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Song of Enlightenment
TEXT:
PRACTICE DHYANA IN THE MIDST OF DESIRE,
THROUGH THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT.
THE LOTUS BORN IN THE FIRE IS NEVER DESTROYED.
COURAGEOUS DONOR'S OFFENSE WAS SERIOUS;
HE AWAKENED TO NON-PRODUCTION.
HE REALIZED BUDDHAHOOD EARLY, AND IS HERE NOW.COMMENTARY:
PRACTICE DHYANA IN THE MIDST OF DESIRE, THROUGH THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT. Although Great Master Fu, and Kumarajiva has women attendants, they were not affected by desire, and cultivated Dhyana Samadhi and other practices. Their power of knowledge and insight was not misdirected.
THE LOTUS BORN IN THE FIRE IS NEVER DESTROYED. What was explained above is like a lotus which is planted in the midst of a fire and yet is never destroyed.
COURAGEOUS DONOR'S OFFENSE WAS SERIOUS; HE AWAKENED TO NON-PRODUCTION. Although the Bhikshu Courageous Donor committed a serious offense, he was nevertheless able to repent, and he awakened to non-production.
HE REALIZED BUDDHAHOOD EARLY, AND IS HERE NOW. He has already become a buddha, and is here right now.
TEXT:
THE LION'S ROAR IS FEARLESS PROCLAMATION.
I SIGH DEEPLY THAT CONFUSED, BARBARIC FOOLS
KNOW ONLY HOW TO TRANSGRESS SERIOUSLY AND OBSTRUCT BODHI.
THEY DO NOT PERCEIVE THE MYSTERIES REVEALED BY THE THUS COME ONE.THERE WERE TWO BHIKSHUS WHO TRANSGRESSED IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND KILLING.
UPALI'S FIREFLY-LIGHT EXAGGERATED THE OFFENSE.
THE BODHISATTVA VIMALAKIRTI IMMEDIATELY DISPELLED THEIR DOUBTS,
JUST AS THE BURNING SUN MELTS THE FROST AND SNOW.COMMENTARY:
THE LION'S ROAR IS FEARLESS PROCLAMATION. The Buddha's speaking of Dharma is like the roar of a lion; it is without the slightest fear.
I SIGH DEEPLY THAT CONFUSED, BARBARIC FOOLS KNOW ONLY HOW TO TRANSGRESS SERIOUSLY AND OBSTRUCT BODHI. Stupid people like these know only how to commit serious offenses. They break the precepts and block off the road to Bodhi. Thus they draw a boundary for themselves in mid-path; they give up halfway along the road. This is extremely pathetic. They know only how to commit serious offenses and obstruct the way. They are unwilling to cultivate vigorously without interruption. In particular, they do not know that the precepts spoken by the Thus Come One possess subtle shades of meaning regarding the various levels of offenses and also their exceptions. Although there are exceptions, there are actually no exceptions; although there are transgressions, there are actually no transgressions.
THERE WERE TWO BHIKSHUS WHO TRANSGRESSED IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND KILLING. When the Buddha was in the world, there were two Bhikshus who lived alone in the mountains. One of them was away, while the other was sleeping. A woman who was gathering wood came and had sexual reations with the Bhikshu without his knowledge. When the second Bhikshu returned, he knew what had happedend, and he chased after the wood-gatherig woman in anger. The woman did not watch her step, stumbled, and fell to her death.
UPALI'S FIREFLY-LIGHT EXAGGERATED THE OFFENSE. The Venerable Upali judged their offenses and decided that the two Bhikshus had committed serious offenses of sexual misconduct and killing which were beyond repentance. In this matter his wisdom was as small as a firefly's light.
THE BODHISATTVA VIMALAKIRTI IMMEDIATELY DISPELLED THEIR DOUBTS. The two Bhikshus themselves thought that they had not intentionally violated the Precepts, and so how could the offenses be beyond repentance? They gave rise to doubts, and they went to see the layman Vimalakirti to ask for instruction. Vimalakirti said, "Where there is no intent, there is no offense."
JUST AS THE BURNING SUN MELTS THE FROST AND SNOW. As soon as the great layman Vimalakirti spoke those words, it was as if the blazing hot sun hand instantly melted the frost, snow, and solid ice, so that they were immediately without shape or appearance.
TEXT:
THE POWER OF LIBERATION IS INCONCEIVABLE,
ITS MIRACULOUS FUNCTIONS ARE AS NUMEROUS AS THE GANGES' SANDS, AND WITHOUT END.
DOES ONE DARE SHIRK THE TOIL IN AN OFFERING OF THE FOUR NECESSITIES ?
THE THOUSAND OUNCES OF GOLD MAY ALSO BE RECEIVED.
ONE'S BONES MAY BE POWDERED, ONE'S BODY IN FRAGMENTS; STILL ONE CAN'T REPAY THE DEBT IN FULL.
UNDERSTAND ONE SENTENCE, AND TRANSCEND THE HUNDRED MILLION.COMMENTARY:
THE POWER OF LIBERATION IS INCONCEIVABLE. It cannot be thought about with mind or discussed with words. This is the kind of liberation-power it is.
ITS MIRACULOUS FUNCTIONS ARE AS NUMEROUS AS THE GANGES' SANDS. The wonderful functions of which this liberation-power is capable are so numerous that even were the sands of the Ganges to be counted, it would still be difficult to make a comparison.
DOES ONE DARE SHIRK THE TOIL IN AN OFFERING OF THE FOUR NECESSITIES? One dare not shirk the responsibility entailed by the four kinds of offerings--food and drink, clothing, bedding, and medicine.
TEN THOUSAND OUNCES OF GOLD MAY ALSO BE RECEIVED. Even if ten thousand ounces of gold were offered, that, too, may be received.
ONE'S BONES MAY BE POWDERED, ONE'S BODY IN FRAGMENTS; STILL ONE CAN'T REPAY THE DEBT IN FULL. Through profound kindness we are given the milk of this Dharma; although our bodies may be crushed to powder and our bones to fragments, we cannot repay the debt.
UNDERSTAND ONE SENTENCE, AND TRANSCEND THE HUNDRED MILLION. Upon suddenly understanding a single sentence of Dharma speech, one transcends millions upon millions of great kalpas.
TEXT:
THE KING AMONG DHARMAS IS THE HIGHEST, THE MOST SUPREME.
THUS COME ONES AS NUMEROUS AS GANGES' SANDS HAVE ATTAINED IT EQUALLY.
I NOW UNDERSTAND THIS WISH-FULFILLING PEARL.
ALL WHO RECEIVE IT IN FAITH WILL EVOKE A RESPONSE.COMMENTARY:
THE KING AMONG DHARMAS IS THE HIGHEST, THE MOST SUPREME. This Dharma is the King among Dharmas--it is the highest and the most supreme.
THUS COME ONES AS NUMEROUS AS GANGES' SANDS HAVE ATTAINED IT EQUALLY. All the Buddhas, Thus come Ones, numerous as the Ganges River's sands, are alike in having been certified to the attainment of the Dharma body by means of this Dharma.
I NOW UNDERSTAND THIS WISH-FUFILLING PEARL. I have now understood this Dharma and have awakened to it. It is like a wish-fulfilling pearl which contains all Dharmas.
ALL WHO RECEIVE IT IN FAITH WILL EVOKE A RESPONSE. Those who faithfully receive it and respectfully practice it will certainly gain a response. They will all be able to be cerfified to the attainment of the principle and substance of the Dharma body of all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three periods of time, and the miraculous virtues of Nirvana: permanence, bliss, true-self, and purity.
TEXT:
IT IS CLEARLY SEEN: THERE IS NOT A SINGLE THING.
NOR ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE; NOR ARE THERE ANY BUDDHAS.
THE GREAT THOUSAND WORLDS ARE BUBBLES IN THE SEA. ALL THE WORTHY SAGES ARE LIKE FLASHES OF LIGHTNING.
EVEN IF AN IRON WHEEL WERE ROLLED OVER ONE'S HEAD,
SAMADHI AND WISDOM WOULD BE FULLY BRIGHT AND NEVER LOST.COMMENTARY:
IT IS CLEARLY SEEN; THERE IS NOT A SINGLE THING. Once one is in mutual accord with this Dharma, one will be clear and replete with true and proper knowledge and vision, and then not a single thing can be sought after.
NOR ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE; NOR ARE THERE ANY BUDDHAS. Since things are not established, people and Buddhas are empty, also.
THE GREAT THOUSAND WORLDS ARE BUBBLES IN THE SEA. Ah]lthough the great thousand worlds, many as gaains of sand, are very vast and extensive, they are yet like a single bubble of form in the ocean.
ALL THE WORTHY SAGES ARE LIKE FLASHES OF LIGHTNING. Since people and Buddhas are empty, dharmas are not established either. Therefore it says that "All the worthy Sages are like flashes of lightning."
EVEN IF AN IRON WHEEL WERE ROLLED OVER ONE'S HEAD. If a hot iron wheel were rolled over one's head, and one's body were burnt to a crisp.
SAMADHI AND WISDOM WOULD BE FULLY BRIGHT AND NEVER LOST. Through the strength of this samadhi and the power of this wisdom, one attains a state of perfect clarity which is absolutely never lost.
TEXT:
THE SUN MAY GROW COLD, THE MOON MAY GROW HOT;
THE MULTITUDE OF DEMONS CANNOT DESTROY TRUE SPEECH,
THE ELEPHANT'S CARRIAGE SLOWLY AND WITH DIGNITY ADVANCES ALONG THE ROAD.
WHO HAS SEEN A MANTIS THAT COULD DEFLECT IT FROM ITS COURSE?THE GREAT ELEPHANT DOES NOT TRAVEL IN THE RABBIT'S PATH.
THE GREAT AWAKENING IS NOT CONFINED TO A SMALL SPACE.
DO NOT DETRACT FROM THE AZURE SKY BY LOOKING AT IT THROUGH A REED.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT UNDERSTOOD,
I NOW IMPART THE SECRET.COMMENTARY:
THE SUN MAY GROW COLD, THE MOON MAY GROW HOT. Even if it were to actually happen that the sun should change from hot to cold, and the moon from cold to hot.
THE MULTITUDE OF DEMONS CANNOT DESTROY TRUE SPEECH. Whatever devilish trickery the multitudes of heavenly demons, adherents of external paths, and so forth, were to use, they still could not break up my true speaking of Dharma--the Dharma door of the Sudden Teaching.
THE ELEPHANT'S CARRIAGE SLOWLY AND WITH DIGNITY ADAVNCES ALONG THE ROAD. The carriage drawn by the great elephant is dignified yet powerful. Although the elephant's pace seems slow, it progresses very swiftly.
WHO HAS SEEN A MANTIS THAT COULD DEFLECT IT FROM ITS COURSE? Who has ever seen a little praying mantis that could deflect from its course the carriage drawn by the great elephant? This is an illustration of how the lofty heights traversed by the great Bodhisattvas cannot be gauged by the heavenly demons or adherents to external paths.
THE GREAT ELEPHANT DOES NOT TRAVEL IN THE RABBIT'S PATH. The Bodhisattva of the Great Vehicle does not condescend to cultivate the Dharma-doors of the Small Vehicle, just as the great elephant does not walk in the rabbit's path.
THE GREAT AWAKENING IS NOT CONFINED TO A SMALL SPACE. By cultivating the great Vehicle Dharma-door of the Sudden Teaching, one will perceive the original source, the inherent nature, one' natural Buddhahood--in other words, the great breakthrough. This referes to great awakening to one's original face. Therefore, it "is not confined to a small space."
DO NO DETRACT FROM THE AZURE SKY BY LOOKING AT IT THROUGH A REED. Don't let your vision be a peek at the sky through a reed; don't measure the ocean of knowledge with a gourd and go on to slander the great Vehicle Dharma-door of the Sudden Teaching.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT UNDERSTOOD, I NOW IMPART THE SECRET. If there are still those who have not been able to comprehend this perfect and Sudden, Dharma-door, I now explain for you the essential secrets for becoming Enlightened and attaining the Way.
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