MindYourBuddha

The Buddha rising from contemplation addresses Sariputra saying how the law is so subtle, so very profound and so difficult to comprehend.

Only a buddha together with a buddha can fathom the Reality of All Existence, that is to say all existence has such a form, such a nature, such a embodiment, such a potency, such a function, such a primary cause, such a secondary cause, such an effect, such a recompense, and such a complete fundamental whole.

The so called 'Ten Suchnesses' is a fundamental Buddhist teaching.


The Buddha repeatedly in different ways cautions Sariputra that there is no way a non-buddha can fully understand this law and that the law can only be taught to a bodhisattva.  Sariputra, being a sravaka, along with all the pratyekabuddhas, and all the bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasakas and upasikas just don't have the mental chops needed.

As expected, Sariputra for himself and the sake of the assembly implores the buddha to teach this law, but the buddha refuses.  Sariputra requests twice more and after the third request the buddha agrees.

At this point 5,000 of the assembly walk out to which he buddha says: "Now this assembly has no twigs and leaves but only those who are true and real."

On the surface this seem like an insult, but as I learned in class, this is yet another example of the buddha stactful way of teaching.  These disciples were conceited and felt they had attained all that there was to be attained, and so their minds were set against hearing the buddha.  The buddha realized that in some future cycle, they too would be ready to accept the teaching so there was no point in stopping them.  Still 'twigs and leaves' coming from the buddha is harsh!

At this point the buddha recalls the events of his awakening, where he encounters all the other buddhas who implore him to roll the dharma wheel (teach). For twenty-one days beneath the bodhi tree he considers this knowing that the mind of sentient beings cannot understand what has been revealed to him and so the task is seemingly impossible.  The buddha considers the lotus and how some of the flowers are still underwater and some are just breaking the surface and some rise above into the light, and for the sake of those that may have the capacity to understand, he agrees to teach.

Now comes the problem of how to teach.  As we saw in Chapter 2 - Preaching, man comes in a variety of natures, and his mind is continuously migrating among the six realms of existence (various mental states).  The buddha decides with the approval of all the other buddhas that although there is only one truth and that only through the One Great Vehicle can we become a buddha, the law will be taught in three vehicles.  Men may learn accordingly to their capacity.  The stupid and ignorant, those tied to their cravings may still learn and occasionally walk the path.  Those people of faith who practice, but do so solely for their only enlightenment will find relief from their sufferings.  But only the bodhisattva, who practices for the sake of others may become a buddha.  The teachings will need to be prepared skillfully, with a gentle voice, tactfully and in many different forms (by reasoning, parables, biography, etc) to penetrate the minds of all beings. 

The Buddha says to Sariputra the buddhas appear in the world only on account of the one very great cause - because the buddhas desire to cause all living beings to open their eyes to the Buddha-knowledge.

Of yore I made a vow
Wishing to cause all creatures
To rank equally without difference to me.

We discussed this concept further in class.  Because each of us has a buddha nature, each has a very great cause, which is to become buddha.  Just as it is rare for the buddha to come into the world to enlighten mankind, so to is it so special that you and I are in the world.  Since it is our mission to express our buddha nature, the more we respect ourselves, the more we respect the buddha nature.  This is our great cause.

There is a passage in this chapter which I will make my mantra.

 By the Buddhist-way which I walk,
 I desire universally to cause all creatures
 To attain the same Way along with me.
 ...
 Know that nothing has an independent existence
 And that buddha-seeds spring from a cause.

Our reverend offered some helpful thoughts about encouraging the buddha nature in others.  Not by a forcible argument, but by putting attention to any small good deed, do you show others the good inside them.