Book 156: Whispers of the Breeze - The
Joy of Inner Tranquility
Chapter 3: Recognize True Buddha Tantric
Dharma
Written by: Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen
Lu
Translated by: Wilhall Lee
Edited by Luljeta Subasic
Proofread by Mimosa
Chapter 3 : Recognize True Buddha Tantric Dharma
Many people have asked me the same question, "Why do we have
to tread the path of cultivation? Can we not cultivate?"
To this I often reply, "Since time immemorial, we have been
struggling in the ocean of suffering and the Six Realms of Transmigration
for numerous kalpas, with salvation nowhere in sight. The human
realm is like a blazing inferno. To have the opportunity to break
free from such shackles and be reborn into the Pure Land should
be reason enough to seize the opportunity to cultivate."
"Which practice then should we cultivate in order to cross
over to the other shore1 ?
I answered, "the True Buddha Tantric Dharma."
"How then does the True Buddha Tantric Dharma lead its practitioners
to the other shore of enlightenment?
I responded, "The mantra, mudra and visualization as contained
in the Tantric Dharma teaches the correct view, that is, purification
of the body, speech and mind. Such cultivation can assist us to
achieve correct mindfulness and correct concentration of the samadhi.
Correct concentration can eradicate defilement of the heart, enabling
us to finally witness the real Buddha-nature."
At the same time, I am of the view that a disciple of the True
Buddha School should have faith in the True Buddha Tantric Dharma,
and even more so a firm determination to cultivate with utmost diligence
and effort, as well as maintain the willpower to persevere until
the very end. To put it simply, by cultivating one session of the
dharma, you shall obtain purity as offered by that one session of
the dharma. Cultivate the dharma day by day and you shall receive
purification on a daily basis, and if a person is able to maintain
purity on a daily basis, in Shakyamuni Buddha's eyes, such person
is regarded as an unsurpassed treasure.
I know that in the Buddha's eyes, a person who is able to maintain
purity on a daily basis is viewed as the unsurpassed Sangha treasure
of the Triple Jewels. Such person will be regarded as a real bhiksu,
a true practitioner.
I would cry my heart out to have the opportunity to cultivate the
True Buddha Tantric Dharma, because such dharma is simply too moving,
too precious, too fortuitous to behold.
I would equally cry my heart out when a person having the opportunity
to cultivate the True Buddha Tantric Dharma relinquishes the chance.
It would be such a great pity; too unfortunate a consequence and
too lacking in causal conditions. I would moan and groan, beat my
chest and stamp my feet in deep sorrow and despair.
The True Buddha Tantric Dharma enables sentient beings to forever
maintain a pure heart, until Buddhahood is ultimately achieved.
Footnotes:
Crossing over to the other shore refers to attaining enlightenment.