On June 21 we finished our discussion of DCB25 lesson 33 using The Perfection of a Buddha from the Heart Sutra as our text. The following are part of the questions discussed:
How can one attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi?
“All past Buddhas attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi because of prajna-paramita. All future Buddhas will also attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi because of prajna-paramita. All current Buddhas in the countless worlds in the ten directions also attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi because of prajna- paramita.” This sutra clearly and definitively points out this fact to you disciples. To put it explicitly, this is how it was in the past, how it is in the present, and how it will also be in the future. All Buddhas used prajna-paramita to examine and clearly observe Their state of samadhi and then used that state of samadhi to examine and clearly observe prajna. Only then did They attain the supreme, correct, equal-minded, perfect enlightenment.”
What must you do to be able to investigate and clearly observe prajna?
“However, solely relying on the truth of prajna will not work because your karmic forces born of avidya will not allow you to discern prajna. For no apparent reason, prajna will be obstructed. Therefore, you still must learn Buddha Dharma. You still must earnestly seek the learning of Buddha Dharma. You will be able to investigate and clearly observe prajna only from the practice of Buddha Dharma.”
What do you need to become liberated in this current life?
“. . . you should earnestly cultivate yourselves and ask for Dharma. If you have Buddha Dharma and combine that with cultivation guided by correct understanding and correct views, I guarantee that you can undoubtedly become liberated in this current life.”
Are the levels of the states of realization and states of virtue of holy ones similar?
“There are very large differences in the levels of the states of realization and states of virtue of holy ones. Therefore, those who are not at the level of perfection cannot be called those who have reached the supreme, correct, equal-minded, perfect enlightenment. Only a Buddha can be called one who has reached the supreme, correct, equal-minded, perfect enlightenment.”
The Buddha Master also included certain predictions, which did, in fact, come true, as well as other teachings.
Be sure and enroll in DCB25-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: Part TWO-III, if you want to join our long term study of the Heart Sutra or the broader study of C41(A)-the Three Principle Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. There is an expanded article on C41(A) that explains its scope and content, which was discussed before starting DCB24 last Saturday. CLICK for video of that discussion and revised maps of this roadmap to C41(A). DCB24 is one of the Learning from Buddha Seminary (LFBS) courses that are included in C41(A). There is also another article that discusses G03(A) and G03 Evolution of Buddhism, two additional courses that are also part of C41(A).
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.
Next:
The next class in DCB25 will continue with a discussion of Lesson 34- “THEREFORE, KNOW THAT PRAJNA PARAMITA IS THE GREAT SUPERNORMAL MANTRA, . . .” at our June 28, 2025 ZOOM session at 9:00 am. This is an important part of the text where the source and nature of both mantras and dharanis are discussed.
Our next class in Hesperia will be held at 19099 Lemon Street on July 20, starting at 10:00 am and continuing until 3:00 pm.
If you have enrolled in C41(A) or DCB25 or DCB24 or DCB23 or DCB22 or DCB21 or DCB26, you may continue to use the same ZOOM link to attend the Saturday morning discussions. However, you will need to enroll in the appropriate course to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions.
TO DATE: DCB25-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–IV and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice.
The recordings of the June 21, 2025 DCB25-Lesson 33B class is 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 now available along with the questions for DCB25. 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.
“Having forever left inverted dream-thinking, they dwell in ultimate nirvana. All Buddhas of the three times rely on prajna-paramita and thereby attain anuttara-samyak-sambhodi.”
CLICK for article on the entire text of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
CLICK for article with instructions on how to enroll in LFBS classes and how to register for the ZOOM discussions.
June 21, 2025: Lesson 33B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Perfection of a Buddha (140-145) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
June 7, 2025: Lesson 33AThe Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Perfection of a Buddha (104-139) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
May 17, 2025: Lesson 32B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The “Three Times, Anuttara, & Samyak” (84-103) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
May 10, 2025: Lesson 32A–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The “Three Times, Anuttara, & Samyak” (69-83) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
May 3, 2025: Lesson 31-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Different Levels of Nirvana (24-68) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 26, 2025: Lesson 30–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “Having forever left inverted dream-thinking, they dwell in ultimate nirvana.” (25-43 ) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 19, 2025: Lesson 29C–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance.” (18-24) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 12, 2025: Lesson 29B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance.” (13-19) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 5, 2025: Lesson 29A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance.” (1-12) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
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 article on last class held on DCB26 and links to videos of all 8 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 held from April 20, 2024 to June 22, 2024.
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.
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