Today is the 8th day of the 4th Lunar
Month, which was also the same day when Sakyamuni Buddha was born in this world
more than two thousand five hundred years ago. Vajrayana Buddhism placed special
emphasis on certain days of the year including the date when a Buddha was born
in this world, when sun eclipse or moon eclipse happen etc.; we believe that
the merits accumulated from doing the sadhanas on these days will increase by
numerous folds, thus expediting our advancement on the spiritual path to enlightenment.
A sadhaina performed today is equivalent to numerous rounds of sadhana performed
for a long period of time, beyond one’s imagination.
Tonight, Acho Rinpoche mentioned the importance of the Lotus
Sutra again. After Sakyamuni Buddha expounded the Innumerable Meanings Sutra (Amitartha
Sutra), he entered the Samadhi of Innumerable Meanings. At this juncture, the
whole world was illuminated brightly by the luminosity emitted from his body
while he was dwelling in the state of profound samadhi. It was indeed a very astounding and
unprecedented experience to the entire assembly of students who observed the
amazing situation in awe. Bodhisattva Maitreya could not help but asked
Bodhisattva Manjushri, whether the latter had any idea of what was happening?
Manjushri told the assembly that he had, in fact, witnessed a similar situation
aeons ago when Sun Moon Lamp Buddha was about to expound the Lotus Sutra. True
enough! Sakyamuni Buddha rose from this samadhi later and expounded the Lotus
Sutra. There were five thousand Arahat students who left the assembly before
the exposition began, leaving behind the remaining students who were ready to
accept the teachings and receive the prophesy from Sakyamuni Buddha on their enlightenment
in future with their Buddha titles clearly predicted.
Acho Rinpoche mentioned that the Vimalakirti Sutra despised
the Hinayana practice but the Lotus Sutra mentioned that all three schools of
Buddhism (Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana) are actually one and the same – the
Buddhayana. Sakyamuni Buddha prophesized that all his Arahat students who practiced
the Hinayana would attain Buddhahood in future. Lotus Sutra is the king of all
sutras. We should revere and cherish the Lotus Sutra by copying, reading and practising
the teachings expounded within.
The Three Realms (Desire, Form and Formless) are but a house
on fire. Sakyamuni Buddha transmitted the three schools of teachings for the
sole purpose of helping us to escape from danger. Ultimately speaking, there is only one teaching –
the Buddhayana. A practitioner must complete the practice of the Six Perfections
(offering, discipline, tolerance, diligence, meditation and wisdom), in order to
attain the ultimate state of enlightenment - Buddhahood. There is a practitioner
by the name of Despising No One being mentioned in the Lotus Sutra, who did not
appear to be reciting the sutras, chanting the mantras nor doing meditations in
his practice. However, he would prostrate to everyone whom he met and addressed
everyone as a Buddha. This is just the practice free of ego which views all
sentient beings as the Buddhas. How many of us are capable of doing so?
Bodhisattva Despising No One finally attained a state of enlightenment with his
six sensual organs fully transformed into a state of purity that they could be
used interchangeably. So, the most expedient path of practice is just the
practice free of ego.
The ultimate state of enlightenment can only be reached
through the actualization of practice, without which there will be no chance! A
believer can attain the ultimate state of liberation but a non-believer will
continue to be stranded in the Six Realms of Existence. Today, our world is very
near the verge of destruction, with possible nuclear war breaking out anytime
which could wipe out certain countries from the surface of earth immediately. Acho
Rinpoche advised us not to belittle ourselves nor belittle the spiritual power
of our practice. Instead, we should have
full faith in the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha and all the enlightened ones like the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, that when we chant the mantras and visualize
the numerous enlightened ones illuminating the Six Realms of Existence with
bright lights to free all sentient beings of sufferings, and dedicate the merits of our practice to all sentient beings, it can actually help change the world and save it from destruction.
Sadhu! Sadhu!
Reported
by Sun-Moon KFS on 3-5-2017
