Lecture No. 0044
Global Lamrim II
Lecture No. 0044
Tape no.
2A 00:00 ~ 04:02
Date
2018/08/30 ~ 09/02
Outline: Foundation
Topic: Merits of Master Tsong-Kha-Pa
Vol. 1 of Master’s discourse handbook P35-L1 ~ P37-L1
Alright, now we continue [with our study]… [I will] explain in a very simplified way!
Here, Master mentioned that Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa had imparted fifteen commentaries. After which due to two more commentaries being imparted, he further added two commentaries; [thus there were] seventeen commentaries [being taught in total]! Master was illustrating a very very extraordinary and splendid chapter in the history of Buddhism! Upon learning such virtuous teacher’s outstanding capability to impart 15 commentaries in one single day, every disciple who studies the scriptures and commentaries indeed would [feel that it was an] inconceivable legend. [00′26″]
When learning the Golden Garland of Eloquence this year, [we found it is really necessary to discuss and clearly distinguish the definition, demarcation, and differences from other teachings/concepts in one session. For instance, while studying the Golden Garland of Eloquence, [we are] also learning two other great masters’ commentaries, remarks and annotations, as well as the Clear Meaning Commentary [by Haribhadra]. When many treatise masters are discussing over the same topic, you have to understand clearly and unequivocally remember the viewpoints of each commentator, and then discern the subtle individual differences among them. Sometimes when they are discussing the momentary difference in the mental stream – to determine if the definition made is accurate and if the demarcation drawn is precise – just within such a very localized, partial section, [they] would have very extensive and penetrating discussion. [01′06″]
I often say, “Ah! We are now sitting in an international Buddhism forum!” It is because many of these treatise masters were from India, Nepal, as well as Bangladesh and Korea, right? They all came together, traversing across the boundaries of time and space because some of them were of different eras. It then [extends far and beyond], connecting to the virtuous teachers giving us the teaching here and our fellow students listening to the teaching. When we are studying the Five Great Treatises, we would hear this phrase ཁ་ཅིག་ན་རེ། --- [translating literally as] “someone stated”, didn’t we? In these Treatises, there are exceptionally large numbers of this statement of “someone stated”! When the statement of this “someone stated” appears, it would definitely be followed by the challenger’s point of view to assess a given statement. It is like practicing martial art. Upon entering a grand master’s studio, someone [at a junior level] will practice with you first. At the first few practices, you might feel he could be my ally. However, it is not so! [As] there are flaws in his perception. Eventually our foundation would tell us that his viewpoints are flawed, but it is hard to discern them clearly in the beginning. Later, the more practice you have, the sharper your mind would become and then we can determine: well, this perception seems not so well-grounded! But how is it wrong? To counter every move [of the opponents, you] have to thoroughly understand the secrets of their tactics, so then you are able to refute his thought process. Hence, [we] must be proficient with many scriptures and commentaries. [02′14″]
During the study of the Ornament for Clear Knowledge, there are also extensive quotations from the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. Thus reading the original text of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Prajnaparamita Sutra) along with the corresponding explanations from the Ornament for Clear Knowledge, you will [be amazed and] exclaim in admiration. Wow! Descriptions in the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra is so real that it seems as if [we] have joined the Dharma assembly of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, and Buddha is explaining it in great details. [02′37″]
Although it is not too hot over here, sometimes the temperature can be so high that [we are] close to enduring the unbearably hot weather. Right after [we] experienced a short period of bitter winter, we enter the beautiful summer of studying and contemplating the Ornament for Clear Knowledge in full swing. This splendour [of the Dharma assembly] may be hard for me to describe with a few simple statements; sometimes listening to these teachings make me feel like I was soaring high in the sky. It is simply too beautiful and splendid! [03′05″]
So, for us the practitioners, what can be used to feel content? By listening to the scriptures and sutras, [we] would be able to develop a lot of appreciation – feelings of full contentment [would be] brimming over our heart. After the class, I went to see the students taking this course, [and found that] the more they studied the happier they were. Looking at their respective faces, wow, they [radiate] as if they had just been washed! Despite the little weariness showing in the eyes of everyone, they somewhat could not hide their excitement and thrill. Since many parts of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra are beyond our comprehension, now that the Ornament for Clear Knowledge has provided us with such clear explanations, it was indeed a grand assembly! [03′45″]
Thus, before Master started to teach [us] the Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, he first lectured [us] on the core of this teaching which precedes the Treatise: why do we need an encompassing recognition of this path to the state of Buddhahood, and be aspired to achieve Buddhahood? That is, [for us] to ultimately learn [and grasp] the gist of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, and thoroughly, understand what every great commentary tries to convey so that we can establish and institute the goals in our life. This should be the underlying profound reason why Master asked us to read the Collection of Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa’s Life Stories, [helping us] to reflect on the grandeur and sublime [Dharma assembly] back then. As for the reason why [ Maser had brought up the story of Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa’s unprecedented Dharma assembly, it was because he wished that at least [we] would rejoice and admire it! “Wow! If only [I] could participate in such a Dharma assembly…” Master said over here: “Ah! Just by hearing these numbers, we feel nothing but praise and admiration! If there is an opportunity in the future for us to be present at the places of cultivation of Great Teachers’, it will be a time [for us to] apprehend how auspicious and inconceivable they are!” In the future, if we delve deeper into scriptures and listen well and thoroughly to those marvelous explanations, [we would find] that every explanation is illustrated with very subtle, precise, exquisite and perfect reasoning. It is truly a feast for many practitioners – a spiritual feast. [04′54″]
I hope you all can sincerely make aspiration ---- to devote yourselves to study the Five Great Treatises properly! Since our monastics have already learned them in Tibetan, and gradually translating [these Treatises], we then don’t have to experience the language barrier. Therefore, [we are blessed] to encounter Master in this era; he taught us Lamrim and that’s how we got to know about the teaching of Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa. Master made strenuous efforts to nurture and train many novice monks, now that they have already grown up and become translators, we have the Chinese version of the scriptures and sutras to read. How fortunate we are! No matter what kind of hardships and afflictions you are confronted with in lives, do forget them while you are listening to the scripture! [If you] totally absorb yourself [in listening], you would even forget about the existence of “I”, let alone those afflictions of “mine”! [05′41″]
Thus, it is indeed a very, [if not the most,] joyful event! We should highly rejoice ourselves for having met with Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa’s teaching, and having encountered Master, who had amiably applied such a pragmatic and laymen-comprehensible approach to impart Lamrim to us. Each statement touches our heart, relating to and strikes a chord with many practical aspects of our lives. So whenever we are confronted with hardship and adversity, we would be able to recall what Master taught and what Lama Tsong-Kha-Pa instructed. Although [some commentaries] are considered heavenly books, what the texts describe is actually the worldly living that we encounter every day. Besides, [it occurs to us that actually] both the heavenly and human realms are able to study the same commentary. How marvelous this is! What’s even better, someone has brought the heavenly books for people on the earth [to study], and this alone is an [incredible] divine act! And we are experiencing this wonderwork. Will you consider yourself the protagonist in this legend? Do you feel you are one of the characters in this legend? Come to think of it, how joyful it is! Thank you! [06′38″]
【全球广论 II 讲次: 0044】
讲次 0044
科判 道前基础
主题 宗大师的功德
音档 2A 00:00 ~ 04:02
日期 2018/08/30 ~ 09/02
手抄页/行 第1册 P35-L1 ~ P37-L1 ( 2016 南普陀版：第1册 P35-L1 ~ P36-LL1 )
手抄段落 好，我们现在继续下去……非常简单的说明啊！
师父在这里边讲的是讲这十五部论，後来因为有两本讲完，又加两部论，十七部论！师父讲的是这样一个在佛教史上非常非常卓越、辉煌的历史啊！每一个学经论的弟子，听到这样的善知识，能以这样的力量同时在一天中讲说十五部论，其实是不可思议的神话！ [00′26″]
因为我们今年学《金鬘论》的时候就发现，在一节课要把其中所谓的定义、界限、跟其他法的差别讨论清楚，比如学《金鬘论》的时候，还学到嘉木样大师的注疏、贡唐大师的笺注、然后还有《明义释》，很多论师一起同样对一个问题做讨论的时候，你得把其他论师的观点都听清楚、记明白，然后在箇中抉择他们中间细腻的差异。有的时候他们讨论心续在一刹那间的差别，对它下的定义准确与否、界限准确与否，就那样一个非常局部的部分，展开了非常广泛精辟的讨论。 [01′06″]
我常常说：“啊！我们现在是坐在一个国际的佛教论坛上！”因为这些论师有很多是印度的、尼泊尔的，还有孟加拉的，还有韩国的，对吧？全部跨越时空的，因为有的不是同时代的。然后联系到我们现在讲的善知识，还有听闻的同学们。大家在学五大论的时候，不是会听到 ཁ་ཅིག་ན་རེ། ——“有的人说”？这里边“有的人说”特别多！当碰到“有的人说”的时候，后面一定会跟着一个自宗去评价他是怎样的。就好像你练习武功，要进一个武功高手的住处，先出现了一个人来跟你练。练着练着你就觉得：他可能是我的朋友。但是不对！他的见解是错的。到最后自宗都会来告诉我们他的见解是错的，但一开始都分不清楚。后来越练眼睛越利，就可以判断出：欸，这见解好像不太对！但是哪里不对？要见招拆招，就要把别人的武功秘笈读透，你才能够破他的路数，所以一定要读熟很多论典。 [02′14″]
在《现观庄严论》的学习中，也广泛地引到《般若经》的部分。所以读到《般若经》原文的时候，再配合着《现观庄严论》的解释，你会觉得：哇！ 《般若经》好像就在眼前一样！好像进入了佛陀讲《般若经》的法会，详细地在解释。 [02′37″]
我们这边虽然不是很热，但是有的时候也很热，差不多是顶着酷暑。一开始是顶着一点小小的严寒，我们就热火朝天地进入了闻思《现观庄严论》的美丽夏季。那个盛况可能不是我简单地用几句话能够讲出来的，有的时候听着听着，就觉得自己的心好像飞上天了，简直太美了！ [03′05″]
所以对我们修行者来说，用什么来满足我们的心呢？听闻经典就可以满满地感恩，满满的满足感洋溢在自己的心间。下课的时候我去看正学的同学，他们是越学越开心，看那一张张脸，哇，好像刚被水洗过一样！每个人眼神中是有点疲惫的，但是大家都有一点掩藏不住的兴奋感还有激动。因为听到《般若经》中很多很多我们没法理解的部分，《现观庄严论》解释得这么清楚，真是一个难得的盛会！ [03′45″]
那么师父在《菩提道次第广论》里，讲了这个论前面的观点：为什么我们要开始圆满地认识这条成佛之路，得到一个想要成佛的愿望？就是学习《般若经》它的内义，把诸大论典其中的所诠听清楚，然后确立自己生命的目标。这应该是师父让我们去看《应化因缘集》的深意，去回想一下当年的盛况，以及为什么要去讲这样一件事情，就是希望至少赞叹啊赞叹！ “哎呀！要是能参加这样的法会......”师父在这里边说：“我们单单听到这个数字，啊！只是赞叹、赞叹，如果我们将来真的有机会能够参加这样的大善知识的修行道场，那个时候才了解殊胜、不可思议！”就是如果我们将来深入其中，详细地听闻那些精彩的解释，每一个解释都是细中又细，精确又精致完美的理路，是很多很多修行者真正的飨宴，灵魂的飨宴。 [04′54″]
希望大家能够好好地发愿，好好地学习五大论！因为法师们已经用藏文学了，慢慢地把它翻译过来，我们就不用经历语言关了。所以能够在这样的时代，值遇到师父为我们讲《广论》，我们才知道有宗大师教法；因为师父辛辛苦苦地培育了很多小沙弥，到现在他们已经长大了、成为译师，我们有了汉译本的经典可以读，这是一件很幸运的事情！不论你在生活中遭遇到一些什么样的苦恼，在听经的时候就都忘了吧！浑然忘我，连我都忘了，何况自己的那些苦恼？ [05′41″]
所以这是一件多么多么欢喜的事情！要好好地随喜自己值遇了宗大师教法，值遇了师父这么亲切地用我们完全能理解的说法为我们讲《广论》。句句都讲到我们心里去，跟我们的生命、跟我们很多现实的一切，都产生了共鸣和联系，让我们在遇到困难的时候能够想到师父的教诫是什么、宗大师的教诫是什么。所以虽然是天书，却在说明着地上生活的我们的事情。然后，原来天上、人间都可以同学一部论，这是一件多美好的事情！而且还有人把天书取下来给地上的人，这就是神话！我们就正在经历这个神话。你会觉得你是神话里的主人公吗？你会觉得你是神话里的人吗？想一想，很开心吧！谢谢！ [06′38″]