Episode 30 – Great Teachings, Great Dharma, Great Practices
>> With faith in the Suchness of conditions for hearing, time, place and assembly, great teachings were accomplished and an increasing number of talented people appeared and worked hard to cultivate Bodhi. Future generations will benefit from this and develop their wisdom-life.
>>The fulfillment of assembly. Those who sat there to hear the Dharma resonated with and understood the teaching. Their capabilities had come to fruition so they accepted what was said. It is said: This place was filled with talented people. Those who respect and have faith in the Buddha’s virtues will never be alone. At a grand assembly of the Buddha’s disciples and. Bodhisattvas, He saw those whom He could entrust with His path. This is the fulfillment of assembly.
>> First, the assembly of Hearers. Second, the assembly of Bodhisattvas. Third, the assembly of heavenly beings, dragons, and the eight classes of Dharma-protectors.
>> “with the assembly of great bhiksus.”
>> They shared one time. They shared one set of precepts. They shared one place. They shared one mindset. They shared one view. They shared one path. They shared one liberation.
>> “Great” meant many, superior. They had exceptional virtues and vast capacities and were respected by heavenly beings and kings. They were also respected in the human realm. Therefore they were called “great, many.”
>> “Great is their path, use and knowledge. Superior is their path, use and knowledge. Many is their path, use and knowledge.”
>> In total, there were many of them. They were renowned and did grand meritorious works, so they were called “great.”
With faith in the Suchness of conditions for hearing, time, place and assembly, great teachings were accomplished and an increasing number of talented people appeared and worked hard to cultivate Bodhi. Future generations will benefit from this and develop their wisdom-life.
We all believe that [Ananda] had heard thus, that thus was the time, that thus was the place, and thus was the assembly gathered. There were many causes and conditions. Previously, I have spoken of the need for the Six Fulfillments. These causes and conditions must converge for the great teaching to be completed.
Every time the Buddha expounds the Dharma, talented people appear. As this number multiplies again and again, those who can understand, absorb and awaken become truly numerous. This is also what the Buddha has cultivated continuously for a very long time. He uses many methods to plant seeds of goodness. He gives teachings through the Dharma so that everyone can receive and understand them and aspire to realize Bodhi.
We who came after should feel a sense of gratitude because those who hear the Dharma are the beneficiaries. We have received many benefits to help develop our wisdom-life. If the Dharma does not enter our hearts, then ignorance will flourish. If the Dharma enters our hearts, afflictions can be eliminated, and naturally our wisdom-life will grow.
Previously, out of the Six Fulfillments, place had already been fulfilled. The place the Dharma was expounded was City of the House of Kings at Vulture Peak. This was where the Buddha expounded the Dharma.
There is still one more fulfillment. What is it? That of the “assembly.” There is a person who expounds Dharma, a place, and a suitable time. But if no one is listening, there is still no fulfillment. So, there has to be the fulfillment of assembly.
The fulfillment of assembly. Those who sat there to hear the Dharma resonated with and understood the teaching. Their capabilities had come to fruition so they accepted what was said. It is said: This place was filled with talented people. Those who respect and have faith in the Buddha’s virtues will never be alone. At a grand assembly of the Buddha’s disciples and. Bodhisattvas, He saw those whom He could entrust with His path. This is the fulfillment of assembly.
The condition of assembly had been fulfilled because before He began expounding the Lotus. Sutra, the assembly had already been seated. So, “[They] sat there to hear the Dharma.” These people had already listened to the Buddha expound the Dharma for over 40 years, so when they heard it they “resonated with and understood the teaching.” They could hear and comprehend the meanings within the Buddha’s teachings, so they were on his wavelength. They all had great roots and capabilities. Whether emptiness or existence was discussed, they could accept it all; thus, “They accepted what was said.” It was time to expound the Lotus Sutra.
The Buddha knew that their abilities had matured, and it was time to speak. Speak of what? The wondrous Dharma; He was opening the Bodhisattva-path. So, “This place was filled with talented people. Those who respect and have faith in the Buddha’s virtues will never be alone.” It is also said, “The virtuous are never alone; they are certain to have companions.” So, there were many disciples and Bodhisattvas at that grand assembly on Vulture Peak. It can be said that all the Buddha’s disciples, the entire fourfold assembly, were present. There were also Bodhisattvas, from this world and from other places, who had all gathered there. So, this was an immense and grand assembly; it was very exceptional.
From this we know that “He saw those whom He could entrust with His path.” At that time, the Buddha was already quite old. When He saw that all the people seated there had great capabilities, His heart was very peaceful. The wondrous Dharma of the Bodhi-path could be passed down. This was the fulfillment of assembly.
Next, I will explain “assembly.” Among the assembly, distinct types of people were listening.
First, the assembly of Hearers. Second, the assembly of Bodhisattvas. Third, the assembly of heavenly beings, dragons, and the eight classes of Dharma-protectors.
Let us begin with the assembly of Hearers. They attained realization through hearing. Included in this group are bhiksus and bhiksunis. These bhiksus and bhiksunis are further split into those at or beyond the stage of learning. Those at the stage of learning have more to learn. Those beyond the stage of learning are already complete. The Buddha-Dharma is as profound as the ocean, vast and boundless, with inexhaustible learning. But these disciples of the Buddha had already achieved 1000 realizations upon one hearing.
They already understood everything thoroughly. They understood the Dharma expounded by the Buddha all at once. This is called “beyond learning.” Now we will label the different types.
First, let us discuss.
“with the assembly of great bhiksus.”
The meaning of this “with” is that of sharing, sharing in an experience. They participated in seven types of sharing, or shared seven “one’s.”
They shared one time. They shared one set of precepts. They shared one place. They shared one mindset. They shared one view. They shared one path. They shared one liberation.
They were at the grand assembly at the same time to listen to the Buddha expound the Dharma; no one came before or after the others. They were there at the same time. So, “They shared one time.” Especially extraordinary was that this assembly “shared one set of precepts.” Every person was already abiding by the precepts.
Then, “they shared one place.” They were all at Vulture Peak, all listening to the Dharma at that place.
They also “shared one mindset,” one mind, one mission. When listening to the Buddha expound the Dharma, their minds were free of discursive thoughts and illusions. This is being single-minded. This was sharing “one mindset.”
Then, “They shared one view.” Everyone understood that the Dharma expounded by the Buddha is true; they had no doubts. Since they were listening to the Dharma there, they must have had solid faith and no deviant beliefs or views. This was how “they shared one view.”
“They shared one path.” They all moved forward unceasingly; they had begun to collectively walk the Bodhisattva-path. The Buddha had already revealed this path. He wanted to explain to everyone that in the past, what they had heard was spoken because of the Buddha’s compassion. In accordance with their capabilities, He had expounded the Dharma for them. Now He wanted to express His original intent. The Buddha had already made clear. His true innermost thoughts, the path He truly wanted all to follow. Now, together, what they all needed to know was how to walk this Bodhisattva-path. They should already have understood this. So now, the attachments they each held had been dispelled. To “share one liberation” means to enter the state of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. So, their hearts had no other afflictions or worries; they now walked one common path.
Also, the word “great” in “with the assembly of great bhiksus” was used to describe the bhiksus. “Great” here meant many, superior.
“Great” meant many, superior. They had exceptional virtues and vast capacities and were respected by heavenly beings and kings. They were also respected in the human realm. Therefore they were called “great, many.”
“Great” encompassed everything. How were they “great”? “They had exceptional virtues and vast capacities.” Because they had followed the Buddha for so long, they slowly, continuously developed and accumulated their virtues. This is called “exceptional virtues.” When the heart is so broad that it can encompass the universe, it is said to have “vast capacities.”
What are virtues? Inner cultivation and external practice. We must be sincere, upright, faithful, steadfast. We learn from the Buddha to eliminate delusions. Sincerity, integrity, faith and steadfastness are the core duties of each spiritual practitioner. Only sincerity, integrity, faith, steadfastness can establish precepts, Samadhi and wisdom. Only by establishing these can we eliminate greed, anger and ignorance. After we eliminate greed, anger and ignorance, we can practice kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity toward others. These qualities require complete precepts and virtues, which is like having a large capacity.
Those who have large capacities for internal cultivation and external practice are respected by heavenly kings, spirits etc. as well as dragon kings and the remaining eight classes of Dharma-protectors. There are many, very many, infinite realms. They are respected and revered in all, and are also collectively respected in this world. No matter their social status, no matter their level of education, all are revered and respected.
So, the word “great” contains multiple meanings including “vast, exceptional.” Therefore it means “vast, many” and “superior.” The great bhiksus followed the Buddha for so long, listened to so much of the Buddha’s Dharma. When the Buddha was in this world, there were many kinds of religions in India. How many were there? There were 96 kinds of non-Buddhist sects. Therefore this path surpassed over 90 kinds of non-Buddhist sects. This is incredibly exceptional! For thoroughly knowing all Buddhist and non-Buddhist texts, great also means many.
Because of the teachings of the Buddha, they could also understand the non-Buddhist paths. As for whether non-Buddhist teachings were true, false, upright, deviant, the Buddha explained them, one by one. So, the Buddha’s disciples already very clearly understood all of them.
Now I want to explain that.
“Great is their path, use and knowledge. Superior is their path, use and knowledge. Many is their path, use and knowledge.”
In total, there were many of them.
In total, there were many of them. They were renowned and did grand meritorious works, so they were called “great.”
“Great” refers to people’s spiritual cultivation.
“Great is their path.” The path is the teaching we receive and uphold in faith and then physically practice. If the will to practice is firm, when applied in this world, in daily living, one can adapt to everything in this world. Thus, “great is their use.” Next, “great is their knowledge.” Of all matters and objects of this world, there is nothing they do not know. So, their knowledge is also great and broad.
“Superior is their path, use and knowledge.” These principles of this path are exceptional. When they are applied, that is wisdom. I often say that we need to nurture our compassion. But when we begin to apply this compassion, we need to balance it with wisdom. This is called exercising compassion and wisdom. This is called “superior is their use.” If we can practice both compassion and wisdom when conducting worldly affairs, all that we do will be perfect. I often say, “You need wisdom along with compassion; you must know to differentiate right from wrong. When right and wrong can be distinguished, what you do is done out of love, but you also apply your wisdom.” Thus, “Superior is their path; superior is their use.”
In this age, we must understand current affairs. The Buddha-Dharma responds to the world and the era. So, in learning Buddhism, everything from astronomy, geology to human behavior are things we must know. Thus, “[Superior] is their knowledge.” Our knowledge must be very broad.
Then, “Many is their path, use and knowledge.” This means that this path is broad and open. Thus, naturally its applications are many, and we will have knowledge of many things.
Of course, the word “bhiksu” has many meanings. When we learn Buddhism we aspire to be “great.” Great in what? Receiving great teachings, practicing great Dharma. Indeed, in faith we must accept and uphold. The great teachings of the Buddha do not tell us to simply focus on our own enlightenment. If we can make a great vow, practice great Dharma, we can actually walk onto the broad and great path.
So we must believe in True Dharma, mindfully listen to it and seize the time and not waste a minute or even a second. We should cherish the opportunity to practice with others. We should also be grateful for and respect our fellow practitioners. Then this will be a true spiritual training ground, a place with harmony of assembly.
Thus, only when all conditions of fulfillment are met can great teachings be accomplished. This is truly how, generation after generation, an increasing number of talented people continue to extend the roots of Bodhi. So when listening to teachings, hearing the Dharma and engaging in practice, please always be mindful.