Lecture No. 0365
Great Ocean of Lamrim
Lecture No. 0365
Lamrim Volume 1: P46-LL4 to LL1
Date: 23 Feb 2022
Topic: Cultivate exquisite perception and thoughts, live a splendid life
Are you ready? Let’s listen on. [00:04]
Let me write down the two Chinese words “jiǎn liàn” [簡鍊]; [these two words are translated as “concise” in English]. The word “jiǎn” literally means something simple, clear, or concise, these words are written here [on the board]. As for the Chinese character “liàn”, is it with the Chinese graphical component of gold [as in鍊], or fire [as in !]? It should be the graphical component of gold, right? [Yes!] It is the Chinese graphical component of gold, and the phrase is “jiǎn liàn”. Though “jiǎn” means something simple, it is anything but careless or passable. Instead, it signifies something tempered and refined, the essence of something has been trialed through numerous revisions. Thus, every word, even every phrase and every verse are loaded with very profound and very subtle meanings. Though the Commentary is difficult to learn, once you have mastered it, your perception and your thoughts will be more exquisite. By applying the most straightforward method, this Commentary covered and investigated lots of deep and subtle content so that we are able to distill [the misperception in] our life and be elevated to a highest possible spiritual level in this short lifespan of ours. Yet, we should not be too anxious; as long as we follow the teachings steadily and advance stepwise, the future attainment will arise. Otherwise, we may fathom out little after devoted most of our life in it. The consequence is that we would squander this entire lifetime without any achievement. I just mentioned this in passing. [01:23]
“Concise”, have you noticed that right at the beginning, what Master described was the word, “concise”, right? Every word, every sentence and every verse, after they had been through the process of tempering and refinement, are loaded with profound and deep meanings. Master said this [commentary] is difficult to learn. The language in this Commentary is very “concise”; pay attention! From this conciseness, what will our perception and thoughts become? Please answer the two adjectives. Yes! “exquisite”; is that right? From concise to exquisite. What becomes exquisite? The perception and thoughts. Whose perception and thoughts are exquisite? Every single word in the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition” is very concise; then how is such exquisiteness achieved? Whose exquisiteness? Please answer this question. You have replied: “After we have studied the Commentary on the ‘Compendium of Valid Cognition’, our train of thoughts will become very exquisite.” Is this right? Please answer again. You said: “After we have studied the Commentary on the ‘Compendium of Valid Cognition’”; would that do? Is this accurate? [The monk rephrased his wording.] Right! The words “have mastered” are very important! If you leave them out, how would you comprehend the entire message [Master tried to convey]? What level of study have we attained? Without specifically pinpointing to what extent the level of study should be, whilst it is good that we like to study, if we did not master it, what can we use to develop such exquisite train of thoughts? [03:05]
So, the language in the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition” is concise, and it is very hard to learn. [However, Master said,] “once you have mastered it, your perception and your thoughts will be more exquisite.” So, what does this Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition” hone? Hones our perception, right? Like skillful craftsmen forging silver pots, architects build houses, the automakers manufacture cars, even working out at the gym, people from all walks of life are pursuing exquisiteness. However, what do we use to cultivate the exquisite thoughts? Exactly what kind of knowledge can help us transform our perception and thoughts to make them exquisite? Amazingly, it is the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition”! Is this right? [03:59]
Is this Commentary difficult to study? According to Master, it is very hard to learn. Would you say Mount Everest is difficult to conquer? Setting out from the north ridge, it is completely covered in ice, the climbers have to ascend on ice all the way to the summit! Why do mountaineers dare to take up this challenge? As a Chinese poem describes, “In order to see thousands of miles further afield, to a higher level one must go,” they want to transcend themselves, standing on the pinnacle to see as far as their sight can reach. Therefore, difficult as it is, for those who wish to ascend the mountains, for those who want to train themselves to have exquisite thoughts, if they do not use their present life to fulfill the goal of finishing such a journey, then it is simply too meaningless! Hence, for those with keen enthusiasm, they would not consider it hard. Rather, they would consider this is to be an opportunity and a pleasant surprise – I can be trained to cultivate exquisite thoughts! [04:52]
When reading this section and seeing Master use “exquisite thoughts” to describe the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition”, I just could not help but pause and ponder for a long while. While thinking, I smiled, how beautiful it is! How did Master perceive the exquisite thoughts [in this Commentary]? Master used exquisite thoughts to describe the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition”, but how to reach that level of exquisiteness? It begins from conciseness. And then, each word [in this commentary] bears multiple meanings. [05:35]
Master said: “By applying the most straightforward method, this commentary covered.…”; what did it cover? Everyone do contemplate on it. By using the most straightforward method, is it an easy task? Or is it a very remarkable awakening? Take the rocket for example, when you want to launch the rocket, all you have to do is press the button and the rocket will defy the gravity of the earth. All it takes is such simple operation. Is the operation easy? Yes, it is very simple – with a motion of the finger [and the rocket is launched]! And there are airplanes. The airplanes are so huge, the big commercial airplanes can accommodate as many as three to five hundred passengers! The pilots only have to press a few buttons on the dashboard, and when all is properly set, the plane takes off. So, the operation is very simple, and then five hundred passengers will be up flying in the sky! Even though we do not have wings, but with simple operation, we are able to fly in the air. The operation though simple, covers many, even very deep and subtle contents. [06:45]
Take notice! Here is another key point. What do we do with “covering or investigating lots of deep and subtle content”? [According to Master,] “our short lifespan…” the word “short” is added before “lifespan”. Our short lifespan, followed by “and be elevated to a highest possible spiritual level”, meaning within such short lifetime, we can reach a very high level of exquisiteness! [07:12]
I am wondering how you interpret the word “exquisite”? Perhaps some people do not appreciate overly exquisite. They would prefer something passable, no need for everything to be exquisite. There is no need to go to extreme lengths to pursue perfection. In terms of materials needs, some people would not demand too much so as to not add extra pressure on oneself. It would suffice as long as they can satisfy the basic needs. So, these folks are considered to be contented with their lot. What about from the aspect of their thoughts? It would be different for thoughts, right? Because exquisite thoughts signify the capability of discerning wisdom – alleviating suffering with precision and applying sound reasoning to transcend the besieging afflictions. We have no way to get away from our mind. If afflictive emotions besiege us but we do not have accurate reasoning to get away from such afflictions, then we would be enmeshed, allowing them to inflict us relentlessly. Thus, the exquisite thoughts are central to our life’s suffering and happiness, and determines whether we have an exquisite life free from suffering! [08:18]
Let us contemplate, who is living an exquisite life? Is Bodhisattva living a life of exquisiteness? Thus, the life of Buddha is even more peerless! Therefore, the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition” forges delicate and exquisite thoughts in a short lifespan so that it can help us elevate our insight and our discerning wisdom to an inconceivably magnificent state. [08:42]
Quietly reading Master’s explanation of this section and experiencing the spiritual resplendence, such magnificence can actually arise in our mind. It is like soaring freely to the height of the unknown, like looking up at the starry sky, clasping the stars in our hands, wearing them on the head, and carrying them within our hearts, such splendidness and freedom of flying in between the stars! Master delivered this aspiration to our hearts. Aspiring us to cleave through thorns and thickets, overcoming all difficulties to obtain the opportunity to learn the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition” and obtain the essence of the Commentary on the “Compendium of Valid Cognition”. [Since the knowledge delivered in this commentary] is like the invisible twin wings of the thought, it will allow us to soar to the highest possible altitude, to the highest level, surpassing aging and death! Living beings are fearful of the deep blue sky of the wisdom of emptiness. However, if we have mastered the indubitable truth [taught by the Buddha], we then can soar freely! Who would not want to achieve that [state]? [09:57]
【广海明月 讲次: 0365】
讲次 | 0365 (2021-09-27 ~ 2021-09-29)
标题 | 学精致思想，过华美人生
《广论》段落 | P9-L4 释量亦云……不现彼难宣。”
音档 | 6A 04:34 ~ 6A 05:51
手抄页/行 | 第1册 P165-L7 ~ P165-LL1 ( 2016 南普陀版：P165-L8 ~ P165-LL1 )
手抄段落 | “简炼”两个字我写一下……这里我随便一点。
(更新日期: 2021年9月28日)
00:00
大家准备好了吗？那我们接着往下听。00:04
“简炼”两个字我写一下，简是简明、简单，写在这里──简；然后呢，炼应该是金字旁还是火字旁啊？金字旁对吗？应该是金字旁，简炼。简是简单，但是它那个简单，不是马马虎虎的，是精炼的，都是最精华的、千锤百炼的东西。所以它这个每一个字，乃至一个句，一个偈，是包含的意义非常深细、非常深细。这个论是难学的，但是你学会了以后，就可以把我们这个思想，变得也这么非常精致。以最简单的方法能够提起、含摄很多乃至于深细的内容，这样才能够把我们短短的一生，升华到绝高的一个层面。不过这个我们不要急，只要我们如理一步一步走上去的话，将来都会得到的，要不然的话，花了极大部分的时间，摸一点东西都摸不到的话，这个一生浪费过去，你就没有什么成就，这里我随便一点。01:23
“简炼”，有没有发现一开始师父形容的是文字的简炼，对吧？文字的千锤百炼之后，每个字、每个句、每个偈，它的意义都非常深远、非常细致，师父说难学。但是在此处的“简炼”，注意！此处由简炼而进入到什么？答那两个字：对！“精致”，对吧？由简炼进入精致。是什么精致？思想精致。谁的思想精致？《释量论》的每一个字、每一个字都那么简炼，怎么到达的精致？谁的精致？请回答一下。你说：“学了《释量论》的我们，思想就会变得精致。”对吗？再答一遍。你答：“学了《释量论》”，这样可以吗？这样准确吗？对，你那个“会”字很重要！你把“会”字扔掉了，整句话该怎么理解呢？学到什么程度？没有标示出准确的学习的程度，学习固然很好，但，没有学会，拿什么塑造精致的思想呢？03:05
所以这么简炼的《释量论》非常地难学，“但是你学会了之后，就可以把我们这个思想，变得也这么非常精致”。所以《释量论》是淬炼什么的呀？思想的，对不对？像能工巧匠打造银壶啊、建筑师盖房子啊、制造汽车呀，甚至健身，人们在各个领域都在追求精致，但是用什么锻炼精致的思想呢？到底是什么样的学问把我们的思想变得那么简炼而又精致呢？居然是《释量论》！对不对？03:59
当然，这本论难学吗？师父说是非常难学的。但是你说珠穆朗玛峰难登吗？从北坡上去全部是冰，攀登的人要在冰上爬上峰顶！为什么有登山者敢去挑战呢？因为想“欲穷千里目，更上一层楼”，他想要超越自己，在顶端极目远眺。所以虽然难，但对于想要攀登的人来说、想要获得精致的思想的人来说，他会觉得如果不用此生去完成这样的一个旅程，简直是太空虚了！所以对于有兴趣的人来说这不叫难，这叫一个机会、一个惊喜──我可以把我的思想练成精致！04:52
当我读到这一段师父用“精致的思想”来形容《释量论》的时候，我就不由自主地停了下来，想了很久，一边想、一边微笑，很美！师父是怎么去体会精致的思想？师父用精致的思想来形容《释量论》，那么精致是怎么达到的？它从简炼，然后哪怕一个字就包含了很多很多种意思。05:35
师父说：“以最简单的方法能够提起”，提起什么呢？大家可以考虑一下，用最简单的方法提起的是一个很轻松的吗？还是一个非常了不起的觉醒？就比如说一个火箭好了，那火箭发射的时候，一按键就可以超越地球引力，就是这样一个简单的操作。简单操作吗？非常简单，手指一动！还有飞机呀，飞机那么大，载三百人、五百人的那个大客机也是啊！你就看一看那按几个按钮，设定好就开始飞了。所以这是非常简单的操作，然后五百个人就可以在天空中飞翔了！虽然我们都没有翅膀。所以它经过一个简单的操作之后，我们就可以飞。那么这个简单的操作是“含摄很多乃至深细的内容”。06:45
注意！又到重点了。这个“含摄很多深细的内容”，要做什么的呀？“能够把我们短短的一生”，我们的一生前面加了个“短短的”，短短的一生，接着“升华到绝高的一个层面”，就是用这么短的生命的时光，达到了这么高的一个精致的程度！07:12
不知道你们怎样看待“精致”两个字？也许有的人会不喜欢太精致，然后习惯凡事差不多就行了，什么都不用精致，什么都不用达到那么高的水准。如果是物质上的，没有太高要求，不想给自己太大压力，基本够用就可以了，那么这么想的人，有的人可能可以算在少欲知足系列；但是思想呢？思想就不同了吧？因为精致的思想，标志着精致的抉择慧，精确地离苦，用最快的理路超越烦恼的包围。我们无法逃开自己的心，如果心里有痛苦，却没有离开痛苦的精确的理路，那痛苦就会不折不扣地纠缠我们。所以，精致的思想攸关我们生存的苦乐，攸关我们是否有脱离痛苦的精致人生！08:18
想一想，谁在过精致人生呢？菩萨过的是精致人生吗？那佛陀更无与伦比了！所以《释量论》要铸造的是一个精美的、精致的思想，这个思想在短短的一生中，可以把我们的慧力、把我们的抉择慧，升华到无法想像的、富丽堂皇的地步。08:42
静静地读师父这一段的解释，去感受那种华美，真的是在心中引起华美的感觉，那是思想向未知的高空飞翔的自由，就像仰望星空，手上捧着星星，头上顶戴着，心里承载着，在星际间飞翔的华美和自由！师父把这种向往，送进了我们的心中，让我想要披荆斩棘、突破一切困难去得到《释量论》的学习机会、得到《释量论》的精髓，因为它像无形的思想双翼，可以让我们的此生飞翔到最高的高度，最高的高度──超越老死！湛蓝的空性的天空令众生怖畏，但如果我们学会了真理，就可以自由地遨翔了！谁不想要呢？09:57