It is necessary for us to a have correct understanding before practicing Buddhism; otherwise, all the time spent in cultivation will be futile, as the most superior result will not be attained. Therefore, I would like to briefly explain the true nature of Buddhism.
Chinese history tells us that about three thousand years ago, Buddha Shakyamuni,
the founder of Buddhism was born in Northern India. He lived seventy-nine
years and dedicated forty-nine of them to teaching. In 67 AD, one thousand
years after he entered Nirvana, these teachings were formally introduced
into China.
Prior to acquiring a good knowledge of Buddhism, we need to understand
the terms Buddha, Dharma, Buddhist Dharma and Buddhist teaching, as they
are important to our cultivation. Buddha is a Sanskrit word, meaning "wisdom
and enlightenment". Why was it transliterated as Buddha and not translated
into wisdom and enlightenment? The meaning of "Buddha" is so
profound and extensive that these two words were simply insufficient to
cover the original meaning. So transliteration was used with further explanations.
In essence, Buddha means wisdom. In application or function, it means
enlightenment. There are three levels of wisdom. First, "General
and All Knowledge Wisdom" is the correct understanding of the noumena,
or essence, of the universe. It is the wisdom of knowing the general aspect
of all existences, the wisdom of Theravada sages. Second, "Differentiation
Wisdom" is the wisdom that can correctly comprehend all the infinite
phenomena of the universe, the wisdom of knowing the discriminative aspect
of all existences, the wisdom of Bodhisattvas. How did these phenomena
arise? From where? In what way? What were their results? Third, "Overall
and Perfect Knowledge Wisdom" is the exhaustive and perfect perception
and comprehension of the truth of life and the universe without the slightest
doubt or error, the wisdom of Buddhas. Buddha Shakyamuni, possessing all
three of these kinds of wisdom, completely understood the true reality
of life and universe.
The function of wisdom is enlightenment. There are three classifications
of enlightenment. First is "self-enlightenment", a state in
which one possesses no erroneous thoughts, views, speech or behavior.
Arhats and Pratyekabuddhas in Theravada Buddhism have attained this level
of self-enlightenment, but have not yet generated the Bodhi mind to help
others achieve enlightenment. Second, is "enlightenment of self and
others", a state in which one helps others to reach enlightenment
after achieving our own. Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism have attained
this level. Third is "Perfect Complete Enlightenment", a state
in which one reaches perfection in both self-enlightenment for self and
helping others to reach enlightenment. This is the state of Buddhas.
The Buddha told us that this perfect wisdom and virtue is innate to all
beings. The sutras, recorded teachings of the Buddha, tell us that "all
sentient beings can attain Buddhahood." and "every being possesses
the wisdom and virtuous character of the Buddha". In other words,
all beings are equal to Buddhas in nature. However, due to our discriminating
and wandering thoughts and attachments, which are the root cause of all
sufferings and disasters, we have temporarily lost our original Buddha
nature. Thus, we continue being born into the endless cycle of birth and
death.
The more we rid ourselves of these wandering thoughts and attachments,
the more we will experience freedom from suffering, and the more wisdom
and enlightenment we will uncover. Once we completely free ourselves from
discriminating and wandering thoughts and attachments, our fixations to
certain ideas or objects, we will regain our lost Buddhahood; our original
perfect enlightened state, our self-nature Buddha.
Possessing great wisdom and enlightenment enables us to truly know all
that exists and all that is infinite. This includes matters and objects
as tiny as a speck of dust or the finest hair on the human body, to those
as great as infinite universe. All of these are the objects of our perception,
or wisdom and enlightenment.
The Buddha used the word dharma to symbolize all these infinite phenomena.
Buddhist Dharma or Principle, is the infinite wisdom and enlightenment,
the perception of all things and laws in life and the universe. Chinese
people often say that Buddhist Dharma is as infinite as the object perceived
is infinite and the wisdom perceivable is infinite. This wisdom is innate
to our self-nature.
The Buddha said, "Our innate perception and the objects in the universe
perceived are ONE not TWO." When we think about it logically, if
the Buddha's words are complete and perfect, then we can believe that
this wisdom and enlightenment are ultimate and perfect. However, if perceived
and perceivable are opposites, then wisdom can hardly be complete and
perfect, but rather it is limited.
The Buddha told us that knowable and known, perceivable and perceived
are ONE not TWO. This is called the One True Dharma Realm, the most genuine,
perfect and highest realm as explained to us in the Flower Adornment Sutra.
The Western Pure Land of the Pure Land School also belongs to and is not
separate from the One True Dharma Realm. This Western Pure Land, was created
by Buddha Amitabha as an ideal place of cultivation as those who are born
there are no longer subject to reincarnation.
In 1923, a well-known Buddhist scholar, Mr. Jing-Wu Ou-Yang gave a speech
at Nanjing Normal University in China, entitled "Buddhism is Neither
a Religion Nor a Philosophy, but the Essential for Our Modern Time."
It caused considerable sensation. His well-documented speech gave much
conclusive support to the proper definition and viewpoint of Buddhism.