Lecture on the Vimalakirti Sutra: July 13, 2024

Jul 17, 2024

Review flashcards

Lecture Notes: July 13th, 2024 Lecture on the Vi Sutra

Introduction

  • Date: July 13th, 2024
  • Venue: Way Mountain Temple
  • Topic: Vi Sutra
  • Chapter: 1
  • Slide: 58 to end

Understanding 'Buddha'

  • Definition: Enlightened being
  • Three Types of Enlightenment:
    1. Self-Enlightenment
    2. Enlightening Others
    3. Perfection of Enlightenment (self & others)
  • Perfection: Cannot skip steps, must go through enlightening others before achieving perfection.

Buddha’s Knowledge

  • Buddha as a 'knower'
    • Infinite knowledge about living beings, principles, permanent vs impermanent.
  • Buddha’s Enlightenment
    • Meditated for 49 days under the Bodhi Tree, achieved buddhahood.
  • Titles and Names: Limitless, each representing significant accomplishments.
  • Common Titles:
    1. Thus Come One
    2. World Honored One
    3. Worthy of Offering
    4. One with All Wisdom
  • Virtues: Immeasurable, sacrifices made.
  • Inter-Buddha Praise: No rivalry, mutual praise.

Abiding and Realms

  • Four Types of Abiding:
    1. Celestial Abiding: Giving, precepts, doing good.
    2. Brahman Abiding: Purity via meditation, Limitless Minds.
    3. Sage’s Abiding: Three emptinesses, Four Noble Truths, 12 Links of Dependent Origination.
    4. Buddha’s Abiding: Samadhis, Limitless powers, non-disturbance by demons.
  • Vali: A prosperous, harmonious country, garden of Amali significance.

Interaction of Assemblies

  • Assembly Composition:
    1. 8,000 Bhikshus: Called 'great' due to great wisdom and achievements.
    2. Bodhisattvas: Compassionate, unpredictable, valued.
    3. Dharma Protectors: Heavenly dragons, formidable beings.
    4. Four Assemblies: Monks, nuns, laypeople.
  • Testimonial Role: Disciples bear testimony to Buddha’s teachings.

Dual and Non-Dual Practices

  • Non-Dual Practice: Beyond extremes of emptiness (e.g., arhats) and existence (e.g., laypeople).
  • Togetherness:
    • One Place: Unified location and time.
    • One Precept: Non-action or non-creation of karma.
    • One Mind: Nine Samadhis.
    • One View: Four Noble Truths.
    • One Path: Path beyond study.
    • One Liberation: Attainment of freedom from sufferings.

Concepts of Karma and Non-Action

  • Non-Action: Absence or elimination of self to avoid karma creation.
  • Empty Thoughts: Thoughts are empty if not attached.

Recap of Key Points

  • ‘Great’ Definition: Respected by kings or superior to non-Buddhist philosophies.
  • Role of Dharmakaya: Embodiment of virtues and principles.
  • Importance of Emptiness: A key concept in defeating delusions and opening wisdom.
  • View & Thought Delusions:
    1. View: Attachment to body, extreme views, deviant views, view grasping, excessive prohibitions.
    2. Thought: Greed, anger, stupidity, arrogance, doubt.