Monday, January 18, 2010

Chapter 32 The Limitless Lifespan And Bliss

The Buddha told Maitreya Bodhisattva, "The merits, virtues and wisdom of the heavenly beings, Sound Hearers and Bodhisattvas in the Land Of Innumerable Lifespan cannot be spoken of. The Land is truly pure and peaceful, serenely blissful and wonderfully magnificent. Why do not we diligently cultivate the goodness and be mindful of the natural path, so as to join the assembly and take turns to make offerings before The Buddha? Why do not we contemplate the Dharma and cultivate the Path, practice the Way happily and eternally and finally obtain the opening of the True Wisdom? These Bodhisattvas are firm and steady in their minds. They will not retreat from the resolve of Bodhi and will never be tired of the Practice. Their exterior appearance may look as though they are slow and calm, but internally they are diligently practising mindfulness of The Buddha. Just like the empty space, they always at ease with no obstruction and dwell serenely in the Middle Way. Their appearance and performance show exactly what is inside their minds. They always look natural, upright and well-adorned, while their behaviour is righteous, proper and straight-forward. With the bodies and minds that are pure and clean, they are free from love and greedy desire.

They are forever sincere and firm in their vows, with no fluctuation. With a one-pointed mind, they seek the Proper Path and will never have attachement to evil performance. According to the teaching of Sutras, they follow the given rules and will never dare to overstep them, but strictly following the marking line, just like a house builder. All they seek is the Proper Path. Just like the empty space where one cannot find the attachment, their mind is empty of false thinking, so they are free from anxieties. They also perform their daily duties naturally with no attachment, so they are always calm, serene and free from desire. As they have made the great vows so they are able to to sincerely cultivate to achieve them.

With great compassion, they show great concern towards all sentient beings. They are men of propriety and righteousness. They understand the connections of worldly dharmas and The Ultimate Truth are of the same Dharma Nature, which is with no obstruction. Thus they are able to bring across oneself and other sentient beings and vow that all will arrive at the shore of Liberation. They dwell in the real of One True Pure Mind, so they are naturally at ease in all aspects. With a True Mind that is filled with pure, serene, free and blissful mindfulness, they are able to bring forth the unsurpassed vows.

Once they have opened up wisdom and penetrate the way of enlightenment, they will naturally understand their original self-sustaining true nature. They will then see the original true mind, which is the base and root of all foundations. From this original mind there flows out the uncountable bright lights and colourful forms. The colourful bright lights and forms will change as they reflect upon one another. Just like the Uttarakuru World that is specially abundant in food, clothing, seven jewels and others, from the true original Mind, there flows out naturally all kinds of things in the world. They have attained the brightly illuminated self-nature of Great Knowing.

Their appearance are subtle, adorned and pure, with no other comparison. They have clearly seen the state of equanimity. They do not have the discrimination and certified to the clear, original true mind which is eternally limitless.

That is why all of you should diligently and vigorously practise the Way. By one's effort, a man should vigorously seek for self-enlightenment. then he is sure to jump out of the turning wheel and be born in the Amitabha Buddhaland that is of innumerable purity. Naturally the five evil paths are closed forever to him.

Ultimately, the sagely path is easy for anyone to walk but there are few who really care to practise seriously. There is no restriction for everyone can go there as he wishes. In fact, The Buddha naturally helps and guides those who care to practise the Way to be born there. If a man were able to make vows that are as great as the empty space, while diligently cultivating and seeking merits and virtues, then he will be able to attain limitless lifespan and enjoy the bliss. So why be worried about the transiency of the world and be attached to the worldly affairs?"

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