Lecture No. 0005
Global Lamrim II
Lecture No. 0005
Tape no.
1A 12:16 ~ 13:26
Date
2018/04/16 ~ 04/18
Vol. 1 of Master’s discourse P8-LL6 ~ P9-L1
Good day to all Venerables and students! I’m very happy that we have come to discuss the Lamrim again.
Before we start the topic, we have to adjust our motivation – in order to attain the state of enlightenment, we start to discuss the Lamrim. Why do we want to attain enlightenment? This is because we are in cyclic existence. Cyclic existence is covered with the nature of sufferings, and the enlightenment we are seeking is full of the nature of happiness. All our minds, you and I, are capable of abandoning suffering and to attain happiness. Thus, in order to achieve the ultimate and perfect state, we sincerely, solemnly sit here with regal, making great Mahayana aspiration – to benefit limitless sentient beings, we have to seek the fruit of Buddhahood. Hence, we need to listen to the teachings. [01′04″]
When listening, as the session is short, hope all of you can pay attention! I am not sure whether you would have revise the book after this, or listen to the audio discourse? If you have studied a little before this, understand and digest (the teachings), when we discuss again, you may understand the meaning more proficiently; Also, compare what you have learnt, before and after studying together, what kind of changes there are in terms of views and benefits. [01′34″]
Let us now listen to this section together. Listen carefully! [01′45″]
Lastly, for the “Treatise” - we usually refer to it as detailed discussion, to discuss the teachings in great detail. So, from the title, we can say that the learning of this treatise is now the path for us to advance, step-by-step, from an ordinary being until Buddhahood is attained. Throughout the course of the path, [Lamrim] provides a complete and detailed explanation regarding the accuracy of the quality, the proper quantity, and the sequential stages. From it, we acquire proper recognition [of the teaching] and apply it step-by-step. This commentary is trying to provide us with the achievement of the ultimate complete state, the ultimate encompassing mind state. This commentary is what we will study. [02′53″]
Great, let’s just listen to this short paragraph now. After listening, I would like to ask a question, put on your thinking cap. Master said, “we usually refer to it as detailed discussion, to discuss the teachings in great detail.” May I know what is this about? Anyone wants to answer? Can it be answered? What really is this? Any idea what to discuss about in details? Wondering and not sure what are your answers? Now (I) hope to listen to all (answers). Someone answered “Bodhi”? Correct! Bodhi is awaken/enlightenment, discuss how to achieve state of enlightenment. [03′42″]
Thus, pay attention! Master mentioned this needs to be discussed in details, and Master also repeat, “Discuss in details.” Whatever Master said does come into our daily life. Our daily routine will have many types of situation, such as going to work, washing clothes, or contemplating on many things. But, how to attain enlightenment, do you all discuss in details? For example, for issues like, how do you spent this year’s savings, what type of vegetables to be bought at the market, what kind of dishes to be cooked, discussing matters with family members, friends issue, we would always discuss in details. However, does anyone discuss in detail how to go towards supreme enlightenment? [04′41″]
From here, Master brought up “discuss the teachings in great details”. What is this about? That is the great, noble, magical matter which is to ultimately abandon sufferings and to attain happiness. But it is often neglected by us, not having the time to discuss. [05′06″]
Master said, “So, from the title, we can say that the learning of this treatise is now the path for us…” We are learning now! Let’s think about it, many years ago Master did mention: we are learning now! Learning about what? “to advance, step-by-step, from an ordinary being until Buddhahood is attained.” Take note! Master’s deep concern in his heart is extremely clear in this sentence, say, “We are now starting to learn this! But what? Where does ordinary person start learning? It is the first step we take. First step! What is the first step? It starts from knowing nothing, saying. “Is there such thing as ultimate enlightenment? Is there cyclic existence? Do we have a way out for liberation? Or sometimes even say, “Do people need excellent teachers between life and death? And cultivate faith towards the excellent teachers? In the past, we did not know anything, but Master did not despise us. Just because we don’t know anything, which is why Master said, “learning of this treatise is now the path for us.” It is like caring parents who hold their children’s hand to teach them, even starting from rolling or crawling, until standing up, that is starting from our very first step. [06′38″]
Master’s wish was really beautiful; it is for us to keep progressing, till we attain Buddhahood. Look! This first discourse was yet to be completed, and Master already mentioned attaining Buddhahood. When these words enter our ears, entering our mind, these few words have benefit us, the effect of it is very astounding! Because we knew there was such a thing as enlightenment! And we know there is an excellent teacher, who would be discussing Lamrim, and in detail on how “I” can attain enlightenment. This “I”, could be sitting beside your recorder, or beside your handphone, or whoever that is sitting beside us to discuss and learn Lamrim; there are many of such “I”. In fact, there is this excellent teacher discussing this matter on how “I” can be a Buddha. Hence, regardless of how much I know, how serious my bad habits are, I don’t have time, I am not smart, or I am not fit enough, I have no energy to learn and study after I finish my work….it doesn’t matter! Because in such short period of time, Master will still come and elaborate this matter to us. We have met him! [07′55″]
For the process of this path, pay attention! Master was extremely particular with its “purity”. Just take an example, a porcelain bowl, does it come from a pure origin? Is it manufactured in the most famous porcelain town? Master explained pure linage---the content must be very accurate, we need to discuss its accuracy. And what about the “quantity”? By “quantity” it means the duration and temperature of firing a porcelain. It is the same for making cookies, if the heat is too high the burnt cookies cannot be eaten; likewise, for steaming potatoes, they may not taste good if the timing exceeds, and we need to turn them over timely while steaming. Furthermore, there are “stages” to follow in the process, that is, what to be done first, then the next, and the next. Do you notice this way of teaching is very personal handholding? Hence, it has a detailed and complete explanation. Then “detailed explanation”. Master stressed again, “detailed explanation.” [08′54″]
“From it, we acquire proper recognition [of the teaching]”, pay attention! As there is detailed explanation, with excellent teacher’s discourse, then from here we acquire proper recognition. I am not sure whether all of you will doubt yourself on this point? As a lot of people belief, “I would not be able to acquire proper recognition even though teacher has explained.” But Master believed, we are able to acquire the recognition from here! Though you may not get it for the first time, or second time, then repeat again and again! It will be achieved through repeated practices. [09′27″]
I ever asked Rinpoche, “I feel myself quite stupid, how do I become more intelligent? How to practice dharani and not forgetting them, and remember at once whatever I have learnt?” Then Rinpoche walked to my side, placed the scripture on my head and tapped lightly three times saying, “Let you not forget dharani!” Then he continued, “Repeat! Repeat! Repeat!” Hence, repetition is a learning process, we may not grasp this unfamiliar but important way of acquiring knowledge. Therefore, we should not underestimate our learning ability! Once we hear the dharma voices of great teachers, our admiration arises, and when it broadens gradually and extensively, by then who knows what kind of improvement we would achieve one day. [10′16″]
Therefore, from the start, you should not think you cannot make it! You have no proof at all even if you really are unable to. What proof you have by saying not able to acquire proper recognition? For Master was always full of confidence, he said, “From it, we acquire proper recognition [of the teaching] and apply it step-by-step. This commentary is trying to provide us with the achievement of the ultimate complete state, the ultimate encompassing mind state. This commentary is what we will study.” In a few sentences, just a few sentences, Master showed us the path from the beginning till the marking of ultimate complete state in the learning of "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment". What is the ultimate state? That is the highest and most complete state in yours and my whole life, where there is not even a trace of pain, or loss of mind, and all the agony of life and unknown disappear. This is because Buddha is also known as Omniscience---he knows everything, as long as regarding the situations faced, or the things in existence, he not only knows all, but with the most accurate, most thorough and most detailed understanding. Hence, if we practice and temper hard, we will be able to reach that state one day. [11′26″]
Be attentive! Master had pointed out at this point, it is possible for us to walk that path. He came to this world, telling you and me: though we are ordinary people, but with the proper recognition, we can follow step-by-step, walking the path towards supreme enlightenment. This is really great news! Hence, within the limited vision and the little space for improvement set by ourselves, if without the guidance of the excellent teacher, we would not be able to see the magnanimous direction to enlightenment with our naked eyes. We would not be having this aspiration in our mind stream, that we can achieve enlightenment one day? But with the help of Master, pay attention! It is in the name of "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment", Master laid a honourable ambition within us - seeking supreme enlightenment! We must have this faith: ordinary people begin with the first step, then step-by-step, we are able to reach the state of eradicating all suffering and attain true happiness one day, that awesome highest state. Why? Because Master is walking besides us, holding our hands, he holds the lamp to accompany us, as long as we don’t let go of our hands, we will reach the destiny. [13′00″]
Therefore, although we discuss the “Treatise” in "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment", aren’t we also discussing what is going to happen to our life tomorrow? What do you hope to see how your life is like tomorrow? What I hope my life is like for tomorrow? How would Master hope to see how our life is like for tomorrow? Do we dare to expect a living with no suffering, if there is no excellent teacher to unseal our wisdom? How to live with no suffering? Is there a sense of happiness when there is no suffering? Therefore, with the guidance of excellent teacher, we can look far ahead - maybe one day, you and I will follow the steps of excellent teacher, moving forward with joyous perseverance, we will reach the state of no suffering at all, of great awakening. Then this is truly the greatest news! We should rejoice ourselves for once! [14′03″]
【全球广论 II 讲次: 0005】
讲次 0005 (2018/04/16 ~ 04/18)
科判 道前基础
主题 释名
音档 1A 12:16 ~ 13:26
手抄页/行 1册 P8-LL6 ~ P9-L1 ( 2016 南普陀版：1册 P8-LL7 ~ P8-LL1 )
法师们好，同学们好！很开心又到了我们一起研讨《广论》的时间。
在研讨之前，大家还是要端正一下自己的意乐——是为了求取无上菩提，我们开始研讨《广论》。为什麽要取證无上菩提呢？因为我们在轮迴的世界。轮迴的世界是被苦性所摄的，而我们要追求的无上菩提是被乐性所摄的。所有的心都有离苦得乐的趋向性，那麽你我也同样在这个离苦得乐的趋向性中。所以为了能够达到生命最究竟、最圆满的无苦的境界，我们虔诚地、莊严地坐在这里，莊重地坐在这里，并且有一个大乘的发心——为了利益无穷无尽的有情，我们必须去希求佛果，所以要来听闻。 [01′04″]
听闻的时候，因为时间很短，所以请大家一定要专注！不知道你们回去有没有自己看书一下呀，或者自己听带一下？如果自己看一下、琢磨一下，我们再来研讨，可能你会觉得首先更熟练一点；另外，你看看自己学这一段的思路还有你的受用，和我们一起学了之後，有一些什麽样的改变。 [01′34″]
现在我们还是一起把这一段听一下。注意听！ [01′45″]
那麽所谓《广论》的“论”，最後一个，平常我们就说，详细地来讨论，详细地来讨论这件事情。所以从这个题目上面，我们可以晓得说，我们现在学这个东西，就是怎麽样从我们凡夫下脚第一步开始，一直走上去，走到圆满成佛的这条路。而这条路的过程当中，不管就它内容的正确与否来说，就它应该完成的数量来说，以及走上去的次第来说，它都有一个完整详细的说明，详细的说明。我们从这个上面，有了一个正确的认识，你照著一步一步实践的话，就可以达到最高圆满的境界，最高圆满的境界，这就是本论的我们要学的。 [02′53″]
好，先听这一小段。听了之後，我想提一个问题，大家想一想。师父说：“详细地讨论、详细地讨论这件事情。”请问是什麽事情呀？有人答吗？能答出来吗？什麽事情啊？详细地讨论什麽事情？不知道你们私下的答案是什麽呀？现在好想全部都听一遍。有人答说是“菩提”吗？对吧！菩提就是“觉”嘛，讨论怎麽样去成就无上菩提。 [03′42″]
所以注意哦！师父说这件事情要被详细地讨论，而且师父重複一下：“详细地讨论。”那麽这件事情就在师父的讲说中进入了你我的生命。我们平常生活中会有这件事情、那件事情，比如说去上班了、洗衣服了，或者思考一些这样、那样的事情。但是，如何去求證无上菩提的这件事情，有没有详细地讨论？比如说这一年的积蓄怎麽花费呀，每天去菜市场买什麽菜、煮哪一道菜，还有商量家人的一些事情啊、朋友的事情，我们都会很详细地讨论；但是有没有人跟我们一起讨论怎麽样趣向无上菩提呢？ [04′41″]
那麽在此处，师父就提出了“详细地讨论这件事情”。这件事情是什麽事情呢？就是我们究竟地离苦得乐这件伟大的事情、微妙的事情、神奇的事情；又是常常被我们忽略的事情，没有时间讨论的事情。 [05′06″]
所以师父说：“从这个题目上面，我们可以知道说，我们现在学这个东西”，我们现在学！想一想，很多年前师父讲到“我们现在学”！学什麽呢？“就是怎麽样从我们凡夫下脚第一步开始，一直走上去，走到圆满成佛的这条路。”注意哦！师父殷殷渴盼的内心，在这一句话已经说得非常非常明显了。说：“我们现在开始学这个！”学什麽呀？凡夫从哪里学呢？就是下脚的第一步，第一步！第一步是什麽呢？就是从什麽也不知道开始，说：“有无上菩提这回事吗？有生死轮迴吗？有解脱道吗？”甚至说：“人在生死之间还需要一个善知识吗？还需要对善知识修信吗？”以前的你我什麽都不知道，但是师父并没有嫌弃我们什麽都不知道，正因为我们什麽都不知道，所以师父说：“我们现在学。”就好像慈爱的爸爸、妈妈，拉著不会走路的小孩子的手在教他，反正连滚带爬开始，然後站起来走，就是从下脚的第一步开始。 [06′38″]
师父的期待非常地美，就是一直走上去，走到圆满成佛的这条路。看看！第一盘还没讲完，师父就已经提出了“圆满成佛的这条路”。当这几个字落入你我的耳根，融进了我们的内心的时候，这几个字在我们生命中所产生的作用，是非常非常震撼的！因为我们居然知道了有成佛这件事！居然知道了有一个善知识，将在《广论》里和我们详细地讨论关於“我”怎麽样成佛的事情。这个“我”，是坐在你的录音机边啊，还是手机旁、坐在什麽旁边跟我们一起学《广论》的，就是很多个“我”。居然有一个善知识跟我们讨论“我”怎麽样成佛这件事情！所以不管我知道得多少、我习气多重啊、我没有时间啊、我笨啊，甚至我身体不好呀，我把其他的事情做完我就没有体力学......这都没关係！因为就这麽短的时间，师父还是来为我们讲这件事了，我们遇到他了！ [07′55″]
这条路的过程，注意！师父会非常非常在意它的“清净”。举个简单例子，假如说瓷碗，你的传承清不清净？是不是最著名的那个瓷都製造出来的？他有讲到一个传承的清净——内容一定要非常地正确，正确与否要讨论。还有“数量”是怎麽样的呢？所谓数量，如果说烧一个瓷器的话，就还是要讲火候。像我们做饼也要讲火候，火候一大就糊了、不能吃了；就算蒸马铃薯都要讲火候，因为火候一过了之後可能就不好吃了，所以它的火候到什麽程度就应该转换一下。还有走上去的“次第”，就是先幹什麽、再幹什麽、再幹什麽。有没有发现是手把手地教啊？所以它都有一个完整详细的说明。然後“详细的说明”，师父又说了一遍：“详细的说明。” [08′54″]
“我们从这上面，有了一个正确的认识”，注意！因为有详细的说明、有善知识为我们讲，然後我们从这上面就得到了一个正确的认识。我不知道对这句话大家怀不怀疑自己？有很多人会认为：“即使老师讲，我也得不到正确的认识。”但是师父会认为，我们从这个上面是可以得到正确的认识的哦！如果你第一次得不到、第二次得不到，就重複几次嘛！重複地学习是可以得到的。 [09′27″]
我以前曾经问过仁波切说：“我觉得自己有点笨，怎麽样能够变得聪明一些呢？怎麽样可以修成不忘陀罗尼，学什麽马上都能记住？”後来仁波切就走到我旁边，把经典在我头上轻轻拍了叁下，说：“给你不忘陀罗尼了！”然後说：“重複！重複！重複！”所以重複地学习，可能是我们领会一个我们并不熟悉的、很重要的智慧的办法。所以不要小看我们的学习能力！我们的心一旦听到了善知识的法音，内心里生起了渴仰之心，然後将这样的心慢慢去增广的时候，谁知道你有一天会有一个怎样的进步呢？ [10′16″]
所以不要一开始就觉得自己不行哦！因为其实你不行，你也没有什麽證据呀！有什麽證据说自己就不会得到正确的认识呢？师父都这样信心满满的，师父说：“有了一个正确的认识，你照著一步一步实践的话，就可以达到最高圆满的境界，最高圆满的境界，这就是本论要我们学的。”几句话哦，几句话，把《菩提道次第广论》一开始到最後达到的高度标示出来了。高度是什麽呢？就是你我生命最高、最圆满的境界。那就是完全没有一丝丝痛苦、没有一丝丝迷惘的一个境界，生命里所有的苦涩都消失了，所有的不知道也都消失了。因为佛陀有一个名字叫正遍知——什麽都知道，只要是心所对境、只要是存在的、只要是有的，他全都可以了解，而且可以最正确、最彻底、最详尽地了解。我们透过修鍊，也可以让我们的心达到那样一个境界。 [11′26″]
注意哦！师父在此处指出了，我们是可以有那样一条路的可能性的。他就是来到这个世界，告诉你我：我们虽是凡夫，但是有了正确的认识之後，我们是可以一步一步照著次第来，可以走上无上菩提之路。这是一个很大的喜讯吧！所以在我们给自己规定的这种进步空间和小小的视野里边，如果没有善知识的指引，我们用怎样的目力也无法看到无上菩提恢宏的方向。我们怎麽可能在心续里有这样一个志向，说我可以成就无上菩提呢？可是藉借著师父，注意哦！就在《菩提道次第广论》的名字上，师父就在你我的心中放下了一个鸿鹄之志——我们要求取无上菩提！我们要有这样的一个信心：凡夫从脚下的第一步下脚处开始，我们一步一步地走，是可以走上彻底地离苦得乐的那一天、那美好的高度。为什麽呢？因为师父牵著我们走，因为师父走在我们旁边，因为他举著灯陪著我们走，只要不放开手，就可以一直一直走，走到那个地方。 [13′00″]
所以，虽然在讨论《菩提道次第广论》的“论”字，是不是在讨论我们的生命明天会怎样？你希望你的生命明天是什麽样子？我希望我的生命明天是什麽样子？师父希望我们大家的生命明天是什麽样子？如果没有善知识来开启我们的慧力，怎麽敢去期望完全没有痛苦的生存？生存怎麽可能离开痛苦？离开痛苦岂会有幸福的感觉呢？所以藉借著善知识的指引，我们可以遥望一下——也许有一天，你我因为跟随善知识步步前进，不停地精进的原因，会走到完全没有痛苦的、大彻大悟的那个境界。所以这是一个天大的好消息吧！好好地欢喜一下哦！ [14′03″]