Lecture No. 0338
Global Lamrim II
Lecture No. 0338
Lamrim Volume 1: P46 L3 ~ L9
Tape No: 5A 23:42 to 5A 25:24
Date: 21 Mar 2022
Topic: Finding the Conqueror’s intent, easily save us a lot of effort and huge trouble
Let’s move on to the next point: “easily finding the Conqueror’s intent.” The Conqueror is the Buddha, the ultimate Enlightened One. “The Conqueror’s intent” means the profound intention from the Buddha. What does it imply? It implies that the purpose of the scriptures is to introduce the profound meaning in the Buddha Dharma to us. However, because of our limited capacities, we may only grasp the literal meaning of the scriptures. Even with the literal understanding, as mentioned earlier [in teaching #335], we talk about many rules and philosophical reasoning. But what is the purpose of establishing the rules and the philosophical reasoning, we are sort of baffled and confused. At that juncture, with the guidance of an excellent teacher, we will realize, “Oh, so this is the true intent of the Buddha!” It will save us a lot of effort and trouble. Speaking of the trouble or the effort wasted, the least negative result is that we waste several decades of our life, whereas the gravest harm could last as long as countless eons. What will happen during that time? The least harm means that we may waste several decades of our life; the gravest harm means that we may end up being submerged in the miserable realms, enduring immeasurable suffering for as long as countless eons. Now with the proper guidance from this excellent teacher, we can quickly grasp the essence of the practice, so we can truly understand what is the genuine intent meaning of the Buddha Dharma. With such understanding we gain, we apply accordingly so to purify our negative karma; by so doing we can transform contaminated deeds into virtuous ones, which in turn will help us end cyclic existence! Not only can we resolve our own cyclic existence, but we also can help others to have the same achievement. [01′43″]
Master said, “Now with the proper guidance from this excellent teacher, we can quickly grasp the essence of the practice;” with what kind of guidance can we grasp the essence of the practice? It is “the proper guidance”, correct? Thus we can understand: so this is the genuine intent meaning of the Buddha Dharma! May I ask: what do we “understand”? We understand that since our mental continuum would not disappear, meaning after this life is done, our mental continuum will continue on and on, life after life; we must consider how to allow the future happiness to appear, and how to remove the future suffering. The future suffering definitely is the super-giant trouble. [02′29″]
With this kind of understanding, what did Master say next? He said these words, “we apply it accordingly”. What will happen if we apply the teaching accordingly? We can subdue our afflictions and purify our negative karma, and then the contaminated deeds will be transformed into virtuous ones. Thus the cause of cyclic existence is removed! Is this right? Take heed! Master said, “cyclic existence;” by doing so, we will cross the boundary of birth and rebirth. So when the issue of cyclic existence is resolved, this is inconceivably significant; once the cyclic existence is resolved, would we still have to endure suffering for as long as countless eons? No! Such trouble is resolved! [03′12″]
Normally, when we heard what Master said here, we would feel: “Ah! The issue of cyclic existence is resolved; what a great relief!” Probably that would be the end of this topic, right? No. We are not done yet! Master followed by saying two more statements, correct? Do you still remember what these 2 statements are? If not, review the commentary one more time. Master said, “Not only can we resolve our own cyclic existence, but we also can help others to have the same achievement.” Take notice! Once we resolve the issue of our own cyclic existence, surprisingly though, we still have one more important mission to accomplish; that is after we resolve the issue; we can also help other living beings as well. Isn’t this corresponding to the purpose, the aspiration we establish at the initial stage? Because this is the original intent in the very beginning [from Buddha]! [03′54″]
Let’s reflect on it: Master would never miss such moment to plant the seed to trigger our Mahayana motivation, at every given opportunity. He would for sure guide us, remind us time and again to take the Mahayana path whenever there is a chance; we definitely have to advance in the direction of the Mahayana path! [04′15″]
As Master indicated, the “Conqueror” is the Buddha. If we did not encounter such an excellent teacher [like Master who carried on Buddha’s mission], it may be hard for us to know the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, given that there are people who never have the opportunity to hear about their names. Therefore, with the explanation from the excellent teachers, we would avoid being submerged in the miserable realms, enduring unimaginably intense sufferings for such a long duration! [04′42″]
Let me repeat it: have you noticed that Master is helping us to establish the concept of infinite lives – our mental continuum is ongoing unceasingly, life after life. When Master gave us teaching on the Stages of the Path, he would often explain the teaching from the angle of transcending the scope of this life and extend it into the infinite future. Following the guidance, we the disciples would often listen along and contemplate on it. And our usual sense of time seems to break off, while we follow along with this guidance, and the life we are used to seems to stop abruptly; from such unfamiliar perspective, we begin to gradually form the concept that life is infinite and we come to recognize the continuity of mental continuum and it will never ever disappear. By listening to the concept every day continuously, we then begin gradually to form the habit of thinking of it this way. Because once the concept of infinite lifetimes is established, and we have the idea that such continuum will not disappear, then we are able to establish the cause and effect based on this continuum. Thus we will recognize: “The suffering cause I planted today will bring about my suffering tomorrow; the virtuous cause I planted today will mature into happiness tomorrow.” As such, everyone would grasp the time we have today to create a promising tomorrow. [05′50″]
Also what Master said here has several thought-provoking messages. He urged us that after hearing the teaching, we should quickly get hold of it. What is the key point for grasping the teaching? That is, to “understand” it. Upon understanding it…. please keep the next statement in mind, we should abide by it properly! Follow along the guidance of the stages of the path! Only by observing the instructions of the stages of the path can we subdue the afflictions, and transform our deeds into virtuous ones, thus pure karma can be created. What follows is the greatest and the ultimate benefit all living beings’ yearning to obtain – that is, to resolve samsara existence, no more endless rebirth! Would anyone want to remain in the endless cycle of death and rebirth? How to resolve cyclic existence? As we all know, through the Lamrim teaching, we can study wisdom of emptiness! Is it the final stop after we resolved our own cyclic existence? No! Not yet! After we have resolved our own cyclic existence, we still need to help other living beings. We must remember the earnest and tireless exhortation from Master – we must take on the Mahayana path! [06′47″]
So let’s further analyze this section: Master said the trouble may cause us to waste several decades of our life or cause us to be submerged in unimaginable excruciating suffering for as long as countless eons. Such an extremely troublesome matter that will make us endure the suffering in countless death and rebirth is truly a trouble that is hard for us to imagine. In order to get rid of such trouble, it might take us to invest corresponding effort and time, given that if we can remove it! How much effort we must put into and how much energy it will take us to remove the trouble! However, from this passage Master revealed, have we found the solution to remove such a giant trouble? Master said that once we realized the conqueror’s intent meaning, it will be “easy” – this word means very simple and effortless – to remove such a great trouble! Let’s ponder on it; isn’t this a very inconceivable matter? This is also great joyful news! I really like to know what is your thought right now. [07′55″]
Had it not been for the explanation from Master, while reading what the text says, “easily to find the Conqueror’s intent,” we would feel, “Oh! I can easily understand Buddha’s intent meaning,” period. Wouldn’t you think of it this way? If so, then it means: I can easily pick up the intent meaning of the Buddha! The sutras the Buddha taught are very easy to learn. However, [even if this is true,] what about applying the teaching accordingly after we have learned from the sutras? Master urged us to “apply it accordingly,” so that it may be possible for us to “transform contaminated deeds into virtuous ones.” With pure karma created, what Master said next? He said these words “which will in turn help us end cyclic existence”! Once we have achieved a direct cognition of the wisdom of emptiness, or when we attain the cognition of emptiness of intrinsic existence, would we resolve the cycle of rebirth? If we mix this matter up, there is no way for us to resolve the samsaric issue. Therefore, we must follow along the instructions on the stages of the path to study and contemplate accordingly. [08′45″]
Ah! Whenever I read this passage, I would feel this topic is very weighty and profound. This is also a subject of concern to all living beings, and it is not an easy task! But through the guidance from the great excellent teacher, such weighty unbearable load of suffering would be lifted easily! Such advantage is overwhelmingly huge! What a significant meaning the word “easily” carries. [09′14″]
After having encountered such an excellent teacher, we are able to comprehend the intent meaning of the Buddha, so as to counteract the immeasurable suffering that is as weighty and vast as oceans and mountains, very easily. However, the prerequisite is that we have to grasp “the Conqueror’s intent”. Take heed! The text says, the practitioners are “easily finding the Conqueror’s intent”. So deep is such kindness! It is not about saving us a little bit of time or energy! Let’s contemplate: the cyclic existence is filled with so much suffering – tears well into a river, skeletons of the dead pile up like a mountain. The inconceivable and intolerable excruciating suffering is simply beyond our imagination. However, surprisingly enough, with the guidance of Master by pointing out the greatness of “easily finding the Conqueror’s intent”, we see this possibility and the hope of getting out of the cyclic existence. It suddenly dawns on us that, “Wow! So all I have to do is abide by the instructions from the scriptures to study, contemplate and meditate; not only can I resolve such grave matter of cyclic existence, but I can also help all living beings to resolve such a major concern! This is absolutely great news!” [10′23″]
【全球广论 II 讲次: 0338】
讲次 | 0338 (2021-06-24 ~ 2021-06-27)
标题 | 获得胜者密意，轻松省去大麻烦
《广论》段落 | P8-L10 ~ P8-L11 此论教授殊胜分四……极大罪行自趣消灭殊胜。
音档 | 5A 23:42 ~ 5A 25:24
手抄页/行 | 第1册 P143-L5 ~ P143-LL1 ( 2015、2016 南普陀版 )
手抄段落 | 那么，再下面呢……也能够帮助别人。
(更新日期: 2022年3月21日)
00:00
那么，再下面呢，“易于获得胜者密意殊胜”。胜者，就是指佛菩萨，真正的觉者；他这个最重要的内涵，所谓密意。为什么讲密意呢？就是说本来这个经论是介绍我们佛法里面深厚内涵，可是因为我们的程度不够，所以在文字上面认得了，乃至于这个文字认识了，刚才说讲得一大套规矩，一大套道理。可是他这个规矩、道理所以要建立的目的干什么？弄不清楚，弄不清楚。那个时候，他经过这样一个大善知识告诉我们了以后，我们晓得：“哦，他原来这个意思是这样的！”我们就可以省却很多麻烦，很多麻烦。说这个麻烦的话，短则几十年，长则无量阿僧祇劫，干什么呀？几十年只是浪费一点生命，长劫的话，往往在恶道当中受无量无边的苦。那么现在呢，经过这样的大善知识，最正确地说明了以后，你很快地就把握得住，哦，原来他这个话这样说的真正的内在是什么，你就了解。一了解了，你照着去做；照着去做，你的烦恼就净化，然后你的染污之业，就转化成净业，生死就了！自己也解决，也能够帮助别人。01:43
“那么现在呢，经过这样的大善知识，最正确地说明了以后，我们很快地就把握得住”，把握住什么呀？“最正确的”，对吧！我们就了解了，原来这样说的真正的内涵是这个呀！请问：“了解”，了解什么呀？因为我们的相续它是不会消失的，此生结束了之后，还有来生、还有来生、还有来生，是这样续流下去的，所以我们一定要考虑以后的快乐要怎么出现、以后的痛苦要怎么去除。那么以后的痛苦肯定是个超级大的麻烦。02:29
所以了解了这件事之后，师父说什么？几个字──“你照着去做”。照着去做会引生什么结论？烦恼就净化，染污之业就变成了净业，生死就了了！对不对？看！“生死”，就跨越到了生死这条界线。那么生死了了这件事情太大了，生死了了之后，我们还会有那种长劫的麻烦吗？就没有了！03:12
照理来说，师父解释到这儿我们就会觉得：啊！生死都了了，如释重负啊！然后解释完了吧？没有！再看师父后面又加了两句，对不对？这两句大家还记得吧？如果不记得把带子再重听一遍，是：“自己也解决，也能够帮助别人。”你看！生死了了之后，居然还有这么大的一个任务──就是自己解决，也能够帮忙别人。是不是对应于当初的目的的建立呀？因为当初的目的就是这样！03:54
大家可以感受一下，在每一个能够对我们播下趣向于大乘种子这样的机会，师父是从来不会轻易错过的，在每一处都指引着我们一定要走大乘，一定要趣向大乘！04:15
所以我们可以看到师父这里边解释的“胜者”是佛陀，如果没有遇到善知识的话，其实这一生很难知道佛菩萨的名号，有人就是无论怎样都听不到。但善知识帮我们解释了之后，我们免掉的麻烦它的时间是这么漫长、它的痛苦的深度简直是无法想像！04:42
再说一遍：有没有发现师父帮我们建立的无限生命的概念──我们的相续是不会断的，生生世世是在延续着的。师父在讲《道次第》的时候，常常会穿越这一生，然后讲到未来。那我们这些学的人就跟随着常常听啊、常常想，然后对时间的概念就从一个好像时间走着、走着就断掉了，我们的生命活着、活着也断掉了，从这样一个非常奇怪的状态，就慢慢地开始进行建立无限生命，知道心续的无限延展性，它不会消失的，会建立出这样的状态。然后天天听、天天听，慢慢就习惯于这样的一个思考。因为建立了生命的无限性，相续是不会消失的，才在这个相续上成立因果，然后才成立：我今天所作的这个苦因，明天会接受痛苦；我今天种的善因，明天会成熟为快乐。这样的话，每个人才可以把握今天，然后创造明天。05:50
所以这里边还有非常深刻的几句话，听了之后我们要很快、很快地把握住。把握住真正的内在是什么？就是“了解”。了解之后一定记住那句话──照着做！道次第嘛，照着做！照着做之后烦恼净化，净化之后就会变成净业，然后有一个最大的、所有的生命都想要拥有的利益就是──生死就了了、没有生死啊！谁愿意有生死啊？怎么样去了脱生死呢？现在大家都知道，透过学习《广论》、学空性啊！生死了了，一切都结束了吗？还没有！自己的问题都解决了，还要帮忙别人。所以要记住师父谆谆的教诲，一定要趣向大乘！06:47
那么我们再来观察一下：说几十年乃至无量长、长到无量阿僧祇劫的麻烦，如果弄不好，都要在恶道里受无量无边的痛苦。这么大的一件比天大的麻烦还大的事情，是千生万死的受苦、是难以想像的惨重的一个麻烦，要去掉这样一个麻烦，应该花掉对等的力气和时间，能去掉就不错了吧！那不晓得要花多大的力气、多大的努力才会去掉。但是在我们学的这一段里，有没有发现怎么去掉这么大的麻烦啊？一旦获得了胜者的密意之后，就“易”，那个“易”字──非常容易和轻松地去掉了这么大的一个麻烦！大家想一想，这是不是一件非常不可思议的事情？这也是天大的喜讯吧！我很想知道你们心里现在在想什么？07:55
如果没有师父这样的讲解，我们看到“易于获得胜者密意殊胜”，就会觉得：喔！我很容易理解佛陀的意思。后面就没有了，会不会？那就是我很容易学会呀！很容易学会佛经。可是学会了佛经要照着做，师父后面还给我们讲了“照着做”，然后“染污之业变成净业”，净业之后有那几个字──四个大字“生死就了”！一旦现证空性，我们证得无自性的那个现证的话，有没有了脱生死呢？这件事如果搞错了的话，生死是无法了脱的，所以我们一定要沿着道次第作闻思。08:45
啊！每当我看到这一段之后，都会觉得这主题是非常沉重、深远的，这也是所有的生命都关注的一个主题，这一点是不容易的呀！那么经过了大善知识的指导，居然把这么沉重的、难以荷担的这种痛苦，我们真的可以轻松地甩掉！所以这个便宜不是一般的大呀！这个“易”字。09:14
我们值遇了这样的善知识，这么轻松地让我们去获得佛陀的密意的话，那么我们要对付那种可能像海一样、像山一样广阔无边的痛苦的沉重感，就可以轻易地对治掉了。前提是“获得胜者密意”，而且注意！“易于获得胜者密意”。所以这是很深的恩德呀！它不是节约一点时间、节约一点精力的问题呀！这里边我们想一想：轮回那么多的痛苦，眼泪成河、尸骨堆成山，太多太多的无法想像的、无法承受的痛苦都在这里边，居然“易于获得胜者密意”这个殊胜，师父让我们看到了这种可能性，让我们看到了这样的希望，让我们发现：哇！原来依着教典闻思修，可以帮忙我乃至一切有情解决这么大的问题呀！简直是太好了！10:23