Lecture No. 0206
Global Lamrim II
Lecture No. 0206
Tape: 3B 14:44 ~ 16:52
Date: 2020-03-19 ~ 2020-03-22
Topic: Persist in listening to the Teachings every day, being mindful of the direction of our minds
English Lamrim Volume 1, page 34
Master’s discourse Vol 1 P87-LL4 ~ P88-LL3 (NanPuTuo Version Vol 1 P87-LL3 ~ P88-LL3)
It is very important that we persist in listening to the teaching. It would be best to persist in our listening every day. Why? Although we have already listened to a lot of teachings, have we retained all of what we have heard in our mind? Will the teachings arise in our mind when we face arising conditions? When we are troubled by a specific affliction, will the teaching arising in our mind be the exact antidote for this affliction? More often than not, when we face arising conditions, the teaching that we have learned simply won’t arise in our mind. Why? Because the force of our afflictions, which we have habitually cultivated since beginningless eons, is immensely strong and mighty; hence, when we face arising conditions, it is hard for us to have the proper perceptions. This part is probably more challenging for practitioners in the beginning stage of practice. [00:43]
If we don’t have enough strength [to counteract our arising afflictions], what should we do? Then we have to rely on the power from listening to the teachings. Listening to the teaching can uplift our mental strength directly. Sometimes we may hear people say, “Ah, I have no more (mental) strength!” No more strength, no more strength to do what? It is no more strength to engage in virtuous deeds or negative deeds? Or would you think that one doesn’t have any strength left to engage in either virtuous or non-virtuous deeds? It is definitely not like that, for it all depends on what kind of mental strength dominates the mind. If we don’t have the strength to counteract, then the power of the non-virtuous karma will definitely be very intense and potent; we will then be pushed forward by the non-virtuous karma. [01:22]
When faced with arising conditions and feeling short of mental strength, when we do not have enough strength, how are we able to brace up through listening? First, let’s analyze the reasons for feeling discouraged. Is it because these afflictions strike us so hard that they deplete our mental strength? Because no matter how many thousands of times we have tried to fight against it, we find ourselves still struggling repeatedly in the same situation, just like the hitching post, where a donkey is unable to escape once tied to it. Then, some people would sit on the ground totally deflated, exclaiming, “I quit!” However, even if we quit, our non-virtuous karma continues to increase. Every day, every night, and every single moment, the yet-to-be-purified negative karma continues to escalate exponentially. In fact, not just the negative karma, likewise our sufferings continue to increase exponentially as well. So it is not to say that just because we quit, everything stops. Suffering is still escalating. Therefore, at this moment, if we feel deflated, we are still able to listen to the teachings, we still have many virtuous friends around us, helping us to uphold the right views. However, if we give up, neglecting the great opportunity we have to boost up our mental strength, then that would truly be a pity! [02:26]
Hence, listening to the teaching every day helps alert us to the blind spots surrounding us 24 hours a day. Though not all the blind spots are highlighted, at least some of these spots, through Master’s teachings would hit our hearts, awakening us from our dreamy state. Then, all of a sudden, we become very clear-headed: “Discovering that this mindset is not correct; I need to rectify it!” Or for this period of time, I feel muddle-headed and in bad shape, one day, all of a sudden, we become hopeful after listening to Master’s teaching, enabling us to again stand up strong to battle against the afflictive emotions. [03:03]
Sometimes, the way we counteract the afflictions may not be appropriate. For instance, we chant the prayer of the Praise to the 21 Taras, or meditate on the rite of the Protector and Yamantaka, when we are chanting, are we truly focused? Are we chanting with single-minded attention? If we are not focused while chanting these prayers, then, would the prayer be effective? If we are not serious with our prayers, will it give rise to powerful effects and strength? If we form such habits, being lethargic, dozing off, or being distracted, not being serious, or be in a destressed state thinking about our afflictive issues each time we pray to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, we are allowing such precious time to slip by easily. On top of that, we would not have the mental strength to counteract our afflictions. Why? Because, by ourselves, we stand no chance to battle the afflictions we have nurtured since beginningless time. We must rely on the power imbued from praying to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. To awaken our passion, devotion, and perseverance, we must strive to work hard on the sublime teachings! [04:03]
If we don’t exert effort, the leisure and opportunity of our human life may slip by very quickly like a white steed flits through a narrow gap; if we don’t hold onto to it properly, the force of unwholesome karma, like the dark cloud, would engulf us in no time, and then we would be submerged in the miserable realms, where we will not have the opportunity to engage in virtuous deeds. Though it seems difficult for us to engage in virtuous deeds now, we still have the opportunity to create wholesome karma. After all, we do have the opportunity to be victorious. However, if we are still lying here dreaming, feeling that we have all the time in the world as though we would never die, and then we may let such opportunity slip by wastefully. Hence, such awakening requires us to constantly rely on virtuous teachers, and listen to their sublime teachings; with the teachings we have received, we need to apply them to examine and adjust our mental intention accordingly. Only then will our behaviour be in line with the teaching, and only then are we able to keep up with the practice. Therefore, listening to the teaching every day is extremely important and extremely precious! [04:53]
When we encounter obstacles in our practices, for example weakening mental power, we should make proper offerings to the Three Jewels to accumulate our merits! Then pray earnestly. Also, we can chant and prostrate to the 35 Buddhas to do repentance. As many eminent masters said before, “Do you chant the 35 Buddhas’ names before going to bed? If not, have you attained the entry level of Bodhisattva?” In fact, all great masters would say so! If we don’t repent our daily negative deeds, then the negative karma will continue to grow while we are sleeping. On the contrary, if we uphold the precepts properly, the merits accumulated from our observing the Tantric vows, Bodhisattva vows, five precepts, and the monastic vows, novice vows, etc. would increase while we are sleeping, that is if we did not break them, the principle is the same. Thus, it all depends on what we relentlessly pursue with this short, yet precious and very meaningful human life! [05:43]
The most frightening is, losing our direction in the bustling of this mundane world, losing that place that our hearts desire – the direction where ultimate happiness is, the core principle is missing. At a time like this, we have to listen to the teaching, listen to the eternal awakening call from Buddhas - Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Lineage Masters are all the same, they are here to awaken our hearts – lift up the right views, we are fearless warriors. If we accidentally drop the sword of right views while fighting against afflictions, we should immediately pick it up. We shouldn’t let the condition of losing our mindfulness stay for too long! (Why?) Because the negative karma is increasing exponentially every minute, every second. When the negative karma is increasing, the suffering is growing as well. When the negative karma ripens, we will not be able to endure the excruciating suffering. [06:30]
Thus, when we feel disheartened, usually it means we don’t have the strength to engage in virtuous deeds, but our mental strength to perform non-virtuous deeds is definitely mighty! On this point, I hope that we all can be more mindful of it and examine ourselves, both physical and mental, closely. To awaken ourselves, we need to listen to the teaching. While listening to the teaching, we would realise, “Wow! My mental state is….” If we repeatedly calibrate our mind and behavior with the teachings, we would find the discrepancies and thus notice the first step which we should start from; this can only begin from mindfully upholding the right views! [07:00]
Never should we feel, “Since my afflictions are so dense, I might just give up the practice. (Why?) Because it is strenuous and grueling to counteract them – battling against afflictions day in and day out, battling day in and day out.” However, do you think putting down the sword will make you feel more comfortable? Only if we are not besieged by our enemies, the afflictions within our minds. What truly make us suffer is the thief-like afflictions attacking us. Before we win over this battle, how can we rest at ease? How can we have the peace in mind? Even though we may be temporary deluded by the enjoyment of our 5 sensory faculties, but the true nature of suffering will be exposed eventually, like the thorns jabbing us, not being able to find the peace we might otherwise have day in and day out. (Why?) Because that is the nature of the suffering in cyclic existence. [07:41]
When such suffering nature is not resolved, no matter how much sensual enjoyment we can find to numb the suffering nature and to convince ourselves that cyclic existence will bring us happiness, such fancifulness eventually would be destroyed by the suffering nature in cyclic existence. Why? Because birth, aging, illness and death are very substantial, so are the suffering of separating from our loved ones and the suffering of encountering what is unpleasant. How is it possible to have pure and genuine happiness in a place where all sorts of sufferings pervade? [08:06]
Therefore, with respect to the wrong views, I hope that everyone can completely eliminate the intention to take short cuts. Faithfully abiding by what Master taught, and following along the guidance from Buddha, we unswervingly resolve to remove the sufferings in our lives, instead of giving up whenever we encounter challenges. While facing difficulties, we need to ponder, “How can I uplift my mental strength?” For this, we need to accumulate merits and remove obstacles by repentance! Master constantly reminded us with the following words: “It is not because you are unable, but it could probably be because you don’t have enough merits.” If we don’t have enough merits, then we should make offerings to the Three Jewels, attend to our parents, properly chant the sutras and prostrate to Buddhas to repent. All these are the means to help us increase our mental strength. The most appalling thing is we are not doing anything, we discarded the sword and lament the heavens, the earth and the people. Such attitude is the quickest way to accumulate negative karma. It is also the swiftest way to push ourselves over precipice of abandonment. Definitely the most successful method to self-destruct. [08:55]
Hence, what we should be most vigilant with, is to be vigilant about what are in our mind, where our thoughts are heading to? Is it heading in the direction towards severing afflictions, towards the three principal aspects of the path, or is it heading toward the downfall? Is it heading towards being closer to our virtuous teachers, or heading away from our virtuous teachers? Is it heading toward being diligent in our practices or in the direction of forsaking the Dharma? When we realised that the direction is wrong, we need to turn around immediately! We can’t afford a moment of hesitation, because what lies ahead is the bottomless abyss, beyond redemption! [09:26]
【全球广论 II 讲次: 0206】
讲次 0206
标题 坚持每天听法，警觉内心动向
音档 3B 14:44 ~ 16:52
日期 2020-03-19 ~ 2020-03-22
广论段落 P2-L6 此中传有二派释仪
手抄页/行 第1册 P87-LL4 ~ P88-LL3 ( 2016 南普陀版：第1册 P87-LL3 ~ P88-LL3 )
手抄段落. 此中传有二派释仪……我们看一看
坚持听法是一件很重要的事情，最好每天都坚持听，为什么呢？因为虽然我们已经听了很多法了，但是听了之后会不会都记在心里呢？对境的时候会不会法就现行了？正好是那个烦恼，正好是调伏那个烦恼的法现行了呢？通常对境的时候都现不起来了，为什么呢？无量劫来串习烦恼的势力非常地强大，所以对境很难现起正见，大概是初心的修行者比较困难的部分。 [00:43]
我们自己的力道现不起来怎么办呢？就是要靠听法的力量，听法能直接提起我们的心力。有时候会听到说：「哇，没力了！」没力了，是什么没力了呢？是没力气造善业了，还是没力气造恶业了？或者你会认为善业、恶业都没力气造吗？肯定不是那样的，因为就看看自己内心什么业力强。如果我们对治的力量没有力气了，那恶业的力量一定是很猛烈的，就随着那种恶业向前走。 [01:22]
那么怎么样能够让我们对境感到心力匮乏的时候、没有力气的时候，就透过听闻得到力量呢？那就先研究我们为什么会没力？是被烦恼打击得没力吗？因为对治了千翻百转，发现还是在老地方折腾，就是那个系驴桩，一直系着这个驴也逃不掉，然后有些人就垂头丧气坐在地上：「我不干了！」不干了，那个恶业还在继续长的，每一个白天、每一个晚上、每一个刹那，没有净化的恶业都是成倍数地长的。岂止是恶业，苦也在成倍数地增长。所以不是我们说不干了一切就停了，而是苦就在增长。所以这个时候如果说我心里没力了，但是还能听到法，周边还有善友能够帮我们提持正念的时候，如果我们放弃，没有注视到眼前这个大好的机会还是可以让我们把心力都提起来的话，那真是太可惜了！ [02:26]
所以每日的听法，就在于能够警醒自己在二六时中迷茫的点。不可能所有的点都警醒了，但是至少有一些点师父的教授会撞击到我们的内心，让我们如梦初醒，会突然脑筋变得非常清晰：发现这个念头不对，我得要调整它！或者这一段时间我都觉得浑浑噩噩的、状态不太行，有一天突然在师父的讲授里听到了一个希望，让你有心力再站起来打击这个烦恼。 [03:03]
有的时候是可能对治烦恼的方法不是很正确，比如说我们念《二十一度母赞》，修怙主、大威德，念这些本尊修法的时候，我们是否是真的很认真呢？是否很认真呢？如果不认真的话，就变成祈求的时候是不认真的。如果祈求是不认真的，会不会产生很大的力道呢？如果养成习惯，一去祈求佛菩萨就昏沉、打瞌睡，或者散乱、不用心，或者苦苦恼恼在想着自己那点事情，这么珍贵的时间就在自己的手中溜走了，而且我们会没有一个力量去对治烦恼。因为单靠自己的力量是打不过无始劫来的烦恼的，一定要靠祈求佛菩萨的力量，觉醒我们内心中那种热情、虔诚和毅力，就是要在正法上努力！ [04:03]
因为不努力，暇满人身白驹过隙，如果不好好地抓在手里，像乌云一般弥漫的恶业瞬间又把我们吞没，就进入恶道，我们将没有机会造善。虽然现在这个时间造善还是觉得困难，但是毕竟有机会造善，我们是有可能赢得胜利的。如果在这个时候还躺着做大梦，觉得时光一大把，自己好像永远不死的样子，那么就会坐失良机。所以这种种的觉醒，都要常常亲近善知识、听闻正法，再获得自己内心的如理作意，然后我们的现行才能够如教修行，才能跟得上。所以能天天听法是非常非常重要、非常非常珍贵的！ [04:53]
当我们修行遇到困境，比如说心力不济的时候，要好好供养三宝，积福啊！然后好好祈求。还有念三十五佛、拜忏。像很多大善知识曾经说过：「你睡前有念三十五佛吗？如果没念的话，那你登地了吗？」大德都如是说喔！如果不把当日的恶业忏悔掉的话，即使我们睡着恶业也在增长。当然如果我们好好持戒的话，我们的密乘戒、菩萨戒、五戒，还有很多法师的比丘戒、沙弥戒等等这些戒律，其实它的功德在睡着的时候，如果你没有去破坏它也在增长，一样的。那么就看我们向这个短暂的人身、如此珍贵的人身、可以赢得大利的人身，去矢志不移地追求什么！ [05:43]
所以最可怕的就是：我们在这个滚滚红尘中迷失了方向，迷失了心所要求的那个地方，就是真正快乐的那个方向，宗旨打失了。这个时候一定要听法，听佛陀千古的呼唤，佛菩萨、祖师都是一样的，觉醒我们的内心──提起正念来，就是勇士！跟烦恼斗、正念的剑掉落的时候，要立刻把它拿起来，旋即把正念的宝剑拿起来！不可以让失念的状态停留太久，因为每一分、每一秒都是恶业在迅猛增长的时刻。恶业在增长就是苦在加剧的时候，等到它成熟的时候是无法忍受的。 [06:30]
所以当我们说我们没心力的时候，通常都是没心力造善，那个恶业的心力可是猛着呢！这一点希望大家能够留心在自己的身心上观察一下。能让自己觉醒就是要闻法，一听法的时候就会发现：哇！我这个状态就是……。拿法数数来校对身心的时候，就会发现它的距离，就会发现自己脚下的一步从哪里开始，一定是从提起正念开始！ [07:00]
千万不要觉得：烦恼这么猛，那我放弃修行好了，因为对治烦恼实在太辛苦了！天天战斗、天天战斗，昼夜不停地战斗。你觉得放下宝剑会很舒服吗？那除非我们心里没有烦恼的敌人围困我们。真正让我们痛苦的就是烦恼贼的围攻，这一个战役没有打胜之前，我们怎么可能安乐？怎么可能清凉？纵使现世五欲的安乐会暂时迷闷我们的内心，但是那种苦性终归会暴露出来，会像刺一样让我们昼夜难安，因为轮回的苦性就是那样的。 [07:41]
当这个苦性没有结束的时候，用多少五欲的安乐，似乎是想要麻痹它，然后想要用自己的感觉去证明这个轮回是快乐的，终究会被事实所摧毁，被轮回的苦性所摧毁。因为生老病死就那么真实，爱别离、怨憎会这些苦也是非常非常真实的，这些苦遍满的地方能有什么纯净的快乐呢？ [08:06]
所以在这点上就比较希望大家能够死盡偷心，老老实实地沿着师父所讲述的那样、沿着佛陀所指出的方向，矢志不移地改变我们生命的这种痛苦，不要遇到困难的时候就退心。遇到困难的时候要考虑：我怎么样才能够提起心力？就是要集资净忏！师父一直叮咛我们那几个字：不是你不能，而是可能资粮不够。资粮不够就是供养三宝啊、承事父母啊，好好地诵经、拜忏，这些都是让我们增长心力的办法。最可怕的就是什么都不干，把剑丢了，还要怨天、怨地、怨人，这种作法是累积恶业最快的方法，也是把自己推落到堕落的悬崖边最快的办法，也是自己糟蹋自己最成功的办法。 [08:55]
所以最警觉的应该是：要警觉自己内心的动向──它是朝哪里去的？是朝断烦恼、向三主要道的方向去的，还是朝着堕落的方向？是朝着亲近善知识的方向，还是远离善知识的方向？是朝着要努力修行正法的方向，还是朝着背弃正法的方向？当我们发现方向不对之后，要立刻调转！我们的心念不能迟疑，因为下面是万丈深渊、万劫不复！ [09:26]