Lecture No. 0087
Global Lamrim II
Lecture No. 0087
Tape no. 2B 15:20 ~ 16:20
Date: 2019/01/28 ~ 01/30
Outline: Foundation
Topic: Prologue –:Opening veneration at the beginning of commentary
Vol. 1 of Master’s discourse handbook P57-L7 ~ P57-LL3
[2B 21:18 ~ 22:27]
He was born into a royal family and later he was ordained. From then on, he studied Hinayana, Mahayana, Profound View, and Extensive Deeds; [he became] proficient and erudite in all of them. Eventually, in India, he was considered the crown jewel of the Buddhist domain. It was described in his biography, so I will not go into detail. This great practitioner flawlessly combined the aforementioned trailblazers, the two Mahayana lineages – one representing “Profound View” and the other “Extensive Deeds” – in its entirety. He not only integrated them into one, but he also completed it flawlessly; this is the essence of Buddha’s teaching. Now let’s pay our homage to this great practitioner! [01′02″]
Upon hearing this section, I recalled the first time I heard the name of Master Atisha from Master’s teaching and I felt very pleased. Some Lamrim classmates put their palms together and said smilingly, “This name sounds very pleasant!” At that time since we were not able to find the book, the Biography of Master Atisha, we attentively listened to Master’s account of Master Atisha, listened over and over again, yearning for more of his stories, particularly the story of him beseeching the teaching of Bodhicitta from the Master Ser-ling-ba and also wanted to hear it all in great detail. However, [much to our discouragement,] the book was not available. Since there was nothing we could do, we just had to live with it. [01′58″]
On my pilgrimage to Lhasa, I walked up to the statue of Master Atisha in a monastery. I stood in front of the statue gazing quietly at Master Atisha for quite a long time. The statue of Master Atisha was so vivid and lifelike that it seemed like he wanted to talk to you. Later, I went to Nye-tang Monastery, revering the statue of Tara*, which Master Atisha often carried with him. On the way back from Nye-tang Monastery, I even composed an insightful praise to extol Master Atisha. Since the insightful praise came about spontaneously, I quickly wrote it on a piece of facial tissue first. All the way on the trip back, whether I was in a car, at the airport, or in the airplane, my thoughts were constantly lingering on Master Atisha, the melody I composed, and my longing and gratitude towards him. [02′59″]
[*Please refer to teaching #9]
As we go over this section again, we notice that the language Master used to describe the inconceivable scriptural knowledge, as well as experiential knowledge of Master Atisha, was very succinct. Master used “proficient and erudite in all of them” to describe the profundity and comprehensiveness of Master Atisha’s erudition, which is truly admirable! Yet how much perseverance it would have taken to accomplish such high degree of proficiency and eruditeness! To rely on virtuous teachers sometimes does require taking an arduous journey in order to be in their presence, not to mention having to experience different cultural backgrounds, various dietary habits, and also adjust to the different weather conditions of the new environment. It takes time and effort to adjust oneself to different surroundings; needless to say, how much more extra time and strenuous effort will it take for one to uphold both lineages through listening and meditating? [04′01″]
Would you like to hear a story about Master Atisha seeking the teaching [of Bodhicitta]? I will briefly go over it! [04′09″]
Master Atisha was born into a royal family, and he was extremely intelligent. Before he was ordained, he studied with several great teachers such as Jetari, Vidyakokila, and Avadhutipa. He studied various teachings, including the Middle Way, esoteric teaching in great depth, the Buddhist science of logic, and other teachings as well. Before he was ordained, he was already very well versed in various scripture knowledge. After his ordination at the age of 29, he spent 12 years under the guidance of a virtuous teacher, Dharmaraksita, on the Great Detailed Explanation (Maha-vibhasa) [Lamrim v.1 p.37], which is a Vaibhashika commentary. The Great Detailed Explanation (Maha-vibhasa) thoroughly and extensively illustrated the essence of the Vaibhashika* school teaching. That’s why it is known as the Great Detailed Explanation (Maha-vibhasa). This commentary summarized Vinaya essence from all four schools, as well as part of the contents from the seven texts on knowledge [Lamrim v.1 p.111 & v.3 p.97]. At that time, Buddhism had 18 schools in India, and Master Atisha was the crown jewel of all the 18 schools! The crown jewel amongst them! [05′30″]
[*4 schools of Buddhism philosophy tenets: Vaibhashika, Sutraantika, Cittamatra (mind-only), and Madhyamaka]
Think about it, he had already attained such eminent achievement – the crown jewel of all the 18 schools – and was held in high esteem by all of the 18 schools. However, what was Master Atisha thinking about? After having learned all the exoteric and esoteric teachings in India at that time and applied them in practice, what exactly was Master Atisha thinking about? Was he contented with all these? It was stated in the biography that he was often pondering, “What is the most expedient way to achieve Buddhahood? Which path can practitioners take to attain Buddhahood?” He also supplicated to main deity and his gurus, again and again, asking, “What is the expedient way to achieve Buddhahood? Which path is the quickest to become a Buddha?” His guru, Rahulagupta, told him to apply the practice of Bodhicitta. At the same time, while on the vajra seat [in Bodh Gaya, Lamrim v.2 p.72], Master Atisha also received instructions from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, urging him to cultivate Bodhicitta. [06′45″]
The question Master Atisha contemplated was a crucial and vital one, and it is the utmost essence of our Dharma practice. Master Atisha was the most prominent scholar of scriptural and experiential achievements in India at that time. Can you imagine that Master Atisha often sat alone late into the night contemplating this question? Or was he ruminating on this issue captivatedly? Judging from the way Master Atisha contemplated the issue, it is evident how desperately he wanted to achieve Buddhahood quickly; he dedicated his whole life to exploring the quickest means to become a Buddha. Why was that he wanted to become a Buddha as fast as possible? What would he do upon quickly achieving Buddhahood? Evidently, all of his learning, contemplation, and meditation were all directed towards this goal, very pure and untainted, yet was he seeking it for himself? [07′36″]
It was stated in the biography that Master Atisha contemplated the issue for the purpose of letting those who do not have the aspiration for Bodhicitta to be inspired, those who are already aspired to enhance it, and those whose are already enhanced, reach the ultimate enlightenment. He was thinking, “So, who has exactly possessed the encompassing teaching of Bodhicitta?” And he searched and explored. At that time the most widely acclaimed master was Master Ser-ling-ba, the master of Bodhicitta teaching. Hence, Master Atisha began to contemplate the thought of traveling to the place where Master Ser-ling-ba lived. He wanted to go there so he could listen to the entire instruction of Bodhicitta under Master Ser-ling-ba’s teaching throne. [08′34″]
At that time, Master Atisha lived in India while Master Ser-ling-ba was far away at Sumatra, Indonesia. Take a look at the map we have today, that is quite a long distance [between India and Sumatra]. Not sure how he persuaded others back then [to go with him]. Although he was already ordained, he was indeed a prince of the royal family; wouldn’t his royal family be worried about him? Wouldn’t his disciples be worried about his safety? There is not much detail disclosed in the biography. Eventually Master Atisha decided to embark on the journey. He chose to travel by sea and went on with the merchants who were familiar with the route, and of course, together with him were his attendants and entourages. Finally, the journey by route of sea started! The ship sailed on the ocean from India to Sumatra. [09′32″]
How many of you have experienced seasick or motion sickness before? I once took the boat to Potola Mountain* on a pilgrimage trip in veneration of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. At the beginning, it was a big ship and the ride was considered pretty smooth. It took us one day and night [to get to the transfer port]. Then, we switched to another boat heading towards Lou-jia Mountain. Right after we got on board, the wind started and the waves were very high. Actually, the entire boat was rocking fiercely while the billowing waves banged on the windows. We could hardly see anything out there, simply seeing nothing but water, waves, and waves of water. Nearly everyone on board was screaming. It might be because everyone was very nervous! I thought, “Would it be over after three or five minutes?” It turned out that the boat was rocking even more violently. Later, I noticed people were vomiting, and more and more people were throwing up. After a while, the vomiting sound was all over the place. I tried with all my might to chant the name of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and tried very hard to suppress the feeling of wanting to throw up. Refraining myself from vomiting, I prayed with all my might to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Not sure how long the boat-rocking motion had lasted, it felt that the boat had rocked the entire trip. Finally, we arrived at the port and I did not throw up. When the boat docked, I began to disembark. On the way out of the boat, I noticed the vomit on the floor of the cabin, seemed like many people had thrown up. [11′14″]
[*Potola Mountain: the archipelago outside of Shanghai is one of the four sacred Mountains in China.]
On the way of disembarking, the walking distance was like from the boat to the port. As soon as I landed my feet on the ground, unexpectedly, I couldn’t take any step further. It felt as if the entire ground was still rocking, and I could not walk at all. Later, I couldn’t even sit up and couldn’t do anything but lay down by the foot of the Luo-jia Mountain. At that time, I just watched people lined up and walked past me. I totally could not get up. I was wondering how come they threw up so violently on board, but once they were off the boat, they could walk away with such energy [as if nothing had happened, in contrast] I did not throw up on board but how come I couldn’t walk after disembarking! It was of no use thinking too much, I just sincerely supplicated to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. I lay on the ground for a long time, feeling as if the whole sky was swaying and the earth was shaking violently before I could get up. Once I got up, I headed toward Luo-jia Mountain. The footprint of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva at Lou-jia Mountain is very big and deep; a legendary footprint that flew in out from nowhere. [12′19″]
Think about it! The boat ride that I took was only a couple of hours, and see how awful the experience was! Back then, Master Atisha travelled by sea for 13 months. How long is 13 months? It is over a year! He stayed aboard for 13 months. While on the sea, based on the biography, since the demonic deity of Heaven of Controlling Others’ Emanations could not bear to see Buddha’s teaching thrives, the demon tried to hinder Master Atisha from attaining Bodhicitta. Thus, he deliberately turned waves in opposite direction, (created) the howling of the sea wind, the surge of billowing waves, the body of the boat was rocking dreadfully. Back then it could be only a sailboat! The strong wind was blowing against the sail high up there. If the boat was sailing against the wind, the sail would have to be rolled down; otherwise, any increase in wind velocity would engulf the boat, one wouldn’t be able to know the whereabouts one was heading. The boat Master Atisha was aboard actually took the wrong direction under the strong billowing wind. Imagine how scary that was! [13′24″]
Finally, they were back on the right course, unexpectedly, right in front of the boat, a mountain-like size giant whale appeared and it blocked where the boat was sailing. Nowadays, we all like to go for whale watching. However, if you have been sailing for so long on the sea and have gone through severe storms, finally you have found the right direction, then wow! There appeared this giant whale like a mountain, and this gigantic whale was like a constant moving mountain and in no time it would crash over! This was not an average threat, because that gigantic whale could possibly be bigger than the sailboat. It would pose a serious threat to the lives aboard because the boat could thus be capsized. However, for the sake of seeking the teaching of Bodhicitta, Master Atisha did not surrender! [14′21″]
[That was not the end of it.] At that time the sky suddenly started the kind of loud thunderclap! There were also various dangerous calamities. What was Master Atisha doing at that moment? He earnestly went over the rite, and especially meditated on the Red Yama Samadhi; he was continuously practicing it. Finally, he overcame all these obstacles and tamed the demons! Dauntless and compassionate, Master Atisha spent 13 months traveling by sea, enduring such dreadful hardships and finally he arrived at the place where Master Ser-ling-ba resided. [15′10″]
【全球广论 II 讲次: 0087】
讲次 0087
科判 道前基础
章节 〈皈敬颂〉论前皈敬
音档 2B 15:20 ~ 16:20
日期 2019/01/28 ~ 01/30
广论段落 P1-L7 摄二大车善传流……敬礼持彼燃灯智
手抄页/行 第1册 P57-L7 ~ P57-LL3 ( 2016 南普陀版：第1册 P57-L8 ~ P57-LL3 )
手抄段落 他的出身这么地好......现在来敬礼他！
他的出身这么地好，后来出了家，出了家以后他从小乘、大乘、性宗、相宗，无所不精，无所不通，到最后是在印度算起来，印度佛教界的顶尖。他的这个传记后面有简单的介绍，我在这里不说了。他这位大德呀，把上面所说的两个传承，两个师承，一个代表[深见]，一个代表[广行]的大乘的教法，这个教法、这个传承善巧无误的这个传承，他又把它统摄起来。不但统摄到身上，而且圆满没有错误，把这个东西归并起来，这个是佛陀的中心的教授。那么这位尊者，现在来敬礼他！ [01′02″]
听到这一段，想起来当年第一次从师父的讲说中听到阿底峡尊者几个字，心里特别高兴；有的广论同学还合掌，笑咪咪地说：[这名字可真好听！]那个时候我们找不到《阿底峡尊者传》这本书，所以大家认真地把师父讲的关于阿底峡尊者的描述，一遍又一遍地听，很想听到很多阿底峡尊者的故事，尤其是去金洲求菩提心教授的故事，而且想要听所有的细节。可是那个时候没有书，也没有办法找到，就只能忍着。 [01′58″]
我去拉萨朝圣的时候，在一个寺院里走到阿底峡尊者的像前，站在尊者的像前静静地凝视了很久。那尊阿底峡尊者像塑得栩栩如生，好像要跟你讲话一样。后来又去了聂塘寺，朝礼阿底峡尊者常常带在身边的度母像。从聂塘寺回来的路上，还写了一首赞美阿底峡尊者的赞颂，当时很急，所以就写在一张面纸上。一路在车上、在飞机场、在飞机上，心里一直萦绕着阿底峡尊者，萦绕着那个旋律，萦绕着对他的感恩和思念。 [02′59″]
再看这一小段，师父是用非常简要的语言，为我们清晰深刻地描绘出阿底峡尊者不可思议的教证功德。师父用了[无所不精、无所不通]，来描写阿底峡尊者学修的深度和广度，真的令人渴仰！可是无所不精、无所不通，要花多大的精勤才能达到这样的高度！亲近善知识有的时候真的需要跋山涉水去到他的面前，要经历不同文化背景、不同饮食习惯、不同气候环境的适应，每一种适应都要花下时间和心力；将两脉的传承合于一身而听闻、而修学，要花下何等的精勤才能够达到呢？ [04′01″]
你们想不想听一段阿底峡尊者求法的故事呢？我略讲一下吧！ [04′09″]
阿底峡尊者出身王族，又绝顶聪明，出家前从胜敌婆罗门、明了杜鹃论师，还有一位是阿嚩都帝这样的大上师，深入地学习了中观、密法，应该还有因明吧，很多教授。出家前已经在教理上如此地博学了！这样的博学多闻，在二十九岁出家后，他又用了十二年的时间亲近善知识，跟随法铠大师学习《大毗婆沙论》。 [毗婆沙]就是有部，《大毗婆沙论》广泛而详细地阐示了有部宗的宗义，所以称之为《大毗婆沙论》。透过对这部论的学习，总摄了四部毗奈耶的要义，还有对法七部的一些内涵。那个时候佛法在印度有十八个部派，而阿底峡尊者成为了通晓十八部派的顶严啊！众中顶严！ [05′30″]
可以想像一下，已经达到了在当时佛教里边非常非常高的这样一个成就——十八部派的众中顶严，为十八部派共同尊敬，可阿底峡尊者在想什么呢？在听闻了当时所有印度显密的教法而且修持之后，阿底峡尊者到底想什么呢？他心里会为此满足吗？在传记上写说，他常常在想：什么是迅速成佛的方便？哪一种道能最快成佛？他也多次地启问本尊、启问上师：[什么是迅速成佛的方便？哪一种道能最快成佛？]阿底峡尊者的上师罗睺罗毱多，就跟尊者说要修菩提心；这个时候尊者也在金刚座得到了多次佛菩萨的指示，说要修菩提心。 [06′45″]
阿底峡尊者思考的这个问题非常大，是修行最核心的问题。在他的教证功德闻名整个印度的时候，可以想像阿底峡尊者常常是静夜独思吗？还是魂牵梦绕地都在想着这个问题？从阿底峡尊者思考这个问题，可以看到他是那么想要快速成佛，在用他所有的生命探索快速成佛之道。他为什么想要快成佛呢？快速成佛能做什么？由此也可看出，他所有的闻思修都朝向这个目标。这样皎洁无染的目标，他是在为他自己寻觅的吗？ [07′36″]
在传记上写说，阿底峡尊者为了让菩提心没有生起的人能够生起、已经生起的人能够增长、已经增长的人能够达到究竟，所以他在探索这个问题。他在想：那么到底有谁拥有圆满的菩提心教授呢？然后就去观察。当时被普遍称扬的就是金洲大师，金洲大师是菩提心修法的教主，所以阿底峡尊者萌生了要去金洲那个地方，要到金洲大师的座前听受菩提心修法全圆教授的想法。 [08′34″]
阿底峡尊者当时居住在印度，而金洲还远在印度尼西亚的苏门答腊，看一看今天的地图，距离应该还是非常远的。不知道他是怎样劝说别人的？虽然他已经出家了，但他毕竟是王子出身啊，家族的人不担心他吗？弟子众们不担心他吗？传记里没有详细地描写。最终尊者还是决定要出发了，他选择了水路，选择了跟熟悉这条路的商人们一同出发，当然还带着他的随从和随行人员。终于开始乘船了！乘船就是要在海上，从印度趣往苏门答腊。 [09′32″]
不知道大家有多少人有乘船、晕船的经历？我曾经坐船去普陀山朝礼观世音菩萨，开始是坐一艘大船，还算平稳，航行了一天一夜。一夜之后，我们要到洛迦山去，所以就换成了另一条船。结果刚登船就起风了，浪非常地大，船身剧烈地摇晃，浪打在窗子上，根本看不到外面是怎样的，只能看到水，一波又一波的水。船里的人就都在惊呼，当时可能所有的人都很紧张吧！我在想：三、五分钟会不会过去呢？结果晃得越来越严重。后来就开始听到有人在呕吐了，然后越来越多的人都在吐，过一会儿好像到处都是呕吐的声音。我在船里边拼命地念观世音菩萨，努力地克制不要吐、不要吐，拼命地祈求观世音菩萨。不知这样摇晃了多久的时间，感觉是全程都在摇。后来终于到了，我没有吐。船停的时候，开始往那个船口走，下船的时候发现船舱的地面上还有呕吐的那些东西，可能是太多人吐了。 [11′14″]
走出船的时候，应该是从船上走到地面上这样一段距离。我走到地面上之后，居然一步也不能再往前走了，因为觉得整个地还在摇，怎么也走不了了。后来坐着也不行，就只能直接躺在洛迦山脚下。那个时候看着人们排着队从我的面前经过，我根本起不来。我在想：刚才在船上大家吐得那么厉害，一下船都这么精神就走了；我在船上都没有吐，下船为什么我走不了呢？也不用想太多了，好好祈求观世音菩萨。我就躺在地上，觉得天摇地动很久，然后才爬起来，就上洛迦山了。洛迦山有观世音菩萨的脚印，很大、很深，听说好像是从哪里飞来的一个脚印。 [12′19″]
想一想喔！我仅仅在船上待了几个小时喔，就成那样子了！当时阿底峡尊者的船，在海上航行了十三个月之久。十三个月是多久？一年多啊！都在海上。在海上的时候，传记里有写，他化自在天的天魔不能忍受佛陀教法的兴盛，就想要障碍尊者的菩提心，所以就故意朝反方向兴风作浪，海风呼啸、大浪滔天，船身可能是非常可怕地摇晃。那时候是帆船吧！强风吹着高高的船帆，如果是逆向风的话，帆就得收起来，否则如果大风吹得天昏地暗，走到哪里都不知道的。阿底峡尊者的船，真的在巨风大浪中走错了方向，可以想见有多么地惊险啊！ [13′24″]
好不容易又找回了方向，结果在船的前面，居然出现了像山一样大的一条大鲸鱼，那只大鲸鱼就挡在船前面。现在我们大家都想要看到大鲸鱼，但是如果你自己在海上航行了那么久，又经历了大风大浪，好不容易又找回了航向，哇！前面又出现像一座山那么大的鱼，而且这座山随时移动，随时可能会冲过来！这不是一般地凶险，因为那大鲸鱼可能比船还大，所以对船上所有人的生命都是一种威胁，而且有可能会让船整个翻掉的。但是阿底峡尊者为了去求法，没有选择后退半步！ [14′21″]
那个时候，还有从空中突然打起的那种巨大霹雳，还有出现了很多很凶险的灾害。这个时候阿底峡尊者在做什么呢？他在殷重地修法，尤其是修红色阎魔敌的三摩地，他一直在修，最终摧伏了这些障碍、摧伏了魔军！勇悍、慈悲的阿底峡尊者，就这样经过了十三个月之久，千辛万苦地终于到达了金洲这个地方。 [15′10″]