Hello, everyone. Welcome to this episode of the podcast provided by the Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated of Australia.
Today, we continue our study of the Lotus Sutra. This talk will primarily serve as a summary of the previous content.
1. The Profound and Immeasurable Wisdom of the Tathagata and the Door of Expedient Means
The “Expedient Means” chapter speaks of the Tathagata’s various expedient methods for saving sentient beings. These are not a single model, but an immeasurable and boundless number of expedient Dharma doors.
The true meaning and real purpose of the Tathagata are difficult to comprehend. Unless you have attained the ten powers of a Tathagata, not even a Bodhisattva of Equal Enlightenment can fully measure a Buddha’s wisdom. The Buddha’s state is immeasurable. No one among the devas, humans, or other sentient beings can fully understand it. The Buddha’s ten powers, four fearlessnesses, various liberations, various meditations, and all his Dharmas—any small aspect is beyond the capacity of sentient beings to measure.
Since his enlightenment, the Buddha has used various conditions and metaphors to extensively expound the teachings for sentient beings. This teaching is not just verbal; it is also a performance—a physical teaching, verbal teaching, and an enactment of all the teachings. The Buddha uses countless expedient means to guide sentient beings, helping them break free from their attachment to all illusory worlds and realize that all beings are afflicted because of their attachments.
2. The Ultimate Meaning of the True Nature of All Phenomena
Only a Buddha can ultimately comprehend and be fully aware of the true nature of all phenomena.
The “true nature of all phenomena” mentioned here is not just about emptiness. It encompasses the “ten suchnesses” of all phenomena: such a form, such a nature, such a substance, such a power, such a function, such a cause, such a condition, such an effect, such a retribution, and such an ultimate equality. From every single aspect, a Buddha is ultimately and perfectly clear. This is the complete and perfect true nature of all phenomena that this sutra aims for us to experience.
The Buddha consistently teaches the Dharma to sentient beings through the one Buddha vehicle. Whether it is the Voice-Hearer vehicle, the Pratyekabuddha vehicle, the Bodhisattva vehicle, or the five precepts and ten virtues, all Dharmas, every single one, are part of the “one-vehicle Dharma.” They are all points within the one Buddha vehicle. All the various Dharmas taught by all Buddhas ultimately converge into the one Buddha vehicle. After hearing the Dharma from a Buddha, sentient beings can ultimately attain all-knowing wisdom, which is not just one type of wisdom but a perfect wisdom that encompasses all phenomena.
3. Conclusion
The teachings of the Buddhas of the ten directions are all the same. Whether in the past, present, or future, they are all for the one Buddha vehicle. I sincerely hope that everyone can have deep faith, deep understanding, and deep entry into the true realm of the one vehicle of the Tathagata.
Thank you for listening.
