Episode 813 – Joyful and Jubilant at what Came Unsought
>> “A storehouse containing precious treasures is an analogy for the unsurpassed way. When we cultivate Right Thinking, all conditions are Dharma-treasures.”
>> At that time, Mahakasyapa, wishing to restate his meaning, spoke in verse: Today, we hear the Buddha’s voice and teachings. [We] are joyful and jubilant, for we have attained what we never had before. To hear the Buddha say that Hearers can attain Buddhahood is like a bounty of unsurpassed treasures coming to us unsought. [Lotus Sutra, Chapter 4 – Faith And Understanding]
>> This joy comes from the heart; it arises from the feelings in the heart.
>> Jubilant: The feeling of joy that is expressed by the body is called jubilance. This was because they had attained what they never had before.
>> To hear the Buddha say that Hearers can attain Buddhahood: The disciples of the Buddha’s Small Vehicle Dharma listened to the Buddha’s teaching to realize the principles of the Four Noble Truths. They severed delusions of views and thinking to enter into Nirvana. Among those on the path to Buddhahood, they are those of limited capabilities. Their name was given because they learn the teachings through hearing: Hearers can also attain Buddhahood.
>> Thus, A bounty of unsurpassed treasures [came] to us unsought. This is talking about the wondrous true principles of the Great Vehicle that are found in every place and are contained in everything.
>> Every person possesses intrinsic enlightenment: This is like a bounty of unsurpassed treasures, coming to us unsought.
>> So, The wondrous Dharma taught by all Buddhas is precious like the treasures of the world. This Dharma-treasure is an analogy for supreme and universal enlightenment.
>> A bounty of unsurpassed treasures: This is the previously described great treasure of the Dharma-king. In the Lotus Sutra’s Chapter on Parables it says, “I am the Dharma-king, as I am free and at ease with the Dharma.” The precious treasures gathered together are an analogy for the unsurpassed way.
>> Coming to us unsought: For 40 years, they never hoped for this, thus it says it was unsought. More than 40 years later, He only uses the One Vehicle to bestow teachings. Thus it says, It has come to us unsought, [so] we are joyful and jubilant.
“A storehouse containing precious treasures
is an analogy for the unsurpassed way.
When we cultivate Right Thinking,
all conditions are Dharma-treasures.”
As Buddhist practitioners, we must be mindful of all conditions and all things. As long as we are mindful, everything is Dharma; everything is a treasure. As long as we think carefully and are mindful, our state of mind can remain steady in all conditions and we can understand that all matters and things are formed by [causes and conditions] converging. When these separate, everything is [in a state of] emptiness. When things converge in a state of Dharma, everything is wondrous existence
[When we look at] a true analogy for the unsurpassed way, the union in the unsurpassed way is that of true emptiness and wondrous existence. If you try to compare it to the value of all worldly treasures, there is no comparison to be made. What is truly precious is the True Suchness in our hearts, the wisdom in our minds. Can this ocean of enlightened wisdom really be compared to a storehouse of treasures? It is so much more. Our innate enlightened nature is the True Suchness within us. When innate enlightenment manifests, our wisdom will be vast as the sea; that wisdom is truly great. So, “A storehouse containing precious treasures is an analogy for the unsurpassed way.” Actually, unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment is the wisdom of the Buddha. Wisdom and True Suchness are infinite and unlimited. One turn of thought may take us to heaven; while with another, we may fall into hell.
In the Samyukta-ratna-pitaka Sutra there is a [story]. During the Buddha’s time in this world, the king of Pancala had 500 wild geese, which he presented to King Prasenajit. King Prasenajit saw these wild geese and found each one very beautiful and endearing. He took these 500 geese and presented them to the Buddha. The Buddha joyfully accepted these birds and allowed them to dwell in Jeta Grove to live a life in harmony with that of the Sangha.
When the Sangha gathered, the geese also flocked together to quietly listen to the Buddha teach the Dharma. As the Buddha spoke of causes and conditions of birth and death, suddenly, one of the geese cried out, and the rest of the 500 joined in. As the Buddha taught the Dharma, the sound of these geese rose with His voice.
Then one day, these birds suddenly flew out as a flock. They were captured by a large net and killed by hunters. They then ascended to the heaven realm. When they were reborn in the heaven realm, these 500 birds had three thoughts. First, where had they come from? “I am now born in heaven. In the past, where did I come from?” Second, where would this life lead? “Before being a bird, where did I come from? Now after this, where will I be born next?” Third, what karma had they created in the past for them to be born in heaven now?
They all contemplated this. What were their past causes? In the past, they had not done any good deeds; they had only lived with the Buddha and Sangha together in the same environment where they had listened to the Dharma. Was this why they could enter heaven? Afterward, these 500 birds who had been reborn as heavenly beings, these 500 heavenly beings, came to the Buddha to express their gratitude to Him.
Also at this time, King Prasenajit had come to see the Buddha, and after prostrating to Him and paying his respects he asked the Buddha, “When I came today, why did I not see those 500 wild geese?” The Buddha said. “They were killed by a hunter. The 500 geese have already risen to heaven”
“and come again to listen. They have all attained the state of Srotaapanna.” When King Prasenajit saw that the geese had become heavenly beings, he was very joyful. What could their causes and conditions have been? When the king asked the Buddha about this,
the Buddha said, “In their past lives during Kasyapa Buddha’s era, there were 500 women who listened to the Dharma and took the precepts. But these women’s minds were unsettled, and they broke the precepts. So, they descended into the animal realm, where they spent countless kalpas. Now, because in the past they had the causes and conditions to listen to the Dharma, in this life, you, the king, sent them to. Jeta Grove to hear my teachings once again. This is the affinity they had. Afterwards they were captured by the hunter. At that time, they still had Right Mindfulness. They knew where they had come from and where they wanted to go, that by journeying on the Buddha-Dharma, they would be born in heaven’. They had this kind of Right Mindfulness. So, they again came to the world to listen to the teachings. Now, they have already attained the fruit of Srotaapanna.”
So, we can see that the Buddha’s teachings are true treasures. The Buddha-Dharma allows us to truly realize the principles of all phenomena. They had been like that for lifetimes; 500 lifetimes ago, in Kasyapa Buddha’s time, they took the precepts and took the Dharma to heart. Yet, when discursive thoughts arose, they failed to abide by the precepts. By breaking the precepts, they created evil karma and had to descend to the Three Evil Destinies. But they had met a Buddha and heard the teachings; these causes and conditions still existed. After countless kalpas, they now had met Sakyamuni Buddha, again listened to the teachings and been liberated. Think about it, are material treasures able to liberate us? Only the wondrous Dharma, the unsurpassed way, allows us to understand principles and allows our minds to cultivate Right Thinking. It allows our minds to settle down as if entering a state of Samadhi. Through the practice of Right Samadhi, everything we see is a Dharma-treasure [The ability to do this] is wisdom; this is most important in learning the teachings.
At that time, Mahakasyapa, wishing to restate his meaning, spoke in verse: Today, we hear the Buddha’s voice and teachings. [We] are joyful and jubilant, for we have attained what we never had before. To hear the Buddha say that Hearers can attain Buddhahood is like a bounty of unsurpassed treasures coming to us unsought.
So, the previous sutra passage states, “At that time, Mahakasyapa, wishing to restate the meaning, spoke in verse.” Now it was the Sangha’s most senior member, Venerable Kasyapa, who began, “wishing to restate his meaning.” He said, “Today, we hear the Buddha’s voice and teachings.” After listening, everyone “[is] joyful and jubilant, for we have attained what we never had before. To hear the Buddha say that Hearers can attain Buddhahood is like a bounty of unsurpassed treasures coming to us unsought.”
This passage says that everyone was very joyful from listening to the Dharma because the Buddha had told them that they too can attain Buddhahood, that Hearers can also attain Buddhahood. Therefore, all were delighted ․This joy comes from the heart; it arises from the feelings in the heart.
This joy comes from the heart; it arises from the feelings in the heart.
The expression of joy is a smile; we are at ease. Furthermore when walking and so on our posture is upright. When we see people, we smile with joy as we meet them; we greet them and so on with such jubilance. Some people are so joyful they will jump. There are people who say, “I’m so happy, I could jump for joy.” People often use this sort of description to express “joy and jubilance.” So, jubilance “[is joy that] is expressed by the body”
Jubilant: The feeling of joy that is expressed by the body is called jubilance. This was because they had attained what they never had before.
“Joy” is in our minds. “Jubilance” is expressed outwardly in our Five Roots. Our eyes, ears, nose, mouth and body all give forth joyful expressions. As for the mind, after the Dharma enters our mind, the Five Roots are moved. Our eyes laugh and our limbs are light and quick. These are all manifestations of joy. Expressed this way, it is called jubilance.
So, “We have attained what we never had before.” In the past, they had never been so happy. Before, they never dared imagine that they could also attain Buddhahood. Now the Buddha was telling them this, so. “In the future, I will surely attain Buddhahood.” So, this is “a bounty of unsurpassed treasures.” It is compared to the most valuable treasures in the world
[Now] this is “coming to us unsought.” We are now very joyous because “The Buddha says Hearers can attain Buddhahood.”
To hear the Buddha say that Hearers can attain Buddhahood: The disciples of the Buddha’s Small Vehicle Dharma listened to the Buddha’s teaching to realize the principles of the Four Noble Truths. They severed delusions of views and thinking to enter into Nirvana. Among those on the path to Buddhahood, they are those of limited capabilities. Their name was given because they learn the teachings through hearing: Hearers can also attain Buddhahood.
This refers to “the disciples of the Buddha’s Small Vehicle Dharma,” the Hearers Within the Sangha, there were disciples of all Three Vehicles. There were the Great Vehicle disciples whose capabilities were sharp. Hearing [the teachings], they formed aspirations and knew that aside from awakening themselves, they should also benefit and awaken others. They were disciples of higher capacities and greater awareness.
Then, there were those with average capabilities. They were Solitary Realizers. They were also called Middle Vehicle disciples. Hearers, after hearing the Buddha’s teachings, knew that life is impermanent. From Beginningless Time, one delusional thought led to the cycle of birth and death in the Six Realms. This is so frightening!
The only way to transcend this suffering was eliminating afflictions through the Dharma. In order to eliminate all afflictions, they became Hearers. They understood the matters of the world and quickly eliminated their afflictions, but they relied on hearing alone. They listened and understood based on the sounds, however they had yet to thoroughly comprehend. They are called Small Vehicle disciples, disciples of the Small Vehicle Dharma
“[They] listened to the Buddha’s teaching to realize the principles of the Four Noble Truths.” Their realization was limited to these principles. This was what the Buddha had taught, so they had learned how to eliminate [wrong] views and how to eliminate delusions of thinking. They only knew but did not thoroughly comprehend because they had not yet completely eliminated their afflictions and ignorance [Relying] only on sound, they were “those with limited capabilities on the path to Buddhahood” [Thus, they] were called Hearers. “Their name came from hearing the teachings.” Only by hearing the teachings from the Buddha could they attain realizations, so they were called Hearers.
At this point, the Buddha also said that as long as they listen to the Dharma, Hearers can ultimately attain Buddhahood. So, everyone was delighted. This Dharma entered deeply into their hearts
Thus, A bounty of unsurpassed treasures [came] to us unsought. This is talking about the wondrous true principles of the Great Vehicle that are found in every place and are contained in everything.
Thus, “A bounty of unsurpassed treasures [came] to us unsought.” This is talking about the “wondrous true principles of the Great Vehicle that are found in every place and are contained in everything.” We need to know that the true Buddha-Dharma contains the “truly wondrous principles of the Great Vehicle.” These principles are the true principles, the ultimate principles, which are found everywhere. Wherever you are, you can see them, for all conditions are Dharma. When working in the fields, [we all think,]. “While weeding, aren’t I removing afflictions?” So, [principles are] “found in every place and are contained in everything.”
“Every thought that arises in the mind also contains true principles.” Our minds face all [these] conditions every day. Don’t they contain true principles? So, everyone possesses innate enlightenment. Each of us is replete with the innate enlightenment of True Suchness, like “a bounty of unsurpassed treasures coming to us unsought.”
Every person possesses intrinsic enlightenment: This is like a bounty of unsurpassed treasures, coming to us unsought.
Actually, each of us possesses the innate enlightenment of True Suchness. This Dharma-treasure is contained within our hearts; it is just that we have not yet applied it. After listening to the teachings and reflecting on our nature, it comes to us unsought. It has always been there. We must earnestly reflect on our nature. Our nature is intrinsically pure, and we are intrinsically abundant in wisdom.
This “bounty of unsurpassed treasures” is something we have discussed earlier. In the Chapter on Parables there is a section that states, “I am the Dharma-king, as I am free and at ease with the Dharma.” We talked about this section of the sutra before. These “precious treasures gathered together” are an analogy for the unsurpassed way.
A bounty of unsurpassed treasures: This is the previously described great treasure of the Dharma-king. In the Lotus Sutra’s Chapter on Parables it says, “I am the Dharma-king, as I am free and at ease with the Dharma.” The precious treasures gathered together are an analogy for the unsurpassed way.
When all treasures are gathered together, they are gathered in what is called a storehouse. Where is this storehouse? It is within our nature. This “unsurpassed Dharma-king” is within our mind. The workings of the mind and the mind-king all lie within our own nature
So, The wondrous Dharma taught by all Buddhas is precious like the treasures of the world. This Dharma-treasure is an analogy for supreme and universal enlightenment.
So, “The wondrous Dharma taught by all Buddhas is precious like the treasures of the world.” This Dharma-treasure is an analogy for “supreme and universal enlightenment.” The teachings, which Buddhas taught in the past, are passed down in the human realm and are “precious like the treasures of the world.” They are extremely valuable and precious, like treasures of the world. What do worldly treasures actually amount to? The Dharma-treasure in our heart is what we truly must seek. This Dharma-treasure is an analogy for “supreme and universal enlightenment”
Coming to us unsought: For 40 years, they never hoped for this, thus it says it was unsought. More than 40 years later, He only uses the One Vehicle to bestow teachings. Thus it says, It has come to us unsought, [so] we are joyful and jubilant.
“coming to us unsought.” This is to say, “For 40 years, they never hoped for this, thus it says it was unsought” ․Coming to us unsought: For 40 years, they never hoped for this, thus it says it was unsought. More than 40 years later, He only uses the One Vehicle to bestow teachings. Thus it says, “It has come to us unsought, [so] we are joyful and jubilant.” As the Buddha expounded sutras for over 40 years, Small and Middle Vehicle practitioners were always stuck at the stage of benefiting themselves. For over 40 years, they never wished to advance, nor were they willing to shoulder the Tathagata’s mission of going among people to widely transform sentient beings.
Then, after “more than 40 years,” the Buddha [finally] “only uses the One Vehicle to bestow teachings.” Now, He taught the Wondrous Lotus Sutra, which is unique and unmatched. All that He taught previously was skillful means. “What everyone now hears is the Dharma I truly wish to teach.” Thus the Buddha expressed His original intent. This was His original intent that was in His mind after His awakening; what He wished to teach was the One Vehicle Dharma. Now He had expressed this teaching openly. He “[bestowed the teachings]” on everyone. “Thus it says coming to us unsought.” We need to accept this. Buddha has given the teachings in their entirety, so we should accept them and experience the truth of the Great Dharma. So, we are very joyous.
Everyone, in learning the Buddha’s Way, if we put our hearts into it, the Dharma-treasure of our nature will naturally manifest within our minds at all times. When we observe external conditions, all we see is Dharma-treasures. These Dharma-treasures are intrinsically stored in our minds; this ocean of wisdom is intrinsic to everyone. We have the nature of True Suchness within. So as long as we are mindful, when we take the teachings to heart, naturally awakening will be before us. So everyone, please always be mindful.