Guru Retires? - Avatamsaka Sutra

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Avatamsaka Sutra - 大方廣佛華嚴經 - Flower Adornment Sutra - Buddhâvataṃsaka-mahāvaipulya-sūtra

Avatamsaka Sutra

Flower Adornment Sutra

Flower Adornment Sutra Table of Contents

The complete title of the Sutra is the Great means Expansive Buddha Flower adornment Sutra. known as the 'King of Kings' of all Buddhist scriptures because of its profundity and Great length (eighty-one rolls containing more than 200,000 characters), this Sutra contains the most complete explanation of the Buddha's state and the Bodhisattva's quest for Awakening.

“The Flower Adornment Sutra is the Sutra of the Dharma Realm and the Sutra of empty space. 

To the exhaustion of the Dharma Realm and empty space there is no place where the Flower Adornment Sutra is not present. 

Wherever the Flower Adornment Sutra is found, the Buddha is to be found, and also the Dharma and the Sangha of Worthy Sages. 

That is why when the Buddha realized Proper enlightenment, he wished to speak the Great Flower Adornment Sutra, to teach and transform the Great Masters of the Dharma Body. 

Since this Sutra was a Sutra of inconceivable wonder, it was then concealed within the Dragon's Palace for the Dragon King to protect. 

Afterwards Nagarjuna ('Dragon-tree') Bodhisattva went to the Dragon's Palace, memorized it, and brought it back.

“The Flower Adornment Sutra is like an Auspicious Cloud in empty space, which extends throughout the Three thousand Great thousand world system, raining down the sweet dew of  Dharma rain to moisten all living beings. 

The Flower Adornment Sutra is also like the sun, which everywhere illumines the Three thousand world-realm, bringing warmth to every single living being. 

The Flower Adornment Sutra is also like the Great earth, which can produce and grow the myriad existing things. 

Therefore, it can be said that any period in which the Flower Adornment Sutra exists is a period in which the Proper Dharma long remains.

“Consequently, in our daily investigation and lecturing of the Flower adornment Sutra, the essential is to rely upon the Sutra's principles to cultivate to use the Sutra as a cure for our own personal faults. 

Those who are greedy, after hearing the Flower Adornment Sutra, should rid themselves of greed. people who have hatred, upon hearing the Sutra, should give up their hatred; and those who are stupid should stop being stupid. The principles discussed in the Sutra are designed to correct our faults and bad habits. 

It is absolutely not the case that the Sutra was Dharma spoken for Bodhisattvas with no relation to us, or that it was Dharma spoken for Arhats with no relevance for us. 

Don't think, 'All I, as an ordinary person, can do is listen to the Sutra. I could never aspire to the states of a Sage.' To think that way is to throw yourself away, to separate yourself from the Sages.


“From the beginning to the end of the Flower Adornment Sutra, every phrase of the Sutra is an Unsurpassed Dharma Jewel. If we are able actually to apply the principles and cultivate according to the principles of the Sutra, then we are certain to become Buddhas. 

For that reason the Flower Adornment Sutra can be called the mother of all Buddhas. The Flower Adornment Sutra is the Dharma Body of all Buddhas. The Buddha praised the Vajra Sutra saying:

In any place where the Sutra text is found, there is the Buddha.

Wherever the Flower Adornment Sutra is, there is the Buddha. 

The Buddha is right there. 

It is just that your karmic obstacles are so deep and heavy, so although you are face to face, you do not see theBuddha. . . .


“We Shramanas should diligently cultivate precepts, Samadhi, and wisdom, and put to rest greed, anger, and stupidity. 

In every move we make, we should return the light and look within. If you cultivate that way, you will make progress. If we listen to the Flower Adornment Sutra, lecture on the Flower Adornment Sutra, and recite the Flower Adornment Sutra, but fail to practice according to the principles of the Flower Adornment Sutra, the Sutra remains the Sutra, you remain you, I remain myself, and others remain themselves, and we cannot unite as one. 

If we ourselves can become one with the Sutra by acting according to its principles, that is actual union with the Sutra. 

If you are unable truly to practice in accord with the Sutra, but instead are deficient in kindness and compassion with a dearth of joy and giving, having ignorance and afflictions as your only comPanions, the you have failed to understand the Sutra and lack the ability too listen to the Sutra.

“Upon hearing one phrase of the Sutra, we should ask ourselves, 'How should I act? Should I run after my faults and bad habits, or should I rely upon the principles of the Sutra and cultivate?' 

If you can constantly ask yourself that question, you will certainly obtain Great benefit. 

The reason you have not obtained Great benefit is simply that you look upon the Sutra as the Sutra, having no connection with yourself. actually, when the Buddha spoke the Flower Adornment Sutra, it was spoken for all living beings including you, me, and everyone else present. 

The Buddha is speaking it for us in person from his golden mouth. When we listen to the Sutra, it is the same as having the Buddha take us by the ear and speak the principles right to our faces, telling us to use the Sutra's Dharma Doors to cultivate.

“When the Sutra discusses the ten kinds of Dharma Doors or ten Samadhis, none of the Dharma Doors or Samadhis goes beyond the self-nature of each one of us. 

Our self-nature, too, exhausts empty space and the Dharma Realm. 

Therefore, it you can expand and enlarge the measure of your mind, you will unite with the Flower Adornment Sutra, being two and yet not two. If all people can make the states of the Flower Adornment Sutra their own states, and receive the Flower Adornment Sutra's limitless principles and Infinite wisdom as their own, how vast and Great that will be! 

As it is said:

Roll it up, it Secretly hides away.

Let it go, it fills the whole universe.

That is ineffably wonderful!” (FAS-VP xv-xvii)

1) Chinese: hwa yan jing , ta fang gwang fwo hwa yan jing , 

2) Sanskrit: Avatamsaka Sutra, MahaVaipulyaBuddhaVatamsaka-Sutra, gandhaVyuha-Sutra, 

3) Pali—–, 

4) Alternate Transaltions: Floweror[[nament]], Flower garLand, Flowering-adornment. ]

Hahaha!

One day, Guru remarked that should he share the Avatamsaka Sutra after he finishes the 6th Zen Patriarch Sutra.

Big Big Brother hurriedly said: No! That sutra is too long, so when can Guru retires?

Guru shares Hevajra Sutra after the 6th Zen Patriarch Sutra then.

Therefore after Hevajra Sutra, what sutra should Guru shares to please Big Big Brother?

Hahaha!

If you read the above about the Sutra, then you would realized how good is the contents of this sutra, agree?

How can we ever miss this opportunity to hear it explained?

How can anyone jeopardized our 慧命 Wisdom Life, for his own selfish purpose?

Someone remarked today, that if half of TBS' students were to spit on BB Brother, he would surely drown or be submerged fully! :)

Well, please do not really do such unfriendly acts though, we are all peace loving and amicable Buddhist Students, True to our Samaya Vows and etc..... :)  

Cheers all.

Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom

Lama Lotuschef