Day 4: Stabilization and Wisdom

Masters and fellow cultivators, good afternoon. [Audience returns greeting, `Good afternoon, Grand Master.`] Today is the fourth day of this discourse on An Overview of the Buddhadharma. Over the last three days, I have covered the topics of Faith, Comprehension, Practice, and Realization, Theoretical versus Practical Approaches, as well as the Three Non-outflows. The term `Non-outflows` means liberation from kleshas [emotional afflictions]. The Three Non-outflows are the requisites for achieving liberation from emotional afflictions, and are a key topic in the study of the Buddhadharma. After the Three Non-outflows, I shall discuss the Six Pararmitas, Seven Grades of Bodhi, the Eightfold Noble Path, and the Ten Transcendental Tathagata Powers.

These topics may be arranged in numerical order: Three Non-outflows, Four Noble Truths, Five Positive and Negative Agents, Six Paramitas, Seven Grades of Bodhi, the Eightfold Noble Path, and the Ten Transcendental Powers of the Tathagata. This would be one system of structuring the Buddhadharma. However, if one often reads the Buddhist sutras, one realizes that, among all these Buddhist terminologies, the topics of my discussion today ?`Stabilization` and `Wisdom` ?occupy the most crucial position.

`Stabilization` and `Wisdom`

`Stabilization` and `Wisdom` are the two wings that can carry one to Enlightenment. Aided by these two wings, one may soar to the Four Holy Realms [of Arhats, Solitary-Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas]. Therefore, Zen meditation (as a method to engender `Stabilization`) and `Wisdom` may be considered to be the most important focal points of all Buddhadharma.

At the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, there was a monk by the name of Assaji, who was studying under the Buddha. One time, while Assaji was listening to the Buddha`s teaching, some words of the Buddha`s went straight to his heart. What were those words? They were, `The arising and disintegration of all phenomena are dependent upon causes and conditions.` Assaji kept repeating this sentence to himself as he continued along the road. It was a statement that would bring profound insight if one could penetrate its meaning!

Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

I remember when I was a child, one of my teachers gave our class a question to argue among ourselves. We became completely involved in the debate. What were we arguing about? I believe you have all pondered it before. The question was, `Which came first, the chicken or the egg?` We know that after an egg is incubated, a baby chick emerges. When the chick matures into a hen, she lays eggs. This is a very simple cycle and also a very simple fact. So, when our teacher asked us to debate this question, some students answered `chicken,` while others said `egg.` On the one hand, `chicken` seemed to be the right answer, because the chicken had to be there first to lay the egg. On the other hand, since the chicken had to grow from the egg, `egg` seemed to be the correct answer. I now pose the same question to you. What would your answer be? [A student replies, `Reincarnation!` Audience laughter] Reincarnation? He is bringing up the subject of reincarnation. Reincarnation is surely what Buddhism teaches. [audience laughter. Another student replies, `Whoever answers first is right!`] Oh, whoever answers first is right? [laughter and audience laughter]

All Phenomena Arise and Disintegrate Reliant on Causes and Conditions

All Phenomena Arise and Disintegrate Reliant on Causes and Conditions
Among the disciples of the Buddha, there was one named Shariputra. Before he met the Buddha, Shariputra also pondered a question similar to the one we have just considered. The father of Shariputra was a very famous Brahman scholar. Therefore, ever since his childhood, Shariputra had been exposed to all kinds of literature and rituals of the Brahman teachings. We know that in Hinduism, the creator God of the Universe and of men is the Great Brahmadeva. Shariputra was familiar with the Brahman teachings and he did not doubt the scriptures. What perplexed him was, `If the Great Brahmadeva created men, then who created the Great Brahmadeva?` He could not answer this question, although he contemplated it greatly. Christianity also teaches that men were created by God. If God created Adam and Eve, as well as the Paradise of Eden, then who created God? Therefore, when one seeks the cause behind such events, one ultimately draws a blank. Although Shariputra was a man of high intelligence, he could not find an answer to the question which so perplexed him.

`Did the chicken or egg exist first?` `Men were created by God, then who created God?` The Great Brahmadeva of Hinduism is the same God as the Allah of Islam, the Jehovah of Christianity, and the Jade Emperor of Taoism. The first statement of the Bible is, `In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth.` Who, then, created God? Just as Shariputra was contemplating his question, the monk Assaji happened to walk by. Wagging his head, Assaji pondered aloud, `The arising and disintegration of all phenomena are dependent upon causes and conditions.` As soon as Shariputra heard it, he immediately grasped the meaning of these words. Give the statement from Assaji some consideration and see if you can also deduce an answer to the question, `Which came first, the chicken or the egg?` The answer is: neither the chicken nor the egg. All phenomena arise and disintegrate reliant upon causes and conditions. What gave rise to the Great Brahmadeva? Causes and conditions. What gave rise to men? Also causes and conditions. `Causes and conditions` is the profound answer that covers all bases.

Do not spend too much unnecessary time in trying to find the solution to a dead-end question! After all, `causes and conditions` gives rise to the chicken, `causes and conditions` gives rise to the egg, `causes and conditions` also gives rise to the Great Brahmadeva! Isn`t this right? Men also came into existence through the coming together of various causes and conditions! The arising of every phenomenon is reliant upon causes and conditions. Therefore, all phenomena arise due to causes and conditions, and all phenomena extinguish due to causes and conditions.

After Shariputra comprehended the answer, he went immediately (along with MahaMaudgalyayana) to the Bamboo Grove Vihara to find Buddha Shakyamuni and to take refuge in him. The Buddha leaned over to Shariputra and spoke into his ear, `Today I have finally found someone who can tacitly understand the Universal Truth that I have realized.` You did not know the Buddha had spoken this to Shariputra, did you? [laughter and audience laughter]
Among the ten chief disciples, Shariputra is considered to be the first-seated because of his ability to intuit the meaning of `causes and conditions` or `interdependency.` During an earlier time when he was meditating under the bodhi tree, the Buddha had also awakened to this same truth behind `interdependency.` The Buddha contemplated the Twelve Links of Causes and Conditions until he finally obtained a tacit understanding of it. Therefore, anyone who is capable of understanding the meaning behind the statement, `all phenomena arise and disintegrate dependent on causes and conditions,` understands the Buddha and the Truth. This is why Shariputra is known as the disciple with the highest wisdom.

An Overview of the Buddhadharma Day 4

A discourse by Living Buddha Lian-sheng given at Rainbow Villa, May 6th, 1993

Translated by Janny Chow