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Global Lamrim II

Lecture No. 0263

Lamrim Vol. 1: Pg36 L5

Tape No | 4B 20:13 ~ 21:58

Date: 2022-08-03

Topic: :  “Purify one’s mind stream” is the entry-level requirement of Buddha Dharma

After we studied the scriptures, we have learned the high standards from the Buddha. However, what is the fundamental principle [of learning the Buddha Dharma]? The [basic principle of learning the] Buddha Dharma is for self-introspection, right? Is this the basic principle of learning the Buddha Dharma? Yet, we have not grasped this basic principle. [If] we haven’t completed this process of self-purification, [but] we begin to judge others by these standards, counteraction will arise. Why? Because we don’t even know what we are talking about [as] we have never experienced/realized [according to the standards, namely, we haven’t really internalized the teachings yet]. Without such direct/first-hand experience, it is very likely that what we say will become empty talk – a habit of constantly looking outwardly, which we have habitually reinforced since beginningless eons. [00:43]

If we have not applied such a standard for self-purification but rather apply it to judge and demand others, we would not be able to teach others “the very first thing to practice the Dharma is to purify the self.” Because we haven’t applied the teachings for self-purification, this will thus cause a lot of issues [and that’s the reason why this world is chaotic]. Actually, once we adopt the standards to inspect others, which is not what the Buddha taught, then it will become harmful [to us]. Therefore, the reason why learning the Buddha Dharma doesn’t do us any good but harm is not that the Buddha Dharma is harmful, but that what one has learned is simply not the Buddha Dharma. Because the basic function of the Buddha Dharma is to purify the self, which is the entry-level requirement, if we can truly grasp this fundamental principle, then what we do is, [according to the verse], to “purify one’s mind stream; this is the instruction of the Buddha”. Meanwhile “to refrain from all wrongdoings, and engage in all virtuous deeds” can only be achieved with “purify our mind stream.” [01:24]

If we have studied lots of [Buddha’s teachings, sutras and scriptures], yet we don’t even recognize the fundamental principle of purifying our mind stream, and also reluctant in practicing [self-purification], instead, we pick on others [with what we have learned], then this should reflect we don’t know what we are practicing. When we apply [the Dharma mirror] to inspect and judge others, we would notice that we suffer a lot as well, and other people will be deeply distressed, eventually causing complications and mass chaos. This is [why learning the teachings in this manner] will bring us harm. Why is [that learning the Buddha Dharma] becomes detrimental? Because this is not Buddha Dharma that is being practiced and promulgated. [01:49]

So, do we truly understand the teaching after listening to it? One of the most important key points [for assessment] is: will we be able to apply the Dharma teachings that Buddha taught us to purify ourselves – to achieve my own purification and mind training. As we have studied earlier, have we mastered “self-discipline”? Do we recognize that the first practice upon entering the realm of Buddha Dharma is to reflect on ourselves? [02:08]

On the other hand, let [me] exemplify it further: all the teachings Buddha shared and taught us are the Dharma/truths he realized following his ascetic practice and meditation in the forest, and finally attaining great enlightenment upon observing the morning star, right? Viz, he told us the Dharma he had realized and attained. Apparently, we are far from the state of Buddha’s enlightened mind. The Buddha shared what he had realized and attained with us, but why the Buddha’s teaching won’t harm us? Why? Because the Buddha had practiced, realized and hence attained such truth personally, he is well versed in all the necessary stages/paths/steps to attain such realization and attainment. He can also relate to how painful and pathetic those who haven’t seen the true nature of reality are. Hence, the Buddha would never apply such [high and ultimate] standards, [which he had realized and attained], to request and judge others. Neither would he become arrogant and disdain others, nor would he engage in non-virtuous deeds on those who lack such understanding and realization. It is not the case! [02:59]

[On the contrary,] as is a loving, kind mother towards her child, the Buddha possessed deep and genuine compassion [for all sentient beings]. For instance, if a child suffers from a digestion/gastrointestinal disorder or liver dysfunction, the mother would mindfully and specifically prepare various nutritious foods for this child accordingly, rather than letting the young kindergarteners feed each other. Hence, this must be a compassionate mother who knows what is beneficial to the child’s health and what is not, as well as the appropriate diet/medicine at different stages of recovery. Similarly, the medicine [the compassionate Buddha] prescribed specifically for practitioners [with different capacities] is by no means harmful to us who are taking the Dharma medicine, would you agree? [03:30]

Hence, why we should not apply the Dharma mirror to judge others at the beginning of our study? That is because we don’t even know how to reflect on ourselves by this Dharma mirror. If we judge others with this Dharma mirror before we have internalized the experiences, it would mess up the application because there is a very rigorous systematic order to follow. What do you all think? Hence, Master said [in teaching #262], “Originally, the Buddha Dharma is meant to purify the self; it’s for introspection. However, unfortunately, you misapplied it”. Since we misapplied it, we would notice that others turned out to be much more terrible than what we originally thought – much more demonic – and then we would begin to, take heed! Master said next, “You put the blame on others!” After studying the Buddha Dharma, we have not picked up the compassionate attitude. Compassion is being open-minded and very tolerant - to the extent that we pay equal respect to all sentient beings in the Dharma realms as we would to our own mother! If we can perceive all living beings as our mothers, we would aspire to show filial respect and repay their kindness, i.e. [we would] have such mentality. However, before we have learned compassion and loving-kindness, we apply the Dharma mirror outwardly, putting the blame on others, pay attention - the consequence is that we would descend to the hell realms! [04:26]

So, let me ask you all: will we definitely fall to the hell realms if we reproach others? Why? Is it possible that Master might have gravely overstated it? If I reproach others every day, am I creating such unwholesome karma, and the outcome is falling to the hell realms? We may leave the word “definitely” aside and explore the possibility of such a karmic effect? Why is it possible? What is the reason? [04:48]

Hence, Master next explained this problem. [04:53]

 Why we would possibly be planting the cause of descending to the hell realms. [04:57]

Master illustrated with the example of Mount Potala/Putuo, right? [He] said people from all walks of life gather in Mount Potala/Putuo, with all kinds of manifestations, some of which are the manifestation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Are you listening attentively? As we all know, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva once manifested as a beggar, asking for money on the street. Actually, this beggar was Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, correct? Moreover, there are all kinds of manifestation of Manjusri Bodhisattva; for example, he could appear as someone cooking for you; some virtuous teachers would appear as someone carrying your luggage, right? There are all kinds of manifestations, and you don’t even know their actual level of attainment! Thus, under such circumstances, if you don’t realize this, you will be in great trouble without knowing why! Hence, why is that it is very easy for us to descend to the hell realms if we apply the [high] standards of Dharma mirror to reproach others? What if we harbour aversion or hatred at someone, and they turn out to be the manifestations of the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas? We would plant a cause of descending to the hell realms. Therefore, we had better carry a respectful attitude toward everyone. [05:53]

讲次 | 0263 (2020-10-05 ~ 2020-10-07)

标题 | “自净其意”是佛法的入门要求（二）

《广论》段落 | P3-L5 获得功德事理分二……如理修行获证功德事理。　今初

音档 | 4B 20:13 ~ 21:58

手抄页/行 | 第1册 P124-L1 ~ P124-LL1　( 2016 南普陀版：P124-L1 ~ P125-L1 )

手抄段落 | 你如果不了解这个……然后呢再继续下去。

(更新日期: 2023年12月14日)

00:00

这个人学教典之后，学到了一个高的标准，但是其实他起步点的标准是什么呀？是佛法要拿来看自己的，对不对？这是不是一个佛法的标准？其实他这个标准是没有学到的。我们没有完成净化自己的这个过程，开始直接拿这个标准来说别人的话，就会起反作用。为什么呢？因为我们说的东西我们也不知道是什么，我们自己在心里没有体会过。没有体会过，可能会变成空口说白话，无始劫来我们会有一直向外看的这个习惯。00:43

没有经过自我净化的人，然后就拿着标准去要求别人。要求别人之后，他不会教给这个别人“第一个其实就是净化自己”，因为他就没有净化自己，所以会天下大乱。其实他这个标准拿出去之后不是佛法，所以就变成了害处了。所以学佛法以后得不到好处、反而有害处的原因，不是说佛法有害处，而是说他学的不是佛法。因为佛法最基本的就是净化自己，这是基本入门的要求，听懂了就是“自净其意，是诸佛教”。而“诸恶莫作，众善奉行”，这两个都在心上“自净其意”才能完成。01:24

如果学了这么多，连自净其意这件事都不知道，也不愿意去练，反而去说别人的话，那应该不知道修的是什么。他去照别人的时候，会照到他自己也非常地痛苦，然后别人也非常地烦恼，变成天下大乱，所以就会有害处。为什么会有害处？因为他不是在弘扬佛法。01:49

所以，听了法之后有没有听明白呢？其中最重要的一点就是：会不会拿佛陀教我们的这个真理来净化自己——自我完成对自我的净化、自己修行。也就是前面讲过的“律己”，这个有没有学会？有没有知道佛法的一入门就是要看自己的？02:08

但是比如说佛陀给我们讲法，不都是他在苦行林里修行、静坐，然后夜睹明星、开悟了真理，然后就讲给我们？那也是他悟到的道，他讲给我们。我们很显然不是在佛陀领悟的那个境界之中，佛陀也把他领悟的东西讲给我们，那为什么不会伤害我们呢？为什么？因为佛陀自己亲自实践了这个真理，他知道所有的次第应该怎么办。他也知道这些没有看到真理的人有多么地痛苦和可怜，所以他绝对不会拿一个标准来要求别人，然后生起傲慢、鄙视，甚至对不懂的人造恶业、会看不起。不是这样的！02:59

就像一个慈母对小孩一样，他是有深刻的慈悲心的。比如说这个小孩有胃肠病、那个小孩肝怎么样，然后母亲就会善调各种食物给这个小孩吃，而不是幼儿园的一个小朋友喂另一个小朋友。所以一定是一个有慈悲心的妈妈，知道什么对身体好、什么对身体不好，这个阶段该喂什么、下个阶段该吃什么，调好了那个药，才不会伤害服法药的我们，对不对？03:30

所以为什么自己不能一上手就拿这个镜子照人？因为连自己还不会照，你照人的时候没有经验，会把这事情都弄乱套，它这有严格的次第。大家认为呢？所以师父在这里边说：“本来要这个东西净化你自己，照你的，你不幸照错了。”因为看见别人比原来看的还惨，更加妖魔鬼怪，然后就开始，注意！后面师父说那句话：“你责怪别人哪！”学了佛法之后没有学到慈悲心，慈悲心就是心胸非常地宽容——法界有情为量，都是如母亲一样的敬意喔！如果把有情看成如母亲一样，我们就会想要孝敬、报恩，会有这种心态。可是没有学过慈悲心，拿法镜照人就责备别人，注意——结果自己下地狱了！04:26

那我问大家一句话：责备别人就一定会下地狱吗？为什么？这会不会师父说得太严重了呀？我天天责备别人就会造那样的业吗？先别说一定，那有可能吗？为什么有可能？理由是什么？04:48

所以师父的下一段就是在解释这个问题。04:53

为什么会有可能造下下地狱的因？04:57

师父就举了普陀山对吧？说普陀山有各种各样的人、各种各样的示现，有的就是佛菩萨的示现。有认真听吗？大家都知道观世音菩萨就曾经扮演一个乞丐坐在路上跟大家要钱，其实他是观世音菩萨，对不对？还有文殊菩萨的种种示现，比如可能会示现成一个为你煮饭的；还有一些善知识会示现成为你扛行李的，对不对？他有各种示现，你根本不知道他的本地风光是什么！所以这种状态下，如果你不了解的话，就是非常非常麻烦的！所以为什么我们拿这个标准去责怪别人之后容易下地狱？万一我们用一个嗔心对到佛菩萨的话，就有可能造下这个地狱业，所以还是怀着恭敬对别人比较好。05:53