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Global Lamrim II

Lecture No. 0242

Lamrim Volume 1:  P35 – LL3~P36L1

Tape: 4A 16:03 ~ 17:07

Date: 2020-07-23 ~ 2020-07-26

Topic: To recognize the encompassing essential points, take the right step.

[00:00]
Greetings to all! It is time for us to discuss Lamrim again. In the last few teachings, we have discussed “one should beseech Buddha Dharma with reverence;” having reverence requires contemplation and preparation. Now, before we begin our discussion, are you all prepared? Reverence is the soil for growing the wisdom tree of Buddha Dharma; if we want the tree to flourish luxuriantly and vigorously on and on, cultivating the soil of reverence is very important! So, everyone, please carefully observe your mindstream! [00′42″]

Let us ponder again, what is our purpose in studying Lamrim? Is it to help all living beings to eliminate the suffering of rebirth and attain the ultimate happiness that I come to study Lamrim – to plant the seed of attaining Buddhahood. Then, what is the cause for attaining Buddhahood? Everyone, please contemplate on it. “Bodhichitta is the cause of becoming a Buddha;” then how can we obtain Bodhichitta? That is, we have to cultivate meditation practice according to the stages of the path to enlightenment, following the authentic lineage to develop genuine, uncontrived Bodhichitta. Although what we are doing now is merely: listening to the recording, discussing, and contemplating on how to attain Buddhahood, how to study the tenets. All these mark a critical step forward on the path toward Buddhahood. Thus, everyone, do treasure this moment and don’t overlook our present efforts or considering tenets learning is a waste of time, not worthwhile at all – this is what we are going to cover today. [01′49″]

Great! Now let’s listen to Master’s recorded commentary. [4A 16:03 ~ 17:07]

Although it may sound very easy, in fact, all of the essentials, covering from the state of ordinary beings to attaining ultimate Buddhahood, are all in the text. Thus you can imagine how essential this text is! Yes, we may not be able to study the complete text at the present stage, but we need to know the entire framework. Why? Because we need to recognize this ultimate goal of ours! With this ultimate goal in our mind and understanding the essential points, we would be competent and assured of the path we are about to take. Though the step we are about to take now is just one step, we must be sure that we are heading in the right direction. In terms of the entire path, if the direction is correct, then for every additional step we take, one after another, we will definitely reach the final destination – the ultimate and perfect effect stage of Buddhahood. Thus prior to taking this initial step, we should have a clear picture of the entire route on the map. This is the most encompassing and straightforward path to the destination. This is very clear! [02′59″]

In this short passage, Master said, “Although it may sound very easy, in fact, all of the encompassing essentials, covering from the state of ordinary beings to attaining ultimate Buddhahood, are all in the text.” May I ask what was Master referring to? Do you have the answer? It is obvious Master was referring to Lamrim. Are you sure it is about Lamrim text? Is this all the answers? Have you missed out any words? Master said, “Thus you can imagine how essential this text is!” This sentence ends with “how essential this text is!” [03′39″]

Then do we have to study the complete text?  Master said, “Yes, we may not be able to study the complete text … but we need to know the entire framework.” Why do we need to know the entire framework? Have you heard the reason Master just mentioned? “Because we need to recognize this ultimate goal of ours!” Are we, like Master, convinced that this is the ultimate goal we want to attain?  Master said that all of the essentials, covering from the state of ordinary beings to the state of Buddhahood, are all in the text; are we assured that this is the ultimate goal we would like to attain? If we are not very certain, then do we need to make certain of the goal? If we are not very sure, what is the reason then? Is there any other goal better than this one? Although the goal is superb, what if I don’t have the capability to achieve it? If that is your concern, why not figure out some feasible ways to attain the goal? [ 04’ 39”]

Therefore, Master said, “With this ultimate goal in our mind, and understanding the essential points,” what’s the benefit by doing so? Take heed! When we embark on our practice, “we would be competent and assured of the path we are about to take.” In regard to the path we are about to take, are we the ones determining it? Or is the decision we have made based on what we have learned from the tenets and our understanding of the entire framework? Understandably, the path we are assured of is not entirely based on what we originally have in our mindstream. So, what is involved here? It involves some conviction we get after we have understood the entire framework, and our mind has changed accordingly so that “we would be competent and assured of the path we are about to take.” Then how far should we go in our initial practice?  Master said, “Though the step we are about to take is just one step….” Question: why is that Master said, though the step we will take is just one step? [05′41″]

You may wonder: “If I take two steps, three, four, or even five, six, seven, or eight steps, will that work?” Are you competent to do that? “We would be competent and assured of the path we are about to take. Though the step we are about to take then is just one step…” When embarking on our practice on the path, we will definitely take one step forward, right? Whether it is a big stride or a small step, we have to take that one step. Why? Because we need to move a step forward from where we are. [06′06″]

What would matter most when we take a step ahead? Is it where we are heading that matters the most? Indeed, it is the direction! Thus, Master said, “we must be sure that we are heading in the right direction. If the direction is correct on the entire path, then for every additional step we take, one after another, we will definitely reach the final destination – the ultimate, perfect effect/encompassing stage of Buddhahood.” Is it true that we should take one step at a time, make sure we are heading in the right direction, and then, with every step we take, we are able to reach the final destination – the perfect effect/encompassing stage of Buddhahood? Regarding this statement, are we convinced that this is the way it should be? Is it real that all we need to do is take one step at a time, then step by step, we will be able to reach the final destination? [06′50″]

This question had struck me very deeply while I was learning under Master’s guidance! Because I noticed that whenever Master was teaching us the disciples, he would very explicitly point out where we should begin our practice. Master strongly stressed the importance of where we should begin our practice. Why? For Buddha Dharma has to be put into practice - a very down-to-earth practice. If it is very illusory or mysterious, cannot find a sense of certainty, then we would be at a loss; our meditation practice/cultivation would very likely lead us to nowhere. Thus under his meticulous guidance,  Master would clearly make us, his disciples; to recognize instantly the immediate step to take for our practice. [07′35″]

Moreover, in regard to the immediate step we should take, it has to be exactly what we are capable of at that moment, instead of something beyond our capacity; that is, no matter how hard we try we will never achieve it. For instance, the immediate step is to attain the first Bhumi by tomorrow; that is definitely not likely to happen. However, if the immediate step to take is to counteract your fault- finding attitude at this given moment and develop appreciation towards your gurus and the Three Jewels, this step of applying antidotes and analysis is something we can take. Therefore, if we can find our footing and get started from there at this given moment, our practice will not be so seemingly difficult and will definitely be within our capacity! All we need to do is just make a little extra effort. Don’t always stay in our comfort zone; Instead, exert some extra effort to take a step forward! [08′19″]

Master said, “Thus prior to taking this initial step, we should have a clear picture of the entire route.” Why? Because if we don’t have a clear picture as to where to go and how to get there, we would be wrong right from the very beginning. Although the initial step is just one step, we are heading in the direction of the final attainment of Buddhahood. I remember Master often said, “When we are given the option to take a step up or down, always take the upward step!” When something happens, and everyone is clueless as to what to do, Master would always point out the decisive point as to what to adopt and what to cast aside. The decisive point is for us to follow along with his guidance so that together, a portion of our virtuous quality can be enhanced, and a portion of our flaw can be eliminated; thus, for sure, we will take one step forward on the path. Even though the progress we have made may appear to be far below our expectations, we should not forsake the upward step to truly engage in virtuous deeds. This passage reminds me of those many, many moments and instances Master had shared with us in his teachings. It would take a long while to talk about them; I will share with you later when time permits. [09′29″]

Question: after studying this short passage, what have we achieved? What is this passage trying to explain? Are you clear with its meaning? Why is Lamrim that very essential? This passage reveals the purpose of studying Lamrim, right? It also unveils the entire framework to achieve the goal. With the direction and the framework, all we have to do is take one step at a time! As long as we make sure that the step we are taking is towards the right direction, step by step, we will build up the foundation, widen our scope of meditation practice/cultivation, and eventually attain the most encompassing, the most perfect effect state of Buddhahood. This session seems to introduce the stages on the path to enlightenment! Since we need to know the direction and the framework to embark our practice on the path, we need to rely on the Lamrim. [10′08″]

讲次 0242

标题 认识圆满纲要，走对下脚一步

音档 4A 16:03 ~ 17:07

日期 2020-07-23 ~ 2020-07-26

《广论》段落 P2-LL4 ~ P2-LL3 今初　总此教授……即是菩提道炬

手抄页/行 第1册 P105-L5 ~ P105-LL5　( 2016 南普陀版：第1册 P105-L5 ~ P105-LL5 )

手抄段落 所以虽然是说起来这么简单……这很清楚明白。

00:00
大家好！又到了我们研讨《广论》的时间了。前几讲讨论“佛法要向恭敬中求”，恭敬心是要思惟和准备的，现在在研讨之前大家准备好了吗？恭敬心是佛法这个智慧之树的土壤，如果我们想要那棵树繁茂高大、生生不息地茁壮下去，恭敬心这个土壤的培育是非常非常重要的！所以请大家好好地观察一下自己的心续。00:42

再思考一下，为了什么目的我们要来研讨《广论》？是为了令所有的有情都能够出离生死的痛苦，达到究竟的快乐，我来学《广论》，种下成就佛果的因。那成就佛果的因是什么呢？大家可以想一想。“菩提心是佛子因”，那如何获得菩提心呢？就是要沿着道次第、沿着正规的传承去修法，我们才能够生起真实无伪的菩提心。我们虽然现在是听带子、讨论，思惟如何成佛、在教理上要怎样地学习，但这是我们迈向成佛之路非常重要的一步，请大家好好地珍惜，不要忽略我们眼前的努力，或者认为学习教理浪费时间、价值不够——这个今天我们就会学到。01:49

好！我们现在就开始听师父的带子。

所以虽然是说起来这么简单，实际上就是从凡夫地，达到究竟圆满成佛的圆满的纲要全在里头，可想而知本论是何等重要！是，我们目前可以不一定全部学，但是我们必定要全部认识，为什么？因为我们究竟的目的就是这个。你有了这个究竟的目的，认识了这个纲要，然后下脚走的时候，的的确确走你该走的。该走的只是一步，但是你眼前跨出去的一步，一定要走对方向。在整个的道路当中，你走对，那么每一步，然后把一步一步加到最后，圆满。所以开始走这个一步的时候，你就应该把整个的路线认得清清楚楚，这样走下去的这条路最圆满直接，这很清楚明白。02:59

这一小段师父说：“虽然是说起来这么简单，实际上就是从凡夫地，达到究竟圆满成佛的圆满的纲要全在里头”，请问这是在说什么呢？你们有答案吗？可想而知是说本论。是说本论吗？这是全部的答案吗？有没有丢字？“可想而知本论是何等重要！”后面有个“何等重要”！03:39

那么是要全部学吗？师父说：“不一定全部学，但是我们必定要全部认识。”为什么要全部都认识呢？刚才有听到原因吗？“因为我们究竟的目的就是这个。”我们会跟师父一样，确定究竟的目的就是这个吗？说要达到圆满成佛的圆满纲要全在这里边，从凡夫地到佛地，我们有没有确定这个究竟的目的呢？如果没有确定的话，我们要确定吗？那没有确定，因为什么没有确定呢？是有什么目的比这个更完美吗？还是目的虽好，我没有能力达到呢？没有能力达到，就去想达到的方法！04:39

所以师父说：“有了这个究竟的目的，认识了这个纲要”，会有什么好处呢？注意！开始下脚走。“下脚走的时候，的的确确走你该走的”，这个该走的是自己确定的吗？还是我们根据教理，认识了纲要之后确定的？所以这里边不全然是自己心续原来的那些东西。这里边有了什么？有了知道纲要之后，内心的转变所确定的东西，所以“的的确确走你该走的”。请问要走多少呢？“该走的只是一步。”请问大家：为什么师父要在此处说该走的只是一步呢？05:41

你说：“如果走两步，三、四、五、六、七、八步，可以吗？”有没有那个能力呢？“的的确确走你该走的，该走的只是一步。”沿着下脚处，一定是向前走一步吧！或大、或小你要走一步，因为你要在你立足的地方向前走一步。06:06

如果我们向前走一步的话，最重要的问题是什么呢？是不是朝哪里走？是方向！所以师父说：“你眼前跨出去的一步，一定要走对方向。在整个的道路当中，你走对，那么每一步，然后把一步一步加到最后，圆满。”真的每次走一步，而且要把那一步走对，一步一步就能够走到圆满吗？这一句话，我们会觉得事实是这样否？一次走一步、一次走一步，然后我就能走到最后了吗？06:50

这个问题在跟师父学习的时候，也是让我感触非常深的一点！因为发现师父在教我们这些弟子的时候，常常会特别清晰地告诉我们下脚处。师父非常重视这个下脚处，因为佛法一定是落到地面上，脚踏实地的一个功夫。如果很虚幻、很神秘的，找不到一个确定感，这样的话，可能修来修去也不知道修到哪里去了。所以师父在严密教理的指导下，一定会清晰地让修行的弟子们知道当下的一步是什么。07:35

那么当下那一步，恰恰是我们的能力能够迈出去的，不是超越能力的一部分，不是现在你怎么也达不到的。比如说你明天登初地好了，那达不到。但是你当下如果能对治一下自己的观过心，对于上师、三宝生起念恩的心，这个对治和观察应该还是可以做的。所以在我们找到当下的立足点，向前迈一步的时候，修行就看起来没有那么困难，而且是显得那么力所能及！稍稍用点力。不要老是追求舒适感，稍稍用点力，要向上跨一步！08:19

师父说：所以开始走这一步的时候，就应该把整个的路线认得清楚。为什么呢？因为认不清楚的话，方向直接就错了。第一步虽然只是一步，但是它向着那个方向却是最后成就的方向。记得师父常常说：“可上可下的时候，要向上一步！”在发生一些事情、大家不知道如何取舍的时候，总会发现师父给我们一个取舍的点。那个取舍的点就是大家能沿着师父这样的教诫，都向上增一分善行、断一分过失，肯定会在心上向前迈进一步。哪怕我们事相上推进得非常非常不顺利，但是心中不能失去向上跨一步善的这样真实的脚步。看到这一段的时候，会想起师父很多很多教过我们的那些时光、那些事例，要讲的话可能会讲很久，以后慢慢有机会再跟大家分享。09:29

请问我们大家学完了这一小段之后，要得到什么呢？这一小段是在说什么呢？意思清楚吗？本论为什么重要？揭示了目的，对不对？达到目的的纲要。如果有了方向、有了纲要，每次跨一步就好了！只要在乎那一步方向是对的，一步、一步、一步增广，就到了最圆满的。好像在介绍道次第喔！一定要知道方向和纲要，所以我们需要本论。10:08