We continued our study of DCB35-Learning from Buddha on February 28, 2026 with Lesson Three: Cultivation, Assignment 3.
The following are brief summaries of our discussion on February 28, 2026 with links to the video of our ZOOM discussion of that class and previous sessions below. The large bold blue quotes are from a preliminary translation of Learning from Buddha by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Please note that in the video of this class we heard the understanding expressed by the various participants, which may or may not be correct. To understand the translation of all the actual quotes from the Buddha Master you need to read the text, which you can download from the curriculum section of DCB35 (Click “PREVIEW”). Also please remember that we are still working with a preliminary and unauthorized translation of the Buddha Master’s teachings so even these “quotes” can only be used for reference.
The rest of the discussion focused on Lesson Three-Cultivation. The following summarizes that discussion:
What are three essential attributes or concerns that Buddhas, virtual enlightenment Bodhisattvas, and marvelous enlightenment Bodhisattvas must adhere to?”
“First, They are greatly loving and greatly compassionate toward living beings, without any thoughts of differentiation or discrimination. They want to ferry all living beings to liberation. They want to help and save even those who verbally abused Them, poisoned Them, or harmed Them. . . second concern is Their fear of living beings. Why do They fear living beings? It is because living beings are usually not receptive to the teachings and edifications of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. . . the third . . . is that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas do not completely cut off Their habitual tendencies, as They are worried about living beings. They feel bad. Why do They feel bad? Out of great loving-kindness and great compassion, They want to save living beings. However, They dare not allow entrance to someone who is not in compliance with the Dharma. They push him away, blocking him so that he remains in the world of ordinary people. However, seeing that he cannot enter, They feel sad. This is because a world of pure karma cannot take him in.
What is the most fundamental and the most important issue in learning from Buddha to become a Bodhisattva?
“Actually, what I am about to tell all of you is the most fundamental and most important issue. This most fundamental and important issue is that, if in your daily lives and with your own conduct you can truly put into practice the state of a Bodhisattva, introspecting and examining yourself in all respects, then you are planting the causes to become a holy being and attain liberation. Ultimately, the fruit you yield will be the fruit of being a Bodhisattva.”
How do your accomplish that?
“Whenever you are contaminated [by dark karma], immediately correct yourself! Correct yourself at once whenever that happens! Every morning when you get up, think back and consider: ‘Before I went to sleep last night, did I think of anything unbeneficial to living beings? Did I think about doing those things? Did I think of doing something not good to others for the sake of myself, my children, or my relatives? Did I think of doing something not good to my fellow brothers and sisters?’ If you did, my oh my, you must repent at once: ‘I am not a Buddhist disciple! I am no good! I am wrong!’ Do you understand? Ask yourself, ‘Do I crave credit or merit for myself? That is not the conduct of a Bodhisattva at the causal stage. I must correct myself!’ Therefore, all of these things call for introspection. What is called ‘the three daily introspections’ means conducting three introspections in the course of a day. In the morning, introspect about how during the day you should act to become a purely good and compassionate person, a person who benefits the public. At midday, think back: ‘From morning until midday, did I have that kind of mindset and conduct?’ At night, again think back: ‘From midday until night, did I have that kind of mindset and conduct? Are the things I did today truly reflective of the conduct, speech, and mindset of a Bodhisattva at the causal stage?’ “
What or who is a “Causal Stage Bodhisattva?
“If you can do that [What is described above], I tell you disciples that right at that moment you are a true Bodhisattva at the causal stage and that you are a future Bodhisattva. Although you do not possess the realization powers of a Bodhisattva and do not possess the merit of a Bodhisattva, your state is nonetheless already that of a Bodhisattva at the causal stage. Your state of mind is already there. By doing that every day, you will naturally and gradually become purified and will become a great holy person.”
Is becoming liberated or accomplished difficult?
“It depends. It is easy if you understand, but difficult if you do not. . . There is simply no need to exert much effort. It can easily be done. No great effort is required. As long as you immediately abandon your bad habits, immediately reflect upon your own shortcomings, care about living beings as if they truly were members of your own family, and treat living beings by truly applying bodhicitta in practical actions, then you are already a Bodhisattva at the causal stage. The only difference is that you lack the three kinds of supernormal cognition, the six supernormal powers, and the realization and wisdom of a Bodhisattva.”
Is it true that one who learns the dharma only without cultivating oneself has no way to become accomplished? If so, why?
“Therefore, this point is very, very important, disciples. Thus, whoever wants to become liberated, whoever wants to attain accomplishment, and whoever wants to acquire realization powers must do this [cultivation] well. So, if you only learn Dharma but do not cultivate yourself, there is no way for you to attain accomplishment. The reason is that dark karma is not part of the composition of a holy entity.”
Is it useful to merely establish yourself as a cultivator if you do not have or practice Dharma?
“However, you should understand that merely being a cultivator is ineffective and useless. You must also have Dharma. Only then can you generate a usefulness that transcends the ordinary. . . You must understand the methods of technical operation. The technological know-how is the Dharma.”
The Buddha Master also provided an extensive and very effective analogy using airplanes, televisions, and computers to explain the principles in this section concerning “usefulness.” You should study it carefully to fully understand these principles.
The Buddha Master gives us a key to behaving like a Bodhisattva. What is it?
“However, it is very easy to carry out the conduct of a Bodhisattva. Why wouldn’t it be? People who are true cultivators, who truly want to adopt the conduct of Bodhisattvas as their own conduct, carry out such conduct right after they say they will. They carry out such conduct right then and there without the need to expend great effort. All you have to do is start at this very moment. Relinquish your selfish mentality. If you truly wanted to become a holy one, would there be anything you could not do?”
We also discussed why Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are more afraid of living beings than demons; the second reason that those with impure karma absolutely cannot enter these pure Buddha-lands; the three kinds of supernormal cognition and the six supernormal powers; the Parable of the Conjured City in the Lotus Sutra; and the “iron lotuses” in the World of Ultimate Bliss.
We will continue discussing DCB35-Learning from Buddha on February 21 at 9:00-11:00 am Pacific Time. You can download a PDF of the text for DCB35 from the “preview” feature in the OVERVIEW of the “Curriculum” without enrolling in the course. If you want to join these Saturday discussions of the Dharma, you will need to both be enrolled in DCB35 and register for the ZOOM session to receive the link for the discussion. Everyone signing up will be given homework questions to discuss. You may also watch the videos of our discussions once you enroll in DCB35.
We will probably start G36-Dharma that Every Buddhist Must Follow after DCB35. If you want to join us for that course, you should acquire a copy of Dorje Pamu’s text as we will take turns discussing the various questions that have been prepared for the course like we did for P-10 and will also do for DCB35. You can purchase PaMu’s book directly from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum (170 E. School St. Covina CA 91723) and pay by credit card or PayPal. the cost is $36 plus shipping fee. They can ship to your address. Please contact Michelle Chang at (626) 281-6378, (973)337-7539. The museum hours are from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 5:30.
CLICK for a list of available classes in each of the programs: Auditing, Buddhist Studies, and Xiuxing Seminary. Those with membership in the Xiuxing Seminary Program who are only interested in serious practice and not opening a Dharma Center may also elect to follow the Xiuxing Practice Program and take a seven or thirty-day Solitary Retreat.
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You will need to enroll in DCB35 to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions and register with ZOOM to receive a link to attend the classes.
LINKS TO DATE: C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice including DCB35, DCB21-26, P10 and other related Learning from Buddha Seminary Classes
The recordings of the February 28, 2026 DCB35 class are now available. All of the recordings and summary of ZOOM discussions for DCB21, DCB22, DCB23, DCB24, and DCB26-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra are also available. You must be enrolled in each of these classes in one of the full membership programs at the LFBS to access the course materials, questions covered (in parenthesis), and/or the class recordings. Please note that these links will only work if you are logged into LFBS with your membership identification number AND are enrolled in this class. CLICK for information on LFBS class P10 or CLICK for Hesperia classes on major concepts or principles contained in the title of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
February 28, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3B (Questions 41-55) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3A (Questions 27-40) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Introduction-Lesson 2B (Questions 22-26) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 14, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Introduction-Lesson 1 (Questions 1-5) and Lesson 2A (Questions 6-21), and (HERE) for recording of the class.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26-How to Realize Prajna on January 24, 2026 and links to videos of all 15 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 from August 9, 2025 to January 24, 2026.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26 in 2024 and links to videos of all 8 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 held from April 20, 2024 to June 22, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB25 and links to all 15 ZOOM class discussions on DCB25 held from April 5, 2025 to August 2, 2025.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB24 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB24 held from January 4, 2025 to March 29, 2025.
January 4, 2025: Roadmap to C41(A)–Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. Video of class discussion.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB23 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB23 held from August 24, 2024 to November 16, 2024,
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB22 and links to videos of all 21 ZOOM class discussions on DCB22 held from February 10, 2024 to April 20, 2024 and from June 29, 2024 to August 3, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB21 and links to videos of all 18 ZOOM class discussions on DCB21 held from November 21, 2022 to April 1, 2023. Note: not all of the forwards, notes, and introductions are complete.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
CLICK for information on S01-Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation (SAUMOL) Seminar.
CLICK for article on September 21, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 5 & 6: Three kinds of Prajna.
CLICK for article on August 17, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 3 & 4: Introduction to Prajna.
CLICK for article on July 20, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 1 & 2: Background and Introduction to the Heart Sutra and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
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