the PURE-TRANQUIL-OCEAN BODHISATTVASThereare many grades of Bodhisattvas: First Grade, Second Grade . .. Eighth Grade to Tenth Grade Bodhisattvas, and also the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas.Mahasattvas are Bodhisattvas of the highest grade - the bossesof all Bodhisattvas.
However, there is another kind of Bodhisattvawho does not seem to save people. We revere them as Pure-Tranquil-OceanBodhisattvas. Their merits are as vast as the ocean - very pureand tranquil, so they are the Pure-Tranquil-Ocean Bodhisattvas.Their power is like the ocean and they work in absolute silence.Like pure water, no one can perceive their existence, though weare still aware of the manifestation form of the Bodhisattvas.The Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas are superior to the Mahasattvas.
In the universe, there are many levels waitingfor us to attain, and many positions for us to achieve. Therefore,being new to the practice, there is nothing we can be proud of.Possessing only trivial magical powers, some people boast arrogantly.What is the use of knowing a little bit about the past, presentand future? Even if we know that the world will be destroyed tomorrow,we cannot change anything. As well, during the time between nowand tomorrow, we would be extremely frightened, and wouldn't beable to sleep or eat. For those who do not know that the worldwill end tomorrow, at least they can sleep sweetly and enjoy twenty-fourhours more of peaceful time. Therefore, it is really useless toknow about the past, present and future.
To pave our future, we should begin with ourpresent actions. In our daily life, endeavor to be a moral person,clearly observe the Five Precepts that I taught you: do not kill,do not steal, refrain from sexual misconduct, do not lie, anddo not consume alcohol. It is enough to keep these Five Preceptsstrictly; no need to talk about too many commandments. Shouldyou be able to keep the Five Precepts clearly, it doesn't mattereven if you don't believe in me, do not practice the Quan YinMethod, or do not want liberation from birth and death. Even thoughyou don't believe in me, you still have to be a good person, andkeep the Five Precepts well; so that at least you can come backagain as a human. Otherwise, there is no other way.
I have never taught you any bad things. Youmay not believe in me -- the person, but you should believe inmy teachings. I only teach you good things. It is simple if youwant to be a human being. Simply keep the Five Precepts strictly,then you won't have any trouble. By strictly observing the FivePrecepts, even though you do not practice the Quan Yin Method,you can still be a human being. Otherwise, it is not easy to getthe human body again.
The human body is very precious, without whichwe would not have the six sense-organs and the six senses, whichare essential for our spiritual practice. Of course, we know thesix sense-organs and the six senses are the most disgusting obstacles,but we must also use them in our spiritual practice. We cannotpursue spiritual practice without them. Understand? Truly, wedon't need the ears to hear the inner sound, but how can we listenwithout ears? The visions in meditation are also not observedwith the eyes; but without this body, we also cannot perceive,cannot see the Buddha's world. We would be ignorant about heavenor hell, or the Western Paradise. Therefore, the human body isvery precious.
It is easy if you don't wish to become a human;it is only difficult if you wish to become one. However, it iseven more difficult to become a Buddha. It is difficult enoughjust to become an ordinary Bodhisattva; but to become a Pure-Tranquil-OceanBodhisattva, there are many more ordeals. To become a "Pure-TranquilBodhisattva" -- a formless, supreme Bodhisattva, one mustgo through innumerable inconceivable, indescribable and severetests, which are extremely difficult to pass. We may have transmigratedinto this world millions of times, yet we have never heard ofsuch severe tests; we could never hear of them.
If we have read extensively, we would haveread about the great spiritual practitioners of the past, aboutthe ordeals and painful sufferings encountered on their spiritualpath. However, even the most outstanding and painful ordeals couldnot match those suffered by the Pure-Tranquil-Ocean Bodhisattvas,both in frequency and intensity.
The Pure-Tranquil-Ocean Bodhisattvas are almostthe same as the Buddha, except that the Buddha is "inactive"while the Pure-Tranquil-Ocean Bodhisattvas are "active."They travel the universe taking good care of it, and keeping itin good order. Their responsibility is to take care of the universe,while that of the Mahasattvas is to save human souls and bringthem home. Whoever wishes to go to the Western Paradise shouldstudy under the Mahasattvas. They manifest themselves in thisworld to save people and bring their souls back to their homeland-- the Heavenly Kingdom, the Western Pureland.
You often chant the names of the Pure-Tranquil-OceanBodhisattvas, but without knowing who they are. Even if they'dappear before your eyes, you would not know. Only the Mahasattvasknow who are the Pure-Tranquil-Ocean Bodhisattvas. Ordinary peoplecould not possibly know, because they do not wish to reveal theirlevel and power. They look very ordinary, very commonplace, moreordinary than any person. Even when they are in this world, noone knows that they are Bodhisattvas. They absolutely refrainfrom showing any magical power, and simply work silently, totallyunnoticed by ordinary humans.
The work of the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvasis different from that of the Mahasattvas. They absolutely refrainfrom intervening with people's karma, while the Mahasattvas do.They can save a person from hell and take him to heaven; or takeany person, heavily burdened with karma, to the Western Paradise.In the same situations, the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas just observeon one side without taking any action. Their work is to take careof the functioning of the universe and maintain the existenceof the universe. They don't save people. You may be starving todeath or are being roasted by hell-fire, they are simply oblivious.To us, the ordinary humans, the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas mayseem very cruel and remote; but they are not. It is only due tothe different nature of their work.
However, it is not simple to become a Pure-TranquilBodhisattva; I don't think you can pass the trials. To becomea Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattva, the training system that one mustgo through is extremely strict and severe. This agonizing trainingprocess cannot be described in words, and is totally unheard ofand inconceivable by ordinary humans. Just like in the army, thereare various types of training: infantry, navy, air force, spy,and the most risky--special task force. Trained even to kill enemiesface to face, the training of the special task force is the mostarduous. Right?
To become Bodhisattva, different training isalso required to attain different grades. Therefore, to becomePure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas, extremely arduous practice is required.Arduous practice alone does not make one a Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattva,but it is essential to go through the most bitter training. Pure-TranquilBodhisattvas are specially selected; we cannot become one justby wishing. Any spiritual practitioner who has not surpassed thethree realms, has no hope of being selected.
All the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas are selectedin the fifth realm. No one can become a Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvawithin the three realms, as we still have to transmigrate. Ourlessons in this world still have not been learned, so we won'tbe picked to undergo the most severe training. One must firstbecome a Bodhisattva of the fifth realm, and be willing to becomea Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattva, before one is qualified for selection.However, once selected, one has to undergo the most severe training,which is even more painful and severe than the system in hell.
There are many levels in spiritual practice,and the road of cultivation is very long. Therefore, as a newpractitioner, one should not boast and exaggerate. I tell younot to reveal your experiences to others for your own good, notfor me. You can tell the whole country if you like, I will notbe affected. You only hurt yourself by divulging your own treasures.
So, practice in silence; because we have toprotect our level, and climb slowly to become Buddhas, Mahasattvas,and superior Bodhisattvas. If a new practitioner has some magicalpower, and goes out to advertise himself because he is not stablewithin, you should know this kind of person is unreliable. Uponseeing these people, an attained spiritual practitioner can tellthat they are experiencing obstacles -- suffering from the "ZenSymptom" we often mention. People not suffering from the"Zen Symptom" will not go out bragging.
Spiritual Practitioners should be humble. Thehigher their level, the more humble they are and the more theyfear that people may detect their level and power. Some peopleare still okay in the initial stages of their practice. However,after attaining a trivial level and having some experiences, theybrag everywhere. They talk so much that they run into many evilobstacles. The higher their level, the more evil obstacles therewill be.
Therefore, the most terrible mistake in spiritualpractice is talking about experiences. Having talked too much,the experiences become distorted in nature, or they simply donot come anymore, leaving only illusions. It is because the concentratedpower is wasted, and the spiritual ambience is damaged. Originally,the spiritual ambience is a protective wall. However, as one leaksout too much, the devil will dig a hole in it and enter. In spiritualpractice, we dread boasting and arrogant attitudes. The prouderone is, the greater his trouble.
I also know that it is not very easy for aspiritual practitioner to believe in a Master. Therefore, if youdo not believe in me, it is not your fault. It is due to the atmosphereof this final stage of the Dharma. This is why the present erais called the final stage of the Dharma.
Spiritual practice indeed not easy. It is saidin the Surangama Sutra: In the final stage of Dharma, if a personis truly sincere in his practice, though he might have only practiceda little, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will come and render greathelp to him. Unfortunately, few people have the sincerity andfaith for serious practice. Most of them choose the easier andmore relaxed way, reluctant to take the difficult and austerepath. To practice our method, one has to be a vegetarian and meditatefor at least two and a half hours each day. Besides, we are forbiddento kill, lie, commit sexual misconduct, steal and consume alcohol.To most people, this is too strict and arduous.
Even in this world, if one wishes to get aPh.D -- become a doctor or lawyer, or to earn prestige in society,one must study assiduously. Isn't it true? Naturally, it mustbe more arduous for those who wish to become a Buddha or Bodhisattva,and be liberated from life and death in one lifetime.
In this final stage of the Dharma, for a littlebit of our sincerity, the Buddha and Bodhisattvas will help usa lot. This is really great. Otherwise, your two and a half hoursmeditation is nothing really! Shakyamuni Buddha meditated allday long. Many people meditate for ten to twenty hours withoutgaining anything. If the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas did not helpus with their power, we would get nowhere in our practice.
Actually, spiritual practice is not reallyso bitter; it is more difficult to eliminate the arrogance, andeven more difficult to keep this big mouth from leaking. Arroganceand exaggeration are the most difficult to rectify. Practitionerswho do not have much experience or progress in their practiceare mainly hindered by their arrogance. They talk too much. Theyare still new to the practice, yet they talk so much.
Shakyamuni Buddha also forbade His disciplesto brag. Maudgalaputra possessed magical power, but the Buddhaforbade him to use it. I also give you the same advice. As youpractice, magical powers naturally come, but you must not boastabout them. If you have the power to read minds, better not tolet anyone know. Otherwise, people will be afraid of you, fearingthat you will read their mind whenever they come to see you. Then,no one would dare to come to see you. Right?
Should you process other powers like "heavenlylegs" or "heavenly eyes," keep it a secret too.Other people may harm us if they know about it. There are no advantages.Some people would be jealous, as they would hate us for beinghigher than them. If we talked about something that they dislike,they would think of ways to harm us with black magic. Just likeMaudgalaputra. He loved using magical power, but eventually hewas harmed by heretics with black magic.
Therefore, I have kept advising you and warningyou not to reveal your spiritual level to others. Nevertheless,some people still cannot remove this shortcoming. Being part oftheir personality, it is very difficult to change them, and thiscauses great troubles. If we notice this type of person, betterkeep away from him, and do not listen to his words. Otherwise,you will be infected, as with an infectious disease.
When we live with a person with evil obstacles-- you don't even have to live with them, just by sitting closeto them, you are already infected with half his problem. Whenyou go to visit a patient -- mix around and have contact withhim, half his illness has passed to you. You have to accept halfhis karma. Otherwise, why do the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, whenthey manifest and come to this world, become ordinary humans afterthey are born? They first become ordinary humans, and then practiceto become Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. Although they are manifestationsof Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, they will still be contaminated bythe world if they do not pursue spiritual practice.
Take Shakyamuni Buddha for example; you allknow that He was the Prabhapala Mahasattva descending from theTusita Heaven. His mission was to save the people on Earth. However,for thirty years after He was born, He didn't do anything to benefitsentient beings. He was a prince who didn't have to work, onlyenjoyed worldly pleasures everyday -- having no idea about spiritualpractice.
When He was born, He could walk seven steps.Still aware of who He was, He said, "I am supreme, in heavenand on Earth." However, as He grew up, He also became ignorant,even more ignorant than ordinary people. Surrounded by so manypretty girls, He simply enjoyed the world everyday, and thoughtabout nothing else. He was deliberately surrounded by a comfortableenvironment, badly pampered by His parents, and flattered by Hissubordinates. They kept Him from knowing any undesirable situations,and forbade anyone from reminding Him to pursue spiritual practice.Therefore, before He reached thirty, He was an ordinary human.He was the manifestation of a Mahasattva, and had attained Buddhahoodlong ago. Yet, when born in this world, He inevitably became anordinary human.
Therefore, this world is really horrible. Withoutpursuing spiritual practice, even the one incarnated from a Buddhaor Bodhisattva will definitely get lost. Therefore, under anycircumstances, He must practice again.
You often ask Me: "Doesn't every personhave a Buddha-nature? Why are we still ordinary humans?"It is because, after coming to this world, we are "infected"and "delivered" by the ordinary humans. The world isjust like an epidemic region. At first, only one person gets thedisease. Soon it spreads to two or three persons. Then to moreand more people, until the whole region is infected. Sometimes,all the people and even animals in a town are killed, not evena kitten or puppy can survive. So, infectious diseases are trulyhorrible.
Similarly, when the Buddhas or Bodhisattvascome to this world, they will also become ordinary humans if theydo not pursue spiritual practice. Originally, we were all Buddhas,possessing a Buddha-nature. Then why are we not aware, and donot perceive it? It is because, we have been "delivered"by this world for a long time. Now that we have just begun topractice, how can we know immediately? However, through diligentpractice, sooner or later we will become Bodhisattvas. "Thosewho practice will become Bodhisattvas; those who do not practicewill become ordinary humans"-- this logic is definite, andthere is nothing else to be said.
You can that the even Shakyamuni Buddha tooksix years of practice to become a Buddha. Jesus Christ practicedfor over a decade, and finally became a great Master. The SixthPatriarch Hui Neng was already enlightened when he met the FifthPatriarch Hong Ren, yet he had to hide himself and practiced forsixteen years, after the Fifth Patriarch Hong Ren had passed theDharma to him. Bodhidharma did not deliver sentient beings duringhis time, because his power seemed insufficient still. (Masterlaughs.) No one listened to him, so he talked to the wall fornine years. I heard that because of his prolonged meditation,he could not walk afterwards. In later generations, we often sawhis pictures portraying him walking -- that was the image of hismanifestation body for people to see.
The saying goes: "He who stays near vermiliongets stained red, and he who stays near ink gets stained black."Mixing with bad people, one will become evil; mixing with virtuouspeople, one will become virtuous; staying with learned people,one can learn something; staying with foolish people, one willalso become an idiot. A person who speaks English fluently wouldalso forget, if he has not spoken English for thirty years. Tospeak English one must practice everyday. If you stay with a non-Englishspeaking person for a long time, later you cannot speak English,or cannot speak fluently.
Just like me, I do not speak Au Lac languagevery fluently now because I have not spoken it for a long time.I even have a problem with my English. (Laughter) However, therewon't be any problem after I have stayed in the United Statesfor a few days. However, if I carry on speaking Chinese everydaylike this, thirty years later, perhaps I won't be able to speakEnglish at all. So it is with spiritual practice. By staying witha certain type of person, you will eventually become like him.This is why one must be careful in choosing a real master in spiritualpractice.
Now, do you want to become Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas?(Someone answers: Yes.) Some people would immediately put on along face just after a trivial scolding from me. How can theyexpect to become Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas this way? (Laughter)It is not simple to become this type of Bodhisattva. Once youhave vowed to become a Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattva, you are in greattrouble. Even an ordinary master has so many troubles, can youimagine those of the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas?
In this universe, besides the Buddha, the Pure-TranquilBodhisattvas have the next highest status. The supreme positionin the universe is the highest Buddha, the Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas are the second highest. They are abovethe laws of the universe. They go to heavens and hells just likewe go to the markets to buy food. They go wherever they wish,and do whatever they like. Nothing else is more superior thanthey are because the highest Buddha is originally motionless --the Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi is absolutely still. Therefore, inreality, the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas are the highest.
Q. May I ask, Master, is there only one Buddha?
M.No, the Buddha means the power. For instance, in England, theQueen is of course in the highest position; but she does nothing,and does not intervene in politics. She is only a symbol of thesupreme position. However, Mrs. Thatcher is the most famous, andevery country knows about her. Any person in the position of thePrime Minister is always the most famous. She is more well-knownthan the Queen. Everyone is afraid of her, and she can do whatevershe wants. Of course, the position of the Queen is supreme, butnot as powerful as the Prime Minister. Right? The Queen does notgo from place to places, does nothing, and will not change anylaws. However, the Prime Minister has to do everything. She isvery stern, and is sometimes rejected by other people. For instance,Mrs. Thatcher is famous for being a stern Prime Minister. Peoplecall her the Iron Lady because she is very staunch in attitude,and has great power. Even the Queen of England can do nothingabout her. She can only advise her, "Please don't be so stern,try to give in a little bit sometimes." However, she simplywon't give in. Isn't it the case?
So are the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas. In thisuniverse, they have the highest power. Be more diligent if youwish to become one. However, I am afraid you cannot endure themost severe training system. Therefore, take it slowly. Becomea Bodhisattva first, then climb slowly. However, if you vow wholeheartedly,one day you will definitely become a Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas.We can become what we are determined to be -- this is definite.But, it may not be realized so quickly -- perhaps in the nextlifetime, or several lifetimes later. However, if you are willing,you may eventually succeed.
Q. Will the Pure-Tranquil-Ocean Bodhisattvas come tothis world?
M.Yes! Why not? They are everywhere.
Q. Will they have karma when coming to this world? Willthey also be infected by this world? (Laughter)
M.No, They won't have any karma, nor will they be infected by theworld.
Q. Do they also come to this world with their manifestationbodies?
M.They are different from the manifestation bodies of the Mahasattvas.They are the law, and they possess all their powers -- fully equippedwith magical powers, and can become whatever they want. Theirmagical power, their power and their authority are always there.They are different from ordinary Bodhisattvas.
Q. In this case, I would like to become a Pure-TranquilBodhisattva.
M.I know you want to be a Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattva, (laughter)but it is not that easy. Talk about it again when you have reachedthe fifth realm in your practice.
Q. May I ask, Master: do the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvashave to go through the process of birth and growing up, when theycome to this world?
M.It is not always necessary. They are different from ordinary Bodhisattvas.
Q. Do They come to the world only for their work?
M.Right! They come and go as they wish.
Q. But the ordinary Bodhisattvas must first be bornwhen they come? Is that right?
M.Right! The ordinary ones must first go through birth, which thePure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas don't have to. They can transform themselvesinto anything they wish. Instantly, they can become a fly or astone, but there is power within this stone or fly. Whatever theyhave transformed themselves into, they are fully aware that theyare the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas. They vanish or come into beingas they wish. They can transform themselves into a human or adog as they prefer. However, this transformed dog is no ordinarydog, and is free of karma. When in the human form, they will notbe infected with the karma from other people, nor will they becontaminated by the society. Whatever form they have taken, theirconsciousness is always fully awake. The Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvasare at the highest position. If there is really a highest God,then they are only slightly lower than God. God is number one,they are number two. Understand?
Q. Where do the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas receive theirtraining?
M.They are trained in the superior dimensions.
Q. Will They remain forever Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas,or will they eventually become Buddhas?
M.They are forever Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas. They can become Buddhasif they wish, but they don't have to.
Q. Master, You said the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas areabsolutely apathetic to outer influences. Suppose a sentient beinghappened to meet the manifestation body of the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas,will they help him?
M.They won't help.
Q. Why?
M.It is because there are other Bodhisattvas doing that job!
Q. But They can still save people by the way!
M.Why should they save you? The Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas haveno relationship with you. They take care of the whole universe,not only one or two persons, or groups. They are different fromthe Mahasattvas.
Q. If They found a dying person, would they save him?
M.How can they save him? If you are not a doctor, how can you healpatients when they come to you? They cannot do this type of work.They are too busy to care about matters concerning one or twopersons, or even the whole world. They are very busy, extremelybusy! They have no time to care about one or two persons.
Q. Would Master please illustrate with an example, thesevere training that the Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas would haveto undergo?
M.This cannot be described in words because there is no such trainingsystem in this world. (Laughter) I have just told you that thistraining is more severe and painful than in hell. It is beyondyour imagination.
Q. How can there be such evil things in the superiorworlds?
M.These are not evil things, but essential training.
Q. Can every person become a Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattva?
M.This is decided by their selection. Once you are picked, theywill train you slowly.
Q. Who makes the decision?
M.The Pure-Tranquil Bodhisattvas do. They select whoever they want,and we won't know about it in advance. We only know after we havebeen selected, because we will have to go through certain ordealsor sufferings. However, you won't be picked while still in thisworld -- this I can assure you. (Laughter) Talk about it afteryou have reached the fifth realm. You can only possibly be selected,after you have surpassed the three realms.
