The Seventh Paragraph
The Buddha’s Way is so profound that only with practice can you realize that. The more the ignorance disintegrates, the brighter the Bodhi Mind shines. The more afflictions have been transformed, the more one wishes to lead a moral life.
Studying and practicing what the
Buddha taught in sutras help you understand His teachings easily. Learning and following the Patriarchs’
method, you will find that Emptiness in Zen (Thiền) is no longer an incomprehensible
mystery.
The practitioner must learn the
essentials thoroughly, and dismantle all sources of afflictions, so that none of their
trace is left behind. Overthrow the victory flag, perfect all mental
awareness, and do not embrace any germs of disaster nor let them lie hidden in
your arms.
Burn down all the jungles of wrong
views from the past with the fire of enlightenment. With the sword of wisdom, destroy the remnants of false
perceptions, the traces of which may be lingering on up to now.
Show gratitude and respect to
venerable Buddhist monks, love your parents, and nurture your strong will to learn
the Way from your Master. Cherish Gotama Buddha’s moral life, abandon the sensual path, and follow the precepts
with determination to become a vegetarian.
Inspired by the Buddha’s
compassion, you should wish to follow His Way, and never forget His sacrifice, so that you may emulate His efforts to teach and help others, even when you have to
go through difficulties for many lives. Have gratitude and never forget to practice the Way. Remember that offering flowers and incense is
merely a symbolic gesture to express your piety. Even when one says one believes in
the Buddha, but without sincerity, offerings made of gold and jewels cannot
hide the covert heart and mind.
(to be continued)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tran_Nhan_Tong
http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%E1%BA%A7n_Nh%C3%A2n_T%C3%B4ng
http://thuvienhoasen.org/D_1-2_2-137_4-19440_5-50_6-2_17-68_14-1_15-1/#nl_detail_bookmark
(to be continued)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tran_Nhan_Tong
http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%E1%BA%A7n_Nh%C3%A2n_T%C3%B4ng
http://thuvienhoasen.org/D_1-2_2-137_4-19440_5-50_6-2_17-68_14-1_15-1/#nl_detail_bookmark
