In our study of Imparting the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra we found the Buddha Master refer to “permanent dharmas.” Although I have no teachings from the Buddha Master specifically defining what those permanent dharmas are, I would like to reintroduce this chart that was previously posted on February 8, 2021. It is based on research I did from several sources on the content of the Prajnaparamita Sutras. It has evolved over time as I find more sources and has never been reviewed or approved by the Buddha Master. It is only humbly offered as my best understanding of what the Buddha taught and probably contains errors and misunderstandings. Never-the-less, I am sharing it as such to help gain insight on the nature of all dharmas. I have added Table 4 to include what I found on “unconditioned dharmas” as found in the stream of saints and as manifested in a Buddha. I would propose that these may be what is meant by “permanent dharmas.”
”The Prajnaparamita Sutras classify all dharmas according to whether or not they produce good karma, unwholesome or black karma, or are indeterminate and have no karmic effects per se as shown in Table 1. The wholesome dharmas are further classified first by those that can apply to anyone and then by those found in ordinary beings and are found in those who are or are on the path to becoming holy beings as shown in Table 2. The Five Vidyas do appear on this chart, but not as part of the 37 factors of enlightenment as incorrectly shown on earlier charts. CLICK for a revised chart that details the Thirty-seven Factors of Enlightenment. Table 3 show what are conditioned and unconditioned dharmas, while Table 4 indicates the common and uncommon unconditioned dharmas as they exist for saints and those that are only manifested in Buddhas.
Add comment