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The Aura of Wisdom
- Book 154: The Aura of Wisdom
- Chapter 21: Ignorance
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated and edited by True Buddha Foundation
- Translation Team (Cheng Yew Chung, Victor Hazen, Dance Smith)
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When the Buddha attained Enlightenment under the bodhi tree, he spoke these words, `The inherent True Nature of all sentient beings is not different from the Dharmakaya Tathagata (Vairocana). All worldly and transcendental merits of sentient beings are therefore already accomplished and completed. Yet it is ignorance that blinds sentient beings from realizing the inherent light and merit within.`
Please take note of the word, ignorance. Once ignorance is removed, sentient beings and the Buddha are equal and without difference.
The cultivation of Tantric Buddhism follows the Three Secrets:
The Secret of the Body - Forming mudra.
The Secret of Speech - Chanting mantra.
The Secret of the Mind - Contemplating on Right Thoughts (Pure Visualization)
Someone once mentioned, `The practice of Tantric Buddhism emphasizes visualization, such as the visualization of offerings which are transformed from a single unit into multiple units, filling all space. Since visualization is fabricated, and fabrications are discursive thoughts, then offering such fabrication is tantamount to deceiving the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Isn`t this ignorance?`
My reply was, `In order to remove ignorance, it is essential to apply the method of `ending illusion with illusion`. Hence, you remove discursive thoughts with thoughts, which is attaining reality through the use of illusion.`
`Although the visualization of offerings being transformed is a thought process, it is, nevertheless, done with sincerity. Together with the empowerment of mantra recitation and mudra formation, the visualization of offerings is blessed by the power of the Three Secrets of the Tathagata. Such power is incredible, and could actually fulfill every wish you made.`
Hence, this is the miraculous transformation of empowerment, which reveals the knowledge of one`s mind as it really is. To outsiders, everything is fabricated and false. Yet in Tantric Buddhism, all fabrications, once blessed by the miraculous transformation power of the Tathagata, are transformed into reality.
People of modern times have come across my propagation of the True Buddha Tantric Dharma. In truth, this Suchness is what I am, and the Buddhadharma is what I am. Through the application of the Three Secrets of Body, Speech and Mind, a multitude of wonderfully profound and secret dimensions are expressed. If one forgoes the three secrets, there can be no hope of attaining buddhahood!
`Mantra`, `mudra`, `visualization`: `Body`, `speech`, mind`. Through gaining response through the Three Secrets, empowering through miraculous transformation, and realizing Truth through supports and visualization, one can attain buddhahood in this lifetime.
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