The Great Calm Observation, Volume 1, Part 4, Page 3

 

 3. The Four Broad Vows that are Limitless

One simply observes each thought as it arises in the mind. They arise from two mutual aspects - the sense faculty that is the thinking mind and the sensations that are the elements of reality1. The thoughts that arise are identical with that which is temporary and they are given temporary names. They are the source of both understanding and confusion and they are the Limitless Aspect of the Four Truths.

There is nothing distinguished in the threefold realm that is not a creation of the single mind. The mind is like a master artist, creating various kinds of forms. It builds up the six paths2, and it discriminates and takes measure of the limitless kinds of thoughts that are distinguished.

When one turns away from these states of mind5 ones bears an understanding of them. It is like a master artist that washes away the old colors, applies white plaster, and paints anew.

  1. Birth & Extinction: One first observes the impurity of the body, and eventually one observes the impermanence of the thoughts of the mind. With the facets of spiritual awakening6 being like this, one has meandered to the magic city7.
  2. Without Birth or Extinction: One first observes the emptiness of the various different bodies and eventually one observes the emptiness of the various thoughts of the minds. In emptiness there is no impurity and in emptiness there is no impermanence. With the facets of spiritual awakening being like this, one has gone straight into the magic city.
  3. Limitless: One first observes the impermanence of the body, and that the impermanence is identical with emptiness. Then one observes the body and the nature of spirituality8; it is neither permanent nor impermanent, and it is neither empty nor without emptiness. Eventually one observes that the thoughts of the mind are like this as well. With the facets of spiritual awakening being like this, one has meandered to the treasure trove7.
  4. Innate: One observes the body and its spiritual nature. Being neither pure nor impure, one illuminates both its purity and its impurity. Finally one observes the thoughts of the mind and their spiritual nature. Being neither permanent nor impermanent, one illuminates both their permanence and their impermanence. With the facets of spirituality being like this, one has penetrated straight to the treasure trove.
  1. Birth & Extinction: There are people who extinguish the views of truth9 and are spoken of being Srotapannas10. There are people who extinguish the afflictions of cultivation and are spoken of having attained one of the the three fruits that follow11.
  2. Without Birth or Extinction: There are people who extinguish views and are spoken of being at the stage ‘free from views’12. There are people who extinguish the afflictions of cultivation and are spoken of being ‘free from weakness’, 'free from desire', 'discerning', and eventually 'Pratyekabuddhas'13.
  3. Limitless: There are people who extinguish views and afflictions and are spoken of being in the 'Ten Abodes'. Upon extinguishing the dusts and sands, they are spoken of being in the 'Ten Practices' and the 'Ten Transfers of Merit'. Upon extinguishing the darkness of ignorance, they are spoken of being in the 'Ten Groundings', the 'Universal Enlightenment'’, and finally the 'Wonderful Enlightenment'.
  4. Innate: There are people who extinguish views and afflictions and are spoken of being in the 'Ten Stages of Faith'14. There are people that extinguish the darkness of ignorance, and they are spoken of being in:

We have distinguished sixteen doors to the path and extinction that are not the same16, and as many Buddhist teachings as there are sands along the River Ganges. Upon discriminating and taking measure of them, it is impossible to teach of them all. And yet they are like observing a fruit in the palm of one's hand - one does not have any bias or mistake about them. They are all born from the mind, and they come from no other place.

Upon observing this single mind, one is able penetrate the inexpressible mind. The inexpressible mind is able to penetrate the inexpressible spirituality. The inexpressible spirituality is able to penetrate ‘that which is neither the mind nor spirituality’, which is inexpressible. One observes that all states of minds are also like this.

Common people in the nine states of bondage are not awakened and do not recognize this. They are like blind children that are heir to a fortune. They sit in the midst of the treasure trove but they do not see its treasures. Upon moving about, they bump into the treasures and hurt themselves.

In their fever, those of the Two Vehicles see the treasures as demons, tigers, dragons and serpents. Discarding all pleasure, they trudge on in bitter suffering for fifty odd years.

Although there is the difference between being in bondage and being in solitary liberation, both are impoverished amongst the precious treasures of the One That Has Come.

Raising up greatness of mercy and compassion, one vows to root up suffering and bestow happiness. This is called 'being neither bound nor liberated, and inspiring the absolutely true Bodhi mind. This clearly reveals the meaning of the right inspiration of the mind.

 

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1. Elements of reality: (S. dramas) the aspects of spiritual reality that are the objects of the thinking mind.

2. Builds up the Six Paths: Creates the karmas and retributions of the good and evil states of mind

3. Both the solitary fate one has as a mortal in the threefold realm as well as that in the realm beyond it: The realm of individual of existence (the Six Paths) and the spiritual path that transcends it (The Four Noble Spiritual Realms)

4. Turns away from these states of mind: In meditation, one must be able to be an impartial observer of the mind and so must not cling or be attached to the thoughts that arise. One must observe them as they arise and let them go (turn the away) in order to impartially observe them.

5. Facets of Spiritual Awakening: A reference to The 37 Facets of Spiritual Awakening, the original system of practice that Sakyamuni prescribed to his disciples. It represents the core practice of the Two Vehicles. It begins with the Four Subjects or Spheres of Mindfulness: The Body (& Impurity/Purity), Sensory Feelings (& Suffering/Bliss), Thoughts of the Mind (& Impermanence/Permanence) and Spirituality (& Self/Selflessness).

6. The Magic City and the Treasure Trove: From Chapter Seven of the Lotus Sutra (The Parable of the Magic City) in which a guide (the Buddha) leads his followers (the Sangha) from a dangerous place (the Saha World, the Threefold Realm) to a treasure trove (Enlightenment). On the journey the followers get tired (Suffer) and can move no more. The leader creates a magical city for them where they can rest (Using the ways & means of emptiness and detachment to relieve suffering). After refreshing themselves (Relieving their sufferings) they can move forward (As engaged, non-retreating Bodhisattvas) to the real Treasure Trove of Enlightenment. The first two doctrines express meandering (approaching) and going straight to (arriving at) this emptiness, whereas the last two doctrines express meandering and going straight to enlightenment.

7. Srotapannas: Stream Enterers – the first stage on the path to becoming an Arhat (a worthy, that is, noble and selfless). One who has first resolve to enter the stream, that is enter into the spiritual life.

8. The Three Fruits That Follow: 
B. One who will return once more to the stream - one who has fallen and needs to start anew (Sakradagami)
C. One who will never again need to return to the stream - one whose practice does not backslide (Anagami)
D. One who is liberated from the stream - one who is liberated from the self and is truly noble & selfless (Arhat)

9.  ‘Free From Views’ – The fourth of the 10 Stages of the General Doctrine

10.  ‘Free from weakness’, ‘free from desire’, ‘already discerning’, & up to being a ‘Pratyekabuddha’: The 5th through 8th stages of The 10 Stages of the General (Common) Doctrine, which are:

11. The Ten Stages of Faith: #1 Faith which destroys illusion and results in: #2 Remembrance #3 Diligence #4 Spiritual Insight #5 Mental Concentration #6 Non-Regression #7 Protection of the Dharma #8 Transfer of Spiritual Merit #9 Effortlessness #10 Realizing One’s Vow

12. The 42 Stages of Bodhisattva Development: The Provisional Path to Spiritual Enlightenment in the Specific (Distinct) Doctrine, consisting of:
A. The Ten Abodes (of Inspiration) - The stations of aspiration to enlightenment
B. The Ten Practices of Virtue - The Paramitas - The manifestation of spiritual enlightenment in one's own life
C. The Ten Transfers of Merit: Conveying spiritual enlightenment to others
D. The Ten Groundings (Bhumis): The Final Stages of the Bodhisattva, beyond self or other
E. The Universal Awakening (Samyak Sambodhi) – The Manifestation of the Buddha
F. The Wonderful Awakening (Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi) – The Original, Eternal Buddha

13. Sixteen doors to the path and extinction that are not the same: The Four Kinds of Four Truths

 

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