The Sixth Patriarchs Sutra January 6, 2012 lecture

as outlined by a Buddhist monk

at 1777 Murchison Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010, free to public (phone 650-6925912) (Listen live or recorded audio explanations at www.wondrousdharma.org)

Q&A How to practice as laity without a nearby monastery? Chapter 2 - Prajna

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Verse for opening a sutra

Na Mwo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha (3x) Homage to the Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra (3x) The unsurpassed, deep, profound, subtle, wonderful Dharma, In a hundred thousand million eons, is difficult to encounter, Now that Ive come to receive and hold it, within my sight and hearing, I vow to fathom the Thus Come Ones true and actual meaning.
Exhortation to uphold the Buddhadharma:

For the sake of the Bodhisattvas, the Buddha responded with the Six Paramitas, causing them to attain anuttarasamyaksambodhi and realize the wisdom of all modes. (the mark of ultimate Nirvana which is constantly still and 2 extinct and which in the end return to emptiness.) (the Wonderful Dharma Lotus
Flower Sutra)

Doing deeds in a dream

Bodhisattva Dharma practice Practical application reconciling seemingly contradicting views. Wisdom Principle of emptiness - Doing deeds in a dream. nothing Compassion Oneness with everything

Q&A
Question: What is the best way to practice Buddhism when I am still

a layperson and without any monastics nearby?

Answer:

You need to understand before you practice as Self cultivation has no other method; It requires but knowledge of the way. If the way only can be known, Birth and death at once will end

Q&A
The practice that leads us to bodhi is the Bodhisattva practice of 1. giving, morality, patience, vigor, concentration and wisdom. 2. It involves doing all manner of wholesome deeds; big or small. The reason for practicing the Bodhisattva way is: It reflects the reality of true emptiness that Leads us to the full awakening of our true self.

Q&A

Yet all practices and deeds done should be as if in a dream so that the practitioner will not be attached to his practices and thereby conforms with the Ultimate Reality of without appearances. Any practices must not be apart from the minds; at all times be free from greed, anger and delusion and practicing precept samadhi and wisdom

Q&A
In the course of practice: The base is the words spoken by the Buddhas contained in the Tripitaka Explanations by Great Masters and in this respect the website of DRBA is a good resource. The internet is available to Ask a Monk Be selective in your reading of books and online Take time to visit monasteries despite the distance to ask questions and experience life of cultivation by participating in 7 retreats

Q&A
Beginners should first emphasize on the first three Bodhisattva practices of 1. giving, 2. morality and 3. patience as these accumulate your merit and virtue and thereby increase your faith and understanding of the Buddhadharma.

Q&A
Practicing the 10 wholesome deeds yourself and draw near to those who upholds: 1. No greed, 2. No anger 3. No delusion 4. No killing- being vegetarian 5. No stealing 6. No sexual misconduct meaning refraining adultery 7. No dishonest speech 8. No double-tongued speech 9. No harsh speech 9 10.No idle speech

Chapter 1 Action and intention

Sutra: Because in past lives you have made offerings to the

Buddhas and planted good roots in common, you now have the opportunity to hear the Sudden Teaching, which is a cause of obtaining the Dharma.
Comments:

Continuous offerings to the Buddhas slowly increases your faith in the Buddha Good roots come from merit and virtue derived from Way Places

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Chapter 1 Action and intention

Sutra: Because in past lives you have made offerings to the

Buddhas and planted good roots in common, you now have the opportunity to hear the Sudden Teaching, which is a cause of obtaining the Dharma.
Comments:

The Sudden Teaching is just the sudden awakening to the Dharma of the Perfect Teaching as in the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra; the teaching of the true appearance of Reality. Sudden comes from accumulated merit and virtue derived from gradual practices in the past.

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Chapter 1 Action and intention

Sutra: This teaching has been handed down by former

sages; it is not Hui Nengs own wisdom.

Comments:

The main teaching of the Sudden Teaching is expressed by the Buddha in the Shuragama Sutra as... Recognize the original mind by putting down the false mind The first is the mind that is the basis of birth and rebirth and that has continued since time without beginning. This mind is dependent on perceived objects and it is this mind that you and all living beings make us of and that each of you consider to be your own nature. 12

Chapter 1 Action and intention

See the self nature which is ever present: The second fundamental is full awakening, which also has no beginning; it is the original and pure essence of nirvana. It is the original understanding the real nature of consciousness.
The false mind that produces everything that we become confused and take it to be real and attached to it.

All conditioned dharma arise from it, and yet it is among those phenomena that beings lose track of it. They have lost track of this fundamental understanding though it is active all day long, and because they remain unaware of it, they make the mistake of entering the various destinies. 13

Chapter 1 Action and intention

Sutra: This teaching has been handed down by former

sages; it is not Hui Nengs own wisdom.

Comments:

Shakyamuni Buddha in the Vajra Sutra says, in a gatha: 1. All appearances are empty and false, 2. If one sees all appearances 3. As no appearances 4. One sees the Thus Come One. 1, 2 and 3 teaches us to recognize the original mind 4 tells us that in practicing 1,2,3 one see the self nature.

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Chapter 1 Action and intention

Sutra: You who wish to hear the teaching of the former

sages should first purify your minds. After hearing it, cast aside your doubts, and that way you will be no different from the sages of the past.
Comments:

Purify your mind is telling us to clear our minds of discursive thoughts and To have no doubt whatever is being spoken by accepting the teachings As these teachings are the same ones which became the cause for the fruition of Sages of the past.
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Chapter 1 Action and intention

Sutra: Hearing this Dharma, the entire assembly was

delighted, made obeisance, and withdrew.

Comments:

On hearing this Dharma of the Sudden Teaching, are you filled with the joy of Dharma?.... Faithfully accept and practice it?

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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: The following day, at the invitation of Magistrate Wei,

the Master took his seat and said to the great assembly, All of you purify your minds and think about Maha Prajna Paramita.
Comments:

Why is Chapter 2 about prajna? The first chapter is essentially an introduction and preface. The second chapter PRAJNA is the heart of the Sudden Teaching; the sudden realization of the inherent prajna wisdom within every living being.
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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: The following day, at the invitation of Magistrate Wei,

the Master took his seat and said to the great assembly, All of you purify your minds and think about Maha Prajna Paramita.
Comments:

Purify your mind by stopping your discursive thoughts and doubts and Focus on the Great Wisdom of the Sages.

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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: The following day, at the invitation of Magistrate Wei,

the Master took his seat and said to the great assembly, All of you purify your minds and think about Maha Prajna Paramita.
Comments:

Purify your mind by stopping your discursive thoughts and doubts and Focus on the Great Wisdom of the Sages.

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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: He then said, Good Knowing Advisors, the wisdom

of Bodhi and Prajna is originally possessed by worldly people themselves. It is only because their minds are confused that they are unable to enlighten themselves and must rely on a great Good Knowing Advisor who can lead them to see their Buddha-nature.
Comments:

Prajna is originally possessed tells us of our inherent wisdom. But because our minds are confused that we need a teacher to teach us how to activate our inherent wisdom by putting down the confusion. 20

Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: He then said, Good Knowing Advisors, the wisdom of

Bodhi and Prajna is originally possessed by worldly people themselves. It is only because their minds are confused that they are unable to enlighten themselves and must rely on a great Good Knowing Advisor who can lead them to see their Buddha-nature.
Comments:

Confusion lies in the minds. The good knowing advisors wil guide the confused to understanding.
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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: You should know that the Buddha-nature of stupid and

wise people is basically not different. It is only because confusion and enlightenment are different that some are stupid and some are wise. I will now explain for you the Maha Prajna Paramita Dharma in order that each of you may become wise.
Comments:

The Buddha nature of the stupid and wise is perfect in wisdom and complete in merit and virtue; The difference presently lies in the stupid being confused and the wise being no longer confused and understands Mahaprajna paramita.

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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: You should know that the Buddha-nature of stupid and

wise people is basically not different. It is only because confusion and enlightenment are different that some are stupid and some are wise. I will now explain for you the Maha Prajna Paramita Dharma in order that each of you may become wise.
Comments:

What is the teaching principles of Maha prajna paramita? It is the teaching spoken by the Buddha during the prajna period. Recommend Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra, Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra and the Sixth Patriarchs Sutra.

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Chapter 2 Prajna

However, you need to comprehend the Shurangama Sutra to introduce the teaching of the prajna through the explanation of Reality. The Shurangama Sutra contains details explaining the origin of the universe, the concept of everything is made by the mind, the true and false mind; the emptiness of the four elements. Without the Shurangama Sutra, you need deep roots from past 24 cultivation to truly fathom prajna teachings.

Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: I will now explain for you the Maha Prajna Paramita

Dharma in order that each of you may become wise.

Comments:

What is the teaching principles of Maha prajna paramita? It is the teaching spoken by the Buddha during the prajna period. Recommend to learn the Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra, the Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra and the Sixth Patriarchs Sutra.

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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: I will now explain for you the Maha Prajna Paramita

Dharma in order that each of you may become wise. Pay careful attention, and I will explain it to you.
Comments:

Pay attention or be attentive in your mind That is: you receive your Dharma in your mind.
Why is this so?....

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Chapter 2 Prajna
Sutra: Good Knowing Advisors, worldly people recite

Prajna with their mouths all day long and yet do not recognize the Prajna of their self-nature.
Comments:

The Dharma prajna is to be put into practice, not merely recite.

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Dedication of merit
May every living beings, Our minds as one and radiant with light Share the fruits of peace, with hearts of goodness luminous and bright. If people hear and see, how hands and hearts can find in giving unity May their minds awake, to great compassion, wisdom and to joy. May kindness find reward; may all who sorrow leave their grief and pain; May this boundless light break the darkness of their endless night. Because our hearts are one, this world of pain turns into paradise; 28 May all become compassionate and wise (2x)

Dedication of merit
I vow that merit made from this deed will become, Adornments for the Pure Land of Bu-ddhas. Repaying the four kinds of kindness above, And aiding those in three paths below. May all who see and hear of this deed Bring forth the resolve to reborn In the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

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