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The Aura of Wisdom
- Book 154: The Aura of Wisdom
- Chapter 23: The Sutra and Tantra Traditions
- 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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The Sutra tradition is known for its easy to understand doctrines. The Tantra tradition is known for its deep and profound exposition of the inner realized doctrines. As it is embedded with secret teachings inaccessible to many, it is thus described as `esoteric`. It is also defined as an esoteric teaching as it only teaches those who have taken refuge and have received the required initiation. Otherwise, its doctrines are concealed from the uninitiated.
The Sutra and Tantra traditions both stem from Sakyamuni Buddha`s own teachings of attaining buddhahood. The Mahavairocana Sutra states that when the Buddha was enlightened, all buddhas suddenly appeared like sesame seeds filling all space. They praised the revelation of the doctrine of attaining buddhahood, which involves the visualization of the syllable OM seated on a moon disc at the brow-point, through which one attains the inherent bodhi within one`s heart. What this means is that when Sakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, he assumed the identity of the Dharmakaya Vairocana in the first seven days, and spoke to Vajrasattva and the assembly of holy beings at the vast palace of Vajradharmadhatu. Vairocana, absorbed in a state of Dharma bliss, expounded the doctrines of inner realization which later became The Mahavairocana Sutra. Subsequently, at the Palace of the True Word, Vairocana expounded on the Dharma whose doctrines formed The Vajrasekhara Sutra. This is the origin of Tantric Buddhism.
The lineage of Tantric Buddhism arises from Vajrasattva, who personally received the transmission from Vairocana. Hence, Vairocana became the Root Buddha of Tantric Buddhism. Vairocana is also known as the `The Most Supreme Clear Infinite Eye Treasury Tathagata`, who is Buddha Locana.
Let us think of the lineage - Vairocana Tathagata, Buddha Locana, Padmakumara, and finally Living Buddha Lian-sheng. This lineage is thus embedded with such secrets, and actually I have openly revealed my identity in this lineage since the early days. Therefore, the True Buddha School as an entity embodies all the secret teachings expounded by every buddha. The school itself is a big secret.
Within The True Buddha Sutra
The White lotus Flower is revealed
Expressing spontaneous spiritual powers
While seated on the lion throne
Embodied with compassion and great merits
Expounding the purest Dharma
Receiving praises and admiration
From all buddhas and bodhisattvas
The True Buddha School is founded on the basis of ensuring that the seeds of buddhahood shall continue to sprout, tailored to the needs of the world. Thus, its appearance is extraordinary. From now on, one must abide by the instructions given and put them into practice.
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