Lecture No. 0235
Global Lamrim II
Lecture No. 0235
Lamrim Volume 1: P34 – LL9~LL1
Date: 2020-06-29 ~ 2020-07-01
Topic: Veneration is the greatest driving force for our learning of Buddha Dharma
When we notice that we are apathetic and insipid towards Buddha and the scriptures, we should be alert and apply antidote, find out the cause for such an attitude. Are we losing the greatest driving force – veneration? Then, where does veneration arise? Is it through recollection of Buddha’s good qualities and appreciation of his kindness such that veneration will arise? So, by recollecting the kindness and good qualities of Buddha, our veneration will spontaneously arise. We would not have come so far in terms of our cultivation/practice if we have not been deeply touched by Buddha’s good qualities and guided by his teachings, isn’t it? Hence, when our veneration towards Buddha and the scriptures is gradually losing, we should regenerate, regain clarity and certainty on it. 00:48
Similarly, some practitioners may say they haven’t made much progress after studying for a period of time; can we apply this statement for self-reflection? Why are we not improving? Is it because our veneration has faded? Or is it because we are not mindful of being respectful while learning Buddha Dharma? As Master said here [in teaching #234], “Veneration is the greatest driving force in terms of our learning of the Buddha Dharma;” besides, it will help us remove obstacles. This is because disrespect can breed myriad afflictions. 01:12
I will exemplify this point with a simple example: we are often encouraged to share virtuous deeds in Lamrim class – telling others the virtuous deeds we have done over the past week. Sometimes, it is inevitable that there was certain minor misunderstanding among some classmates or they may nitpick the other classmates [over a period of time]; at other times, some classmates come to the class feeling upset probably due to some family issues; they become particularly picky or disagreeable over what they see or hear. However, when it is time for sharing virtuous deeds, everyone [in class] will listen closely, specifically attentive to the virtuous deeds that the other classmates have done [over the past week.] While they are listening, their perception of that person may suddenly change. Because they may notice: Wow! I never realised that he or she is so kind-hearted! Instantly, all the misunderstandings or disagreements were gone. And the respect for that person is regained. 02:00
Furthermore, Master also said, “the previously accumulated karmic obstructions will also be eliminated.” There are many such stories; wasn’t there a person seeking Buddha’s advice about his imminent death? Buddha advised him to kowtow [bow] to every person who walked through the city gate every day. One day, the person he bowed down to was his enemy who was about to get even with him. However, when he saw him kowtowing to him, his enemy decided to spare him. This is the most typical example of purifying past karmic obstacles. So, if we are able to show respect for others, is it possible that arising from veneration, the fruitional effects of negative karma won’t ripen? 02:42
As we want to show our veneration for Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and also towards our excellent teachers and scriptures – all these are what we should revere, we would exhort ourselves to cultivate reverence in our mind, and gradually we would be able to respect many people around us. Because of veneration, we are removing many arising obstacles; besides this, we are also reducing our residual karmic debt – the past karmic obstacles. This is a very wonderful thing! 03:08
Why did Master put so much effort into expounding “the greatness of the teaching’s author” and “the greatness of the teaching”? Master did so for the sake of engendering our veneration so that we will keep our arrogance in check. Otherwise, arrogance hinders all our learnings. Moreover, Master praised how wonderful veneration is; it is the greatest driving force in terms of learning Buddha Dharma. Not only it can help us remove the obstacles we are encountering now, it also helps us eliminate the karmic obstructions. Understandably, when we are learning about “the greatness of the teacher” and “the greatness of the teaching”, we would receive those benefits Master mentioned. So, everyone please do study well! 03:42
Speaking of ignorance, everyone might feel that the direct antidote is to become learned; in order to become erudite, we have to delve into a multitude of scriptures, studying profoundly and extensively. Why is it that lacking veneration will make us ignorant? We can discuss it extensively. One reason is: many scriptures explain the good qualities of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; namely, scriptures illustrate the merits of Bodhisattvas at a certain level of attainment or Bhumi. We can examine ourselves: do we have those merits? Or, we can investigate if we have the good qualities of great arhats. One straightforward indicator is this: have we cultivated the exalted faith in our root teacher? All scriptures are describing the good qualities [of all Buddha and Bodhisattvas] that are beyond our present capability. Thus while we are learning Buddha Dharma, please do self-observation in every aspect, and we will find: Wow! With so many adepts and sages I have encountered during the course of my life, how can I feel smug about myself and do not study earnestly! 04:44
When Master was teaching us, he never saw himself as a great master, so aloof or distant. While reading his diary, one can easily notice how modest and sincere he was in every aspect, as if he was still a very young pupil. Master would report sincerely to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas every day, and meticulously examine himself to see if there is any flaw in terms of his three karmic doors. What Master manifested was a devoted, virtuous, and altruistic bhikkhu – with genuine sincerity and deep veneration. What Master taught is consistent with his continual practice, completely in line with the scriptures as well. 05:30
Thus for this point, if we apply moderate rationale to make the deduction and integrate such reasoning with our mindstream, and if we could change our mindset and perception accordingly, what Master said in this short paragraph will definitely have a tremendous influence on our present and all future lives, or even completely transform us! 05:52
【全球广论 II 讲次: 0235】
讲次 0235
标题 恭敬心是学佛最大的推动力
音档 4A 10:01 ~ 10:47
日期 2020-06-29 ~ 2020-07-01
广论段落 P2-L9 ~ P2-L10 由是菩提道次引导分四……引导学徒之次第。
手抄页/行 第1册 P102-L2 ~ P102-L7 ( 2016 南普陀版：第1册 P102-L4 ~ P102-LL7 )
手抄段落 所以他第二步说这个…..很重要的原因！
00:00
所以当我们观察到自己内心中对于佛陀、对于经典的麻木和平淡的时候，要现起对治，要去寻求为什么会变成这样？是不是失去了最大的推动的力量——恭敬？那么恭敬是由什么生起的呢？是不是要知功德、知恩德，才会生起这样的恭敬？这个时候，由念恩、念功德的心去忆念的话，内心的敬意自然就油然而生。因为我们如果不是对佛陀有很深的一种感动、被他的教诲所牵引，我们也不会走到这里来。对不对？所以当那个心慢慢地模糊之后，要再令它清晰。00:48
那么修学了一段时间没有什么进步，这句话可不可以来观察一下自己？为什么都没有进步？是不是因为失去了恭敬心？或者没有注意修学恭敬？因为师父在此处说：“眼前修学佛法，是一个最大的推动的力量。”而且会减少障碍，因为不恭敬的话会滋生很多烦恼。01:12
举个最简单的例子：我们常常说在广论班的时候请大家要做善行点滴，大家都讲一下你在这一周做了哪些善行。有的时候班里的同学难免有一些小小的误会或者磕磕碰碰，甚至家里边有一些事情，到班里不太高兴，看别人不太顺眼。可是到善行点滴的时候，大家就会侧耳倾听，非常认真地听他做了什么样的善行。听着、听着就发现，在一瞬间就会对那个人改观，因为发现：哇！他心里这么善良都是我不了解的！一瞬间就清除掉了。然后就会重归到对那个人的礼貌、恭敬的状态。02:00
另外，师父又提出：“同时呢以前的宿障也能够净除。”有很多这样的公案，不是有一个人说他的寿命不太长了，就问佛怎么办？佛就要他对着一个城门天天去磕头，那个城门进来的每个人他都要去磕头。结果有一天就磕到了他的怨家，他的怨家本来找他算帐，一看他在磕头就饶了他。这也算是一个净化宿障最典型的例子。所以如果我们能够对其他人抱持着恭敬心的话，那么是不是可能该成熟的恶缘，由于恭敬的缘故就没有成熟了？02:42
由于我们想要恭敬佛菩萨、想要恭敬善知识、想要恭敬教典，因为这都是我们需要恭敬的，所以我们就非常努力地在内心中修持恭敬，慢慢地就能够恭敬身边的很多人。由于恭敬的缘故，我们现行的障碍会减少很多，而且还可以减少宿障——过去的障碍，这是一件很美的事情！ 03:08
师父花了这么大的篇幅来讲为什么要讲“造者殊胜”？为什么要讲“法殊胜”？就是为了引生我们的恭敬心，让我们不要那么我慢，我慢挡在那儿什么都进不来。而且又讲了恭敬是这么美好的一件事情，它是一个学佛法最大的推动力，不仅仅现行的障碍能够减少，还能够净化以前的障碍。所以当我们在学到“造者殊胜”和“法殊胜”的时候，我们就会得到师父所说的这些利益，大家一定要好好地学！03:42
谈到愚痴的话，大家可能觉得它的正对治应该是成为智者；要成为智者，就是深入经藏、多学教典。那为什么是没有恭敬心成了愚痴呢？大家可以作广泛的讨论。其中有一个理路是：很多教典都在宣说佛菩萨的功德，比如说讲菩萨几地、几地的功德，我们可以看自己有没有？甚至大阿罗汉的功德。举个最简单的例子：对上师生起殊胜信心的那种样子自己有没有？教典全部都是在讲超胜于自己现行的那种功德，当我们去学习的时候，处处观察一下自己，就会发现：哇！有这么多的先贤、圣人在我的生命中，我岂能自己觉得自己很了不起、不好好学！04:44
像师父在教我们的时候，他不是站在一个高高在上的师父的角度。在师父的日记里，比比皆是都可以看到他是那么谦恭，像很小的小学生那样一个状态，每天对佛菩萨启白，倾诉他内心的虔诚，小心地检讨着自己三业哪里、哪里有问题，一丝不苟地检查。看到了彻骨地虔诚和彻骨地恭敬的皎洁的比丘的形象，所以师父讲的其实和他的行持是一样的，也和教典的依据是一样的。05:30
所以在这点上，如果我们稍稍用理路去推演一下，结合自己的内心，如果能把念头、把知见转了的话，师父讲的这一小段教诲，一定会对我们此生乃至生生世世产生非常大的影响，甚至彻底改变我们！05:52