How should a Buddhist practitioner approach the Scientific Concept of Development--Master Zhenlin
To practice the scientific concept of development requires that we stay practical, down-to-earth, and hold on to the principle of seeking truth from facts. It requires that we refrain from formalism but should focus on finding the facts through study and investigation while at the same time taking into consideration our own capability and nature of the work. It requires that we stay in compliance with the law that governs how everything evolves, while making our due efforts towards the goals without getting deviated from the law.
A Buddhist practitioner should, first of all, keep reflecting inwardly, and find out the weaknesses in his personality and characters. He should cultivate with a singular focus, and make a conscious effort to control his mind and attitude so that weaknesses won’t create afflictions for him in life, work, and cultivation.
Second, he should refrain from emulating others out of vanity or jealousy, but should have a clear understanding about himself. Be practical, and keep cultivating in a step-by-step manner. Do not get impatient or anxious to achieve something. Such a negative attitude can breed distress.
Last but not least, undertake charitable actions according to his capability. He shall get a better understanding of “practicing giving and giving up” from the charitable deeds!
May 7, 2009
May 5, 2009
Verse for Opening a Sutra --with commentary by Master Zhenlin
Verse for Opening a Sutra --with commentary by Master Zhenlin
The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma,
Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons,
I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it,
And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
You must have recited before.. Most of you present at the Dharma Assembly today have done so.
Who wrote the four-line verse? It was written by Wu Zetian, the Empress in Tang Dynasty. The Verse is so well-written, so wonderful, so sublime and so classic that it is used by all of us. We need to cherish the same sincerity as she did when reciting it, though. Don’t just recite it without using the mind, or as is described in the saying, “the little monk who simply mumbles the prayers without showing his sincerity.” We won’t evoke any response if without sincerity.
“The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma”: The Buddhist sutra is beyond comparison. Nothing surpasses it! It is so supreme! So profound! So helpful to us! This is what the line means.
“wonderful Dharma”: It is very subtle. You can’t even feel just exactly how wondeful it is. It can be applied in every aspect of our life! It is so useful! Inexpressibly wondeful! You need to express the feelings when reciting it!
“Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons”:
That you are able to listen to Dharma talks in the present life does not mean you get to hear it again in the next life. If you do not apply good efforts to cultivating the Buddha Dharma, you will not be reborn a human! Perhaps you’d fall into the Avici Hell and stay there fore one thousand eons, which equals to one thousand lives, and get reborn as a dog, cat, earthworm, or maggot…Will you still get the chance to hear Dharma talks? You won’t! “in hundreds of millions of eons”: it is very rare that we encounter the Buddha Dharma in a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand lives!
“I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it”:
So lucky that we get born as humans in the present life and get to hear the Dharma today! It is so great! What’s next since we are now able to hear it, receive and uphold it?
“And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning”:
I wish I could understand truly what the Buddha has said. It is rather difficult to understand the Buddhist scriptures. Why are there so few masters explaining the scriptures nowadays? Most masters do not understand the true meaning. This is so because there is in fact nothing to be said of the Buddha Dharma. Shakyamuni Buddha expounded it by drawing analogies. If we study it literally, we only get to know the literal meanings. We don’t get the truth behind the lines. That’s why we want to vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
Take the offerings of incense sticks for example. Many of you are told that you may burn five incense sticks before the Buddha image. In fact, it is not the incense sticks that matter but rather the incense in your heart. To be specific, they represent precepts, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and liberation of wisdom. If you don’t get the point, you not only pollute the air, but will never reach Buddhahood. Nevertheless, I don’t mean it is useless to offer incense sticks. People do accumulate merits and virtues doing so. By the time they fall into the ghost realm, the merits and virtues shall make it easier for them.
The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma,
Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons,
I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it,
And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
You must have recited before.. Most of you present at the Dharma Assembly today have done so.
Who wrote the four-line verse? It was written by Wu Zetian, the Empress in Tang Dynasty. The Verse is so well-written, so wonderful, so sublime and so classic that it is used by all of us. We need to cherish the same sincerity as she did when reciting it, though. Don’t just recite it without using the mind, or as is described in the saying, “the little monk who simply mumbles the prayers without showing his sincerity.” We won’t evoke any response if without sincerity.
“The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma”: The Buddhist sutra is beyond comparison. Nothing surpasses it! It is so supreme! So profound! So helpful to us! This is what the line means.
“wonderful Dharma”: It is very subtle. You can’t even feel just exactly how wondeful it is. It can be applied in every aspect of our life! It is so useful! Inexpressibly wondeful! You need to express the feelings when reciting it!
“Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons”:
That you are able to listen to Dharma talks in the present life does not mean you get to hear it again in the next life. If you do not apply good efforts to cultivating the Buddha Dharma, you will not be reborn a human! Perhaps you’d fall into the Avici Hell and stay there fore one thousand eons, which equals to one thousand lives, and get reborn as a dog, cat, earthworm, or maggot…Will you still get the chance to hear Dharma talks? You won’t! “in hundreds of millions of eons”: it is very rare that we encounter the Buddha Dharma in a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand lives!
“I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it”:
So lucky that we get born as humans in the present life and get to hear the Dharma today! It is so great! What’s next since we are now able to hear it, receive and uphold it?
“And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning”:
I wish I could understand truly what the Buddha has said. It is rather difficult to understand the Buddhist scriptures. Why are there so few masters explaining the scriptures nowadays? Most masters do not understand the true meaning. This is so because there is in fact nothing to be said of the Buddha Dharma. Shakyamuni Buddha expounded it by drawing analogies. If we study it literally, we only get to know the literal meanings. We don’t get the truth behind the lines. That’s why we want to vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
Take the offerings of incense sticks for example. Many of you are told that you may burn five incense sticks before the Buddha image. In fact, it is not the incense sticks that matter but rather the incense in your heart. To be specific, they represent precepts, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and liberation of wisdom. If you don’t get the point, you not only pollute the air, but will never reach Buddhahood. Nevertheless, I don’t mean it is useless to offer incense sticks. People do accumulate merits and virtues doing so. By the time they fall into the ghost realm, the merits and virtues shall make it easier for them.
The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma,
Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons,
I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it,
And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
You must have recited before.. Most of you present at the Dharma Assembly today have done so.
Who wrote the four-line verse? It was written by Wu Zetian, the Empress in Tang Dynasty. The Verse is so well-written, so wonderful, so sublime and so classic that it is used by all of us. We need to cherish the same sincerity as she did when reciting it, though. Don’t just recite it without using the mind, or as is described in the saying, “the little monk who simply mumbles the prayers without showing his sincerity.” We won’t evoke any response if without sincerity.
“The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma”: The Buddhist sutra is beyond comparison. Nothing surpasses it! It is so supreme! So profound! So helpful to us! This is what the line means.
“wonderful Dharma”: It is very subtle. You can’t even feel just exactly how wondeful it is. It can be applied in every aspect of our life! It is so useful! Inexpressibly wondeful! You need to express the feelings when reciting it!
“Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons”:
That you are able to listen to Dharma talks in the present life does not mean you get to hear it again in the next life. If you do not apply good efforts to cultivating the Buddha Dharma, you will not be reborn a human! Perhaps you’d fall into the Avici Hell and stay there fore one thousand eons, which equals to one thousand lives, and get reborn as a dog, cat, earthworm, or maggot…Will you still get the chance to hear Dharma talks? You won’t! “in hundreds of millions of eons”: it is very rare that we encounter the Buddha Dharma in a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand lives!
“I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it”:
So lucky that we get born as humans in the present life and get to hear the Dharma today! It is so great! What’s next since we are now able to hear it, receive and uphold it?
“And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning”:
I wish I could understand truly what the Buddha has said. It is rather difficult to understand the Buddhist scriptures. Why are there so few masters explaining the scriptures nowadays? Most masters do not understand the true meaning. This is so because there is in fact nothing to be said of the Buddha Dharma. Shakyamuni Buddha expounded it by drawing analogies. If we study it literally, we only get to know the literal meanings. We don’t get the truth behind the lines. That’s why we want to vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
Take the offerings of incense sticks for example. Many of you are told that you may burn five incense sticks before the Buddha image. In fact, it is not the incense sticks that matter but rather the incense in your heart. To be specific, they represent precepts, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and liberation of wisdom. If you don’t get the point, you not only pollute the air, but will never reach Buddhahood. Nevertheless, I don’t mean it is useless to offer incense sticks. People do accumulate merits and virtues doing so. By the time they fall into the ghost realm, the merits and virtues shall make it easier for them.
The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma,
Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons,
I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it,
And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
You must have recited before.. Most of you present at the Dharma Assembly today have done so.
Who wrote the four-line verse? It was written by Wu Zetian, the Empress in Tang Dynasty. The Verse is so well-written, so wonderful, so sublime and so classic that it is used by all of us. We need to cherish the same sincerity as she did when reciting it, though. Don’t just recite it without using the mind, or as is described in the saying, “the little monk who simply mumbles the prayers without showing his sincerity.” We won’t evoke any response if without sincerity.
“The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma”: The Buddhist sutra is beyond comparison. Nothing surpasses it! It is so supreme! So profound! So helpful to us! This is what the line means.
“wonderful Dharma”: It is very subtle. You can’t even feel just exactly how wondeful it is. It can be applied in every aspect of our life! It is so useful! Inexpressibly wondeful! You need to express the feelings when reciting it!
“Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons”:
That you are able to listen to Dharma talks in the present life does not mean you get to hear it again in the next life. If you do not apply good efforts to cultivating the Buddha Dharma, you will not be reborn a human! Perhaps you’d fall into the Avici Hell and stay there fore one thousand eons, which equals to one thousand lives, and get reborn as a dog, cat, earthworm, or maggot…Will you still get the chance to hear Dharma talks? You won’t! “in hundreds of millions of eons”: it is very rare that we encounter the Buddha Dharma in a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand lives!
“I now see and hera it, receive and uphold it”:
So lucky that we get born as humans in the present life and get to hear the Dharma today! It is so great! What’s next since we are now able to hear it, receive and uphold it?
“And I vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning”:
I wish I could understand truly what the Buddha has said. It is rather difficult to understand the Buddhist scriptures. Why are there so few masters explaining the scriptures nowadays? Most masters do not understand the true meaning. This is so because there is in fact nothing to be said of the Buddha Dharma. Shakyamuni Buddha expounded it by drawing analogies. If we study it literally, we only get to know the literal meanings. We don’t get the truth behind the lines. That’s why we want to vow to fathom the Tathagata’s true meaning.
Take the offerings of incense sticks for example. Many of you are told that you may burn five incense sticks before the Buddha image. In fact, it is not the incense sticks that matter but rather the incense in your heart. To be specific, they represent precepts, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and liberation of wisdom. If you don’t get the point, you not only pollute the air, but will never reach Buddhahood. Nevertheless, I don’t mean it is useless to offer incense sticks. People do accumulate merits and virtues doing so. By the time they fall into the ghost realm, the merits and virtues shall make it easier for them.
May 2, 2009
On Kowtown and 32 Marks --Master Zhenlin
Casting the five limbs to the earth: to put down the five skandhas, which results in the emptiness of forms, feelings, cognition, formation, and consciousness.
Three kowtows: to put down the three poisons of greed, hatred, and ignorance.
One kowtow: to cast away the mind of arrogance by touching one’s forehead on the ground.
Placing the palms together: to achieve One by integrating Ying and Yang. Single-mindfulness brings out the Bodhi mind.
People are attached to the mark. They imitate others without knowing the meanings behind it. That is why many have kowtowed to the extent of hurting their head and still yet to attain enlightenment. They do accumulate merits and virtues by doing so, though.
Standing with one palm erect: to hold on to single-mindfulness and bring forth the Bodhi resolve.
Christian rituals also speak the Dharma. They say Amen and make the sign of cross to remind people to keep their mind at peace and put it down.
The 32 marks: the 32 marks do not manifest any specific physical features. Whoever endowed with the 32 marks is always liked, admired, and revered.
Only the Buddha and the Wheel-turning King are endowed with the 32 marks. They come to the secular world to rescue the beings from suffering.
When a Buddha is born in the secular world, He manifests as a left-home person and cuts off from the five desires.
The Wheel-turning King comes to the world not as a left-home but a householder cultivator who does not cut off the five desires in appearance.
People with good roots are filled with joy once they encounter the Buddha Dharma. People without the roots are not.
Three kowtows: to put down the three poisons of greed, hatred, and ignorance.
One kowtow: to cast away the mind of arrogance by touching one’s forehead on the ground.
Placing the palms together: to achieve One by integrating Ying and Yang. Single-mindfulness brings out the Bodhi mind.
People are attached to the mark. They imitate others without knowing the meanings behind it. That is why many have kowtowed to the extent of hurting their head and still yet to attain enlightenment. They do accumulate merits and virtues by doing so, though.
Standing with one palm erect: to hold on to single-mindfulness and bring forth the Bodhi resolve.
Christian rituals also speak the Dharma. They say Amen and make the sign of cross to remind people to keep their mind at peace and put it down.
The 32 marks: the 32 marks do not manifest any specific physical features. Whoever endowed with the 32 marks is always liked, admired, and revered.
Only the Buddha and the Wheel-turning King are endowed with the 32 marks. They come to the secular world to rescue the beings from suffering.
When a Buddha is born in the secular world, He manifests as a left-home person and cuts off from the five desires.
The Wheel-turning King comes to the world not as a left-home but a householder cultivator who does not cut off the five desires in appearance.
People with good roots are filled with joy once they encounter the Buddha Dharma. People without the roots are not.
Apr 30, 2009
Be Compliant--Master Zhenlin
Master was talking about building the Bamboo Garden at the Sina UC Chatting Room, where he meets the disciples and Buddhist practitioners every night, when he said, as if jokingly, that it is to “Put into practice the Scientific Concept of Development.”
Zhijing (disciple) even got the "audacity" to ask Master, "What in your view is the core of the Scientific Concept of Development?"
Master explained, "To practice Buddha Dharma with a scientific concept of development is to apply real efforts to cultivation to improve and transcend ourselves, and make our due contributions as a Buddhist believer to building a harmonious community and world.
The great Way is found in the secular world. Being able to adapt to the world is inherent in our nature.
As the socialist development is still in its infancy in China, it is necessary that we equip ourselves with the socialist theory of Chinese characteristics. The government is supportive of religious freedom, but it is not the kind of liberalism that some wrongly assume. Therefore, we need to not only apply real efforts to practicing the Buddha Dharmar, but should also contribute to charity in ways we all can to make the compassion of the Buddha felt by more.
In the Vajra Sutra, the Buddha reminds us of the need to stay in accord with conditions and that our mind, however, should not dwell on anything, like the sailing clouds and flowing water leaving behind not any trace though having been there. Staying in accord with what is required of us in the secular world is the great Way of cultivation. "
Xuehuomuji(disciple) comment:
Master is never involved in politics. People tend to look at him as a reclusive who knows little about what is going on in the world.
It is not so. True, Master is never involved in politics. This is the code of conduct required of a genuine Dharma Master who is well cultivated.
This does not mean he knows nothing about politics. Master knows well all the marks of the world, of the Three Realms, of all the Buddhalands, and the state of the Thus Come One.
He sees in Mao Zedong the superb concentration of a great man, and therefore went into details talking about Chairman Mao in his Commentary of the Buddha Speaks the Eight-Yang Spiritual Mantra Sutra of Heaven and Earth
He finds in President Hu Jintao harmony, an essence of the Buddha Dharma, and therefore firmly upholds and practices the concept of Building a Harmonious Society. He advocates harmony of all religions, and took to give his commentary on The Forty-nine Sections of the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginnings.
Now that Master has introduced into the Buddha Dharma the Scientific Concept of Development and the Theory of Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to help his disciples realize that Buddha Dharma exists in every aspect of our life. Stay in accord with what is required of us by the community, keep in pace with the times, and contribute to the community with compassion and kindness. This is the spirit of the Buddha, and also what we disciples of Him are obliged to do.
Zhijing (disciple) even got the "audacity" to ask Master, "What in your view is the core of the Scientific Concept of Development?"
Master explained, "To practice Buddha Dharma with a scientific concept of development is to apply real efforts to cultivation to improve and transcend ourselves, and make our due contributions as a Buddhist believer to building a harmonious community and world.
The great Way is found in the secular world. Being able to adapt to the world is inherent in our nature.
As the socialist development is still in its infancy in China, it is necessary that we equip ourselves with the socialist theory of Chinese characteristics. The government is supportive of religious freedom, but it is not the kind of liberalism that some wrongly assume. Therefore, we need to not only apply real efforts to practicing the Buddha Dharmar, but should also contribute to charity in ways we all can to make the compassion of the Buddha felt by more.
In the Vajra Sutra, the Buddha reminds us of the need to stay in accord with conditions and that our mind, however, should not dwell on anything, like the sailing clouds and flowing water leaving behind not any trace though having been there. Staying in accord with what is required of us in the secular world is the great Way of cultivation. "
Xuehuomuji(disciple) comment:
Master is never involved in politics. People tend to look at him as a reclusive who knows little about what is going on in the world.
It is not so. True, Master is never involved in politics. This is the code of conduct required of a genuine Dharma Master who is well cultivated.
This does not mean he knows nothing about politics. Master knows well all the marks of the world, of the Three Realms, of all the Buddhalands, and the state of the Thus Come One.
He sees in Mao Zedong the superb concentration of a great man, and therefore went into details talking about Chairman Mao in his Commentary of the Buddha Speaks the Eight-Yang Spiritual Mantra Sutra of Heaven and Earth
He finds in President Hu Jintao harmony, an essence of the Buddha Dharma, and therefore firmly upholds and practices the concept of Building a Harmonious Society. He advocates harmony of all religions, and took to give his commentary on The Forty-nine Sections of the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginnings.
Now that Master has introduced into the Buddha Dharma the Scientific Concept of Development and the Theory of Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to help his disciples realize that Buddha Dharma exists in every aspect of our life. Stay in accord with what is required of us by the community, keep in pace with the times, and contribute to the community with compassion and kindness. This is the spirit of the Buddha, and also what we disciples of Him are obliged to do.
Apr 29, 2009
The Rules for a Dharma Master --Master Zhenlin
A Dharma master has both genuine command of the Buddha Dharma and acts as the standard of excellence in his cultivation of it. “Dharma” refers to the Buddha Dharma. He has been enlightened to it through real life experience and practice, and in fact, is expert in all the Dharmas. A“Master” is a teacher, someone who passes down the knowledge, skills, resolves bewilderment and doubts for the students. A teacher should provide guidance to his students on how to cultivate so that they do not get lost or to the deviated path.
There is a set of four rules for a Dharma Master.
First he should abide by the practices and associations proper for bodhisattvas. Manjushri, what do I mean by the practices of a bodhisattva? If a bodhisattva takes his stand on perseverance, is gentle and compliant, never violent, and never alarmed in mind; and if with regard to phenomena he takes no action but observes the true entirety of phenomena without acting or making any distinction, then this one might call the practices of a bodhisattva.
As for the associations proper for them, bodhisattvas should not associate closely with high government officials. They should not associate closely those who compose books extolling the heretics. They should not engage in various kinds of illusionary entertainment such as fortune-telling or sorcery, or with slaughtering of pigs, sheep, chickens or dogs, or with hunting or fishing or other evil activities. If such persons at times come to a Dharma Master, then he may preach the Dharma for them, but should expect nothing from it. He should not, when preaching the Dharma to women, do so in a manner that could arouse thoughts of desire in them, nor should he delight in seeing them. If he should preach the Dharma for a woman, he should not bear his teeth in laughter or let his chest become exposed. He should constantly take pleasure in sitting in meditation, being in quiet surroundings and learning to still his mind.
The bodhisattvas view all phenomena as empty, that being their true entity. They do not turn upside down, do not move, do not regress, do not revolve. They are like empty space, without innate nature, beyond the reach of all words. They are not born, do not emerge, do not arise. They are without name, without form, without true being. They are without volume, without limits, without hindrance, without barriers. It is only through causes and conditions that they exist, and come to be taken upside down, to be born.
2-When a Dharma Master opens his mouth to expound or when he reads the sutra, he should not delight in speaking of the faults of other people or scriptures. He should not display contempt for other Dharma masters or speak of other people's tastes or shortcomings. With regard to other cultivators, he should not refer to them by name and describe their faults, or name them and praise their good points. Also he should not allow his mind to become filled with resentment or hatred. Because he is good at cultivating this kind of peaceful mind, his listeners will not oppose his ideas. If he is asked difficult questions, he should explain things solely in terms of the Great Vehicle so that people will be able to acquire wisdom embracing all species.
3-He must not harbor a mind marked by jealousy, fawning or deceit. And he must not be contemptuous of or revile those who study the Buddha way or seek out their shortcomings. He must not trouble them by causing them to have doubts or regrets, by saying to them, 'You are far removed from the way and in the end will never be able to attain wisdom embracing all species. ' Also he should never engage in frivolous debate over the various doctrines or dispute or wrangle over them. With regard to all living beings he should think of them with great compassion. With regard to the Thus Come Ones, think of them as kindly fathers; with regard to the bodhisattvas, think of them as great teachers. Toward the great bodhisattvas of the ten directions at all times maintain a serious mind, paying them due reverence and obeisance. To all living beings preach the Dharma and in an equitable manner. Because a person is heedful of the Dharma, that does not mean he should vary the amount of preaching. Even to those who show a profound love for the Dharma one should not on that account preach at greater length.
4-He should cultivate a mind of great compassion toward the believers who are still in the household or those who have left the home-life. He should also cultivate a mind of compassion towards those who do not study the Buddha way and realizes that their failing to get access to the Buddha Dharma cuts them off the access to the great treasure. Though these persons do not inquire about, do not believe and do not understand it, when he has attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, wherever he happens to be, he will employ his transcendental powers and the power of wisdom to draw them to him to cause them to abide in this Dharma. A Dharma Master who succeeds in carrying out this fourth set of rules shall commit no errors in his preaching of the Dharma.
If a Dharma master can abide fully by the set of four rules, then heavenly beings and householders will constantly offer them alms and will revere, respect and praise him and his preach of the Dharma constantly causes the listeners to rejoice. A Dharma master like this has immeasurable and boundless merits and virtues, beyond any comparison like the empty space.
Thanks: The translation of the article is done in reference to the English version of the Lotus Sutra by Mr. Burton Watson.
There is a set of four rules for a Dharma Master.
First he should abide by the practices and associations proper for bodhisattvas. Manjushri, what do I mean by the practices of a bodhisattva? If a bodhisattva takes his stand on perseverance, is gentle and compliant, never violent, and never alarmed in mind; and if with regard to phenomena he takes no action but observes the true entirety of phenomena without acting or making any distinction, then this one might call the practices of a bodhisattva.
As for the associations proper for them, bodhisattvas should not associate closely with high government officials. They should not associate closely those who compose books extolling the heretics. They should not engage in various kinds of illusionary entertainment such as fortune-telling or sorcery, or with slaughtering of pigs, sheep, chickens or dogs, or with hunting or fishing or other evil activities. If such persons at times come to a Dharma Master, then he may preach the Dharma for them, but should expect nothing from it. He should not, when preaching the Dharma to women, do so in a manner that could arouse thoughts of desire in them, nor should he delight in seeing them. If he should preach the Dharma for a woman, he should not bear his teeth in laughter or let his chest become exposed. He should constantly take pleasure in sitting in meditation, being in quiet surroundings and learning to still his mind.
The bodhisattvas view all phenomena as empty, that being their true entity. They do not turn upside down, do not move, do not regress, do not revolve. They are like empty space, without innate nature, beyond the reach of all words. They are not born, do not emerge, do not arise. They are without name, without form, without true being. They are without volume, without limits, without hindrance, without barriers. It is only through causes and conditions that they exist, and come to be taken upside down, to be born.
2-When a Dharma Master opens his mouth to expound or when he reads the sutra, he should not delight in speaking of the faults of other people or scriptures. He should not display contempt for other Dharma masters or speak of other people's tastes or shortcomings. With regard to other cultivators, he should not refer to them by name and describe their faults, or name them and praise their good points. Also he should not allow his mind to become filled with resentment or hatred. Because he is good at cultivating this kind of peaceful mind, his listeners will not oppose his ideas. If he is asked difficult questions, he should explain things solely in terms of the Great Vehicle so that people will be able to acquire wisdom embracing all species.
3-He must not harbor a mind marked by jealousy, fawning or deceit. And he must not be contemptuous of or revile those who study the Buddha way or seek out their shortcomings. He must not trouble them by causing them to have doubts or regrets, by saying to them, 'You are far removed from the way and in the end will never be able to attain wisdom embracing all species. ' Also he should never engage in frivolous debate over the various doctrines or dispute or wrangle over them. With regard to all living beings he should think of them with great compassion. With regard to the Thus Come Ones, think of them as kindly fathers; with regard to the bodhisattvas, think of them as great teachers. Toward the great bodhisattvas of the ten directions at all times maintain a serious mind, paying them due reverence and obeisance. To all living beings preach the Dharma and in an equitable manner. Because a person is heedful of the Dharma, that does not mean he should vary the amount of preaching. Even to those who show a profound love for the Dharma one should not on that account preach at greater length.
4-He should cultivate a mind of great compassion toward the believers who are still in the household or those who have left the home-life. He should also cultivate a mind of compassion towards those who do not study the Buddha way and realizes that their failing to get access to the Buddha Dharma cuts them off the access to the great treasure. Though these persons do not inquire about, do not believe and do not understand it, when he has attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, wherever he happens to be, he will employ his transcendental powers and the power of wisdom to draw them to him to cause them to abide in this Dharma. A Dharma Master who succeeds in carrying out this fourth set of rules shall commit no errors in his preaching of the Dharma.
If a Dharma master can abide fully by the set of four rules, then heavenly beings and householders will constantly offer them alms and will revere, respect and praise him and his preach of the Dharma constantly causes the listeners to rejoice. A Dharma master like this has immeasurable and boundless merits and virtues, beyond any comparison like the empty space.
Thanks: The translation of the article is done in reference to the English version of the Lotus Sutra by Mr. Burton Watson.
Apr 26, 2009
The Pray from Her Heart -- by Zhitong (Zhenlin Disciple)
Background
Lingsan, aged 69, paralyzed by a stroke five months ago. By simply chanting “Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva”, repenting and praying everyday, and staying vegetarian, she has now recovered very well to the extent of being able to walk with the support of her son, without having to take any medication.
Zhitong, Lingsan’s son, who quit his decent job to take care of his paralyzed mom.
The Pray from Her Heart -- by Zhitong
Lingsan had a hard time suffering from toothache and oral ulcer the other day. Zhitong joined her in praying, and asking for the Bodhisattva for a bestowal of power to ease her pain. This is how Lingsan prayed:
"Earth Store Bodhisattva, your energy is omnipresent, and your power omnipotent. I am ready to receive your power and energy. Could you please inject them into my oral cavity and teeth, to heal the ulcer and toothache? Could you please help me?
Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva!
Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva!
Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva!
If what I have said is true with no falsity, may my pray and wish be granted, immediately!"
It did work!
After that, Lingsan always asks Earth Store Bodhisattva for help, either when she feels uncomfortable in the stomache, leg, or when dust runs into her eyes. Earth Store Bodhisattva always helps her solve the troubles. She is really happy now!
Lingsan is now in the habit of thinking over how Earth Store Bodhisattva has again helped her during the day!
Zhirong’s commentary on the article:
It reminds me of the story in the Sutra of Longevity, where the woman Confusion said to the Buddha.
"If I were to falsely lie to you, may I be again chased and tormented by the ghastly ghost of Impermanence. If what I have said is true with no falsity, before The Buddha, may the wounds on my body be even and as smooth as before, immediately!" After she had made the vows, her body recovered immediately just as before.
What you wrote in the article is consistent with the sutra story.
Not only so, the ending paragraph of the article provides yet another valuable food for thought, that it helps to increase our faith significantly if we develop the habit of thinking over on a daily basis what the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas help us on that day.
What a valuable article you have written! My best gratitude and salute to you!
Zhitong’s Commentary on the article:
Why is it that the wish made before the Buddha is not granted immediately? It is because of doubt. The Buddha is always around to bestow power onto us, but the power won’t find its way into our body and mind if we harbour doubt about it. The doubt is like a heavy stone that blocks the Buddha’s energy away. How to remove the stone? Read the article, and you shall find the answer.
Amitabha-Buddha!
Lingsan, aged 69, paralyzed by a stroke five months ago. By simply chanting “Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva”, repenting and praying everyday, and staying vegetarian, she has now recovered very well to the extent of being able to walk with the support of her son, without having to take any medication.
Zhitong, Lingsan’s son, who quit his decent job to take care of his paralyzed mom.
The Pray from Her Heart -- by Zhitong
Lingsan had a hard time suffering from toothache and oral ulcer the other day. Zhitong joined her in praying, and asking for the Bodhisattva for a bestowal of power to ease her pain. This is how Lingsan prayed:
"Earth Store Bodhisattva, your energy is omnipresent, and your power omnipotent. I am ready to receive your power and energy. Could you please inject them into my oral cavity and teeth, to heal the ulcer and toothache? Could you please help me?
Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva!
Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva!
Namo Earth Store Bodhisattva!
If what I have said is true with no falsity, may my pray and wish be granted, immediately!"
It did work!
After that, Lingsan always asks Earth Store Bodhisattva for help, either when she feels uncomfortable in the stomache, leg, or when dust runs into her eyes. Earth Store Bodhisattva always helps her solve the troubles. She is really happy now!
Lingsan is now in the habit of thinking over how Earth Store Bodhisattva has again helped her during the day!
Zhirong’s commentary on the article:
It reminds me of the story in the Sutra of Longevity, where the woman Confusion said to the Buddha.
"If I were to falsely lie to you, may I be again chased and tormented by the ghastly ghost of Impermanence. If what I have said is true with no falsity, before The Buddha, may the wounds on my body be even and as smooth as before, immediately!" After she had made the vows, her body recovered immediately just as before.
What you wrote in the article is consistent with the sutra story.
Not only so, the ending paragraph of the article provides yet another valuable food for thought, that it helps to increase our faith significantly if we develop the habit of thinking over on a daily basis what the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas help us on that day.
What a valuable article you have written! My best gratitude and salute to you!
Zhitong’s Commentary on the article:
Why is it that the wish made before the Buddha is not granted immediately? It is because of doubt. The Buddha is always around to bestow power onto us, but the power won’t find its way into our body and mind if we harbour doubt about it. The doubt is like a heavy stone that blocks the Buddha’s energy away. How to remove the stone? Read the article, and you shall find the answer.
Amitabha-Buddha!
Apr 25, 2009
Back to work tomorrow!-- Lingwang
I was diagnosed with small cell cancer last October, considered a most serious and deadly cancer. Fortunately, I soon got to know Master Zhenlin and became his disciple after I fell ill. Upon his instruction, I keep reciting Please scroll down fthe Sutra of Longevity and vegetarian. Now that I am recovered, I will get back to work tomorrow.
It has been quite a period for me. At the very beginning after I was diagnosed with cancer, I was just struck by utter fear and pain, the fear for death and the pain brought by the disease. I had no idea how long I could survive, nor how I’d look even if I should survive, as mine was vicious tumor in the left mandible. All I could do was cry, crying when asleep and awake.
or the English versi
It all changed after I got to know Master Zhenlin.Please scroll down f
Master asked me simply to keep reciting the Sutra of Longevity everyday and stay vegetarian, and that I can for sure beat the disease, no matter how deadly it is. I do exactly as Master has instructed. As it turns out, the recovery has been very smooth. I did not take any medication nor tonic, or any meat food. Believe it or not, not only am I recovered, but more beautiful than before I got sick!
“Would I come to practice the Buddha Dharma had I not been sick?” I once thought to myself.！
Nevertheless, life does not recognize “if”. We cultivators of the Buddha Dharma should not take life from an “if” perspective, either.
I’d rather apply the word “fortunately”.
Fortunately, I got sick with cancer, thanks to which, I got to know Master Zhenlin and became his disciple and rejoin our great family. Now a Buddhist cultivator who upholds the Sutra of Longevity, I am happier and healthier than ever before, and always filled with the joy of Dharma!
I spent last month in Flying-to-Heaven Cave, the Wayplace of Master. I take it as a bonus to me by the Buddhas as a result of my once being so sick. I was able to witness myself how kind, compassionate, wise Master is and he just never discriminates. Everyday I am immersed in the Buddha lights and enlightened to many truths. I would have stayed much longer there had Master not “repelled” me. He reminds me that true cultivation is done in the secular world. Since I am now recovered, I should get back to it, to both ferry myself and others over.
By Zhenlin Disciple Ling Wang On March 30, 2009
It has been quite a period for me. At the very beginning after I was diagnosed with cancer, I was just struck by utter fear and pain, the fear for death and the pain brought by the disease. I had no idea how long I could survive, nor how I’d look even if I should survive, as mine was vicious tumor in the left mandible. All I could do was cry, crying when asleep and awake.
or the English versi
It all changed after I got to know Master Zhenlin.Please scroll down f
Master asked me simply to keep reciting the Sutra of Longevity everyday and stay vegetarian, and that I can for sure beat the disease, no matter how deadly it is. I do exactly as Master has instructed. As it turns out, the recovery has been very smooth. I did not take any medication nor tonic, or any meat food. Believe it or not, not only am I recovered, but more beautiful than before I got sick!
“Would I come to practice the Buddha Dharma had I not been sick?” I once thought to myself.！
Nevertheless, life does not recognize “if”. We cultivators of the Buddha Dharma should not take life from an “if” perspective, either.
I’d rather apply the word “fortunately”.
Fortunately, I got sick with cancer, thanks to which, I got to know Master Zhenlin and became his disciple and rejoin our great family. Now a Buddhist cultivator who upholds the Sutra of Longevity, I am happier and healthier than ever before, and always filled with the joy of Dharma!
I spent last month in Flying-to-Heaven Cave, the Wayplace of Master. I take it as a bonus to me by the Buddhas as a result of my once being so sick. I was able to witness myself how kind, compassionate, wise Master is and he just never discriminates. Everyday I am immersed in the Buddha lights and enlightened to many truths. I would have stayed much longer there had Master not “repelled” me. He reminds me that true cultivation is done in the secular world. Since I am now recovered, I should get back to it, to both ferry myself and others over.
By Zhenlin Disciple Ling Wang On March 30, 2009
Apr 24, 2009
The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas 4
The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas
A General Explanation By Venerable Master Zhenlin
English Translation of the Sutra Text by Rulu
(http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra03.html)
English Translation of the Commentary by Zhenlin Disciples
Master Zhenlin's Commentary on the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas (IV)
Text:
"Suppose a person has been born into a poor family because of his karma of stinginess and greed. His clothing cannot cover his body and his food cannot sustain his life. Emaciated and haggard, he is despicable to others. This person, ashamed of himself, goes to the mountain and plucks wild flowers not owned by anyone. He grates rotten wood for incense powder. Then he goes to the pagoda to make obeisance and offerings, circumambulating it seven times, repenting in tears. Because of the power of this spiritual mantra and the awesome virtue of the pagoda, his poverty retribution will terminate and fortune will suddenly arrive. The seven treasures will appear like abundant rain. However, at this time, he should give to the poor and needy, completely honoring the Buddha Dharma. If he is reluctant to give, his riches will suddenly vanish.
Commentary:
People in Zhejiang Province are rich, and therefore may find it hard to imagine how someone can be that poor. If you travel to Yunnan province, you may get to such poverty-stricken areas. A teacher there makes less than 2,000 yuan a year, and a peasant less than 200 yuan a year. It is really miserable to be born there. We need to apply good efforts to cultivation so as not to be born in such a place.
Nevertheless, the poverty retribution can terminate with the virtues and merits of the mantra. The poor guy may, for example, encounter a nice boss, and start to make a fortune. A Buddha Dharma cultivator can change the predestined fate. The Buddha tells us in this passage how to end poverty. As I told you the other day, it is sincerity that matters the most when paying homage to the Buddha instead of how expensive the incense sticks are.
See what will happen “suppose a person has been born into a poor family because of his karma of stinginess and greed.”
“His clothing cannot cover his body and his food cannot sustain his life.” He cannot afford food nor clothing.
“Emaciated and haggard”: He must be skinny and look pale if his clothing cannot cover his body and his food cannot sustain his life.
“he is despicable to others”: People look down upon him. People nowadays tend to despise poor people.
“This person, ashamed of himself”: He feels ashamed and wants to rescue himself by the Buddha Dharma. However, he is too poor to afford even an incense stick. The Buddha then tells us what such a poor person can do.
“…goes to the mountain and plucks wild flowers not owned by anyone.” He can go to a mountain and pluck a withered twig there to be used as the incense stick. The Buddha makes it clear here that it should be a mountain “not owned by anyone.” It would be a theft if its owned by some. What if this person cannot afford the match?
“He grates rotten wood for incense powder.” He can grate the withered twig on the ground for incense power, and makes obeisance and offerings with it to a pagoda or a Buddha statue in which the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas is enshrined. If it is a pagoda, he should circumambulate it seven times. If it is a Buddha statue, he may just bow to it. If the Buddha statue is placed on the ground, he can also circumambulate it seven times, which is a token of utmost respect. Not only so, he should also repent sincerely: “I was wrong not to have cultivated blessings in my previous lives. As a retribution, I now live a miserable life. I wish I can get the blessings and make a fortune now that I have paid homage to you.” By saying so, and with the awesome power of the spiritual mantra in the pagoda or the Buddha statue, his poverty will terminate gradually.
“…and fortune will suddenly arrive. The seven treasures will appear like abundant rain.”
He may become very rich. Nevertheless, never should he forget it is the Buddha’s blessings that make him rich. He should practice giving to the poor and the monasteries. If he is stingy, he may lose all the fortune in the present life. The Buddha tells us in clear-cut terms that “he should give to the poor and needy, completely honoring the Buddha Dharma.”
“completely honoring the Buddha Dharma.” He should make donations to the temples to build Buddha statues. He should pay to have Buddhist scriptures printed and send them to those who need them for free.
“he should give to the poor and needy”: He should not be mean to the poor or the needy. Should he look down upon them thinking that he is now rich and they are poor, in no time he’d be poor again. This has happened to some people. They make a fortune after praying before the Buddhas and forget about the Buddhas completely after they get rich. Before long, their riches vanish. This reminds us that we should always keep learning the Dharma and propagate it, to ferry the beings as much as we can.
Text:
"Suppose a person, planting roots of goodness for himself, builds a pagoda at his pleasure, using earth or bricks that he can afford. The pagoda is as big as a mango, with its height about four times the length of a finger.
Commentary:
Let’s read what will happen if a person, in order to plant good roots and accumulate merits and virtues, builds a pagoda whose height is about four times the length of a figure, or about the length of a water pipe.
Text:
He copies this spiritual mantra and…
Commentary:
As long as he copies the spiritual mantra or has it printed…
Text:
…and enshrines the copy in the pagoda. Then he makes obeisance and offers incense and flowers. Because of the power of the mantra and his faithful heart, vast, fragrant clouds will come out of the little pagoda. The fragrance and the light of the clouds will pervade the dharma realm, infusing fragrance with dazzling radiance, doing Buddha work widely. The benefits he will receive are just as I have already stated.
Commentary:
Short as the pagoda is, the fragrance and light of the clouds coming out of it shall pervade all the worlds in the ten directions and can perform dharma work widely as long as he enshrines the spiritual mantra in it. It is just as efficacious regardless of the size of the pagoda. It is written in clear-cut terms here that “the benefits he will receive are just as I have already stated.”
Text:
In sum, all his wishes will be fulfilled without exception.
Commentary:
All his wishes shall be granted. Or as we often put it, all of his prayers will be granted.
Text:
During the Dharma-ending age, if, among the four groups of my disciples,
Commentary:
The four groups of disciples refer to the Bhikshus, Bhishunis, Upasaka, and Upasika. They are also known as the monks, nuns, and lay disciples.
Text:
…good men, and good women,
Commentary:
It includes every man and woman who believes in the Buddha Dharma.
Text:
…there are those who, following the unsurpassed Way, do their best to build pagodas and enshrine this mantra in them, the virtuous benefits they will acquire will be too numerous to recount.
Commentary:
If we tell others how to apply the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas, and they enshrine this mantra in the pagodas following your suggestion, or if you build on pagoda after another, the merits and virtues from doing so are “too numerous to recount”. Its benefits are so enormous and few people dare to speak them out. In fact, many have come to know that the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas can cure diseases, and how supreme it is, yet few know it can also consecrate a Buddha statue or pagoda. Likewise, many have heard about the Sutra of Longevity, and yet few know it is such a treasure!
Text:
“If a person, wishing for fortune, goes to the pagoda, he should make obeisance and offer a flower and a little incense to the pagoda, and circumambulate it to the right. From his virtuous act, rank and glory will arrive unsought.
Commentary:
If a person bows to the Buddha statue in your home, offering a little incense to it, without asking for anything or making any wish before it, “rank and glory will arrive unsought” for him.
Text:
Longevity and prosperity will increase without effort.
Commentary:
He will have a longer and more prosperous life without praying for it.
Text:
Foes and bandits will fall without being subjugated.
Commentary:
He will no longer be disturbed by bandits or foes, without having to make any efforts to combat them.
Text:
Vengeful thoughts and curses will return to their source without resistance.
Commentary:
No cursing and vengeful thoughts against him will work if he enshrines a copy of the sutra or mantra in the pagoda or Buddha statue in his home. Not only will they be ineffective, but will actually “return to their sources without resistance”. They will work on those who try imposing them on you. It is just too powerful!
Text:
Epidemics and evil forces will turn away without being purged.
Commentary:
He may be haunted by evil spirits if they take a leak outdoors. The evil spirits can make his life difficult, for example, making him unable to move the legs, etc. Epidemics are usually serious diseases. With the sutra, however, he can avert them without having to purge them.
Text:
…good husband or good wife will come without being persuaded.
Commentary:
This is in reference to marriage. A single man will always get a good wife. He is not going to marry someone seeking revenge. He shall have a happy marriage.
Text:
Beautiful good children will be born without being prayed for.
Commentary:
He shall have good children or good grandchildren without praying for it. For sure the children will be filial to him and make their way in the world. This is so because they have been a cultivator of the Buddha Dharma before born to the family, instead of a foe or debtor born to seek revenge on him. A debtor may die after growing up while a foe may make life hard for him by quarrelling with him day in and day out. It will not happen, however, if he bows to a pagoda or a Buddha statue with a copy of the sutra inside it. The conditions can be changed by it.
Text:
All wishes will be fulfilled at will.
Commentary:
The benefits are just too numerous to recount. The Buddha summarizes it as “all wishes will be fulfilled at will”. All of your wishes will be granted.
Text:
Even for ravens, owls, turtledoves, owlets, wolves, jackals, mosquitoes, ants, and the like, which momentarily come in the shadow of the pagoda and step on the grass there, their affliction-hindrance will be destroyed, and they will recognize their ignorance. They will suddenly enter Buddha's family and freely receive Dharma wealth.
Commentary:
These are animals, insects and beasts. As I have told you, as long as they walk by the Buddha stupa, or fly through the shadow or it, or climb on it, they shall attain enlightenment. They will gain release from the Path of Animals and be born in a Buddhaland after this life is over. The Buddha made it very clear to us as “their affliction-hindrance will be destroyed, and they will recognize their ignorance.” He also said that “they will suddenly enter Buddha's family”, that is, they will get reborn in a Buddhaland. To “freely receive Dharma wealth” means they will be practicing the Dharma in the Buddhaland.
Text:
Even more are the benefits to human beings who have seen the form of the pagoda, heard its bell tolling, heard its name, or been in its shadow. Their hindrance by sin will all be annihilated, and their wishes fulfilled. Their present lives will be peaceful, and they will be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Commentary:
This is just incredible! People who hear the bell tolling shall be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, let alone who make obeisance to it. those who have see the form of the pagoda, or stand in its shadow, their offenses will be exempted completely, and all of their wishes granted. They get what they pray for. “Their present lives will be peaceful”: they are going to enjoy a life of peace and stability. “…and they will be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.” They will be born none other than the Pure Land after their present life is over.
Text:
“If a person, without extra effort, applies a glob of mud to the damaged wall of a pagoda or uses a fist-sized stone to support a leaning pagoda, from this virtuous act his fortune will increase and his life span will be extended. After death, he will be reborn as a Wheel-Turning King.
Commentary:
If a person applies a glob of mud to the damaged wall of the pagoda, or uses something to support a leading Buddha statue, the merits and virtues from doing so shall make him a Wheel-turning King after his present life is over. Don’t think that there is only one Wheel-turning King. There are numerous Wheel-turning Kings in the Saha World, as many as the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds. There is one Small Thousand World under the sun and the moon, and in the Small Thousand World, there are one thousand Wheel-turning Kings. You may ask whether there will be too many if we all get reborn as Wheel-turning Kings. In the Buddalands of Shakyamuni Buddha, there are just too many Wheel-turning Kings to recount. Whoever has performed such an act will be reborn as one with the merits and virtues form it.
The Leifeng Pagoda collapsed during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The Hangzhou people were just too mean. Not only did they ignore the damaged pagoda, but scrapped it all over. The Pagoda therefore chose to collapse and hide from the people. There are a few bricks from the Pagoda left, now preserved at the museum. The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas enshrined in the Leifeng Pagoda is also kept at the museum. There is also a sarira stupa inside which the spiritual mantra is placed. Have you visited the museum? It is just in the city that you live, here in Hangzhou.
Text:
“After I have abandoned my body, the four groups of my disciples, in order to rescue sentient beings in miserable existence, should come before this pagoda, make offerings of incense and flowers, and recite this spiritual mantra, making vows in earnest. Then each and every word and phrase [they utter] will radiate vast, bright light, illuminating the three evil life-journeys to extinguish all suffering. Once those sentient beings are delivered from suffering, their seed of Buddhahood will germinate. They will then be reborn as they wish in [any of] the Pure Lands in the ten directions.
Commentary:
You shall obtain superb powers by upholding the spiritual mantra on a daily basis. Recite the mantra on the mountain top, all the beings, be those flying in the air, crawling on the ground, or swimming in the water, will be delivered from suffering. There is no doubt that you shall enter Buddhahood by upholding the mantra. After the beings are ferried over by you, they shall follow you as your disciples. You just need to make vows earnestly before the Buddha statue at home that you are going to uphold the mantra and cross over the beings in the ten directions, and keep cultivating it. By the time your voice of mantra rcitation is loud and powerful enough, you shall be able to deliver from sufferings all those in furs, feathers, scales, and shells, etc.
Text:
If a person recites this mantra earnestly on the top of a high mountain,
Commentary:
If the person who upholds the mantra recites it on a mountain top earnestly…Well, he has to be single-mindful in the mantra recitation. It won’t be efficacious if he recites it while thinking about beautiful girls.
Text:
…all sentient beings within the scope of his sight, including those in furs, feathers, scales, and shells, residing near and far in mountain valleys, forests, streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans…
Commentary:
What will happen to the sentiment beings, including those in furs, feathers, scales, and shells, that is within the scope of his sight, if he recites the mantra?
Text:
…will shatter their affliction-hindrance
Commentary:
They are born as animals because of their past offenses. Their offenses, however, will be extinguished if they hear the mantra, and their afflication-hindance shall get shattered.
Text:
…and recognize their ignorance.
Commentary:
They shall get awakened to the Buddha Path.
Text:
They will manifest the three kinds of Buddha nature they innately have and ultimately attain the great nirvana.
Commentary:
The three kinds of Buddha nature refer to liberation, concentration, and wisdom. They, too, shall enter Buddhahood! They will enter the great nirvana, as well in the end.
Text:
If people take the road walked by this person and if they are touched by the wind blown through his clothes, step on his footprints, see his face, or converse with him briefly, their grave sins will all be expunged and their siddhis perfected."
Commentary:
If they step on the road he has walked, or say hello to each other when they meet, or stop to have a short talk, or if they are touched by the wind blown through his clothes, all the offenses they have committed shall be extinguished. This can happen because he has attained the powers by upholding the spiritual mantra. Not only so, they, too, will become a Buddha by practising the Buddha Dharma.
Text:
“and their siddhis perfected”:
Commentary:
…they will for sure enter the Buddhahood.
The awesome powers of the spiritual mantra are just incredibly beyond words. The Buddha also said that he would “speak briefly about one ten thousandth thereof.”
Text:
At that time the Buddha said to Vajrapani, "I now entrust this secret spiritual mantra and sutra to you and all others present. Revere, protect, uphold, and disseminate them in the world. Do not allow transmission [of the Dharma] to end for sentient beings.”
Commentary:
The Buddha then told Vajrapani Bodhisattva to disseminate the secrete spiritual mantra to the people (or, to have it widely circulated in the human world), and make sure that its transmission does not end.
The mantra is just so powerful and such a treasure! It is a pity that no has ever explained the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas before. I would have been very interested to read about it or perhaps would be upholding it. Anyway, I worked on it myself. Let’s read what the Vajrapani Bodhisattva said.
Text:
Vajrapani said, “I am now honored to receive the trust of the World-Honored One. I pray only that we will requite the World-Honored One for his profound loving kindness, day and night protecting, upholding, disseminating, and pronouncing [the mantra and the sutra] to the world. If there are sentient beings that copy, uphold, and remember them unceasingly, we will command the Brahma-kings, the god-king Shakra, the four great god-kings, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors to protect them day and night without even leaving temporarily.”
Commentary:
The Vajra of Great Strength and the Vajrapani have been Bodhisattvas in their previous life. They possess superb powers and skills. Even the Brahma kings, Shakra, the four god-kings, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors, such as gods and dragons, have to follow their command. They made the vows before the Buddha, “How lucky we are to be entrusted by World Honored One to receive your trust! We are going to repay your profound kindness by upholding the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas day and night, and disseminate it widely.
In fact, google it and you’ll find the Treasure Chest Seal Sutra belongs to the Secret School. “Vajra” is the word often used in the School, such as the Vajrapani, or the Vajra boxing. This is so because the School is passed down by Vajrapani Bodhisattva, who will command Shakra, the Brahman Kings, the four great god-kings, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors to protect those who copy, uphold, or are mindful of the Sutra.
“…without even leaving temporarily.” They are not allowed to leave.
Text:
The Buddha said, “Very good! Vajrapani, for the benefit of all sentient beings of the future, protect and uphold this Dharma, and make it endless.”
Commentary:
The Buddha was pleased and said, “Vajrapani, it is really good that you protect and uphold the Dharma to make it endless to benefit all the sentient beings of the future.”
We now come to the concluding lines.
Text:
At that time the World-Honored One pronounced this Treasure Chest Seal Dharani and did Buddha work widely. Then He went to the Brahmin's home and accepted his offerings, causing humans and gods to receive great benefits. Afterwards, He returned to the place where He was staying.
Commentary:
It was because of the Brahim’s invitation that the condition was created for the Buddha to expound the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas. The Buddha had finished pronouncing the Sutra by the pile of earth before he visited the Brahim’s home. Everybody was very happy because they received great benefits.
Text:
At that time the bhiksus, bhiksunis, upaāsakas, upasikas, gods, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and others in the assembly greatly rejoiced. They all believed in, accepted, and reverently carried out the teachings.
Commentary:
The assembly members including the four groups of the Buddha’s disciples, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors were filled with joy. Not only did they believe each and every word of the Sutra, but applied real efforts to uphold and practice it.
Transference of Merit
May the merit and virtue accrued from this work
Expunge my offenses committed over the past eight billion eons.
May I get released from heat and attain coolness, from diseases and attain health, from disasters and attain blessings.
I vow to transmit the Dharma to as many people of good roots as possible, and build Buddha statues and pagodas widely.
May the merits and virtues accrued from this work
Be transferred to all the beings in the Three Realms, to my ancestors, parents, and relatives, and to all the beings present at the Dharma Assembly.
May you all enter the Buddha Path as soon as possible.
May I be able to rescue the beings after I attain Buddhahood.
Namo Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha (Three Times)
Namo Guanyin Bodhisattva (Three Times)
Namo Manjushri Bodhisattva (Three Times)
May we all be filled with the joy of Dharma!
---the End--
A General Explanation By Venerable Master Zhenlin
English Translation of the Sutra Text by Rulu
(http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra03.html)
English Translation of the Commentary by Zhenlin Disciples
Master Zhenlin's Commentary on the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas (IV)
Text:
"Suppose a person has been born into a poor family because of his karma of stinginess and greed. His clothing cannot cover his body and his food cannot sustain his life. Emaciated and haggard, he is despicable to others. This person, ashamed of himself, goes to the mountain and plucks wild flowers not owned by anyone. He grates rotten wood for incense powder. Then he goes to the pagoda to make obeisance and offerings, circumambulating it seven times, repenting in tears. Because of the power of this spiritual mantra and the awesome virtue of the pagoda, his poverty retribution will terminate and fortune will suddenly arrive. The seven treasures will appear like abundant rain. However, at this time, he should give to the poor and needy, completely honoring the Buddha Dharma. If he is reluctant to give, his riches will suddenly vanish.
Commentary:
People in Zhejiang Province are rich, and therefore may find it hard to imagine how someone can be that poor. If you travel to Yunnan province, you may get to such poverty-stricken areas. A teacher there makes less than 2,000 yuan a year, and a peasant less than 200 yuan a year. It is really miserable to be born there. We need to apply good efforts to cultivation so as not to be born in such a place.
Nevertheless, the poverty retribution can terminate with the virtues and merits of the mantra. The poor guy may, for example, encounter a nice boss, and start to make a fortune. A Buddha Dharma cultivator can change the predestined fate. The Buddha tells us in this passage how to end poverty. As I told you the other day, it is sincerity that matters the most when paying homage to the Buddha instead of how expensive the incense sticks are.
See what will happen “suppose a person has been born into a poor family because of his karma of stinginess and greed.”
“His clothing cannot cover his body and his food cannot sustain his life.” He cannot afford food nor clothing.
“Emaciated and haggard”: He must be skinny and look pale if his clothing cannot cover his body and his food cannot sustain his life.
“he is despicable to others”: People look down upon him. People nowadays tend to despise poor people.
“This person, ashamed of himself”: He feels ashamed and wants to rescue himself by the Buddha Dharma. However, he is too poor to afford even an incense stick. The Buddha then tells us what such a poor person can do.
“…goes to the mountain and plucks wild flowers not owned by anyone.” He can go to a mountain and pluck a withered twig there to be used as the incense stick. The Buddha makes it clear here that it should be a mountain “not owned by anyone.” It would be a theft if its owned by some. What if this person cannot afford the match?
“He grates rotten wood for incense powder.” He can grate the withered twig on the ground for incense power, and makes obeisance and offerings with it to a pagoda or a Buddha statue in which the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas is enshrined. If it is a pagoda, he should circumambulate it seven times. If it is a Buddha statue, he may just bow to it. If the Buddha statue is placed on the ground, he can also circumambulate it seven times, which is a token of utmost respect. Not only so, he should also repent sincerely: “I was wrong not to have cultivated blessings in my previous lives. As a retribution, I now live a miserable life. I wish I can get the blessings and make a fortune now that I have paid homage to you.” By saying so, and with the awesome power of the spiritual mantra in the pagoda or the Buddha statue, his poverty will terminate gradually.
“…and fortune will suddenly arrive. The seven treasures will appear like abundant rain.”
He may become very rich. Nevertheless, never should he forget it is the Buddha’s blessings that make him rich. He should practice giving to the poor and the monasteries. If he is stingy, he may lose all the fortune in the present life. The Buddha tells us in clear-cut terms that “he should give to the poor and needy, completely honoring the Buddha Dharma.”
“completely honoring the Buddha Dharma.” He should make donations to the temples to build Buddha statues. He should pay to have Buddhist scriptures printed and send them to those who need them for free.
“he should give to the poor and needy”: He should not be mean to the poor or the needy. Should he look down upon them thinking that he is now rich and they are poor, in no time he’d be poor again. This has happened to some people. They make a fortune after praying before the Buddhas and forget about the Buddhas completely after they get rich. Before long, their riches vanish. This reminds us that we should always keep learning the Dharma and propagate it, to ferry the beings as much as we can.
Text:
"Suppose a person, planting roots of goodness for himself, builds a pagoda at his pleasure, using earth or bricks that he can afford. The pagoda is as big as a mango, with its height about four times the length of a finger.
Commentary:
Let’s read what will happen if a person, in order to plant good roots and accumulate merits and virtues, builds a pagoda whose height is about four times the length of a figure, or about the length of a water pipe.
Text:
He copies this spiritual mantra and…
Commentary:
As long as he copies the spiritual mantra or has it printed…
Text:
…and enshrines the copy in the pagoda. Then he makes obeisance and offers incense and flowers. Because of the power of the mantra and his faithful heart, vast, fragrant clouds will come out of the little pagoda. The fragrance and the light of the clouds will pervade the dharma realm, infusing fragrance with dazzling radiance, doing Buddha work widely. The benefits he will receive are just as I have already stated.
Commentary:
Short as the pagoda is, the fragrance and light of the clouds coming out of it shall pervade all the worlds in the ten directions and can perform dharma work widely as long as he enshrines the spiritual mantra in it. It is just as efficacious regardless of the size of the pagoda. It is written in clear-cut terms here that “the benefits he will receive are just as I have already stated.”
Text:
In sum, all his wishes will be fulfilled without exception.
Commentary:
All his wishes shall be granted. Or as we often put it, all of his prayers will be granted.
Text:
During the Dharma-ending age, if, among the four groups of my disciples,
Commentary:
The four groups of disciples refer to the Bhikshus, Bhishunis, Upasaka, and Upasika. They are also known as the monks, nuns, and lay disciples.
Text:
…good men, and good women,
Commentary:
It includes every man and woman who believes in the Buddha Dharma.
Text:
…there are those who, following the unsurpassed Way, do their best to build pagodas and enshrine this mantra in them, the virtuous benefits they will acquire will be too numerous to recount.
Commentary:
If we tell others how to apply the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas, and they enshrine this mantra in the pagodas following your suggestion, or if you build on pagoda after another, the merits and virtues from doing so are “too numerous to recount”. Its benefits are so enormous and few people dare to speak them out. In fact, many have come to know that the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas can cure diseases, and how supreme it is, yet few know it can also consecrate a Buddha statue or pagoda. Likewise, many have heard about the Sutra of Longevity, and yet few know it is such a treasure!
Text:
“If a person, wishing for fortune, goes to the pagoda, he should make obeisance and offer a flower and a little incense to the pagoda, and circumambulate it to the right. From his virtuous act, rank and glory will arrive unsought.
Commentary:
If a person bows to the Buddha statue in your home, offering a little incense to it, without asking for anything or making any wish before it, “rank and glory will arrive unsought” for him.
Text:
Longevity and prosperity will increase without effort.
Commentary:
He will have a longer and more prosperous life without praying for it.
Text:
Foes and bandits will fall without being subjugated.
Commentary:
He will no longer be disturbed by bandits or foes, without having to make any efforts to combat them.
Text:
Vengeful thoughts and curses will return to their source without resistance.
Commentary:
No cursing and vengeful thoughts against him will work if he enshrines a copy of the sutra or mantra in the pagoda or Buddha statue in his home. Not only will they be ineffective, but will actually “return to their sources without resistance”. They will work on those who try imposing them on you. It is just too powerful!
Text:
Epidemics and evil forces will turn away without being purged.
Commentary:
He may be haunted by evil spirits if they take a leak outdoors. The evil spirits can make his life difficult, for example, making him unable to move the legs, etc. Epidemics are usually serious diseases. With the sutra, however, he can avert them without having to purge them.
Text:
…good husband or good wife will come without being persuaded.
Commentary:
This is in reference to marriage. A single man will always get a good wife. He is not going to marry someone seeking revenge. He shall have a happy marriage.
Text:
Beautiful good children will be born without being prayed for.
Commentary:
He shall have good children or good grandchildren without praying for it. For sure the children will be filial to him and make their way in the world. This is so because they have been a cultivator of the Buddha Dharma before born to the family, instead of a foe or debtor born to seek revenge on him. A debtor may die after growing up while a foe may make life hard for him by quarrelling with him day in and day out. It will not happen, however, if he bows to a pagoda or a Buddha statue with a copy of the sutra inside it. The conditions can be changed by it.
Text:
All wishes will be fulfilled at will.
Commentary:
The benefits are just too numerous to recount. The Buddha summarizes it as “all wishes will be fulfilled at will”. All of your wishes will be granted.
Text:
Even for ravens, owls, turtledoves, owlets, wolves, jackals, mosquitoes, ants, and the like, which momentarily come in the shadow of the pagoda and step on the grass there, their affliction-hindrance will be destroyed, and they will recognize their ignorance. They will suddenly enter Buddha's family and freely receive Dharma wealth.
Commentary:
These are animals, insects and beasts. As I have told you, as long as they walk by the Buddha stupa, or fly through the shadow or it, or climb on it, they shall attain enlightenment. They will gain release from the Path of Animals and be born in a Buddhaland after this life is over. The Buddha made it very clear to us as “their affliction-hindrance will be destroyed, and they will recognize their ignorance.” He also said that “they will suddenly enter Buddha's family”, that is, they will get reborn in a Buddhaland. To “freely receive Dharma wealth” means they will be practicing the Dharma in the Buddhaland.
Text:
Even more are the benefits to human beings who have seen the form of the pagoda, heard its bell tolling, heard its name, or been in its shadow. Their hindrance by sin will all be annihilated, and their wishes fulfilled. Their present lives will be peaceful, and they will be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Commentary:
This is just incredible! People who hear the bell tolling shall be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, let alone who make obeisance to it. those who have see the form of the pagoda, or stand in its shadow, their offenses will be exempted completely, and all of their wishes granted. They get what they pray for. “Their present lives will be peaceful”: they are going to enjoy a life of peace and stability. “…and they will be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.” They will be born none other than the Pure Land after their present life is over.
Text:
“If a person, without extra effort, applies a glob of mud to the damaged wall of a pagoda or uses a fist-sized stone to support a leaning pagoda, from this virtuous act his fortune will increase and his life span will be extended. After death, he will be reborn as a Wheel-Turning King.
Commentary:
If a person applies a glob of mud to the damaged wall of the pagoda, or uses something to support a leading Buddha statue, the merits and virtues from doing so shall make him a Wheel-turning King after his present life is over. Don’t think that there is only one Wheel-turning King. There are numerous Wheel-turning Kings in the Saha World, as many as the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds. There is one Small Thousand World under the sun and the moon, and in the Small Thousand World, there are one thousand Wheel-turning Kings. You may ask whether there will be too many if we all get reborn as Wheel-turning Kings. In the Buddalands of Shakyamuni Buddha, there are just too many Wheel-turning Kings to recount. Whoever has performed such an act will be reborn as one with the merits and virtues form it.
The Leifeng Pagoda collapsed during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The Hangzhou people were just too mean. Not only did they ignore the damaged pagoda, but scrapped it all over. The Pagoda therefore chose to collapse and hide from the people. There are a few bricks from the Pagoda left, now preserved at the museum. The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas enshrined in the Leifeng Pagoda is also kept at the museum. There is also a sarira stupa inside which the spiritual mantra is placed. Have you visited the museum? It is just in the city that you live, here in Hangzhou.
Text:
“After I have abandoned my body, the four groups of my disciples, in order to rescue sentient beings in miserable existence, should come before this pagoda, make offerings of incense and flowers, and recite this spiritual mantra, making vows in earnest. Then each and every word and phrase [they utter] will radiate vast, bright light, illuminating the three evil life-journeys to extinguish all suffering. Once those sentient beings are delivered from suffering, their seed of Buddhahood will germinate. They will then be reborn as they wish in [any of] the Pure Lands in the ten directions.
Commentary:
You shall obtain superb powers by upholding the spiritual mantra on a daily basis. Recite the mantra on the mountain top, all the beings, be those flying in the air, crawling on the ground, or swimming in the water, will be delivered from suffering. There is no doubt that you shall enter Buddhahood by upholding the mantra. After the beings are ferried over by you, they shall follow you as your disciples. You just need to make vows earnestly before the Buddha statue at home that you are going to uphold the mantra and cross over the beings in the ten directions, and keep cultivating it. By the time your voice of mantra rcitation is loud and powerful enough, you shall be able to deliver from sufferings all those in furs, feathers, scales, and shells, etc.
Text:
If a person recites this mantra earnestly on the top of a high mountain,
Commentary:
If the person who upholds the mantra recites it on a mountain top earnestly…Well, he has to be single-mindful in the mantra recitation. It won’t be efficacious if he recites it while thinking about beautiful girls.
Text:
…all sentient beings within the scope of his sight, including those in furs, feathers, scales, and shells, residing near and far in mountain valleys, forests, streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans…
Commentary:
What will happen to the sentiment beings, including those in furs, feathers, scales, and shells, that is within the scope of his sight, if he recites the mantra?
Text:
…will shatter their affliction-hindrance
Commentary:
They are born as animals because of their past offenses. Their offenses, however, will be extinguished if they hear the mantra, and their afflication-hindance shall get shattered.
Text:
…and recognize their ignorance.
Commentary:
They shall get awakened to the Buddha Path.
Text:
They will manifest the three kinds of Buddha nature they innately have and ultimately attain the great nirvana.
Commentary:
The three kinds of Buddha nature refer to liberation, concentration, and wisdom. They, too, shall enter Buddhahood! They will enter the great nirvana, as well in the end.
Text:
If people take the road walked by this person and if they are touched by the wind blown through his clothes, step on his footprints, see his face, or converse with him briefly, their grave sins will all be expunged and their siddhis perfected."
Commentary:
If they step on the road he has walked, or say hello to each other when they meet, or stop to have a short talk, or if they are touched by the wind blown through his clothes, all the offenses they have committed shall be extinguished. This can happen because he has attained the powers by upholding the spiritual mantra. Not only so, they, too, will become a Buddha by practising the Buddha Dharma.
Text:
“and their siddhis perfected”:
Commentary:
…they will for sure enter the Buddhahood.
The awesome powers of the spiritual mantra are just incredibly beyond words. The Buddha also said that he would “speak briefly about one ten thousandth thereof.”
Text:
At that time the Buddha said to Vajrapani, "I now entrust this secret spiritual mantra and sutra to you and all others present. Revere, protect, uphold, and disseminate them in the world. Do not allow transmission [of the Dharma] to end for sentient beings.”
Commentary:
The Buddha then told Vajrapani Bodhisattva to disseminate the secrete spiritual mantra to the people (or, to have it widely circulated in the human world), and make sure that its transmission does not end.
The mantra is just so powerful and such a treasure! It is a pity that no has ever explained the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas before. I would have been very interested to read about it or perhaps would be upholding it. Anyway, I worked on it myself. Let’s read what the Vajrapani Bodhisattva said.
Text:
Vajrapani said, “I am now honored to receive the trust of the World-Honored One. I pray only that we will requite the World-Honored One for his profound loving kindness, day and night protecting, upholding, disseminating, and pronouncing [the mantra and the sutra] to the world. If there are sentient beings that copy, uphold, and remember them unceasingly, we will command the Brahma-kings, the god-king Shakra, the four great god-kings, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors to protect them day and night without even leaving temporarily.”
Commentary:
The Vajra of Great Strength and the Vajrapani have been Bodhisattvas in their previous life. They possess superb powers and skills. Even the Brahma kings, Shakra, the four god-kings, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors, such as gods and dragons, have to follow their command. They made the vows before the Buddha, “How lucky we are to be entrusted by World Honored One to receive your trust! We are going to repay your profound kindness by upholding the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas day and night, and disseminate it widely.
In fact, google it and you’ll find the Treasure Chest Seal Sutra belongs to the Secret School. “Vajra” is the word often used in the School, such as the Vajrapani, or the Vajra boxing. This is so because the School is passed down by Vajrapani Bodhisattva, who will command Shakra, the Brahman Kings, the four great god-kings, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors to protect those who copy, uphold, or are mindful of the Sutra.
“…without even leaving temporarily.” They are not allowed to leave.
Text:
The Buddha said, “Very good! Vajrapani, for the benefit of all sentient beings of the future, protect and uphold this Dharma, and make it endless.”
Commentary:
The Buddha was pleased and said, “Vajrapani, it is really good that you protect and uphold the Dharma to make it endless to benefit all the sentient beings of the future.”
We now come to the concluding lines.
Text:
At that time the World-Honored One pronounced this Treasure Chest Seal Dharani and did Buddha work widely. Then He went to the Brahmin's home and accepted his offerings, causing humans and gods to receive great benefits. Afterwards, He returned to the place where He was staying.
Commentary:
It was because of the Brahim’s invitation that the condition was created for the Buddha to expound the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas. The Buddha had finished pronouncing the Sutra by the pile of earth before he visited the Brahim’s home. Everybody was very happy because they received great benefits.
Text:
At that time the bhiksus, bhiksunis, upaāsakas, upasikas, gods, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and others in the assembly greatly rejoiced. They all believed in, accepted, and reverently carried out the teachings.
Commentary:
The assembly members including the four groups of the Buddha’s disciples, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors were filled with joy. Not only did they believe each and every word of the Sutra, but applied real efforts to uphold and practice it.
Transference of Merit
May the merit and virtue accrued from this work
Expunge my offenses committed over the past eight billion eons.
May I get released from heat and attain coolness, from diseases and attain health, from disasters and attain blessings.
I vow to transmit the Dharma to as many people of good roots as possible, and build Buddha statues and pagodas widely.
May the merits and virtues accrued from this work
Be transferred to all the beings in the Three Realms, to my ancestors, parents, and relatives, and to all the beings present at the Dharma Assembly.
May you all enter the Buddha Path as soon as possible.
May I be able to rescue the beings after I attain Buddhahood.
Namo Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha (Three Times)
Namo Guanyin Bodhisattva (Three Times)
Namo Manjushri Bodhisattva (Three Times)
May we all be filled with the joy of Dharma!
---the End--
The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas 3
The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas
A General Explanation By Venerable Master Zhenlin
English Translation of the Sutra Text by Rulu (http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra03.html)
English Translation of the Commentary by Zhenlin Disciples
Master Zhenlin’s Commentary on the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas --III
So he pronounced it.
namas tryadhvikānāṁ sarva tathāgatānāṁ oṁ bhuvi-bhavana-vare vacana-vacati suru suru dhara dhara sarva tathāgata dhātu dhare padmaṁ bhavati jaya vare mudre smara tathāgata dharma-cakra pravartana vajre bodhimaṇḍa-alaṅkāra-alaṅkṛte sarva tathāgata-adhiṣṭhite bodhaya bodhaya bodhi bodhi budhya budhya saṁbodhani saṁbodhaya cala cala calantu sarva-āvaraṇāni sarva pāpa vigate huru huru sarva śoka vigate sarva tathāgata hṛdaya vajriṇi saṁbhāra saṁbhāra sarva tathāgata guhya dhāraṇī mudre bhūte subhūte sarva tathāgata-adhiṣṭhita dhātu garbhe svāhā samaya-adhiṣṭhite svāhā sarva tathāgata hṛdaya dhātu mudre svāhā supratiṣṭhita stūpe tathāgata-adhiṣṭhite huru huru hūṁ hūṁ svāhā oṁ sarva tathāgatoṣṇīṣa dhātu mudrāṇi sarva tathāgata sadhātu vibhūṣita-adhiṣṭhite hūṁ hūṁ svāhā
Text:
Then the Buddha pronounced the dharani:
Commentary:
He recited the mantra.
I shall now recite the mantra for you. Please calm down and listen to me attentively. Do not get distracted. It is very superb when the mantra is being spoken.
Text:
namas tryadhvikānāṁ sarva tathāgatānāṁ oṁ bhuvi-bhavana-vare vacana-vacati suru suru dhara dhara sarva tathāgata dhātu dhare padmaṁ bhavati jaya vare mudre smara tathāgata dharma-cakra pravartana vajre bodhimaṇḍa-alaṅkāra-alaṅkṛte sarva tathāgata-adhiṣṭhite bodhaya bodhaya bodhi bodhi budhya budhya saṁbodhani saṁbodhaya cala cala calantu sarva-āvaraṇāni sarva pāpa vigate huru huru sarva śoka vigate sarva tathāgata hṛdaya vajriṇi saṁbhāra saṁbhāra sarva tathāgata guhya dhāraṇī mudre bhūte subhūte sarva tathāgata-adhiṣṭhita dhātu garbhe svāhā samaya-adhiṣṭhite svāhā sarva tathāgata hṛdaya dhātu mudre svāhā supratiṣṭhita stūpe tathāgata-adhiṣṭhite huru huru hūṁ hūṁ svāhā oṁ sarva tathāgatoṣṇīṣa dhātu mudrāṇi sarva tathāgata sadhātu vibhūṣita-adhiṣṭhite hūṁ hūṁ svāhā
Let’s see what’s next.
Text:
After the Buddha finished reciting this spiritual mantra, all the Buddha-Tathāgatas from the pile of earth voiced their praises: "Very good! Very good! Shakya the World-Honored One, you have appeared in this turbid, evil world to expound the profound Dharma for the benefit of sentient beings that have nothing and nobody to depend upon. Therefore, the essence of the Dharma will remain a long time in the world, bringing wide, abundant benefits and joyful peace."
Commentary:
Shakyamuni Buddha spoke the mantra by the pile of earth. After he finished reciting it, the pile said, “"Very good! Very good! Shakya the World-Honored One, you have appeared in this turbid, evil world…” The turbid, evil world is none other than our human world of Jambudvipa.
“…for the benefit of sentient beings that have nothing and nobody to depend upon.” We are now like a child away from home and could find nobody or no where to rely on. By pronouncing such a profound Dharma for us, the Buddha is supporting and protecting us.
“Therefore, the essence of the Dharma will remain a long time in the world, bringing wide, abundant benefits and joyful peace." The benefits and merits of the Dharma are too numerous to be counted. Word fails to describe them. It brings joyful peace to us. We shall obtain peace and tranquility in both mind and body. Everything we do is smoothly done. Cultivate with a peaceful mind, and we shall gain happiness.
Text:
Then the Buddha said to Vajrapani, "Hearken! Hearken! The essence of this Dharma has inexhaustible spiritual power and boundless benefits! It is like a wish-fulfilling jewel on the top of a cylindrical banner, constantly raining down treasures and fulfilling all wishes.
Commentary:
The Buddha was talking to Vajrapani Bodhisattva as he addressed the Dharma Assembly. He said, "Hearken! Hearken!”
“Hearken” means to listen carefully and attentively.
“The essence of this Dharma has inexhaustible spiritual power and boundless benefits!” The mantra is ineffably superb! Its spiritual power is immeasurable and its benefits boundless. He made a comparison.
“It is like a wish-fulfilling jewel on the top of a cylindrical banner, constantly raining down treasures and fulfilling all wishes.”
Many of you have seen the Buddha. When the Buddha was alive in the world, cylindrical banners were hung by him. You still find it when visiting a temple. The banners are hung from high places on both sides of the Buddha statues. There are now made from copper or iron ornaments attached to their ends so that they stay droopy. When Shakyamuni Buddha was alive in the world, jewels instead of copper or iron ornaments were used. The jewels were wish-fulfilling. You get whatever you pray for before them. If you pray to the jewels, “I want treasures”, the treasures shall come to you like rains. It is really efficacious. Some people still like donating to have the banners hung before the Buddha statues made to gain the merits.
So powerful is the mantra, so inexhaustible is its spiritual powers, and so boundless its merits and virtues that we can never finish speaking about them.
Let’s read the next lines.
Text:
I will now speak briefly about one ten thousandth thereof.
Commentary:
It is so immeasurable that I can never finish speaking it. I’d just pick one from the 10,000 to tell you.
Text：
You should memorize and uphold it for benefiting all sentient beings.
Commentary:
Please try to keep it in mind, and review it regularly. By memorizing it, reciting it, and upholding it, you shall not only benefit yourself but others.
Text:
"If an evil man falls to hell after death, he will have to suffer uninterruptedly without a date of release. However, if his descendants address his name and then recite this spiritual mantra, upon completion of only seven repetitions, the molten copper and burning iron in the hell will suddenly turn into pond waters of the eight virtues. [This deceased] will have a lotus flower supporting his feet and a jeweled canopy over his head. The door of hell will break and the Bodhi Way will open. His lotus flower will fly him to the Land of Ultimate Bliss. There, his knowledge of all knowledge will unfold spontaneously. Delighting in expounding the Dharma endlessly, He will be in the holy position to attain Buddhahood in his next life.
Commentary:
I had already talked to you about this passage a few days ago. It tells us that we can use the mantra in the Sutra to ferry over the deceased ancestors to the World of Ultimate Bliss. It has to be your relatives to be effective. The Sutra makes it clear, ‘if his son or grandson…’. That is to say, we can do it for our ancestors. We only need to read out his or her name. For example, “Mr. X, I now shall read the Treasure Chest Seal Dharani. I recite it for you and hope that you shall enter the Western Pure Land of Bliss upon the merits and virtues of the Mantra.
You can either recite the whole Sutra, or just the mantra. Reciting the mantra shall work. When you finish reading it for seven times, he or her will soon be freed from the torture of the hell, and arrive at a pond of lotus. It is very comfortable there. A lotus will grow under his or her feet. And, upon the lotus, he or her shall fly away to the World of Ultimate Bliss.
“All the wisdom shall appear naturally”. This means he shall be as powerful as a Bodhisattva. Actually he is. He is no different from Bodhisattva of Complete Enlightenment. A Bodhisattva of the 10th stage, not the first or the second. Shakyamuni Buddha makes it clear to us in the Sutra, “He is happy to speak and stay at a position of supplement of a Buddha.” Staying at the position of supplement of a Buddha is what a Bodhisattva of the 10th stage enjoys. Therefore, if we use this mantra of the Sutra to ferry over our ancestors, he will be very happy. He can enter the World of Ultimate Bliss and become a Bodhisattva there! Certainly it is good for you, too. He shall always bless you. Once in the World, he can reach you instantly as long as he wants. It is very fast for him to come to you.” If a human gets the luck to visit the Land of Ultimate Bliss even for a short while, a much longer time would have passed in the human world. Even his sons would have died by the time he returns from the short trip.
It seems few have the courage to explain the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas. I don’t care how others may dislike it, I’ll just speak it and tell you exactly what Shakyamuni Buddha has spoken. Let us do what the Buddha has instructed us to, and refrain from doing what He has not. I will talk on it no matter how some may scold me. I don’t care. It is not my business if this makes some people unhappy. Scold me if you like. I never get annoyed, anyway. Some of you keep asking me the same questions these days that even the listeners around get impatient. I don’t. You get impatient because your skills of cultivation are not as good as mine. A true cultivator of the Buddha Dharma never gets angry or afflicted. You should have found that this is what I am like through the Dharma Assembly these days. I am always patient no matter how many times the same question may have been asked before me. This shows that I do have the skills of cultivation.
You have yet to reach this level of cultivation, and would get impatient being asked for just three times. In fact, as long as you keep cultivating the Buddha Dharma, you will be able to make it as well. Nothing can disturb you or make you afflicted. You never get angry, or feel treated unfairly. You shall gain release from all these negative feelings.
Recite the mantra for seven times, and the deceased ancestors shall immediately gain release and enter the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Shakyamuni Buddha spoke it in clear-cut terms and it must be the right way to do. Mind you, though, you’d better stay vegetarian on the day you do the ferrying over rites. Is it ok to ask others to perform it for you? Surely OK. Nevertheless, it is not that easy to get the right people to do it for you nowadays. Usually it takes a team of seven to perform the Buddhist rite. If one of them takes two bites of meat on the day furtively, the ferrying over will fail. Why don’t you just do it yourselves? If you are illiterate, you may just ask someone who can read to teach you how to pronounce the words in the mantra. Staying vegetarian for just one day isn’t that difficult for you, right?
Text:
"Furthermore, for a person who, in retribution for his grave sins, is suffering from 100 diseases with a heavy heart…”
Commentary:
It is stated clearly in the sutra that we contract diseases in retribution. When, doctors may simply tell you that you catch a cold, without knowing what is behind the cold. The problem won’t be solved if you don’t address the root causes. For sure, when people are sick, they feel very uncomfortable “with a heavy heart”.
Text:
“…he should recite this spiritual mantra 21 times. Then 100 diseases and 10,000 distresses will be eliminated after sometime.”
Commentary:
A patient needs just to recite the mantra 21 times, and gradually, bit by bit, he’ll recover. It takes time to apply the Buddha Dharma to curing diseases. As long as he recites it, the cause and conditions shall change bit by bit. The mantra can cure diseases!
Many Buddhist scriptures can cure diseases, such as the Mantra of Great Compassion, the Former Deeds of the Bodhisattva Medicine King, etc. I am always “boasting” to you that curing diseases is but a piece of cake in the application of Buddha Dharma. This is truly the case! When people come to me asking for help in curing a disease, I always say that I never cure disease. I only teach people how to cure diseases themselves. You can be your own doctor!
Many people here in Xinchang (translator note: the city where Master Zhenlin lives) have made it. They get recovered by applying the Buddha Dharma, without having to take any medication or injection. Don’t trust the TV Advertisement that says they help you recover without having to take medicines or undergoing any pain. Only the Buddha Dharma can make that happen!
You have to be patient and perseverant, though! Many give up having recited the sutra or mantra for just two days. You don’t get recovered by taking medicines for two days, do you? Applying the Buddha Dharma to cure diseases is like taking medication and it takes time. Do you get recovered if the doctor asks you to take the medicine three times a day and two pills a time while you do only one pill a time and once a day?
If you apply the Sutra of Longevity to curing diseases, you should recite it everyday during the first three months. If you fail to do it someday during the first three months, all the efforts in previous days will be in vain and you need to start a new round of three months. This is a foundation-laying period. Keep doing it everyday, and it is for sure that you’d evoke the responses. The sickened part shall feel it. You may come to consult me if you feel something unsual. I will tell you what to do. Keep doing it for three months, a patient will get recovered largely, be him suffering from leukemia or diabetes. The blood sugar of a diabetes patient will drop if he or she keep recites the Sutra of Longevity everyday for three months. A patient paralyzed and bed-ridden from a stroke will come to feel numbness in less than one month after he starts to recite the mantra, if he can open his mouth. Feeling numb shows he is evoking the responses, as such a patient hardly can feel anything.
I tell this to you because already there are people having recovered by reciting the sutra. You have to do exactly as I have told you. Do not cut corners. Do not be a lazybones. Reciting it is just like taking medication, except you don’t feel any pain. Of course, the mantra can do more than curing diseases.
Let’s see what’s next.
Text：
His life span will be extended, and his fortune and merit will become infinite.
Commentary:
It extends one’s lifespan. “…and his fortune and merit will become infinite.” People who are poor will get rich, and whose life is miserable will turn happy. They may get promoted to be government officials even though originally they are not destined to enjoy it. A child who has been underperforming academically may show progress and enter a university. It just all gets changed!
(To be continued)
Apr 23, 2009
The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas -- A General Explanation By Master Zhenlin 2
The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas
A General Explanation By Venerable Master Zhenlin
English Translation of the Sutra Text by Rulu
(http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra03.html)
English Translation of the Commentary by Zhenlin Disciples
Master Zhenlin’s Commentary on the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas --II
Text:
At that time the World-Honored One, having traveled not too far on the road, came to a garden called Abundant Wealth. In that garden were the ruins of an ancient pagoda, dilapidated and collapsed. With the courtyard covered by thistles and the doors sealed by creeping weeds, the buried rubbles resembled a mound of dirt. At that time the Buddha went straight to the pagoda. Forthwith, the pagoda issued vast, bright light, illuminating and glowing. A voice from the heap of earth praised, "Very good! Very good! Śhākyamuni, Your action today is excellent! And you, Brahmin, will receive great benefits today!"
Commentary:
What does this passage tell about?
Shakyamuni Buddha stood up and walked to a garden, where he saw a mound. The courtyard was covered by weeds and thistles. There was an ancient pagoda. Speaking of pagoda, I’d like to say a few words about the famous Leifeng Pagoda. It had collapsed, and was renovated a few years ago. It remained efficacious even after it was collapsed. It was efficacious, because there was a copy of the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas buried under it. Nevertheless, the copy was taken away during the renovation and is being kept in a museum now.
Anyway, when the Buddha walked to the pagoda, all of his followers saw it emitting very bright Buddha lights.
“Forthwith, the pagoda issued vast, bright light, illuminating and glowing.” It was very very bright. Perhaps few of you have witnessed firsthand the Buddha lights. Buddha lights are different from the sunlight. Sunlight can be very offensive and hurt our eyes. The Buddha lights, though bright, never hurt the eyes. See, the mound not only emitted Buddha lights, but also was talking. “Very good! Very good! Shakyamuni! What you are doing today is very very good! It is a huge good deed, and that the Brahmin will receive very great benefits today.”
Text:
Then the World-Honored One paid respects to the ruined pagoda by circumambulating it to the right three times. He took off His upper garment, placed it over the pagoda, and wept tears with blood. After weeping, He then smiled. Meanwhile, all Buddhas in the ten directions, looking on together, also shed tears, each emitting light to illuminate this pagoda. At that time the huge assembly was so astonished as to lose their color and wanted to resolve their bewilderment.
Commentary:
What does this passage tell us?
Shakyamuni Buddha walked to the mound, which was emitting Buddha lights and talking. He then took off his upper garment and covered the mound with it. “The ruined pagoda” means it had collapsed.
He circumambulated it three times, a token of great respect. Shakyamuni Buddha showed great respect to the Buddha! He even took off his upper garment and covered the mound with it. As He did so, he was shedding tears so much so that he wept blood.
“After weeping, He then smiled.” He then smiled after the weeping. At that time, the assembly found the Buddhas in the ten directions were weeping tears, too. They manifested Buddha lights to illuminate the mound. The Buddha lights went a long way. Why was it so? The arhats and Bodhisattvas who followed Shaykyamuni Buddha felt bewildered to see Him weeping tears and blood, and that the Buddhas in the ten directions were also shedding tears. They were astonished and scared to the extent of losing their color, or as we may put it, their face turned pale or green.
“and wanted to resolve their bewilderment”: they did not ask Shakyamuni Buddha but each other why. “Do you know why?” They were whispering and discussing it. What happened?
Text:
Meanwhile, Vajrapani and other Bodhisattvas also shed tears. Twirling the vajra in glowing flames, he came to the place where the Buddha was. He asked, "World-Honored One, for what causes and conditions are these lights manifesting; why did the Tathagata shed these tears from His eyes; and why do Buddhas in the ten directions manifest the sign of vast, auspicious light? I pray that the Tathagata will resolve, in this huge assembly, my bewilderment."
Commentary:
By then, the Vajrapani and other Bodhisattvas also shed tears. The Vajrapanies are also Bodhisattvas. They do not manifest themselves as a Bodhisattva but as a Vajrapani, while in fact they have certified to Bodhisattvahood but choose to be born as the Vajrapanies. They could not hold back the tears when they saw the Buddha weeping tears. AVajrapani can pour forth fire. His body has glowing fires.
“Twirling the vajra in glowing flames, he came to the place where the Buddha was.”
He poured forth fire from the mouth, twirled the vajra, and walked around cautiously. Vajrapanies are protectors of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, as we cultivators of the Buddha Dharma. He had thought a demon was coming. He walked around but saw nothing. Then “he came to the place where the Buddha was”: he stopped before the Buddha.
He asked, “World-Honored One, for what causes and conditions are these lights manifesting; why did the Tathagata shed these tears from His eyes; and why do Buddhas in the ten directions manifest the sign of vast, auspicious light? I pray that the Tathagata will resolve, in this huge assembly, my bewilderment.”
Having walked around and searching cautiously, he found nothing unusual. He went to the Buddha, and asked Him why He was weeping tears, why the mound was issuing bright lights, and actually Buddha lights, and why the Buddhas in the ten directions were also shedding tears and illuminating the mound with their Buddha lights.
He prayed that Shakyamuni Buddha explained to him and the assembly why.
Text:
Then the Bhagavan replied to Vajrapani, "This great treasure pagoda of accumulated whole-body relics of Tathagatas contains immeasurable kotis of the heart dharanis, the secret seal of the essence of the Dharma of all Tathagatas. Vajrapani, because of the essence of the Dharma contained in it, the pagoda has become tiered seamlessly like sesame seeds. You should know that the bodies of 100,000 koti Tathagatas are also like sesame seeds. Contained in the pagoda is the accumulation of the whole-body relics of 100,000 koti Tathagatas and even the store of 84,000 Dharmas. Also contained in it are 99 billion koti Tathagata-crowns. Because of these wondrous things, the site of this pagoda has great spiritual efficacy and superb, awesome virtue. It can fill the entire world with auspicious events."
Commentary:
“Then the Bhagavan, the World-Honored One, replied to Vajrapani”: Bhagavan is Shakyamuni Buddha. It is one of His names. In the state of the Vajras, He is known not as the Buddha, or the World Honored One, but mostly as the Bhagavan. The name is also used in a passage in the Sutra of Longevity. Let’s see how Shakyamuni Buddha replied Vajrapani.
“This great treasure pagoda of accumulated whole-body relics of Tathagatas contains immeasurable kotis of the heart dharanis, the secret seal of the essence of the Dharma of all Tathagatas. Vajrapani, because of the essence of the Dharma contained in it, the pagoda has become tiered seamlessly like sesame seeds. You should know that the bodies of 100,000 koti Tathagatas are also like sesame seeds. Contained in the pagoda is the accumulation of the whole-body relics of 100,000 koti Tathagatas and even the store of 84,000 Dharmas. Also contained in it are 99 billion koti Tathagata-crowns. Because of these wondrous things, the site of this pagoda has great spiritual efficacy and superb, awesome virtue. It can fill the entire world with auspicious events.”
Shakyamuni Buddha explained to us in the passage why the mound was emitting lights. It was because there was a copy of the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas buried under it. What did the Sutra bring to the pagoda?
“immeasurable kotis of the heart dharanis, the secret seal of the essence of the Dharma of all Tathagatas”: It contains the secret seal of the essence of the Dhara of all Tathagatas. The Mantra consists of many many secret mantras, and therefore has with it a huge amount of energy.
He went on to say, “Vajrapani, because of the essence of the Dharma contained in it”: Simply because there was a copy of the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas buried under it, the mound, or the pagoda, “has become tiered seamlessly like sesame seeds.” That is to say, the whole-body relics were placed together and made seamless like sesame seeds.
“You should know that the bodies of 100,000 koti Tathagatas are also like sesame seeds.”
As I said to you just now, it was also filled with the real bodies of the Tathagatas. Though it manifested as a mound, you’d be able to see them if your Dharma eyes were open, and they were always there.
“Contained in the pagoda is the accumulation of the whole-body relics of 100,000 koti Tathagatas”: The body relics of the Buddhas in the past, e present, and future, also stayed there.
“and even the store of 84,000 Dharmas”: there was also the accumulation of the 84,000 Dharma doors and all the Dharmas.
“Also contained in it are 99 billion kotiTathāgata-crowns.” There were also numerous red-colored Buddha crowns. In fact, the crown shall grow after one becomes a Buddha. It is a mound of flesh, which is incredible beyond description in its spiritual powers. If you pay attention, you’d find it in a Buddha statute. It can issue lights, too!
Now you should know why there is such a crown in a Buddha Statute. In this passage, we learn that there were many Buddha crowns accumulated in the pagoda as well. Why was the mound emitting lights?
“Because of these wondrous things, the site of this pagoda has great spiritual efficacy and....” Certainly it is very efficacious to make a wish before the mound, with so many Buddhas, Buddha crowns, and body relics of the Buddhas. The sick can get recovered if they eat a bit of the earth from the mound.
Pay attention to the follow line: “…and superb, awesome virtue. It can fill the entire world with auspicious events."
As I said, it has to be “auspicious events”. You won’t have your wish granted if it is for winning the top prize of a 5-million lottery. It won’t work as it is gambling, and inauspicious.
Any wish that morally acceptable will be granted if you pray for it. Don’t try pray for winning 50,000 yuan in a gambling, though. It shall never work. Otherwise, some may even pray for help in killing a foe. The Buddha was really thoughtful. Well, He just knew too well how we humans might think. Therefore, he particularly pointed out that it had to be “auspicious events”.
Text:
When the huge assembly heard the Buddha's words, they erased their emotional defilements, ended their afflictions, and obtained the pure Dharma-eye. Since the capacities of the multitudes were so varied, the benefits they gained were different. Each of them acquired one of the following accomplishments: some achieved the holy fruit, becoming Srotapannas, Sakrdagamins, Anagamins, Arahats, or Pratyekabuddhas; some attained the avaivartika, the no-regress sarvajna on the Bodhisattva Way; some attained the First Ground, Second Ground, or even the Tenth Ground; and some fulfilled the six paramitas. The Brahmin erased his emotional defilements and accomplished the five transcendental powers.
Commentary:
Let’s see what this passage tells about.
Among the assembly there were many arhats and people of good roots. They were smart. They erased their emotional defilements having heard the Buddha saying so. They got more enlightened. Many of them also obtained the Dharma eyes, and found the mound no longer a mound, but skyrocketing and turned into the seven treasures. They found there were so many Buddhas and Tathagataes sitting by the pagoda.
“Since the capacities of the multitudes were so varied”: the assembly members realized that the wish they made at that time would for sure be granted. It would be very efficacious. I had stressed this to you on the first day of the Dharma Assembly. Hopefully you have come to realize it now! Soon they made the wish, and for sure, it was granted.
See, some achieved the holy fruit.
“Srotapannas, Sakrdagamins, Anagamins”: saints like Confucius, Laotze, who cultivated the Way in the secular world.
“Arahats”: Some wanted to become the arhats. They made the wish, “May I become an arhat.” And, their wish was granted. Others wanted to become a Pratyekabuddha, and still others wanted to become a Bodhisattva. Their wishes were all granted. Some certified to “the First Ground, Second Ground, or even the Tenth Ground”: it refers to the different levels of Bodhisattvas.
“the avaivartika”: a Bodhisattva.
“the no-regress sarvajna”: also a Bodhisattva.
The Bodhisattvas are of different ground levels. Those who wanted to become a Bodhisattva made the wish, “May I become a Bodhisattva”, and as it turned out, they did. Their wish was fulfilled. I had reminded you how efficacious it could be and that you should not forget it. Anyway, doing it only after being reminded will not be efficacious. The assembly members were really witty. Hearing the Buddha’s words, they soon made the wish and had it granted.
“some fulfilled the six paramitas”: It is a means of cultivation of the Buddha Dharma, and is cultivation of the Bodhisattva path. What about the Brahmin? He was still a human, but soon “accomplished the five transcendental powers”. The five transcendental powers refer to having the heavenly eyes, wind-accompanying ears, the ability to know other’s thoughts, the ability to know the past lives, and the ability to fly around at one’s will. He can travel to a place very far away as long as he gives rise to the thought.
Text:
At that time, Vajrapani, having witnessed these unusual, very rare occurrences, asked, “World-Honored One, how wonderful and how extraordinary! Since people deserve such excellent virtuous attainments by merely hearing about this matter, how much merit will they gain if they hear the profound truth and invoke their faith with an earnest mind?”
Commentary:
Vajrapani Bodhisattva was so amazed by what had happened: they simply made a wish, and it was granted so soon. They became Arhats and Bodhisattvas! So he asked World Honored One what about people who took time to understand the truth in the Sutra or to uphold it. Wouldn’t they gain more merits and virtues?
“…how much merit will they gain if they hear the profound truth and invoke their faith with an earnest mind?” How many more merits and virtues will people gain if they are committed to learning the Sutra, or upholding it with an earnest mind?
Text:
The Buddha replied, "Hearken! Vajrapani, in future times, if, among male believers, female believers, and the four groups of my disciples, there are those who are inspired to copy this sutra, they in effect copy all the sutras pronounced by 99 billion koti Tathagatas. It will surpass the roots of goodness they have already been planting for a long time in the presence of 99 billion koti Tathagatas. All the Tathagatas will support, protect, and remember them like cherishing their own eyes or like loving mothers caring for their young children. If a person recites this one-fascicle sutra, he in effect recites all the sutras pronounced by Buddhas of the past, present, and future.
Commentary:
If we copy the Sutra, or have it printed, we in effect copy, just in the present life, all the Buddhist scriptures pronounced by the Buddhas in the past, the present, and the future. This is just how virtuous it is to do so! Or, as is written in the Sutra, “there are those who are inspired to copy this sutra, they in effect copy all the sutras pronounced by 99 billion koti Tathagatas.”
“It will surpass the roots of goodness they have already been planting for a long time in the presence of 99 billion koti Tathagatas.” It is like you have learned the Dharma in the presence of 99 billion koti Tathagatas, and gained the merits and virtues equaling to that.
“have already been planting for a long time”: That is to say, it is equal to having cultivated the Buddha Dharma in the presence of so many Buddhas.
“All the Tathagatas will support, protect, and remember them like cherishing their own eyes or like loving mothers caring for their young children.” All the Tathagatas shall protect and love you as much as you to your eyes, as if you were their youngest child. Mom tends to love the youngest kid the best. Shakyamuni Buddha made a comparison here saying that He would love you as much as He loves His eyes and a mother caring for her youngest child. By recited the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas, you have recited all the sutras pronounced by the Buddhas of the present, and future.
Text:
For this reason, 99 billion koti Tathagatas, who are Arhats, Samyak-Sambuddhas, will come, jam-packed sideways without any gap between them, like sesame seeds in a pile. Day and night they will appear and support that person.
Commentary:
As you recite the Sutra, all the Tathagatas of the past, present and future will visit you, and appear before you. They sit on the Buddha statue or pagoda inside which a copy of the sutra is placed, support you, and bestow power onto you as long as you read, recite, write, or uphold the sutra.
Text:
Thus, all the Buddha-Tathagatas, innumerable as the sands of the Ganges, will come. The first group of them has not yet left, and the next has arrived. They all instantly move away and return again, like fine sands whirling in quick water. Unable to stop, they come again as soon as they turn away.
Commentary:
I have told you about it earlier. What I tell you can always be found in the Buddhist scriptures. If your Dharma eyes were open, you’d find them sitting by the pagoda. The first group of the Buddhas has yet to leave while the next has arrived. It is like find sands whirling in quick water, which is non-stop. Correct Dharma teachings are based on Buddhist scriptures!
Text:
If a person makes offerings of incense, flowers, solid perfumes, garlands, garments, and wonderful decorative objects to this sutra, he in effect makes an entire offering before 99 billion koti Tathagatas in the ten directions, of divine incense, flowers, garments, and decorative objects made of the seven treasures, all piled high like Mount Sumeru. Planting one's roots of goodness can be accomplished in the same way.”
Commentary:
If we make offerings to the Buddha statue consecrated with the sutra at home, with “incense, flowers, solid perfumes, garlands, garments”, or anything that is vegetarian like apples, we are in effect making offerings before 99 billion koti Tathagatas. “99 billion kotiTathagatas” is an astronomical figure. It is in fact way more than what can be calculated by “billion”. It is incalculable. “Aksobhya”, for example, can also be used as an expression of calculation, meaning incalculable. In the past, people also made offerings with money and garments. The Buddha tells us in the passage that this is how we can plant our good roots. This is just how great the merits and virtues can be!
Text:
At that time, having heard these words, the eight classes of Dharma protectors, such as gods and dragons, as well as humans, nonhumans, and others, all harboring wonderment, said to one another, “How marvelous is the awesome virtue of this old pile of earth! Its miraculous manifestation must have been caused by the spiritual powers of the TathAgata.”
Vajrapani next asked the Buddha, “World-Honored One, for what causes and conditions has this pagoda made of the seven treasures now become a pile of dirt?"
Commentary:
The assembly members, including the eight classes of Dharma protectors such as gods and dragons, as well as humans and non-humans, were filled with wonderment. They were talking to each other, “How marvelous! Bestowed by the spiritual powers of the Tathagata, even the pile of earth can have such miraculous manifestation!”
Vajrapani asked the Buddha why. “World Honored One, what is it that makes the seven-gem pagoda a pile of dirt, or a mound? Why didn’t we fail to recognize it that it was a dilapidated pagoda?”
Text:
The Buddha replied to Vajrapani, “This is not a pile of dirt, but a wonderful, great treasure pagoda! It is hidden because of the bad karmic fruits of sentient beings.
Commentary:
Leifeng Pagoda is an example. It got hidden by collapsing. People were too bad and mean to it. They scrapped the earth off its wall. Finally, the Pagoda chose to hide itself from us. As is written in the passage, it was “because of the bad karmic fruits of sentient beings.” The pagoda collapsed and became a pile of dirt because the people were too bad. They neglected it, and did not pay homage to it even though doing so could bring such great merits and virtues to them. The pagoda chose to hide itself from the people, since they did not respect it.
Text:
Although the pagoda is hidden, the bodies of the Tathagatas are indestructible. How could the vajra-store bodies of the Tathagatas be destroyed?
Commentary:
Though the pagoda has collapsed, the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas is still buried under it. As long as the sutra is there, the whole bodies of the Tathagatas remain. You do evoke the response paying homage to it. The pagoda is but an exterior mark. The true treasure is the vajra-store bodies of the Tathagatas, which can also be interpreted as an energy body, the Buddha nature, which is invisible, intangible, and yet can do everything. It is indestructible, and always stays there.
Text:
After I have abandoned my body, the ending of the Dharma will be unrelenting in future times. Sentient beings that act not according to the Dharma are bound to fall to hell because they neither believe in the Three Jewels nor plant any roots of goodness. Because of these causes and conditions, the Buddha Dharma should be hidden.
Commentary:
In the Dharma-ending age, the sentient beings create lots of bad karma, refusing to believe in the Buddha Dharma or planting good roots, and shall fall into the hell after they die. Because of it, the Buddha Dharma shall be hidden. We won’t be able to get access to it. As I said to you the other day, people won’t see any Buddha images sometimes in the future, let along Buddhist scriptures. What can they see by then?
Text:
However, this pagoda will still be solid and will not be demolished
Commentary:
The pagoda shall remain solid in the Dharma-ending Age!
Text:
…because it is supported by the spiritual powers of all the Tathagatas.
Commentary:
Why won’t it disappear? It is so because all the Tathagatas are supporting it with their spiritual powers. Therefore, it shall always stay!
Text:
However, ignorant beings, obscured and obstructed by their delusions, not knowing how to unearth and use the treasure, simply leave it buried. For this reason, I now shed tears, and other Tathagatas all shed tears as well."
Commentary:
He was explaining why He wept tears with blood and why so many Tathagatas cried. He had known that the beings in the Dharma-ending Age would regard the pagoda as a pile of dirt, and would not bow to it or show respect to it. They would take it as useless. It was so because the beings were obscured and obstructed by their karmic obstacles. Shakyamuni Buddha, for this reason, shed tears out of compassion for the beings.
Text:
Furthermore, the Buddha said to Vajrapani, "If a person copies this sutra and enshrines the copy in a pagoda, this pagoda will then become the vajra-store stupa of all the Tathagatas as well as the stupa supported by the heart secret of the dharani of all the Tathagatas. It will become the stupa of 99 billion koti Tathagatas as well as the Buddha-crown and Buddha-eye stupa of all Tathagatas, and it will be protected by their spiritual powers.
Commentary:
The Buddha said to the Vajrapani Bodhisattva, if any beings, either humans or non-humans, could write the Sutra, as there was no printing machine at that time, and enshrine the copy of the Sutra in a pagoda…
“enshrines the copy in a pagoda”: as long as one places the sutra copy inside a pagoda, it will become “the vajra-store stupa of all the Tathagatas”, which means there are numerous Buddhas and Tagathagas supporting it.
“stupa”: It is an Indian word, meaning something that is pagoda-shaped or pagoda-like. The Buddha did not use the word “pagoda” so that we don’t get attached to the mark. If the word “pagoda” were used, people would not dare to enshrine the copy in anything else other than a pagoda. In fact, we may place it inside anything that we make offerings to or bow to.
“…as well as the stupa supported by the heart secret of the dharani of all the Tathagatas.” All the Tathagatas would support it with their spiritual powers.
“It will become the stupa of 99 billion koti Tathagatas”: That is to say, hundreds of millions of Tathagatas shall gather there, making it very efficacious and responsive!
“as well as the Buddha-crown and Buddha-eye stupa of all Tathagatas”: The Buddha crowns and eyes shall also stay there and bestow it with the powers as mighty as those of the Buddha crowns and eyes.
“and it will be protected by their spiritual powers.” It shall be protected by all the Tathagatas, those of the past, present, and future, who keep empowering and blessing it.
Text:
If you enshrine this sutra inside a Buddha's statue in a stupa, the statue will in effect be made of the seven treasures. This statue will be so efficacious and responsive that all wishes will be fulfilled without exception.
"According to your ability, construct for a stupa these things: canopies, nets, columns, dew-catching wheels, fine eaves, bells, foundations, or steps. Whether you use earth, wood, stones, or bricks, all will turn into the seven treasures because of the awesome power of the sutra.
Commentary:
Pay attention to the follow text lines.
“If you enshrine this sutra inside a Buddha's statue in a stupa…”: The Buddha made it clear to us that this is what we can do. We would not dare to do it if He had not said so.
He told us that we only need to enshrine the sutra in a Buddha statute to consecrate it. “Stupa”: I’ve told you what it means.
“a Buddha's statue…” Pay attention to this! The Buddha would make it clear to us if it works. Otherwise, he would not have said so. As I kept stressing to you in the morning that nowhere could we find in any Buddhist scripture that the Mantra of Great Compassion or the Rebirth in the Pureland Mantra could be worn in our bodies. You probably have committed slander against the Buddha Dharma by doing so. I heard some people complain why wearing this or that mantra was not efficacious. Certainly it wouldn’t be efficacious. The Buddha has never said that the Mantra of Great Compassion or the Rebirth in the Pureland Mantra can be worn in our bodies. In this case, He made it clear to us that the Sutra could be placed inside a Buddha statue to consecrate it.
“the statue will in effect be made of the seven treasures. This statue will be so efficacious and responsive that all wishes will be fulfilled without exception.” It is written is clear-cut terms here that as long as you enshrine the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas in a Buddha statute, the statue will be very efficacious and responsive. All your wishes will be granted. Or, to put it in another way, you get what you pray.
"According to your ability, construct for a stupa these things: canopies, nets, columns, dew-catching wheels, fine eaves, bells, foundations, or steps. Whether you use earth, wood, stones, or bricks, all will turn into the seven treasures because of the awesome power of thesutra.”
No matter what the pagoda is made from, be it brick, wood, or whatever, it shall become a pagoda in a real sense, with even the stairways.
“fine eaves, bells”: the windbells that hang on each eave of a pagoda. It shall become a complete pagoda, and not only so, a pagoda made of seven treasures. The seven treasures refer to gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, agate, red pearl and carnelian. You should know them well if you do sutra recitation regularly. Though we don’t see it with our naked eyes, it is just all changed as long as we enshrine it with the sutra. See, all that I have told you can be found in the sutra.
“According to your ability…”: You can do it as much as your ability or circumstances allow. Some of you may be able to build a tall pagoda, while others can only make a small one with earth. Never mind, it will work. Whether you use earth, wood, stone, or brink, the pagoda will naturally turn into seven treasures if you enshrine a copy of the Heart Secret of All Tathagatassutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal in it, because of, as the Buddha said, “the awesome power of thesutra”
Text:
Moreover, all the Tathagatas will increase the power of this sutra. Keeping a sincere promise, they support it incessantly.
“a sincere promise”: meaning there is no falsity to it. They do, in reality, bestow power onto it. All the Tathagatas include all the Buddhas in the past, present, and future.
Text:
"If a sentient being makes obeisance and gives offerings of only a little incense and one flower to this pagoda, his grave sins which would entail 80 koti kalpas of life and death will all be expunged at once.
Commentary:
If you enshrine a copy of the sutra in a Buddha statue, and bow to it, all the offenses committed in the past 80 koti kalpas of life and death will be extinguished immediately! Our offenses committed over the past 1,000 kalpas will be expunged if we recite the Sutra of Longevity, while it is “80 koti kalpas” in this case. Shakyamuni Buddha has spoken it in clear-cut terms, and it must be the very truth, without falsity!
Text:
He will be free from catastrophes during his life and, after death, be reborn in the Buddha family.
Commentary:
“He will be free from catastrophes during his life and…”: It can protect you from disasters. There won’t be any more catastrophes in your life.
“…and, after death, be reborn in the Buddha family.” This is just how superb it is to have a Buddha statue with a copy of the sutra placed inside it at home. As long as you pay homage to the statue, you’d be reborn in a Buddhaland after you die. There are numerous Buddhalands. It is good for you no matter what school you cultivate, be it Pure Land School or whatever.
Text:
Even for a person who should fall to Avici Hell, if he makes one obeisance to the pagoda or circumambulate it once to the right, the door to hell will be blocked and the bodhi road will be opened.
Commentary:
What will happen if a person has committed very serious offenses and is supposed to fall to the Avici Hell after he dies, and yet if he bows to the pagoda or circumambulate it to the right just once, well in fact, let me put it simply, if he shows respect and pays homage to it,? Let’s read the next line. It is really ineffably superb!
“the door to hell will be blocked”: the doors to the hell will be blocked. He will not fall to the Hell with just one bow.
“and the bodhi road will be opened”: the road to the Buddhalands is open. This is consistent with what I have been telling you these days. None of my words is false. They are all based in the Sutra. The Buddha has made it clear to us that the door to hell will be blocked and the bodhi road will be opened as long as the person pays respects to it, bowing or circumambulating it to the right just once.
Text:
“Furthermore, the place of the pagoda or of its image will be protected by the spiritual powers of all the Tathagatas. The place will not be damaged by hurricanes, lightening, or thunderbolt. It will be neither disturbed by venomous snakes, vipers, or poisonous insects and animals, nor harmed by lions, rampaging elephants, tigers, wolves, jackals, or scorpions. It will be free from the terror of yaksas, raksasas, putanas, pisacas, spirits, monsters, and epilepsy. It will not be troubled by diseases, such as chills, fevers, skin ulcers, carbuncles, scabies, or psora.
Commentary:
Enshrine the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas in a Buddha statue and place it in your home, it shall be free from the damage of earthquake, thunderbolt, lightening, flood, fire, and hurricanes. Nor will venomous snakes or beasts such as lions or rampaging elephants hurt you. He used the phrase “rampaging elephants”, meaning even the elephants are running amok, they won’t trample you.
“yaksas, raksasas, putanas, pisacas, spirits, monsters, and epilepsy.…”: These are ghosts and goblins. They won’t be able to inflict any harm on you. Therefore, you will not suffer from any serious diseases.
“It will not be troubled by diseases, such as chills, fevers, skin ulcers, carbuncles, scabies, or psora.” These are serious diseases. You can avert them. In fact, gradually, you will be protected safe further and further away from all the inauspicious things, made possible only because of the Mantra! This is just how efficacious the mantra is! Recite it 21 times, and one gets recovered gradually from illness. It is just that powerful!
Text:
One can avert all disasters by seeing the pagoda briefly. Also, at the place of the pagoda, people including young boys and girls, horses, and six kinds of livestock will not be plagued by epidemics.
Commentary:
Even the livestock around the Buddha statue will not fall sick. So will the children. Sure, we may still contract minor diseases. After all, we are humans. There won’t be serious diseases like cancer.
Text:
They will not die unnatural, accidental deaths,
Commentary:
They will not die in accidents such as a traffic accident or die young. Such mishaps won’t befall them.
Text:
…or be harmed by knives, sticks, water, or fire. They will be neither plundered by bandits or enemies.
Commentary:
You may still get hit in traffic accidents bowing to Buddha Statues not having been consecrated with the sutra. The statues are not endowed with such a power. However, you can avert the mishaps if they bow to a consecrated statue.
“They will be neither plundered by bandits or enemies.” Place such a Buddha statute at home, and you will not be plundered by bandits. Nor will your enemies be able to seek revenge on you.
Text:
…nor worried about famine or poverty.
Commentary:
You can pray for wealth before the statue, and shall be free from famine and poverty. Some of you are worried that others may be cursing you. Don’t worry. As long as you have the statute at home, no one can harm you with any cursing. It will be like what the saying describes as “curses come home to roost.”
Text:
They will not be subjected to the power of sorcery or curses.
Commentary:
No cursing can harm you.
Text:
The four great god-kings and their retinue will protect them day and night.
Commentary:
You will be protected by the four great god kings, and the heavenly generals and soldiers under their command, day and night.
Text:
In addition, the 28 classes of yaksa generals,
Commentary:
The twenty-eight constellations are protecting you, too.
Text:
the sun, the moon, the five planets
Commentary:
The stars. You know well the sun, the moon, and the five planets. Scientists have done some research about them. The five planets in this case refer to the Venus, the Jupiter, the Mercury, the Mars, and the Saturn.
Text:
and cloudlike comets…
Commentary:
The comets, which are further from us than the five planets.
Text:
…will protect them day and night.
Commentary:
They protect you day and night.
Text:
All dragon-kings will increase their vital energy and bring rainfall at the right time.
Commentary:
Dragon kings, too, protect you. They will bring rainfall at the right time to you, for example, when there is a drought or water shortage in your hometown.
Text:
All the heavenly beings including those in Trayastrimsa Heaven
Commentary:
The beings from all the heavens, including from the Trayastrimsa Heaven.
Text:
…will descend during the three periods of the day to make offerings.
Commentary:
The three periods of the day refer to in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. The heavenly beings do visit you in the three periods. In fact, when you get the luck, you will see rays of lights descending from high to your home. It is a sign that the gods and immortals are visiting you. Since you cannot see their Dharma bodies, you see lights. The lights fall upon your home at lightening speed. Sometimes the lights never disappear as there are so many of them. Ordinary people can also see the lights when they get the luck.
Locals in Xinchang city often see rays of strong lights when it is raining with thunder. They refer to it as the “white rainbow spirit”, the white color in a rainbow. It is not true. Sometimes you may feel it noisy at night at home. If you take a look, you may find there are so many heavenly beings there paying homage to the Buddha statue. They making offerings to the consecrated Buddha statue because it is so superb.
Text:
All fairies will gather during the three periods to sing songs of praise, circumambulate…
Commentary:
The fairies usually live in a cave. They have to dwell in a cave because their skills of cultivation are not good enough. There are many of them in Mount. Jiuhua and Mount. E’mei. If their skills are good enough, they’d living in their own palace in the heavens. They pay homage to the statue in the three periods, too, by singing songs of praise, circumambulating…
Text:
…give thanks, and pay respects
Commentary:
They pay respects and homage to the stupa, as it is so tall, so superb, and powerful, with so many Buddhas.
Text:
The god-king Shakra and goddesses will descend during the three periods of the day and of the night to make offerings.
Commentary:
King Shakra is commonly known as the Heavenly Emperor of Jade among the Chinese. He, too, shall descend to make offerings together with the goddesses in the three periods.
Text:
The place will be remembered and supported by all the Tathagatas.
Commentary:
All the Tathagatas in the past, present, and future bestow power onto this place. Why is it so?
Text:
Such will be the pagoda because it contains thissutra!
Commentary:
It is so because the Heart Secret of All Tathagatassutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal is enshrined in the pagoda or Buddha statue.
Text:
"If people build a pagoda using earth, stone, wood, gold, silver, bronze, and lead, and if they copy this spiritual mantra and enshrine the copy in the pagoda, as soon as it is enshrined, the pagoda will in effect be made of the seven treasures. The upper and lower steps, dew-catching wheels, canopies, bells, and columns will all be made of the seven treasures.
Commentary:
If people build a pagoda, either with earth, stone, wood, gold, silver, bronze, or lead, copy this mantra, and place it inside the pagoda, it shall immediately turn into one made of the seven treasures. He told us in clear-cut terms that it is regardless of with what materials you build the pagoda. The pagoda shall keep rising and skyrocketing to an incredible height, as is stated in the next passage.
Text:
Also, the four sides of the pagoda will have the images of the Tathagatas. Because of the essence of the Dharma, all the Tathagatas firmly protect and support the pagoda, staying in it day and night without departing.
Commentary:
Because of the Heart Secret of All Tathagatassutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal is enshrined in it, all the Tathagatas of the past, present, and future will come, jam-packed sideways without any gap between them. They stay there 24 hours a day without departing.
Text:
Because of the awesome power of the mantra, the pagoda made of the seven treasures, which contains the wonderful treasure of the whole-body relics, will soar high up into the midst of the palaces in AkaniSṭha Heaven.
Commentary:
The pagoda or the statue shall soar high up to the 18th layer of the Brahman Heaven, because of the awesome power of the mantra. You don’t see it with naked eyes. But if your Dharma eyes or deva eyes are open, you’d see it. It is just how superb it is!
Text:
Wherever a pagoda stands like a mountain, all gods will view it with reverence, stand guard, and make offerings day and night."
Commentary:
All the heavenly beings look at it with utmost reverence. They pay homage and respects to it.
Text:
Vajrapani asked, "Due to what causes and conditions has this Dharma such superb virtue?"
Commentary:
The Vajrapani Bodhisattva asked how come it is so superb, and has such great virtues and spiritual powers.
Text:
The Buddha replied, "You should know that it is because of the spiritual power of this Treasure Chest Seal Dharani"
Commentary:
The Buddha explained that it was all because of the mantra. The mantra has ineffably great spiritual power!
Text:
Vajrapani requested, "I pray that the Tathagata, out of compassion for me and all others present, will pronounce this Dharani ."
Commentary:
Vajrapani pleaded with the Buddha. Buddha, could you plesase show compassion on us and pronounce the mantra to us? In the sutra text, the word “dharani” is used. Dharani means mantra. Vajrapani requested that the Buddha speak the mantra to us.
To be continued
A General Explanation By Venerable Master Zhenlin
English Translation of the Sutra Text by Rulu
(http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra03.html)
English Translation of the Commentary by Zhenlin Disciples
Master Zhenlin’s Commentary on the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas --II
Text:
At that time the World-Honored One, having traveled not too far on the road, came to a garden called Abundant Wealth. In that garden were the ruins of an ancient pagoda, dilapidated and collapsed. With the courtyard covered by thistles and the doors sealed by creeping weeds, the buried rubbles resembled a mound of dirt. At that time the Buddha went straight to the pagoda. Forthwith, the pagoda issued vast, bright light, illuminating and glowing. A voice from the heap of earth praised, "Very good! Very good! Śhākyamuni, Your action today is excellent! And you, Brahmin, will receive great benefits today!"
Commentary:
What does this passage tell about?
Shakyamuni Buddha stood up and walked to a garden, where he saw a mound. The courtyard was covered by weeds and thistles. There was an ancient pagoda. Speaking of pagoda, I’d like to say a few words about the famous Leifeng Pagoda. It had collapsed, and was renovated a few years ago. It remained efficacious even after it was collapsed. It was efficacious, because there was a copy of the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas buried under it. Nevertheless, the copy was taken away during the renovation and is being kept in a museum now.
Anyway, when the Buddha walked to the pagoda, all of his followers saw it emitting very bright Buddha lights.
“Forthwith, the pagoda issued vast, bright light, illuminating and glowing.” It was very very bright. Perhaps few of you have witnessed firsthand the Buddha lights. Buddha lights are different from the sunlight. Sunlight can be very offensive and hurt our eyes. The Buddha lights, though bright, never hurt the eyes. See, the mound not only emitted Buddha lights, but also was talking. “Very good! Very good! Shakyamuni! What you are doing today is very very good! It is a huge good deed, and that the Brahmin will receive very great benefits today.”
Text:
Then the World-Honored One paid respects to the ruined pagoda by circumambulating it to the right three times. He took off His upper garment, placed it over the pagoda, and wept tears with blood. After weeping, He then smiled. Meanwhile, all Buddhas in the ten directions, looking on together, also shed tears, each emitting light to illuminate this pagoda. At that time the huge assembly was so astonished as to lose their color and wanted to resolve their bewilderment.
Commentary:
What does this passage tell us?
Shakyamuni Buddha walked to the mound, which was emitting Buddha lights and talking. He then took off his upper garment and covered the mound with it. “The ruined pagoda” means it had collapsed.
He circumambulated it three times, a token of great respect. Shakyamuni Buddha showed great respect to the Buddha! He even took off his upper garment and covered the mound with it. As He did so, he was shedding tears so much so that he wept blood.
“After weeping, He then smiled.” He then smiled after the weeping. At that time, the assembly found the Buddhas in the ten directions were weeping tears, too. They manifested Buddha lights to illuminate the mound. The Buddha lights went a long way. Why was it so? The arhats and Bodhisattvas who followed Shaykyamuni Buddha felt bewildered to see Him weeping tears and blood, and that the Buddhas in the ten directions were also shedding tears. They were astonished and scared to the extent of losing their color, or as we may put it, their face turned pale or green.
“and wanted to resolve their bewilderment”: they did not ask Shakyamuni Buddha but each other why. “Do you know why?” They were whispering and discussing it. What happened?
Text:
Meanwhile, Vajrapani and other Bodhisattvas also shed tears. Twirling the vajra in glowing flames, he came to the place where the Buddha was. He asked, "World-Honored One, for what causes and conditions are these lights manifesting; why did the Tathagata shed these tears from His eyes; and why do Buddhas in the ten directions manifest the sign of vast, auspicious light? I pray that the Tathagata will resolve, in this huge assembly, my bewilderment."
Commentary:
By then, the Vajrapani and other Bodhisattvas also shed tears. The Vajrapanies are also Bodhisattvas. They do not manifest themselves as a Bodhisattva but as a Vajrapani, while in fact they have certified to Bodhisattvahood but choose to be born as the Vajrapanies. They could not hold back the tears when they saw the Buddha weeping tears. AVajrapani can pour forth fire. His body has glowing fires.
“Twirling the vajra in glowing flames, he came to the place where the Buddha was.”
He poured forth fire from the mouth, twirled the vajra, and walked around cautiously. Vajrapanies are protectors of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, as we cultivators of the Buddha Dharma. He had thought a demon was coming. He walked around but saw nothing. Then “he came to the place where the Buddha was”: he stopped before the Buddha.
He asked, “World-Honored One, for what causes and conditions are these lights manifesting; why did the Tathagata shed these tears from His eyes; and why do Buddhas in the ten directions manifest the sign of vast, auspicious light? I pray that the Tathagata will resolve, in this huge assembly, my bewilderment.”
Having walked around and searching cautiously, he found nothing unusual. He went to the Buddha, and asked Him why He was weeping tears, why the mound was issuing bright lights, and actually Buddha lights, and why the Buddhas in the ten directions were also shedding tears and illuminating the mound with their Buddha lights.
He prayed that Shakyamuni Buddha explained to him and the assembly why.
Text:
Then the Bhagavan replied to Vajrapani, "This great treasure pagoda of accumulated whole-body relics of Tathagatas contains immeasurable kotis of the heart dharanis, the secret seal of the essence of the Dharma of all Tathagatas. Vajrapani, because of the essence of the Dharma contained in it, the pagoda has become tiered seamlessly like sesame seeds. You should know that the bodies of 100,000 koti Tathagatas are also like sesame seeds. Contained in the pagoda is the accumulation of the whole-body relics of 100,000 koti Tathagatas and even the store of 84,000 Dharmas. Also contained in it are 99 billion koti Tathagata-crowns. Because of these wondrous things, the site of this pagoda has great spiritual efficacy and superb, awesome virtue. It can fill the entire world with auspicious events."
Commentary:
“Then the Bhagavan, the World-Honored One, replied to Vajrapani”: Bhagavan is Shakyamuni Buddha. It is one of His names. In the state of the Vajras, He is known not as the Buddha, or the World Honored One, but mostly as the Bhagavan. The name is also used in a passage in the Sutra of Longevity. Let’s see how Shakyamuni Buddha replied Vajrapani.
“This great treasure pagoda of accumulated whole-body relics of Tathagatas contains immeasurable kotis of the heart dharanis, the secret seal of the essence of the Dharma of all Tathagatas. Vajrapani, because of the essence of the Dharma contained in it, the pagoda has become tiered seamlessly like sesame seeds. You should know that the bodies of 100,000 koti Tathagatas are also like sesame seeds. Contained in the pagoda is the accumulation of the whole-body relics of 100,000 koti Tathagatas and even the store of 84,000 Dharmas. Also contained in it are 99 billion koti Tathagata-crowns. Because of these wondrous things, the site of this pagoda has great spiritual efficacy and superb, awesome virtue. It can fill the entire world with auspicious events.”
Shakyamuni Buddha explained to us in the passage why the mound was emitting lights. It was because there was a copy of the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas buried under it. What did the Sutra bring to the pagoda?
“immeasurable kotis of the heart dharanis, the secret seal of the essence of the Dharma of all Tathagatas”: It contains the secret seal of the essence of the Dhara of all Tathagatas. The Mantra consists of many many secret mantras, and therefore has with it a huge amount of energy.
He went on to say, “Vajrapani, because of the essence of the Dharma contained in it”: Simply because there was a copy of the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas buried under it, the mound, or the pagoda, “has become tiered seamlessly like sesame seeds.” That is to say, the whole-body relics were placed together and made seamless like sesame seeds.
“You should know that the bodies of 100,000 koti Tathagatas are also like sesame seeds.”
As I said to you just now, it was also filled with the real bodies of the Tathagatas. Though it manifested as a mound, you’d be able to see them if your Dharma eyes were open, and they were always there.
“Contained in the pagoda is the accumulation of the whole-body relics of 100,000 koti Tathagatas”: The body relics of the Buddhas in the past, e present, and future, also stayed there.
“and even the store of 84,000 Dharmas”: there was also the accumulation of the 84,000 Dharma doors and all the Dharmas.
“Also contained in it are 99 billion kotiTathāgata-crowns.” There were also numerous red-colored Buddha crowns. In fact, the crown shall grow after one becomes a Buddha. It is a mound of flesh, which is incredible beyond description in its spiritual powers. If you pay attention, you’d find it in a Buddha statute. It can issue lights, too!
Now you should know why there is such a crown in a Buddha Statute. In this passage, we learn that there were many Buddha crowns accumulated in the pagoda as well. Why was the mound emitting lights?
“Because of these wondrous things, the site of this pagoda has great spiritual efficacy and....” Certainly it is very efficacious to make a wish before the mound, with so many Buddhas, Buddha crowns, and body relics of the Buddhas. The sick can get recovered if they eat a bit of the earth from the mound.
Pay attention to the follow line: “…and superb, awesome virtue. It can fill the entire world with auspicious events."
As I said, it has to be “auspicious events”. You won’t have your wish granted if it is for winning the top prize of a 5-million lottery. It won’t work as it is gambling, and inauspicious.
Any wish that morally acceptable will be granted if you pray for it. Don’t try pray for winning 50,000 yuan in a gambling, though. It shall never work. Otherwise, some may even pray for help in killing a foe. The Buddha was really thoughtful. Well, He just knew too well how we humans might think. Therefore, he particularly pointed out that it had to be “auspicious events”.
Text:
When the huge assembly heard the Buddha's words, they erased their emotional defilements, ended their afflictions, and obtained the pure Dharma-eye. Since the capacities of the multitudes were so varied, the benefits they gained were different. Each of them acquired one of the following accomplishments: some achieved the holy fruit, becoming Srotapannas, Sakrdagamins, Anagamins, Arahats, or Pratyekabuddhas; some attained the avaivartika, the no-regress sarvajna on the Bodhisattva Way; some attained the First Ground, Second Ground, or even the Tenth Ground; and some fulfilled the six paramitas. The Brahmin erased his emotional defilements and accomplished the five transcendental powers.
Commentary:
Let’s see what this passage tells about.
Among the assembly there were many arhats and people of good roots. They were smart. They erased their emotional defilements having heard the Buddha saying so. They got more enlightened. Many of them also obtained the Dharma eyes, and found the mound no longer a mound, but skyrocketing and turned into the seven treasures. They found there were so many Buddhas and Tathagataes sitting by the pagoda.
“Since the capacities of the multitudes were so varied”: the assembly members realized that the wish they made at that time would for sure be granted. It would be very efficacious. I had stressed this to you on the first day of the Dharma Assembly. Hopefully you have come to realize it now! Soon they made the wish, and for sure, it was granted.
See, some achieved the holy fruit.
“Srotapannas, Sakrdagamins, Anagamins”: saints like Confucius, Laotze, who cultivated the Way in the secular world.
“Arahats”: Some wanted to become the arhats. They made the wish, “May I become an arhat.” And, their wish was granted. Others wanted to become a Pratyekabuddha, and still others wanted to become a Bodhisattva. Their wishes were all granted. Some certified to “the First Ground, Second Ground, or even the Tenth Ground”: it refers to the different levels of Bodhisattvas.
“the avaivartika”: a Bodhisattva.
“the no-regress sarvajna”: also a Bodhisattva.
The Bodhisattvas are of different ground levels. Those who wanted to become a Bodhisattva made the wish, “May I become a Bodhisattva”, and as it turned out, they did. Their wish was fulfilled. I had reminded you how efficacious it could be and that you should not forget it. Anyway, doing it only after being reminded will not be efficacious. The assembly members were really witty. Hearing the Buddha’s words, they soon made the wish and had it granted.
“some fulfilled the six paramitas”: It is a means of cultivation of the Buddha Dharma, and is cultivation of the Bodhisattva path. What about the Brahmin? He was still a human, but soon “accomplished the five transcendental powers”. The five transcendental powers refer to having the heavenly eyes, wind-accompanying ears, the ability to know other’s thoughts, the ability to know the past lives, and the ability to fly around at one’s will. He can travel to a place very far away as long as he gives rise to the thought.
Text:
At that time, Vajrapani, having witnessed these unusual, very rare occurrences, asked, “World-Honored One, how wonderful and how extraordinary! Since people deserve such excellent virtuous attainments by merely hearing about this matter, how much merit will they gain if they hear the profound truth and invoke their faith with an earnest mind?”
Commentary:
Vajrapani Bodhisattva was so amazed by what had happened: they simply made a wish, and it was granted so soon. They became Arhats and Bodhisattvas! So he asked World Honored One what about people who took time to understand the truth in the Sutra or to uphold it. Wouldn’t they gain more merits and virtues?
“…how much merit will they gain if they hear the profound truth and invoke their faith with an earnest mind?” How many more merits and virtues will people gain if they are committed to learning the Sutra, or upholding it with an earnest mind?
Text:
The Buddha replied, "Hearken! Vajrapani, in future times, if, among male believers, female believers, and the four groups of my disciples, there are those who are inspired to copy this sutra, they in effect copy all the sutras pronounced by 99 billion koti Tathagatas. It will surpass the roots of goodness they have already been planting for a long time in the presence of 99 billion koti Tathagatas. All the Tathagatas will support, protect, and remember them like cherishing their own eyes or like loving mothers caring for their young children. If a person recites this one-fascicle sutra, he in effect recites all the sutras pronounced by Buddhas of the past, present, and future.
Commentary:
If we copy the Sutra, or have it printed, we in effect copy, just in the present life, all the Buddhist scriptures pronounced by the Buddhas in the past, the present, and the future. This is just how virtuous it is to do so! Or, as is written in the Sutra, “there are those who are inspired to copy this sutra, they in effect copy all the sutras pronounced by 99 billion koti Tathagatas.”
“It will surpass the roots of goodness they have already been planting for a long time in the presence of 99 billion koti Tathagatas.” It is like you have learned the Dharma in the presence of 99 billion koti Tathagatas, and gained the merits and virtues equaling to that.
“have already been planting for a long time”: That is to say, it is equal to having cultivated the Buddha Dharma in the presence of so many Buddhas.
“All the Tathagatas will support, protect, and remember them like cherishing their own eyes or like loving mothers caring for their young children.” All the Tathagatas shall protect and love you as much as you to your eyes, as if you were their youngest child. Mom tends to love the youngest kid the best. Shakyamuni Buddha made a comparison here saying that He would love you as much as He loves His eyes and a mother caring for her youngest child. By recited the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas, you have recited all the sutras pronounced by the Buddhas of the present, and future.
Text:
For this reason, 99 billion koti Tathagatas, who are Arhats, Samyak-Sambuddhas, will come, jam-packed sideways without any gap between them, like sesame seeds in a pile. Day and night they will appear and support that person.
Commentary:
As you recite the Sutra, all the Tathagatas of the past, present and future will visit you, and appear before you. They sit on the Buddha statue or pagoda inside which a copy of the sutra is placed, support you, and bestow power onto you as long as you read, recite, write, or uphold the sutra.
Text:
Thus, all the Buddha-Tathagatas, innumerable as the sands of the Ganges, will come. The first group of them has not yet left, and the next has arrived. They all instantly move away and return again, like fine sands whirling in quick water. Unable to stop, they come again as soon as they turn away.
Commentary:
I have told you about it earlier. What I tell you can always be found in the Buddhist scriptures. If your Dharma eyes were open, you’d find them sitting by the pagoda. The first group of the Buddhas has yet to leave while the next has arrived. It is like find sands whirling in quick water, which is non-stop. Correct Dharma teachings are based on Buddhist scriptures!
Text:
If a person makes offerings of incense, flowers, solid perfumes, garlands, garments, and wonderful decorative objects to this sutra, he in effect makes an entire offering before 99 billion koti Tathagatas in the ten directions, of divine incense, flowers, garments, and decorative objects made of the seven treasures, all piled high like Mount Sumeru. Planting one's roots of goodness can be accomplished in the same way.”
Commentary:
If we make offerings to the Buddha statue consecrated with the sutra at home, with “incense, flowers, solid perfumes, garlands, garments”, or anything that is vegetarian like apples, we are in effect making offerings before 99 billion koti Tathagatas. “99 billion kotiTathagatas” is an astronomical figure. It is in fact way more than what can be calculated by “billion”. It is incalculable. “Aksobhya”, for example, can also be used as an expression of calculation, meaning incalculable. In the past, people also made offerings with money and garments. The Buddha tells us in the passage that this is how we can plant our good roots. This is just how great the merits and virtues can be!
Text:
At that time, having heard these words, the eight classes of Dharma protectors, such as gods and dragons, as well as humans, nonhumans, and others, all harboring wonderment, said to one another, “How marvelous is the awesome virtue of this old pile of earth! Its miraculous manifestation must have been caused by the spiritual powers of the TathAgata.”
Vajrapani next asked the Buddha, “World-Honored One, for what causes and conditions has this pagoda made of the seven treasures now become a pile of dirt?"
Commentary:
The assembly members, including the eight classes of Dharma protectors such as gods and dragons, as well as humans and non-humans, were filled with wonderment. They were talking to each other, “How marvelous! Bestowed by the spiritual powers of the Tathagata, even the pile of earth can have such miraculous manifestation!”
Vajrapani asked the Buddha why. “World Honored One, what is it that makes the seven-gem pagoda a pile of dirt, or a mound? Why didn’t we fail to recognize it that it was a dilapidated pagoda?”
Text:
The Buddha replied to Vajrapani, “This is not a pile of dirt, but a wonderful, great treasure pagoda! It is hidden because of the bad karmic fruits of sentient beings.
Commentary:
Leifeng Pagoda is an example. It got hidden by collapsing. People were too bad and mean to it. They scrapped the earth off its wall. Finally, the Pagoda chose to hide itself from us. As is written in the passage, it was “because of the bad karmic fruits of sentient beings.” The pagoda collapsed and became a pile of dirt because the people were too bad. They neglected it, and did not pay homage to it even though doing so could bring such great merits and virtues to them. The pagoda chose to hide itself from the people, since they did not respect it.
Text:
Although the pagoda is hidden, the bodies of the Tathagatas are indestructible. How could the vajra-store bodies of the Tathagatas be destroyed?
Commentary:
Though the pagoda has collapsed, the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas is still buried under it. As long as the sutra is there, the whole bodies of the Tathagatas remain. You do evoke the response paying homage to it. The pagoda is but an exterior mark. The true treasure is the vajra-store bodies of the Tathagatas, which can also be interpreted as an energy body, the Buddha nature, which is invisible, intangible, and yet can do everything. It is indestructible, and always stays there.
Text:
After I have abandoned my body, the ending of the Dharma will be unrelenting in future times. Sentient beings that act not according to the Dharma are bound to fall to hell because they neither believe in the Three Jewels nor plant any roots of goodness. Because of these causes and conditions, the Buddha Dharma should be hidden.
Commentary:
In the Dharma-ending age, the sentient beings create lots of bad karma, refusing to believe in the Buddha Dharma or planting good roots, and shall fall into the hell after they die. Because of it, the Buddha Dharma shall be hidden. We won’t be able to get access to it. As I said to you the other day, people won’t see any Buddha images sometimes in the future, let along Buddhist scriptures. What can they see by then?
Text:
However, this pagoda will still be solid and will not be demolished
Commentary:
The pagoda shall remain solid in the Dharma-ending Age!
Text:
…because it is supported by the spiritual powers of all the Tathagatas.
Commentary:
Why won’t it disappear? It is so because all the Tathagatas are supporting it with their spiritual powers. Therefore, it shall always stay!
Text:
However, ignorant beings, obscured and obstructed by their delusions, not knowing how to unearth and use the treasure, simply leave it buried. For this reason, I now shed tears, and other Tathagatas all shed tears as well."
Commentary:
He was explaining why He wept tears with blood and why so many Tathagatas cried. He had known that the beings in the Dharma-ending Age would regard the pagoda as a pile of dirt, and would not bow to it or show respect to it. They would take it as useless. It was so because the beings were obscured and obstructed by their karmic obstacles. Shakyamuni Buddha, for this reason, shed tears out of compassion for the beings.
Text:
Furthermore, the Buddha said to Vajrapani, "If a person copies this sutra and enshrines the copy in a pagoda, this pagoda will then become the vajra-store stupa of all the Tathagatas as well as the stupa supported by the heart secret of the dharani of all the Tathagatas. It will become the stupa of 99 billion koti Tathagatas as well as the Buddha-crown and Buddha-eye stupa of all Tathagatas, and it will be protected by their spiritual powers.
Commentary:
The Buddha said to the Vajrapani Bodhisattva, if any beings, either humans or non-humans, could write the Sutra, as there was no printing machine at that time, and enshrine the copy of the Sutra in a pagoda…
“enshrines the copy in a pagoda”: as long as one places the sutra copy inside a pagoda, it will become “the vajra-store stupa of all the Tathagatas”, which means there are numerous Buddhas and Tagathagas supporting it.
“stupa”: It is an Indian word, meaning something that is pagoda-shaped or pagoda-like. The Buddha did not use the word “pagoda” so that we don’t get attached to the mark. If the word “pagoda” were used, people would not dare to enshrine the copy in anything else other than a pagoda. In fact, we may place it inside anything that we make offerings to or bow to.
“…as well as the stupa supported by the heart secret of the dharani of all the Tathagatas.” All the Tathagatas would support it with their spiritual powers.
“It will become the stupa of 99 billion koti Tathagatas”: That is to say, hundreds of millions of Tathagatas shall gather there, making it very efficacious and responsive!
“as well as the Buddha-crown and Buddha-eye stupa of all Tathagatas”: The Buddha crowns and eyes shall also stay there and bestow it with the powers as mighty as those of the Buddha crowns and eyes.
“and it will be protected by their spiritual powers.” It shall be protected by all the Tathagatas, those of the past, present, and future, who keep empowering and blessing it.
Text:
If you enshrine this sutra inside a Buddha's statue in a stupa, the statue will in effect be made of the seven treasures. This statue will be so efficacious and responsive that all wishes will be fulfilled without exception.
"According to your ability, construct for a stupa these things: canopies, nets, columns, dew-catching wheels, fine eaves, bells, foundations, or steps. Whether you use earth, wood, stones, or bricks, all will turn into the seven treasures because of the awesome power of the sutra.
Commentary:
Pay attention to the follow text lines.
“If you enshrine this sutra inside a Buddha's statue in a stupa…”: The Buddha made it clear to us that this is what we can do. We would not dare to do it if He had not said so.
He told us that we only need to enshrine the sutra in a Buddha statute to consecrate it. “Stupa”: I’ve told you what it means.
“a Buddha's statue…” Pay attention to this! The Buddha would make it clear to us if it works. Otherwise, he would not have said so. As I kept stressing to you in the morning that nowhere could we find in any Buddhist scripture that the Mantra of Great Compassion or the Rebirth in the Pureland Mantra could be worn in our bodies. You probably have committed slander against the Buddha Dharma by doing so. I heard some people complain why wearing this or that mantra was not efficacious. Certainly it wouldn’t be efficacious. The Buddha has never said that the Mantra of Great Compassion or the Rebirth in the Pureland Mantra can be worn in our bodies. In this case, He made it clear to us that the Sutra could be placed inside a Buddha statue to consecrate it.
“the statue will in effect be made of the seven treasures. This statue will be so efficacious and responsive that all wishes will be fulfilled without exception.” It is written is clear-cut terms here that as long as you enshrine the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas in a Buddha statute, the statue will be very efficacious and responsive. All your wishes will be granted. Or, to put it in another way, you get what you pray.
"According to your ability, construct for a stupa these things: canopies, nets, columns, dew-catching wheels, fine eaves, bells, foundations, or steps. Whether you use earth, wood, stones, or bricks, all will turn into the seven treasures because of the awesome power of thesutra.”
No matter what the pagoda is made from, be it brick, wood, or whatever, it shall become a pagoda in a real sense, with even the stairways.
“fine eaves, bells”: the windbells that hang on each eave of a pagoda. It shall become a complete pagoda, and not only so, a pagoda made of seven treasures. The seven treasures refer to gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, agate, red pearl and carnelian. You should know them well if you do sutra recitation regularly. Though we don’t see it with our naked eyes, it is just all changed as long as we enshrine it with the sutra. See, all that I have told you can be found in the sutra.
“According to your ability…”: You can do it as much as your ability or circumstances allow. Some of you may be able to build a tall pagoda, while others can only make a small one with earth. Never mind, it will work. Whether you use earth, wood, stone, or brink, the pagoda will naturally turn into seven treasures if you enshrine a copy of the Heart Secret of All Tathagatassutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal in it, because of, as the Buddha said, “the awesome power of thesutra”
Text:
Moreover, all the Tathagatas will increase the power of this sutra. Keeping a sincere promise, they support it incessantly.
“a sincere promise”: meaning there is no falsity to it. They do, in reality, bestow power onto it. All the Tathagatas include all the Buddhas in the past, present, and future.
Text:
"If a sentient being makes obeisance and gives offerings of only a little incense and one flower to this pagoda, his grave sins which would entail 80 koti kalpas of life and death will all be expunged at once.
Commentary:
If you enshrine a copy of the sutra in a Buddha statue, and bow to it, all the offenses committed in the past 80 koti kalpas of life and death will be extinguished immediately! Our offenses committed over the past 1,000 kalpas will be expunged if we recite the Sutra of Longevity, while it is “80 koti kalpas” in this case. Shakyamuni Buddha has spoken it in clear-cut terms, and it must be the very truth, without falsity!
Text:
He will be free from catastrophes during his life and, after death, be reborn in the Buddha family.
Commentary:
“He will be free from catastrophes during his life and…”: It can protect you from disasters. There won’t be any more catastrophes in your life.
“…and, after death, be reborn in the Buddha family.” This is just how superb it is to have a Buddha statue with a copy of the sutra placed inside it at home. As long as you pay homage to the statue, you’d be reborn in a Buddhaland after you die. There are numerous Buddhalands. It is good for you no matter what school you cultivate, be it Pure Land School or whatever.
Text:
Even for a person who should fall to Avici Hell, if he makes one obeisance to the pagoda or circumambulate it once to the right, the door to hell will be blocked and the bodhi road will be opened.
Commentary:
What will happen if a person has committed very serious offenses and is supposed to fall to the Avici Hell after he dies, and yet if he bows to the pagoda or circumambulate it to the right just once, well in fact, let me put it simply, if he shows respect and pays homage to it,? Let’s read the next line. It is really ineffably superb!
“the door to hell will be blocked”: the doors to the hell will be blocked. He will not fall to the Hell with just one bow.
“and the bodhi road will be opened”: the road to the Buddhalands is open. This is consistent with what I have been telling you these days. None of my words is false. They are all based in the Sutra. The Buddha has made it clear to us that the door to hell will be blocked and the bodhi road will be opened as long as the person pays respects to it, bowing or circumambulating it to the right just once.
Text:
“Furthermore, the place of the pagoda or of its image will be protected by the spiritual powers of all the Tathagatas. The place will not be damaged by hurricanes, lightening, or thunderbolt. It will be neither disturbed by venomous snakes, vipers, or poisonous insects and animals, nor harmed by lions, rampaging elephants, tigers, wolves, jackals, or scorpions. It will be free from the terror of yaksas, raksasas, putanas, pisacas, spirits, monsters, and epilepsy. It will not be troubled by diseases, such as chills, fevers, skin ulcers, carbuncles, scabies, or psora.
Commentary:
Enshrine the Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Dharani, the Heart Secret of All Tathagatas in a Buddha statue and place it in your home, it shall be free from the damage of earthquake, thunderbolt, lightening, flood, fire, and hurricanes. Nor will venomous snakes or beasts such as lions or rampaging elephants hurt you. He used the phrase “rampaging elephants”, meaning even the elephants are running amok, they won’t trample you.
“yaksas, raksasas, putanas, pisacas, spirits, monsters, and epilepsy.…”: These are ghosts and goblins. They won’t be able to inflict any harm on you. Therefore, you will not suffer from any serious diseases.
“It will not be troubled by diseases, such as chills, fevers, skin ulcers, carbuncles, scabies, or psora.” These are serious diseases. You can avert them. In fact, gradually, you will be protected safe further and further away from all the inauspicious things, made possible only because of the Mantra! This is just how efficacious the mantra is! Recite it 21 times, and one gets recovered gradually from illness. It is just that powerful!
Text:
One can avert all disasters by seeing the pagoda briefly. Also, at the place of the pagoda, people including young boys and girls, horses, and six kinds of livestock will not be plagued by epidemics.
Commentary:
Even the livestock around the Buddha statue will not fall sick. So will the children. Sure, we may still contract minor diseases. After all, we are humans. There won’t be serious diseases like cancer.
Text:
They will not die unnatural, accidental deaths,
Commentary:
They will not die in accidents such as a traffic accident or die young. Such mishaps won’t befall them.
Text:
…or be harmed by knives, sticks, water, or fire. They will be neither plundered by bandits or enemies.
Commentary:
You may still get hit in traffic accidents bowing to Buddha Statues not having been consecrated with the sutra. The statues are not endowed with such a power. However, you can avert the mishaps if they bow to a consecrated statue.
“They will be neither plundered by bandits or enemies.” Place such a Buddha statute at home, and you will not be plundered by bandits. Nor will your enemies be able to seek revenge on you.
Text:
…nor worried about famine or poverty.
Commentary:
You can pray for wealth before the statue, and shall be free from famine and poverty. Some of you are worried that others may be cursing you. Don’t worry. As long as you have the statute at home, no one can harm you with any cursing. It will be like what the saying describes as “curses come home to roost.”
Text:
They will not be subjected to the power of sorcery or curses.
Commentary:
No cursing can harm you.
Text:
The four great god-kings and their retinue will protect them day and night.
Commentary:
You will be protected by the four great god kings, and the heavenly generals and soldiers under their command, day and night.
Text:
In addition, the 28 classes of yaksa generals,
Commentary:
The twenty-eight constellations are protecting you, too.
Text:
the sun, the moon, the five planets
Commentary:
The stars. You know well the sun, the moon, and the five planets. Scientists have done some research about them. The five planets in this case refer to the Venus, the Jupiter, the Mercury, the Mars, and the Saturn.
Text:
and cloudlike comets…
Commentary:
The comets, which are further from us than the five planets.
Text:
…will protect them day and night.
Commentary:
They protect you day and night.
Text:
All dragon-kings will increase their vital energy and bring rainfall at the right time.
Commentary:
Dragon kings, too, protect you. They will bring rainfall at the right time to you, for example, when there is a drought or water shortage in your hometown.
Text:
All the heavenly beings including those in Trayastrimsa Heaven
Commentary:
The beings from all the heavens, including from the Trayastrimsa Heaven.
Text:
…will descend during the three periods of the day to make offerings.
Commentary:
The three periods of the day refer to in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. The heavenly beings do visit you in the three periods. In fact, when you get the luck, you will see rays of lights descending from high to your home. It is a sign that the gods and immortals are visiting you. Since you cannot see their Dharma bodies, you see lights. The lights fall upon your home at lightening speed. Sometimes the lights never disappear as there are so many of them. Ordinary people can also see the lights when they get the luck.
Locals in Xinchang city often see rays of strong lights when it is raining with thunder. They refer to it as the “white rainbow spirit”, the white color in a rainbow. It is not true. Sometimes you may feel it noisy at night at home. If you take a look, you may find there are so many heavenly beings there paying homage to the Buddha statue. They making offerings to the consecrated Buddha statue because it is so superb.
Text:
All fairies will gather during the three periods to sing songs of praise, circumambulate…
Commentary:
The fairies usually live in a cave. They have to dwell in a cave because their skills of cultivation are not good enough. There are many of them in Mount. Jiuhua and Mount. E’mei. If their skills are good enough, they’d living in their own palace in the heavens. They pay homage to the statue in the three periods, too, by singing songs of praise, circumambulating…
Text:
…give thanks, and pay respects
Commentary:
They pay respects and homage to the stupa, as it is so tall, so superb, and powerful, with so many Buddhas.
Text:
The god-king Shakra and goddesses will descend during the three periods of the day and of the night to make offerings.
Commentary:
King Shakra is commonly known as the Heavenly Emperor of Jade among the Chinese. He, too, shall descend to make offerings together with the goddesses in the three periods.
Text:
The place will be remembered and supported by all the Tathagatas.
Commentary:
All the Tathagatas in the past, present, and future bestow power onto this place. Why is it so?
Text:
Such will be the pagoda because it contains thissutra!
Commentary:
It is so because the Heart Secret of All Tathagatassutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal is enshrined in the pagoda or Buddha statue.
Text:
"If people build a pagoda using earth, stone, wood, gold, silver, bronze, and lead, and if they copy this spiritual mantra and enshrine the copy in the pagoda, as soon as it is enshrined, the pagoda will in effect be made of the seven treasures. The upper and lower steps, dew-catching wheels, canopies, bells, and columns will all be made of the seven treasures.
Commentary:
If people build a pagoda, either with earth, stone, wood, gold, silver, bronze, or lead, copy this mantra, and place it inside the pagoda, it shall immediately turn into one made of the seven treasures. He told us in clear-cut terms that it is regardless of with what materials you build the pagoda. The pagoda shall keep rising and skyrocketing to an incredible height, as is stated in the next passage.
Text:
Also, the four sides of the pagoda will have the images of the Tathagatas. Because of the essence of the Dharma, all the Tathagatas firmly protect and support the pagoda, staying in it day and night without departing.
Commentary:
Because of the Heart Secret of All Tathagatassutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal is enshrined in it, all the Tathagatas of the past, present, and future will come, jam-packed sideways without any gap between them. They stay there 24 hours a day without departing.
Text:
Because of the awesome power of the mantra, the pagoda made of the seven treasures, which contains the wonderful treasure of the whole-body relics, will soar high up into the midst of the palaces in AkaniSṭha Heaven.
Commentary:
The pagoda or the statue shall soar high up to the 18th layer of the Brahman Heaven, because of the awesome power of the mantra. You don’t see it with naked eyes. But if your Dharma eyes or deva eyes are open, you’d see it. It is just how superb it is!
Text:
Wherever a pagoda stands like a mountain, all gods will view it with reverence, stand guard, and make offerings day and night."
Commentary:
All the heavenly beings look at it with utmost reverence. They pay homage and respects to it.
Text:
Vajrapani asked, "Due to what causes and conditions has this Dharma such superb virtue?"
Commentary:
The Vajrapani Bodhisattva asked how come it is so superb, and has such great virtues and spiritual powers.
Text:
The Buddha replied, "You should know that it is because of the spiritual power of this Treasure Chest Seal Dharani"
Commentary:
The Buddha explained that it was all because of the mantra. The mantra has ineffably great spiritual power!
Text:
Vajrapani requested, "I pray that the Tathagata, out of compassion for me and all others present, will pronounce this Dharani ."
Commentary:
Vajrapani pleaded with the Buddha. Buddha, could you plesase show compassion on us and pronounce the mantra to us? In the sutra text, the word “dharani” is used. Dharani means mantra. Vajrapani requested that the Buddha speak the mantra to us.
To be continued
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