We started Lesson 32 of DCB25 using “All Buddhas of the three times rely on prajna-paramita and thereby attain anuttara-samyak-sambhodi.” from the Heart Sutra as our text. The following are some of the questions addressed during this ZOOM session relating to the meaning of the “three times” and the Sanskrit words “annuttara” and “samyak”.
What is meant by the phrase “the three times”?
“All Buddhas of the three times refer to the past, present, and future, to all of the countless Buddhas from all of limitless time and endless space. . . With respect to the past, what happened previously or a certain number of years ago is the past. As for the present, that is what we see before our eyes. That is called the present or what we know as now, this moment. The future is what has not yet come or what will arise after a period of unknown number of years. That is, the scope is the entirety of limitless time and endless space. Limitless time can also be called innumerable years. Anyway, time has no limit. Space is endless. After we know the truths of Buddha-nature, we know that even the universe has no bounds. There is no boundary of any kind. That is why it is called endless space. There are countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The Buddhas are countless and endless.”
What does the phrase “rely on prajna-paramita and thereby” mean?
“The phrase “rely on prajna-paramita and thereby” means relying on the supreme wisdom, on the highest, unsurpassed pure wisdom, on the prajna that I previously explained. Prajna is applied to illuminate thoroughly a state of samadhi that is based on correct understanding and correct views. Having this state of samadhi and wisdom is the reason that all Buddhas of the three times and in the ten directions, all of the countless and boundless Buddhas, were able to become Buddhas and realize the perfect and marvelous fruit of supreme nirvana.”
What are the three meanings of the term “enlightened one”?
“The first meaning is to enlighten oneself. That is, one is thoroughly enlightened such that the completeness of enlightenment is impeccable. Such a being is called an enlightened one. . . The second meaning is to enlighten others. As for this second meaning, after you yourself understand, you should go and enlighten other people, applying unconditional loving-kindness to save sentient beings in the sentient realm. . . The third meaning is the perfection of enlightenment practice.”
What is the meaning of the term “anuttara”?
“. . . anuttara is a word from Sanskrit translated as supreme or unsurpassable.”
What is the meaning of the term “samyak”?
“Samyak means correct and equal-minded; that is, a mind of equality without bias. . . It means correct and equality-based, devoid of partiality or inclination. It means without any inclination or discrimination, being truly equal-minded and perfect, without any differentiation. . . Buddhas want to universally apply bodhicitta to all sentient beings by teaching and guiding them in response to opportunities and in accordance with the spiritual capacities of the audience in order to liberate them.”
The Buddha Master also talked about how Buddhas generate the power of Their vows to form karmic connections with and thus save living beings; what is Buddha and how Buddhas come into being; how ordinary people acquire supernormal power and the results there of; the problems now with qigong; and more.
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 our discussion of Lesson 32- “All Buddhas of the three times rely on prajna-paramita and thereby attain anuttara-samyak-sambhodi.” at our May 17, 2025 ZOOM session at 9:00 am.
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 May 3, 2025 DCB25-Lesson 31 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.
May 10, 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 “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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