Lecture No. 0346
Great Ocean of Lamrim
Lecture No. 0346
Lamrim Volume 1: P46 L10 ~ L18
Date: 16 Mar 2022
Topic: Having The Human Form, One Has The Capability for Cultivation
Greetings to all! I am glad that it is time for us to study Lamrim together again. Today, we will continue to study the commentary from the Master on “With regard to the teachings, Avalokitavrata’s Commentary on the ‘Lamp for Wisdom’”. Before we start listening to the explanation from Master, please do make sure to remember to stay focused while listening, listen with our mind and with one pointed attention! Alright! [00:27]
For those beings who wish to attain this state，those beings. Why did he indicate “deities and humans”? As we all know, sentient beings transmigrate within the six realms. Why is it that not all beings in the six realms are mentioned, and that only humans and deities are mentioned? Because in terms of learning and practising truly according to Buddha Dharma, Bodhisattvas have already achieved a certain level of attainment; they return with their aspiration to the six realms. We shall not discuss about this. When we just begin to truly practise, only beings in the human realm and the deity realm can practise. As for beings other than these two in the six realms – asura, animal, hungry ghost, and hell - they do not have the means; they do not have the capability. Therefore, although Buddha Dharma is promulgated in this world, it is not much use to beings in these four realms. Thus, only beings in the human realm and the deity realm have such capability. So, this is what it means here. [01:27]
Great! Not sure if you all preview lessons in advance? It would be better to preview. I am raising some questions. Master said: “For those who wish to attain this state”, meaning those who wish to reach that state; what does “this state” refer to? That is right! It means the “ambrosial state”. As we all know, it is the state of Buddhahood, correct? It is the state of Buddhahood; ambrosia means immortality. Take notice! In the statement “For those who wish to attain this state”, what words precede it? In “wish to attain this state”, the word “wish” So, let me ask you this question: “those who wish to attain this state”, that is, those who wish to achieve Buddhahood, what does this statement convey? What does their direction in life lead them to wish to achieve? They wish to attain the ambrosial state; they wish to achieve the fruition of Buddhahood, right? Those who wish to achieve the fruition of Buddhahood, attaining the state of Buddhahood. They are referred in the text as “deities and humans who wish to attain the ambrosial state”. [02:42]
After that, Master raised a question: “Why is it that not all beings in the six realms are mentioned, and that only humans and deities are mentioned?” The Commentary on the “Lamp for Wisdom” states “deities and humans who wish to attain the ambrosial state”; over here, Master mentioned human beings. So, why is that beings in the six realms are not mentioned, but only humans and deities are mentioned? Why? Have you heard it? Can you answer this question? Let’s see if you remember what you have just heard; so, what is the answer? We will answer “practise, only beings in the human realm and the deity realm can practise.” Is that so? What is missing? “When we just begin to truly practise.” Take heed! In terms of truly practicing in the beginning stage, it has to be in the human realm and the deity realm, in these two realms. Does this apply to those who have practised for a long period of time and advanced to the state of Bodhisattva? No, it does not apply. What is the reason? Because of their aspirations, Bodhisattvas are capable of practising in the six realms, correct? Besides, Bodhisattvas do not reject any place of suffering nor any suffering being; they dare to brave the hell realm, right? Thus, as mentioned, for those who just begin to practise, it has to be only in the human realm and the deity realm. [03:54]
Raising and answering questions, like in Lamrim classes, I would ask, “Who can practise?” The reply: “Beings in the human realm and the deity realm!” Pay attention! “Just begin to practise”, this part has to be included. So, within the six realms, which are the other realms without the means to practise? Those who just begin to learn, beings in the realms of asura, animal, hungry ghost, and hell, do not have the means. Why is it that they do not have the means? What did Master say? Take notice! It is very odd that Master did not say it is because they are inflicted with so much suffering that they cannot practise; Bodhisattvas are able to practice! Hence, the reason “asura, animal, hungry ghost, and hell - they do not have the means” is that “they do not have the capability”. It is from the perspective of capability, right? At the beginning stage of practice, only beings in the human realm and the deity realm can practise; this is also from the perspective of capability. Thus, humans and deities are indicated as such. [04:47]
Then, from this short explanation of Master, how far can our horizon be stretched? First, we are introduced to “the human realm and the deity realm”. We are in the human realm, correct? Besides, there is also the deity realm. As we all know, these two crucial realms are the happy realms among the six realms, right? What other realms are there? They are the realms of hell, hungry ghost, animal, and asura. We know that Bodhisattvas are able to practise in any of the six realms. However, at the beginning stage of aspiring to practise, only beings in the human realm and the deity realm can practise; only beings in the human realm and the deity realm have the capability. What is the capability? To aspire to attain the ambrosial state; to be able to comprehend Buddha Dharma and practise. It is this capability. [05:28]
While discussing this passage, take our daily concerns. For example, firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea, and our plan for this life. When we were young or while we were in kindergarten, it would be considered impressive if we cared for going to school. After that, the goal we had while in primary school was to be able to advance and study in a renowned secondary school, followed by attending a prestigious junior college, and then university; after graduating from university, we may plan to pursue doctoral and postdoctoral degrees, or even study abroad at prominent schools, right? In general, we are like this. However, here in this short passage, Master gave us a general overview of the six realms. The beings in the four realms among the six realms – asura, hungry ghost, animal, and hell – at the beginning stage of practice, absolutely do not have the capability to learn “that which is to be thoroughly known, that which is to be eliminated, that which is to be manifested, and that which is to be cultivated”. They do not have the means; only beings in the human realm and the deity realm have such capability. Thus, over here, we are determined as having such capability. [06:26]
Nevertheless, let me ask you this: do we consider ourselves having the capability to practise? We are told that beings in the human realm and the deity realm can practise and have such capability; but who said so? Buddha realized it and revealed it to us, right? Virtuous teachers agree as well. However, for every practitioner, the moment when a practitioner is about to advance from a certain point or to apply antidotes on himself, do we still think of ourselves as having the capability to practise? More often than not, we would think we fall short of competency! Besides, some practitioners, after practising for a period time but reckoning that they have not made much progress, would come to a conclusion that they are not suitable to travel this path, right? We can reflect on what Master posited here: beings in the human realm and the deity realm have such capability but at that moment, I do not have such capability. On what grounds do we draw this conclusion that we do not have such capacity? Just because I failed one time, twice, three times, four times, and five times…I am not successful. However, over here, how did he define all sentient beings in the human realm and the deity realm? You have the capability to practise! [07:22]
Again, here is my next question: we often say “Wow! This person is very capable.” What kind of capability? Able to give speeches or write articles, correct? There are a lot! Like able to paint or draw and what else? Able to manage businesses or manufacture all sorts of products; these are all considered capabilities, correct? But in this section, what kind of capability is mentioned here? It is the capability to practise, correct? It is the capability to understand the Four Noble Truths and the capability to aspire to attain the ambrosial state. Is this capability powerful? We all can ponder on this and be honest to ourselves while pondering. When we discuss the sections on leisure and opportunity, and mindfulness of death, we will again discuss this capability intensely. [08:02]
In fact, initially, during discussion in Lamrim classes, we did spend some time discussing this topic: we would not think that not being in the three miserable realms means that we have the capability to practise; we would not evaluate it in this way, right? We would base on arising matters or a few failures to evaluate that we do not have the capability to practise. However, what is pointed out in this section is: when you just begin to practise, you can practise if you are not in those few realms. [08:25]
Therefore, for those who have learned and studied but ended up putting all sorts of labels on themselves, such as thinking this does not work and that does not either; lacking the capability to practise; being unsuitable to practise, will you change your mind after discussing this section? Because this is the view of the Buddha as well as the opinion of virtuous teachers. Usually, we do not know ourselves; the views we have about ourselves are either too narrow minded or completely illogical. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas believe that since we are in the happy realms of the human realm or the deity realm – and we are in the human realm – we have the capability to practise. [08:51]
Such broad vision! Our perceptions are instantly shifted from the human world to the six realms and we come to realize: Oh! Among the six realms of cyclic existence, sentient beings in the human realm and the deity realm still exist in prominent position where they can practise virtuousness! Very noble position! Simply being a human being. Such significant occurrence – surprisingly enough I am a human being in the human realm! [09:16]
Seldom are we aware that this is not an easy endeavour! The reason is that we are not inclined to contemplate this from the standpoint of the six realms of cyclic existence! We feel that we are humans in the first place, will be humans forever and will never lose our human form. However, while transmigrating in the six realms – emigrating within the six realms – it is not easy for us to obtain the human form, and this human form, at the beginning stage of practice, has the capability to practise/cultivate! [09:40]
【广海明月 讲次: 0346】
讲次 | 0346
标题 | 得人身，就有修行的能力
《广论》段落 | P8-L11 ~ P8-L13 今初……所应修行，
音档 | 5B 07:33 ~ 5B 08:32
手抄页/行 | 第1册 P150-LL3 ~ P151-L3 ( 2015、2016 南普陀版 )
手抄段落 | 凡是希望要达到……这个指这一个
(更新日期: 2022年3月16日)
00:00
大家好！很高兴又到了我们一起学习《广论》的时间，今天我们会继续学习“圣教者，如《般若灯广释》中”师父的开示。在听师父的讲解之前，大家记着提醒自己听的时候要专注，要往心里听，要专心听！好！00:27
凡是希望要达到这个地方去的那些人，那些人。那么他下面为什么说“若天若人”呢？我们晓得有情是通于六道的，为什么那些六道的众生不说，而单说人天呢？因为真正修学佛法，菩萨他已经修到相当程度了，以他的愿力在六道当中，这个我们不谈。我们刚开始真正修行的时候，只有人天二道能修，其他的这个六道当中的修罗、畜生、饿鬼、地狱没有办法，没有那个能力。所以尽管佛法流传世间对他没有用，所以只有在人天二道的人，才有这个能力，所以说，这个指这一个。01:27
好！不知道大家有没有预习？最好预习一下。提问题，师父说：“凡是希望要达到这个地方去的那些人”，希望要达到这个地方去，“这个地方”是指什么呢？对！“甘露胜位”。甘露胜位大家知道是佛位，对吧！是佛位，甘露是无死的意思。注意！说：“达到这个地方去的那些人”前面还有一个什么？“希望要达到”，希望。那我问大家一个问题：希望要达到那个地方去，就是希望达到佛位的人，这句话意味着什么呢？这些人的人生的方向变成是希求什么？希求甘露胜位、希求佛果，对不对？希求佛果的、到佛果那个果位去的那些人。因为说：“诸欲证得甘露胜位，若人若天”，讲到那些人。02:42
接着，师父问一个问题：“为什么那些六道的众生不说，而单说人天呢？”《般若灯广释》中说：“诸欲证得甘露胜位，若人若天”，师父在这里讲人。那么六道的众生不说，为什么单说人天呢？因为什么？刚才有听到吧？你们会答吧？看看我们刚才听的东西有没有记住，是什么呀？我们会答成：“修行的时候，只有人天二道能修。”是这样吗？缺了什么？“我们刚开始真正修行的时候”。注意！刚开始真正修行的时候，一定要人天二道。那修行久了之后，变成菩萨的时候还需要这样吗？不需要。不需要的理由是什么？菩萨的愿力是在六道之中他都能够修行的，对不对？而且菩萨不拒绝任何一个痛苦的地方、痛苦的人，他都敢下地狱，对不对？所以说刚开始修行的人，一定只有人天二道能修。03:54
在回答问题的时候，像在广论班也是，我说：“什么人才能够修行啊？”说：“人天二道呀！”注意！“刚开始修行的时候”，这个一定要放到。那么其他六道当中的哪几道没有办法啊？对于刚开始学的，修罗、畜生、饿鬼、地狱都没有办法。为什么没有办法？师父说什么？注意喔！这里边非常奇怪，师父没有说他们因为太苦的原因不能修，那菩萨也能修啊！所以，说了“修罗、畜生、饿鬼、地狱没有办法”的原因是“没有那个能力”，是从能力的角度上，是不是？刚开始修行的时候只有人天二道能修，也是从能力的角度上。所以这个人天是指这一个。04:47
那么透过这一小段师父的讲解，我们的视野可以看到哪里了？首先跃入我们视野的是“人天二道”，我们在人道，对吧？那还有天道。我们知道这是六道之中的两大善趣道，对不对？接着还有什么？地狱、饿鬼、畜生、修罗道。我们知道菩萨遍及六道都可以修行，但是刚开始发心修行的时候，只有人天二道能够修行，也只有人天二道能够具有这个能力。什么能力呀？希望达到那个地方，能够听懂佛法、能够修行的这个能力。05:28
在讲到这一小段的时候，比如说平常我们想的柴、米、油、盐、酱、醋、茶，还有此生的什么计划，比如说我们小的时候、幼儿园的时候如果想上学就很厉害了；然后小学，那目标就是要读一个很好的初中，然后读一个很好的高中，然后大学，大学完读研、读博、博士后，出国深造、读名校，对不对？一般的我们就是这样。可是在这里边的此处，在这一小段里，师父让我们非常概括地看一看六道的状况。六道的状况除掉四道──修罗、饿鬼、畜生、地狱，完全没有能力在最初开始修行的时候就能够“所应遍知，所应断除，所应现证，所应修行”。这个是没有办法的，只有人天二道才有这样的能力。所以这里边就楷定了我们有这样的能力。06:26
但是，我反问大家一句：我们会觉得我们有修行的能力吗？人天二道能修、有这样的能力，是谁说的？是佛陀认为的，对不对？善知识认为的。但是每一个修行的人，到某种要前进的那个当下、要对治自己的时候，我们会认为自己有修行的能力吗？通常都觉得能力不足吧！还有的人修行一段时间觉得长进不大，就认为自己不适合走这条路，对不对？那就用这里边师父的立宗想一想：说人天二道才有这样的能力，那那一刻我就没有这样的能力。我没有这样的能力，依据是什么？就因为一、二、三、四、五……都失败了，我都不成功。可是，在这里边他把人天两道的有情统统什么？说你有这个能力修行的！07:22
那我再问大家一个问题：我们平常说：“哇！这个人很有能力。”什么能力呀？能演说、能写文章，是吧？很多呀！能画画，还能什么？会经商、会制造各种东西，这都是一种能力，对不对？但此处说什么？修行的能力，对不对？是能够了解四谛法，能够希求甘露胜位的这个能力。这个能力到底厉不厉害呢？大家可以想一想，扪心自问想一想。当然我们在暇满、无常那个地方，会再次强烈地讲这个能力的问题。08:02
其实最初我们在广论班研讨的时候，这个地方确实讨论了一下：我们不会认为我没有在三恶趣我就有修行的能力，我们不会这样去评判，对不对？我们会根据发生的事情、我失败了几件事，而评断自己没有修行的能力。但此处是说：你一开始修行的时候，不在那几道你就可以修行。08:25
所以那些学着、学着，给自己贴了一大堆标签，然后这也不行、那也不行，没有能力修行、不适合修行的人，看一看这段话会不会转心呢？因为这是佛陀的看法，是善知识的看法。通常我们都是不了解自己，我们对自己的看法都是太狭隘或者完全颠倒的，因为佛菩萨会认为我们在人天善道、我们在人道，我们是有能力修行的。08:51
视野辽阔吧！我们从人间一下子看到了六道，看到了：喔！在六道轮回的有情里，人天善道还是居在可以修善的这样一个显赫的位置！非常尊贵的位置！就是成为一个人。多么伟大的事情──居然我是一个人，我在人道！09:16
平常没有意识到这件事不容易吧！因为我们不会去六道轮回这样想啊！我们会觉得好像本来就是一个人、永远都是一个人，都不会失去这个人身一般。可是在这里边六道啊、六道，我们好不容易得到了一个人身，而这个人身在最开始修行的时候是可能修行的呀！09:40