The Great Calm Observation, Volume 2, Part 2, Page 7

Having observed that the five aggregates of self¹ are like this, the twelve-fold wheel of causality and conditions is like an echo in a canyon. It is solid like the trunk of a banana tree. It is fleeting like lightning, and it is like the dew that evaporates in the sun². At each moment that thoughts are created, one brings the observation of emptiness upon them. One must diligently cultivate and learn this so that one attains correspondence with it and so that the foundation of observation with insight will not be lacking.

• With the ‘Dharani that Subdues Harmful Poisons’ that is able to break the Obstacles of One’s Retribution, the people of Vaisali were able to restore their health.
• With the ‘Dharani that Breaks Evil’ that is able to break the Obstacles of One’s Karmic Deeds, people who had violated the Brahma practice were able tp clean away the filth they have created and regain their purity.
• With the ‘Dharani of the Six Names’ that is able to break the Obstacles of Emotional Distress one can purify the senses of the three poisons and attain enlightenment without doubt³.

The six names correspond to the six incarnations of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World⁴, who are able to eradicate the three poisons in each of the six spiritual destinies.

1. The Bodhisattva Great Compassionate Observation of the Sounds of the World destroys the three obstacles on the path of hell. This is the opportunity to use the great compassion on path of heavy suffering.
2. The Bodhisattva Great Merciful Observation of the Sounds of the World destroys the obstacles on the path of the hungry demons. This is the opportunity to use the great mercy on the path of hunger and thirst.
3. The Bodhisattva Fearless Lion’s Observation of the Sounds of the World destroys the obstacles on the path of brutality. This is the opportunity to use fearlessness with the dignity and valor of the king of beasts.
4. The Bodhisattva Universally Brilliant Observation of the Sounds of the World destroys the three obstacles on the path of the asuras (personal demons). This is the opportunity to use the universal brilliance on the path of envy and doubt.
5. The Bodhisattva Hero of the Gods and People’s Observation of the Sounds of the World destroys the three obstacles on the path of personality. On the path of personality there is both actual practice and principle. In actual practice, the Bodhisattva subdues conceit and arrogance, and so it is called ‘of the gods and people’. In principle the Bodhisattva sees the Buddha nature and so it is called ‘hero’.
6. The Bodhisattva Great Brahma’s Deep and Far Reaching Observation of the Sounds of the World destroys the three obstacle on the path of heaven. Brahma is the Lord of Heaven. Upon indicating the Lord, the subjects are also included.

In elaborating on the six  incarnations of the Bodhisattva Observation of the Sounds of the World, there are the twenty-five Samadhis⁵.

1. The Great Compassion is the Untainted Samadhi
2. The Great Mercy is the Pleasing Samadhi
3. The Lion is the Unretreating Samadhi
4. The Great Brilliance is the Rejoicing Samadhi
5. The Hero is the four Samadhis beginning with the Samadhi As In A Dream
6. The Great Brahma is the seventeen Samadhis beginning with the Unshaken Samadhi.

Using one's own imagination, these are possible to see.

This Scripture also penetrates the meaning of the confessions of the Three Vehicles:

• When one develops self-control and attains deliverance from the threefold realm, one will kill the thieves of emotional distress that are one’s fetters and one will become an Arhat.
• When one’s blessings are abundant and one’s spiritual capacities are sharp, one will observe ignorance, acts of will, etc. (the twelvefold wheel of of causality and conditions) and attain Spiritual Self-Awakening.
• When ones raises up the great compassion, the body will be like lapis lazuli one will see Buddhas in every pore. One will attain the Surangama Samadhi and attain the Unretreating Stage of the Bodhisattva.

The Great Vehicle Sutras have many different kinds of practice like this, such as the confession of the Seven Buddhas and the Eight Bodhisattvas⁶, the 800 days of cleaning latrines in the Scripture on the Observation of the Bodhisattva Treasury of Empty Space⁷, etc.  All of these are included in the category of ‘Following One’s Own Thinking Mind’.

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Footnotes:

1. The five aggregates of self: (S. Skandhas) Physical form, sensory perception, conceptualization, acts of will & consciousness; the five constituents whose continuity creates the illusion of a permanent and real self-existence.

2. It is solid like the trunk of a banana tree. It is fleeting like lightning, like the dew that evaporates in the sun: Illustrations of that which is temporary and impermanent

3. The Three Dharanis are designed to intercept and destroy the three obstacles to enlightenment. The three obstacles are the never-ending cycle of three inter-penetrating pathways

4. The six names correspond to the six incarnations of the Bodhisattva Observing of the Sound of the World: This Bodhisattvas personifies the compassion that reaches down to those in need. The six names represent the six incarnations that reach down into the six spiritual realms to remove suffering and fear and bring contentment and enlightenment.

5. The Twenty Five Samadhis: The Samadhis that reach down into the twenty five states of existence in the Saha World to remove suffering and fear and bring contentment and enlightenment.

6. The Seven Buddhas and the Eight Bodhisattvas: From The Sutra on Teaching the Dharani Spells of the Seven Buddhas and the Eight Bodhisattvas (C. Ch'i Fo Pa P-u-Sa So-Shuo T'o-Lo-Ni Shen-Chou Ching) - Each Buddha and Bodhisattva is associated with a Dharani used in confession.

7. The 800 days of cleaning latrines in the Sutra on the Observation of the Bodhisattva Treasury of Empty Space: In the practice of this Sutra, one visualizes the Bodhisattva Treasury of Empty Space (S. Akasagarbha) for 800 days while engaged the most menial and humbling livelihood.

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