Book : The Annotated Heart Sutra
Subtitle: The Supreme and Ultimate Pure Light

Chapter 5: Sutra

A very good evening to all masters and practitioners! Just now, we have just heard from Master Lian Yin and Master Li Hui (Master Samantha) . Although it is almost time for the incense praise, I want to preach my sermon now, so I think we should skip the incense praise. Today, I shall talk on one word. - the word "sutra" in the Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra.

It is easy to understand the word "sutra" "Sutra" simply means "the way" or "the path" (Tao). So, "Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" can be interpreted as 'the path to obtaining absolute wisdom and reaching the other shore" And with that, I have finally explained the whole meaning of "Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" Actually, I planned to end my sermon now, because I drank a lot of soda while listening to those two masters. I need to hold on a bit longer before I go to the restroom; otherwise it would not be considerate to those who have come from far away.

First, I would like to comment on what Master Li Hui said. Fortunately, I listened attentively during her discourse and still remember what she said! Master Li Hui said that even after reading Grand Master's books and listening to Grand Master's teachings, many people still have not had any spiritual experiences. On the other hand, people from the Dominican Republic have never read my books or listened to any of my teachings, and yet they have spiritual experiences. Master Li Hui meant to say that people from the Dominican Republic are simpler. Their minds are simpler and therefore it is easier for them to have spiritual experiences.

On the other hand, people in this corner of the globe [Seattle] have more complex minds which results in few spiritual responses. What Master Li Hui has said is correct. In addition, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have their own ways of working. People who listen to Grand Master's teachings and read Grand Master's books have enough faith to attend our practice sessions, so the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas do not need to provide any spiritual experiences. Whereas, for people who do not understand anything, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have to give them spiritual experiences in order for them to believe in the Buddha's teachings and attend our practice sessions. In another words, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas use their great powers to attract these people so that they will attend the practice sessions.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Master Li Hui. In order to propagate the dharma, she has held many successful homas all over the world. She is a great general of the True Buddha School! You may notice that her voice is hoarse and there is a reason for it - She talks a lot!

Yesterday, we went for a meal in a Vietnamese restaurant. After finishing the meal, both Master Lian Xiang and I drove home. Master Lian Xiang drove Master Hui Li home in her car and I drove off in another car. Master Lian Xiang drove very fast. While I was still backing up, her car had already slipped past mine. It is always like that! I would leave before Master Lian Xiang, but she would reach home first every time. But yesterday evening was different. When I reached home, Master Lian Xiang was not home yet. So I took a bath, changed my clothes and read some books.

Strange! Why was Master Lian Xiang not home yet? It was already past nine thirty and Fo Qing had not had dinner yet. Fo Qi as still at our old house, waiting for his mother to pick him up. I usually do not use my spiritual power to find out where Master Lian Xiang is, and I did not use it yesterday. I came up with two possibilities: One possibility was after she took Master Li Hui to the hotel, she went to fetch Fo Qi and met with an accident on the way. So what was the second possibility? Well, we all know that when one woman meets another woman, they end up talking non-stop. Thinking about the second possibility, I felt relieved. So, I drove to our old house to pick up Fo Qi, but we did not go home right away. I drove my car to the hotel [where Master Hui Li was staying] and I saw Master Lian Xiang's car parked in the entrance of the hotel. Master Lian Xiang and Master Hui Li were still talking inside the car. I think Master Hui Li talked much more than Master Lian Xiang, which is why her voice is hoarse, but Master Lian Xiang's is not.

Master Lian Xiang often says that True Buddha School should have more masters like Master Hui Li, because they would always think of how to help sentient beings. I gave this some thought, and I realized that there is some truth in it. If there is a master who is extremely knowledgeable, but does not talk - if he does not pass on his knowledge - no sentient beings would benefit. He would not be able to deliver sentient beings. To deliver sentient beings, we need to write and talk; when we see someone, we need to tell them about the Buddha's teachings. When we are quiet, we need to write down our dharma knowledge.

We have been talking about the "Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" As I have told you, "sutra" refers to the way (Tao). But what should we do in order that everyone would know the path to enlightenment? The way or path needs to be propagated and passed on. Not only must it be passed on, but it must also be practiced. Passing it on is like teaching someone else how to walk: to improve, we must walk with our own two legs. Why must we practice the way? Because we must follow the correct path - the path to enlightenment, not the wrong path. We should not walk on the wrong path, and if we do, we must leave it and return to the right path.

Today, the path that we follow in True Buddha School is the correct path passed on from the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha. Just as how I found Master Lian Xiang - I used logic to deduce where she might be and I found her! As long as I follow the path, I will be able to find [what I seek].

Today, the path that we follow, the way that we practice, and the teachings we propagate are all absolutely true and authentic, without any falsity. If you encounter a teaching and find it logical, you must trust it and hold it dear to your heart. If you find it illogical, then you must contemplate on it. This is called 'believing with wisdom', a belief that is based on reasoning. So, to sum up everything, "sutra" is "the way" and "the way" is "sutra"

Om Mani Padma Hum

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