Benxin Chiren Rinpoche translated two recently distributed dharma discourses given by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha at a class held at the Amitabha Temple of Compassion and Wisdom on July 12, 2019. The first was a discourse on “Cultivation, Learning Dharma, Beneficial Effects from Practicing the Dharma, and Accomplishment All Completely depend on the Degree of Your Devoutness.” Although this discourse seems to have been available to the monastics for some time, this discourse was only recently released to other disciples. It touches a reoccurring theme of why some quickly become accomplished and others practice very hard for many years, but do not progress. Many still have no way to communicate with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Both Learning From Buddha and What Is Cultivation? tell us our progress depends on our devotion–the sincerity of our practice. Are we cheating ourselves? We need to check ourselves continually. Learning From Buddha is very clear–three times a day we should reflect on what we are doing and have done. Even if we all have the nature of a Buddha, we are not per se born to be a Buddha or Bodhisattva. You must cultivate your degree of devoutness and conduct. The Buddha Master gave several examples of what devotion can look like. We must ask if our hearts are pure. Can we with a sincere mind face the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? Everything is caused by our own conduct.
An example was given about people taking the exam offered by the World Buddhism Association Headquartaers. We need to prepare a “merit statement” or petition to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas when we do the holy part of the exam and read it out loud in front of those who are proctoring the exams and, of course the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We offer it to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and our results are based on that. We may say that we have done such and such–empowered others, raised the consciousness of others through our chanting, etc. But did we? Does our Buddha work truly have merit? As long as you can save two souls, you can become liberated. We must not claim to be a holy one, if we are not. We must be very careful. All beneficial effects or powers are inseparable from our degree of devotion. Our cultivation is very important and it includes our degree of devoutness.
Some dharmas take endless kalpas of practice, some many lifetimes, and some can cause you to become accomplished immediately. Even if you do not practice well, if you repent–sincerely repent–you can become accomplished. The highest dharmas have many procedures and rituals. Next are the holy inter tantric dharmas. Then there are many vajra dharmas. However, if your degree of devoutness is low, you can only learn small dharmas.
SECOND DISCOURSE: The other new discourse relates to what we have been studying on this blog the past year–whether we hold any incorrect views. Its title is roughly translated as “Judging a Holy One under external Influences is an evil view that will not enable one to receive any benefits.” The essence of this discourse is that you must follow the dharma, not people. Your judgment should be based on Buddha-dharma, not what someone else tells you. You must truly believe in causality. Causality cannot be ignored. Story told about Guru Padmasambhava and how the Tibetans did not believe him because he had no credentials–no lineage. So the Guru had to go back to India and become a disciple of the best teachers in India, even though Padmasambhava’s level was higher than theirs. He was already a great Bodhisattva. Of course, the great masters of India recognized him for what he was and he then went back to Tibet and was accepted. You must listen to the discourses first so you understand the dharma. It is all about your cultivation and you need to listen to many discourses to know how to do that correctly. If your conduct is not correct ,external influences will sway you. Listen to the true Dharma discourses, whenever you can. If you just listen to other people talking, you will become confused. How can you have firm vows? Listen more to the recorded dharma discourses and less to external matters.
Know that if you slander your master (and he or she is a true master) you will descend into hell. If you listen to evil views, you will become desperate. If you do not hear clearly, then you will not have firm confidence. You must start firmly. Then your cultivation will be good. First listen to and understand the dharma discourses. You will get very big benefits.
Many disciples say things like “Our Master is Great”, but if they do not listen to the dharma, and very few actually listen, then they will stay at the middle level no matter how much they praise the Master. You must get the essence of the dharma as expounded by the Master. Start from the truth of understanding. First you must understand the dharma. Then you will know the greatness of the dharma. Remember: Rely on dharma, not other people. Use dharma to look at everything!
CAVEAT: The above reflects what I heard and probably includes errors and omissions both from the translation and from my understanding–certainly the latter. Use it as reference only and try your best to find a way to hear the many dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. I greatly appreciate your comments and criticisms.
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