From 6th Patriarch's sutra.
Monk, went to pay respect to the 6th patriarch, bowing at the waist but did not kneel with knees touching ground, with head touching ground and palm faced downwards touching ground.
6th Patriarch saw into his heart. Monk did not pay full respect as he perceived that he has chanted 3000 times of Lotus Sutra [妙法莲华经] and 6th patriarch can't read so can't chant. Monk felt that he is way above the Patriarch.
Chanting without dedication to sentient beings but for self only, is cultivating [wisdom 慧] without [merits福]. Both important to a Dharma student.
6th patriarch said he can explain any portion of the sutra read to him. In this instance, Is chanting a large number of sutra important?
Let's refresh. Please refer to my recent article on Padmasambhava.
This fellow Dharma student chanted lots of mantras and recorded them in a book which he showed to Padmasambhava in a dream. He was told that Root Guru's mantra not enough.
Other than not being able to yoga with Root Guru, here's the other criteria. Boddhicitta - chanting & dedicating to all sentient beings and not for self.
Share with all. Isn't the Patriarch amazing? Teaching basic concepts of cultivation for all Dharma students way way back in time. HAHA!
Amituofo
Lotuschef
True Buddha School
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