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Global Lamrim II

Lecture No. 0057

Tape no.

2A 13:40 ~ 14:58

Date

2018/10/15 ~ 10/17

Outline: Foundation

 Topic: Prologue – Veneration at the beginning of the commentary

 English Lamrim Vol 1, Page 33

Vol. 1 of Master’s discourse handbook P41-L1 ~ P41-L10

In fact, speaking of the true nature of reality, there are so many questions we can discuss. However, Master said, “we are unable to see the true nature of reality.” Are we able to accept this concept? Would we really feel that we are unable to see the true nature of reality? We only understand part of the given matter; we are unable to comprehend its entirety, let alone the true nature of reality! So, if we can keep in mind what Master said, in the future when we are communicating with others, learning to do something, or working together with others, we would acknowledge: “Well! Perhaps, I really do not know the true nature of reality.” That being the case, our attitude towards others would be open and we would be more willing to listen to them. Whether it is their opinion or thoughts, at least we can maintain a more open-minded attitude, “Well!  Let’s listen to what he has to say.” Instead of concluding that he is wrong and only my understanding is right! [00′49″]

Master followed up with an example of air. He said, “Things that are normally in front of us, - such as air”; in fact, air does exist, but we can’t sense its existence. Since we don’t feel its existence, we are hardly aware of it and treat it as if it does not exist. Scientists tell us that air does exist, so we become aware of the existence of air. However, every day within this transparent space that we live in, we can see the blue sky, the oceans, and Mother earth, so who would consciously notice whether air exists? [I mean] if we don’t spend time thinking about it closely. [01′21″]

Master used the air example to highlight to us that air, in fact, does exist and surround us every day, even though we are not aware of its existence. The existence of a given object is considered non-existent simply because we cannot sense it. Conversely, could it be possible that a non-existent object could be considered to be in existence due to our mistaken senses? Actually, it is very likely to happen. [Why?] It is because we don’t understand the true nature of reality; our comprehension of these issues is partial or even twisted. Are we willing to accept such a concept? Do ponder on it carefully on your own. [01′54″]

Actually, this is in line with the concept of “Think of yourself as a sick person” [under the Section entitled “How to Listen to And Explain the Teachings”, in Lamrim, Volume 1 Chapter 3]. Are we willing to admit that we are ignorant? If we really want to seek the Truth, want to gain more knowledge and wisdom that would make ours   and others’ lives more meaningful, we definitely have to first realise that we are ignorant. In what regard are we ignorant? Are we really so ignorant to the extent that we are not aware of the things that exist and surround us? Without careful analysis, sometimes this kind of condition does happen; we would overlook the existence of the most important things around us. Air is extremely vital to us, but we often fail to notice its existence.  Neither did we properly protect the soil nor the water sources, etc.  Hence, the rivers and the lands are damaged, and as a result the air we breathe is ruined too. [02′40″]

Thus, the air example that Master cited is to allow us to ponder on something we can relate to. Factually, we do not comprehend the reality of the true nature of the existence of things around us. [02′54″]

Thereafter, Master cited the example of a teacup. In fact, whoever has held a cup before would know that it is just a cup, as simple as that! However, Master examined the cup from several angles. If you are looking at it from the front, then you would not be able to see the back. In the same manner, if you are looking at the inside, then you would not be able to see the bottom of the cup, unless you turn it over. If you wanted to know where this cup was made, you have to turn it over to find out; once you turn it over, you won’t be able to see the inside of the cup, nor the color inside. It is evident from the example that it is impossible for our vision to penetrate through obstacles and barriers to see the enshrouded side of any given object. [03′27″]

Consequently, Master said we have limitations. With limitations, flaws will arise, all kinds of flaws! And what about Buddha? He is able to see and know precisely all objects of knowledge, and in completeness, without any omission; there is nothing unknown to him. Listening up to this point, it is very difficult to imagine what kind of a mind that is. A person is already considered to be extremely knowledgeable if he has knowledge of everything from astronomy to geography and everything in between.  On top of that, Buddha can also observe many people’s minds. If Buddha is aware of every living being’s mental intention, pay attention here, the speed of his knowing is within a split second! Buddha knows everything instantly, that fast! [04′20″]

For instance, for us to reach a decision about a certain matter, we would go through it over many meetings. We even spend lots of time pondering over and over this subject, but still couldn’t figure it out. Why? It is because we are still unclear, and that there are still some aspects that require further exploration; that is, we are still not clear about it. How could it be possible to see precisely through all objects of knowledge in a split second? This is an inconceivable matter! This is overly challenging with our limited scope of the objects of knowledge. For this reason, Buddha’s capability is inconceivable! The Buddha we want to take refuge in and praise is Shakyamuni Buddha.  The good qualities of Shakyamuni Buddha’s mind are so incredible! [04′52″]

We are prompted, through this short paragraph of Master praising the good qualities of Shakyamuni Buddha’s mind, to examine our current state of mind, are we truly able to recognize that we don’t understand the true nature of reality? We would be able to constantly discover that throughout our lives, we thought we actually knew someone, yet after certain things happened, we would realise that we don’t understand this person. When we misunderstood a person and after certain event has occurred, we come to realise that, “Wow! Actually, this person wasn’t like what I had thought”. So, many things that happened in life are actually challenging us. We thought we knew about the true nature of reality, yet in fact, we are far away from it! [05’33”]

讲次 0057

科判 道前基础

主题 〈皈敬颂〉论前皈敬

音档 2A 13:40 ~ 14:58

日期 2018/10/15 ~ 10/17

广论段落 P1-L3 ~ P1-L4 俱胝圆满妙善所生身……于是释迦尊主稽首礼

手抄页/行 第1册 P41-L1 ~ P41-L10　( 2016 南普陀版：第1册 P41-L1 ~ P41-L11 )

手抄段落 那么他为什么能够做到这样呢？ ……种种毛病了！就这样。

其实谈到真相，这里边有太多太多的问题可以讨论了。但是师父说：“它真正的真相是看不到的。”我们能接受这个概念吗？会觉得事情的真相我们看不见吗？我们只了解事情的一部分，我们无法了解它的全体，真相更谈不上！所以如果能把师父的这句话听进去，那么我们以后在跟他人沟通的时候，或者在学习某件事情的时候，或者一起共事的时候，我们就会知道：欸！也许我并不了解真相。这样的话，我们就会对别人的心处在一种打开的、倾听的状态，对别人的言论也好、思想也好，至少保持着：欸！去听一听他在讲什么。而不是认为他就是不对的，而我了解的才是对的！ [00′49″]

所以师父讲了这个之后，就讲了一个空气这个例子。说：平常我们眼前的东西——像空气，其实空气是存在的，但是我们感觉不到它的存在；我们感觉不到它的存在，其实就好像不存在。科学家告诉我们有空气存在，我们就知道有空气存在。但是平常二六时中，这个透明的空间，我们可以看到蓝天、大海、大地，谁会意识到这里边有空气存在呢？如果不仔细地考虑的话。 [01′21″]

师父用这个例子告诉我们，实际上每天都伴随着我们的那个空气，我们是意识不到它的存在的。一个存在的东西，因为感觉的原因，好像它不存在；那么反过来，一个不存在的东西，因为感觉的原因，会不会我们把它误认为存在呢？都是有可能发生的，因为不了解真相，我们对一些问题的了解是片面的，可能是颠倒的。我们能够接受这样的概念吗？自己考虑考虑。 [01′54″]

其实这有点像听闻轨理的病者想，能不能确认自己的无知？因为当我们想要探寻真理，想获得更多对于自他的生命有意义的知识、学问或者智慧的时候，我们一定会率先看到自己的无知。那么对什么无知？真的是对我们平常身边存在的东西好像都感觉不到它的存在，有无知到这种程度吗？不去观察的话，有时候就会这样，会忽略最重要的东西的存在。那个空气对我们是非常非常重要，可是我们常常会忽略它的存在；也没有好好地保护土壤啊、保护水源啊等等。因为这样的话，就会破坏河流、破坏土地，也就破坏了空气。 [02′40″]

所以师父举了这个空气的例子，让我们就能够感受到的例子去想一想：实际上我们并不了解事物存在的真相。 [02′54″]

接着师父又举了一个茶杯的例子。其实所有端过茶杯的人都知道，就是一个杯子嘛，就这么简单！可是师父用几个面，比如说看见正面，你后面就看不到；看到里边，就看不到杯子底，翻过来才能看到。比如说这个杯子是哪儿产的？翻过来才会看到；当你翻过来看底的时候，你又看不到里边是什么样子、颜色，都看不到了。就用这样一个例子，证明我们是不可能穿透阻隔的、阻碍的事物，去看到隐蔽的那一面的。 [03′27″]

所以师父说我们是有局限性的。一旦有局限在里边，毛病就会产生了，种种毛病！而佛陀呢，他能够如实观见一切所知，而且是无余地观见，没有一件事情他不知道的。我们听到这里的时候，可能很难去想像那到底是怎么样的一颗心，说上知天文、下知地理，已经觉得够博学的了，还要知道很多很多人的心。如果所有众生的心意他都知道，而且注意哦，他知道的速度是在一刹那喔！一刹那间可以知道所有的事情，时间这么短！ [04′20″]

比如说我们探讨一件事情的话，开了很多次会议探讨这个主题，甚至把一个主题在心里想啊、想啊、想啊，也想不明白。为什么呢？因为我们还是不知道，还有一些东西没有探索出来，就是没有想明白。怎么可能在一刹那间能够如实观见所有的一切呢？这是不可思议的事情！这对我们的所知来说实在是太过挑战，所以就是不可思议！我们要皈依和赞美的释迦牟尼佛，他的意功德居然是这样的！ [04′52″]

透过师父的这一小段赞美释迦佛的意功德，让我们观察一下自己的现状，真的能够确认自己不了解真相吗？我们会在我们的生命中不停地发现：我们以为我们了解一个人，可是后来出了一件事情，我们发现我们不了解他。还有我们误会一个人，后来这个事情发生之后，我们会发现：哎哟！原来他不是这样子。所以生命里发生的很多很多事情，实际上都在挑战我们——我们以为自己知道了真相，可是实际上呢，真相远远不是那样的！ [05′33″]