5b78\u4e00\u4e8b\uff0c\u6b64\u89c0\u4e0d\u5f97\u5fa9\u7fd2\u5f7c\u89c0\uff0c\u5fc3\u4e0d\u653e\u6368\u6f38\u6b21\u6c42\u8b49\u3002\u300d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Show scripture (English).<\/span>

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

English:<\/h2>\n

\u201cGood sons, those sentient beings who will practice \u015bamatha must first grasp perfect quiescence, not arising any cogitation. Quiescence taken to its furthest limit results directly in enlightenment. If you can have this kind of initial quiescence, then proceeding from one body, enlightenment will extend like this throughout a whole world. Good Sons, when enlightenment fully pervades a whole world, if there is one sentient being within that world who arises a single thought, all, without exception will know it. The same is true in the case of a hundred thousand worlds. If it is not one of the meditational states about which you were previously instructed, you should not attach to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, those sentient beings who want to practice sam\u0101patti should first become mindful of all the tath\u0101gatas of the ten directions and all the bodhisattvas of all the worlds in the ten directions. Depending on their various methods they should grow by degrees though practice, struggling against suffering towards sam\u0101dhi, broadly manifesting the great vow to save sentient beings, the perfumation of which creates seeds. But if it is not one of the states about which you were previously instructed, you should not attach to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood sons, if these sentient beings want to practice dhy\u0101na, they must first utilize the method of breath observance, and in the depths of their mind become fully aware of the arising, abiding and cessation of each thought. They must be clear in their discrimination of the breath count and practice it pervasively during each one of the four postures. There is no limit to how far this mindfulness of the discrimination of breaths can penetrate, as one can gradually advance to the point where he can be aware, within the domain of one hundred thousands worlds, of the falling of a single drop of rain, as if it were an object presented directly to him. But if it is really not one of the states of mind about which you were previously instructed, then afterwards you should not attach to it. These are called the introductory expedients of the three meditations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf sentient beings pervasively practice these three kinds of meditation, and keep working diligently to advance, they will be called tath\u0101gatas appearing in the world.\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cIf subsequent sentient beings of the degenerate age of dull faculties desire in their hearts to attain the Way, but somehow always fall short of their goal, it is because of karmic hindrances from the past. They must strive for penance and confession and continuously re-arise their hopes. They must first sever love and hatred, jealousy, envy, flattery and calumny and strive for the unsurpassed state of mind. Since the three types of meditation are all the investigation of the same single matter, if one meditation doesn\u2019t work, try again with one of the others. Don\u2019t let your mind dissipate, and gradually strive for actualization.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Answering the second question: On prioritizing the three meditations.<\/span>

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

Commentary:<\/h2>\n

Buddha answered the second question on how best to prioritize the three meditations.<\/p>\n

According to Buddha, any one of the three can be the initial practice. If the practitioner begins with \u015bamatha, this is the initial quiescence. In the initial quiescence, the four elements disperse and the six objects become tranquil and extinct. This way there are no longer appearances of body and mind. From the quiescence of body, enlightenment is awaken. Proceeding from one body, quiescence extends to the entire world, everything is the realization of enlightenment. \u201cWhen enlightenment fully pervades a whole world, if there is one sentient being within that world who arises a single thought, all, without exception will know it. The same is true in the case of a hundred thousand worlds.\u201d<\/p>\n

If the practitioner begins with sam\u0101patti, which is an illusory expedient practice. One visualizes all the tath\u0101gatas of the ten directions and all the bodhisattvas of all the worlds in the ten directions. \u201cDepending on the various methods they should grow by degrees though practice, \u00a0persevere in spite of suffering towards sam\u0101dhi.\u201d In sam\u0101dhi the illusory observation is cultivated to allow activities beneficial to sentient beings, which is the so-called transformation of various illusory appearances to the accomplishment of great compassion.<\/p>\n

If the practitioner begins with dhy\u0101na, one becomes aware of the breath counts to allow for the resting mind. One then observes the arising, abiding, and cessation of each thought, to penetrate through the realms of arising, abiding, and cessation. This is the observation of cessation-extinction.<\/p>\n

Subsequently, there is no longer need to remain in the seated posture. Whether one is in the midst of activities, living, sitting, or lying down, the penetrated realm of knowing arises just the same. One gradually proceeds from discrimination of breaths can penetrate, to the point where one can be aware, within the domain of one hundred thousands worlds. Even of the falling of a single drop of rain, as if it were an object directly appear in front that can be of utilized.<\/p>\n

This is the way to prioritize the three meditations.<\/p>\n

Buddha also said, \u201cIf sentient beings pervasively practice these three kinds of meditation, and keep working diligently to advance, they will be called tath\u0101gatas appearing in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

For sentient beings of dull faculties whose practice falls short of accomplishment, it is because of karma hindrances from the past. One must strive for penance and confession, and persistent in reviving one\u2019s hope for realizing perfect enlightenment. One must also sever love and hate, jealousy, envy, flattery and calumny and strive for the path. One can choose any one of the three practices. If one doesn\u2019t work, try again with one of the others. Don\u2019t give up and strive for realization gradually.<\/p>\n

The above instructions align with the sayings in Candraprad\u012bpasam\u0101dhi<\/em>.<\/p>\n

This concludes the answers to Perfect Enlightenment.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

\u5713\u89ba\u6c5d\u7576\u77e5\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u4e00\u5207\u8af8\u773e\u751f\uff0c
\n\u6b32\u6c42\u7121\u4e0a\u9053\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u5148\u7576\u7d50\u4e09\u671f\uff0c
\n\u61fa\u6094\u7121\u59cb\u696d\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u7d93\u65bc\u4e09\u4e03\u65e5\uff0c
\n\u7136\u5f8c\u6b63\u601d\u60df\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u975e\u5f7c\u6240\u805e\u5883\uff0c
\n\u7562\u7adf\u4e0d\u53ef\u53d6\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u5962\u6469\u4ed6\u81f3\u975c\uff0c
\n\u4e09\u6469\u6b63\u61b6\u6301\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u79aa\u90a3\u660e\u6578\u9580\uff0c
\n\u662f\u540d\u4e09\u6de8\u89c0\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u82e5\u80fd\u52e4\u4fee\u7fd2\uff0c
\n\u662f\u540d\u4f5b\u51fa\u4e16\u3002\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u920d\u6839\u672a\u6210\u8005\uff0c
\n\u5e38\u7576\u52e4\u5fc3\u61fa\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u7121\u59cb\u4e00\u5207\u7f6a\uff0c
\n\u8af8\u969c\u82e5\u92b7\u6ec5\uff0c\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u4f5b\u5883\u4fbf\u73fe\u524d\u3002<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The concluding verse for the section (English).<\/span>

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

English:<\/h2>\n

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

Perfect Enlightenment, you should know
\nThat all sentient beings
\nWho want to seek the unsurpassed
\nMust, at the outset of the three retreats
\nRepent of, and admit their beginningless actions
\nFor a period of three weeks;
\nThereupon they will have correct thought.
\nBut if they do not experience the states as they have been taught
\nThey should not grasp them.
\nIn \u015bamatha, perfect quiescence;
\nIn samapatti, correct mindfulness;
\nIn dhy\u0101na, clear observance of the breath.
\nThese are called the three purifying meditations.
\nThose who diligently practice
\nAre called Buddhas appearing in the world.
\nThose of dull faculties who cannot bring this into effect
\nMust continuously strive at repentance
\nOf their beginningless crimes.
\nWhen all hindrances are extinguished
\nThe Buddha-state appears before your eyes.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

A summary.<\/span>

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

Commentary:<\/h2>\n

The verse begins with the three retreats, then the three practices as the meditations in retreat. For dull faculties whose retreats do not lead to accomplishment, one should repent and confess their sins, then vow to follow the path to enlightenment. Most people nowadays have difficulties going on retreats, one then can follow the scripture, to not become attached to anything that one is not instructed. If one persists this way, whether in meditation or in everyday living, there is for sure a way leading towards perfect enlightenment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Commentary: On conducting meditation retreats, Buddha\u2019s answer was very concrete. He said, \u201cGood Sons, among all sentient beings, whether it is when the Buddha is alive, or after he has passed away, or even...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1301,"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\/1300"}],"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=1300"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1307,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1300\/revisions\/1307"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbatoronto.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}