Chapter 61 conclusion

This book uses plain language to lighten up some of my understanding of Buddhism.It is really a drop in the ocean and a speck in the sky.Just as the preface of the "Lecture Notes of the Shurangama Sutra" written by the former master Yuanying said: "Talk about the book and see it, and talk about the nature and nature, but use the talent to explore the sea of ​​meaning."Therefore, this article can only be used as a convenient introduction for Buddhist college students and aspiring Buddhist scholars. Where do you start learning Buddhism, and how can you become a Buddha?This is what Buddhist theory wants to answer.In a nutshell, it can be summed up in four words: "wisdom and compassion".The specific manifestation of wisdom and compassion is the two feet of blessing and wisdom. Only by cultivating blessings and wisdom, actively altruistic, adorning the land, benefiting sentient beings, and completing meritorious deeds, can one become a Buddha.

Cultivating blessings is to cultivate the great deeds of Bodhisattva extensively, which requires people to engage in beneficial careers, promote human happiness, social progress, and national prosperity.Buddhists should sincerely face the masses and the society, and create the spirit of Mahayana entering the world to benefit people.We must deeply realize that not only Shakyamuni Buddha became a Buddha in the human world, but all Buddhas in the ten directions and three times also became Buddhas in the human world.It is worth mentioning that the Buddha also left a democratic Sangha system to the world, stipulating that all affairs in the Sangha must be decided and handled by the general meeting of the Sangha, and no individual or a few people are allowed to act arbitrarily.There are detailed regulations on the procedures, dates, work inspections, criticism of personal behavior, etc. of the meeting.The British Marquess of Sedland wrote in the book "India's Heritage": "It is amazing that our parliamentary system today can be seen from the Indian Buddhist meeting more than 2,000 years ago."

Cultivating wisdom means learning, increasing knowledge, and respecting knowledge.Buddha, feel also.That is to have a high degree of consciousness, a high degree of cultural accomplishment and moral cultivation.For example, when Prince Siddhartha was a teenager, he completed various studies in languages, culture, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, science and other subjects with excellent grades.But why there are birth, old age, sickness and death in life, what is the truth of life and the universe?These main topics often linger in his mind, and he is puzzled. His strong desire to pursue the truth drives him to resolutely leave the palace and go to the snow-capped mountains to shave his hair and become a family.Use your own natural wisdom to penetrate the practical truth of the universe and life.Is a series of endless phenomena of dependent origination, suddenly enlightened.For example, physiological phenomena have the changing process of birth, old age, sickness, and death; psychological phenomena have the changing process of birth, residence, change, and extinction; physical phenomena have the changing process of becoming, staying, deteriorating, and empty; Pause and rapid change. "Change and Migration" is the only form of material and spiritual existence. The law of "all actions are impermanent" can make people work hard and look at everything from the perspective of change and development. Fools can become wise after learning, and all sentient beings can become Buddhas after cultivating blessings and wisdom.All the Buddhas have profound vows, and they can show their fellow beings to break the net of doubt and open up great wisdom for sentient beings.

In line with the spirit of altruistic Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva can be closely related to all living beings, and the thoughts of "prosperity without destiny and great compassion" and "unity with the body and great compassion" will arise spontaneously, and actively carry out the great grand vow of "decorating the land and benefiting sentient beings" , "Avatamsaka Sutra" said: "Heart Buddha and sentient beings, there is no difference between the three." Fundamentally speaking, only with sentient beings can there be Bodhisattvas. "Huayan Sutra" said: "If there are no sentient beings, all Bodhisattvas will not be able to achieve supreme enlightenment. All sentient beings will be the roots of the tree, and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will be flowers and fruits. If they benefit all sentient beings with the water of great compassion, they will be able to achieve the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas." The flower and fruit of wisdom." Based on this, every Buddhist practitioner should have five minds when dealing with sentient beings:

(1) Reluctant mind: never give up on all sentient beings, never give up on the actions of Bodhisattvas, all the Bodhisattvas’ words, behaviors, life, and study are all for the purpose of respecting the happiness of all beings, helping to achieve the happiness of all beings, and taking the interests of all beings as their first priority One life will always work and struggle for the benefit of all beings without stopping. (2) The mind of equality. Bodhisattvas treat all living beings as parents and Buddhas. (3) Fearlessness: "If I don't go to hell, who will go to hell"? "Vow to save all sentient beings, to eradicate endless afflictions, to learn immeasurable Dharma gates, and to achieve the supreme Buddha Way." Persisting in such aspirations, Bodhisattvas can do what is difficult, let go of what is difficult, and endure what is difficult.

(4) Colleague heart: Colleagues mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures refer to living together, working together, thinking together, and striving together. Bodhisattvas work together with all living beings psychologically and practically, regardless of each other, and become one with each other to save all sentient beings. And those who do not have a single sentient being saved, do not care about saving lives. (5) Mind of learning: In order to serve all beings and help them to be happy, Bodhisattvas should be "compassionate and earnest, and learn widely". "Difficult to learn can be learned, do everything to learn."Learn all knowledge and learn from everyone, just like the fifty-three ginseng of the good fortune boy written in the "Avatamsaka Sutra", study tirelessly.Bodhisattvas learn at all times and in all places to increase the wisdom of the Tao and the wisdom of all kinds.

The wisdom of the Buddha is dependent origination and causality.This is the fundamental teaching of Buddhism for the exploration of the universe and life.Although there have been many changes in the history of Buddhism, none of them can be separated from the fundamental teachings of dependent origination and cause and effect.We can master this profound teaching, that is, to understand the core of the Dharma, to climb the pinnacle of wisdom.