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Thanh Tri – the 2ndMind Dharma: SAMYAGDRSTI – PRABHA SAMADHI – Part 4: GAIN FROM RIGHT VIEW, LOSE OF WRONG VIEW (Đệ nhị tâm pháp Thanh Trí: Chánh kiến quang minh tam muội – Bài 4: Ích lợi từ chánh kiến, tác hại từ tà kiến)
- Thanh Tri – the 2nd Mind Dharma: SAMYAGDRSTI – PRABHA SAMADHI – Part 4: GAIN FROM RIGHT VIEW, LOSE OF WRONG VIEW
The Buddha asserts wonderful benefits from right view in Kaccayanagotta Sutra: “One who is not bounded or affected by attachments and clingings will no longer be in bondage to “my-self”. He has no uncertainty or doubt that just suffering or stress, when arising, is arising; when passing away, is passing away. His knowledge is independent of others. That knowledge is called right view”.
The definition by the Buddha shows us the most practical value of right view that is to help the practitioner break out the bondage to “my-self”, the selfishness: “for me/my sake” and the arrogance: “because of me”. When suffered, the practitioner knows that he “purifies” or turns heavy karma into light karma or from light karma into nothing (Teachings of Padmasambhava in “Ten obvious truths”). Then he will feel no more doubts, doubts and perplexity, doubts and regrets about the ultimate truth – that is “Four Noble Truths” the Buddha has stated, so that he keeps contemplating the doctrine, diligently practicing Dharma by Reading-Contemplating-Practicing (Listening-Contemplating-Practicing). There is no doubt that this right view is obtained independently, not borrowed from or influenced by others’. This means it is free from clingings or dogmatism like non-Buddhist sects are falling into.
Come back to the Samyutta Nikaya, Kaccāyanagotta has attained Arahatship after listening to the Buddha’s expounding on the true meaning of right view. Together with King Pasenadi, King Ajatasatru was startled awake after comprehending right view, then become a wholehearted guardian of Buddhist Dharma. A special paradigm is a layman named Anathapindika who voluntarily covered a large garden with gold pieces at the challenge of Prince Jeta, son of King Pasenadi of Kosala, then bought it to build the Jetavana Monastery as offerings to the Buddha and Sangha.
In Buddha’s time, practitioners of over 95 heretical sects spent most of their life meditating on cushion but could not be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Late until the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment, there appeared right view which set the ground for opening the enlightened knowledge and vision (prajna). The benefits of right view are really indescribable, given Buddhist practitioners can easily gain right view without any effort and strength. Nagarjuna Bodhisattva had also developed Madhyamaka (the middle way) based on right view. Wonderfully, it is right view that Padmasambhava, the lotus-born saint from the land of Oddiyana (India) had conquered all opponents in a debate in Tibet with a “Lion Roar”.
By right view of viewpoint, worship and respect, Song Nguyen Tantra House has defeated evil forces in and outside Buddhism. By right view of liberation, all followers and disciples of Song Nguyen Tantra House can cultivate merits and wisdom at the same time, thus gaining results faster. Their successes in secular life and achievements on the path of cultivation have been illustrated through many stories of members like Mat Tu, Mat Hong Tuyen, Mat Thuy, Mat Khai Nguyen, who have amazingly surmounted obstacles in pursuing their goal of studying abroad. So where does their success come from? Because of right view, founded on right view, contemplation on right view and application of right view which are based on four aspects of right thought as well as four aspects of application for “the benefit of sentient beings”. Not all Buddhist practitioners are equipped with right view. If have, not all gain full knowledge of it which consequently mistake one, two or three of those four aspects such as worship, respect and viewpoint. Their mistakes are exposed through their arguments or reasonings which go against the logical thinking in Buddhism (Hetuvidya). If gaining full knowledge of right view, not all are able to apply in right time, right person, right context, right situation or right environment. That’s when they lack essential selection of Dharma practices, i.e mix up different activities into one practice such as chanting many sutras, reciting the Buddha’s name, reciting mantra and meditating at the same time. That’s when they live a monastic life but “return to the household life” by adopting children or doing charity for personal purposes, or setting records for fame. That’s when they cling to meditation practice and belittle Pure Land school; perform Pure Land Buddhist practices while disparage the tradition of Zen or Tantrayana; follow Mahayana while criticize non-vegetarian tradition of Theravada or vice versa, follow Theravada while denigrate the authenticity of Mahayana’s and Tantrayana’s canons. Those behaviors and activities are not in the sense of dialectics thus hard to gain achievements, if not to say failures, as Bodhisattva Nagarjuna asserted: “All meritorious deeds without right view will leave serious consequences”. The Buddha also warned in Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Adornment Sutra): “All good practices that are not founded on Bodhicitta are considered wrong practices”. That’s why those without or lack of right view often fall into one of five cases:
(1) Do not smile at things that are worth smiling
(2) Do not feel happy for what are worth being happy
(3) Do not have compassion for what are worth being benevolent
(4) Do not listen to righteous advices
(5) Do not feel ashamed at doing bad deeds.
Specific consequences left on Buddhist practitioners without right view are:
(1) Cultivate diligently but gain little result
(2) Neither secular life nor spiritual practice is successful
(3) Increasingly clinging to self (self-attachment) and clinging to Dharma (Dharma attachment)
(4) Gloomy or joyless face caused by negative feelings and emotions accumulated inside body and mind
(5) Facing unexpected risks
(6) Have rare opportunity to be reborn in the Buddha’s Land
Contrarily, Buddhist practitioners with full right view will have following advantages:
(1) Cultivate less but gain much result
(2) Either secular life or spiritual practice is successful
(3) Self attachment and Dharma attachment will gradually reduce and finally vanish
(4) Bright face originated from the combination of three waves of light or illumination (Prabhāsvara)
(5) Have unexpected accordant causes
(6) Will be reborn into the Buddha’s Land
Long or short path of cultivation depends on the guidance of the spiritual Guru
I would end this part by a quote from Kalama sutra to help you understand that you can obtain achievements only when right view is gained by your endeavor, not by influences of others. Long or short path of cultivation then depends on the guidance of your spiritual Guru
-It is proper for you, Kalamas, to doubt, to be uncertain. In this case, you should neither go upon nor despise the doctrine of other religions if you have not learnt about it thoroughly. Come Kalamas, Tathagata will expound ten foundations of right faith for you.
–Do not go upon what has been acquired by mere hearsay.
–Do not go upon traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places
–Do not go upon rumors or because people talk a great deal about it.
–Do not go upon what is in scripture.
–Do not go upon anything just because thinking that it belongs to metaphysics
–Do not go upon anxiom because it goes in line with your standpoint
–Do not go upon anything just because it is founded on specious reasoning
–Do not go upon a bias towards a notion just because it is in line with your prejudice
–Do not go upon anything just because it is supported by strength and power
–Do not go upon anything just because it is taught by masters or ancient sages.
–But Kalamas, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience and you yourself know: “These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed; these things lead to happiness and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, then enter on and abide in them.”
I am not going to put request or obligation on you but rather, as the follower and disciple of Song Nguyen Tantra House, you should look back on how you get progressed and developed since you’ve read and commented on chanhtuduy.com. This will be the most empirical proof to know you have obtained right view. Nonetheless, how to fully equip oneself with right view at the fastest and most effective way possible, I will explain in Part 5.
May all sentient beings attain happiness of the Buddha’s nature.
Om Mani Padme Hum!
A rainy afternoon on the peak of Phu Van Mountain, January 12, 2019
Thinley- Nguyen Thanh
Tranlsated by Mat Hue Phap
Vietnamese version: Đệ nhị Tâm pháp Thanh Trí: Chánh Kiến quang minh tam muội – Bài 4: Ích lợi từ chánh kiến, tác hại từ tà kiến
THANH TRI – THE 2ND MIND DHARMA: SAMYAGDRSTI – PRABHA SAMADHI
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
PART 2: WHAT IS RIGHT VIEW?
PART 3: RIGHT VIEW IN DIFFERENT ASPECTS”
PART 4: GAIN FROM RIGHT VIEW, LOSE OF WRONG VIEW
PART 5: HOW TO BE EQUIPPED WITH THE FULL RIGHT VIEW
PART 7: HOW TO TURN THE BRILLIANT LIGHT (PRABHA) INTO SAMADHI?
PART 8: THINGS TO NOTICE AS YOU PRACTICE SAMYAGDRSTI – PRABHA SAMADH
PART 9: HOW DOES THE 2NDMIND DHARMA WORK?
PART 10: WORDS FROM A MAN WHO WISHES TO BE THE 3RD HARDLY MET PERSON
Dear holy Guru,
I am delighted to read your wonderful and important article about “Thanh Tri – the 2ndMind Dharma: SAMYAGDRSTI – PRABHA SAMADHI – Part 4: GAIN FROM RIGHT VIEW, LOSE OF WRONG VIEW”. Thank you so much for your explanation about the importance of right view which set up the path to enlightenment for Buddhist practitioners.
I have learnt the important role of the right view on the path of enlightenment found by the lord Buddha. Due to no right view, other non-Buddhist practitioners still wander in the circle of life and death for ages. In reality, even though many Buddhist practitioners are considered to walk on the path of liberation, they have no right view. All their effort to practice lead in vain. Because they walk on the wrong way, they can not back to the castle of liberation.
Thanks to the wisdom and bodhichitta of the holy Guru, we are easy to practice daily to enhance right view in order that we are closer to the castle of liberation. We walk on the right way, we can go home later or sooner. The more we practice diligently with devotion, the closer we get home.
Thank you so much for your noble method of practicing to get right view for the progress on the path of liberation.
May you and your consort have a good health and live long for the sake of all sentient beings.
I also rejoice in the good deed of Mat Hue Phap who has translated your article into English. His translation helps people who can speak English have a chance to read your article and walk on the right way to the Pure Land.
May Mat Hue Phap’s righteous wishes come true soon and be at ease on the path of liberation.
May all sentient beings achieve the happiness of the Buddha’s nature.
Om Mani Padme Hum.
Mô Phật!
Mật thúy rất hoan hỉ với thiện hạnh dịch bài viết của vị Thầy, sang tiếng Anh của huynh Mật Huệ Pháp cầu nguyện cho huynh luôn tin tấn thực hành pháp để được tha lực hộ trì cầu mông tất cả chúng sanh luôn có duyên lành biết đến chánh pháp OM ah hum.
Your teachings always arrive in a timely fashion for me. It is good to remember right view as it gives us a wonderful foundation for living the dharma. Freeing myself from attachments is an ongoing battle and your teaching reinforces this truth.
Thank you too for the wonderful english translation.
Om mani padme hum
Kính bạch Thầy!
Con xin phép được dịch comment của đạo hữu Tantra Najuma sang tiếng Việt như sau:
Kính bạch Thầy tôn quý!
Những lời dạy của Thầy luôn đến đúng thời điểm với con. Chúng con nên ghi nhớ chánh kiến chính là nền tảng vững chắc để chúng con sống trong chánh pháp. Chúng con đang phải điều phục tâm để thoát khỏi bám chấp và những lời chỉ dạy của Thầy đã chỉ ra cho con hiểu được chân lý.
Cảm ơn huynh Mật Huệ Pháp vì phần chuyển Anh ngữ tuyệt vời.
Om Mani Padme Hum.
Thank you very much for making us understand the importance and true meaning of ‘Right View’. Without right view though we have much good luck it will lead us to dangerous situations. So all beings must try to live and practice in accordance with right view.
As mentioned in the article our knowledge must be independent of others, We must break out the bondage of ‘myself’ that is self-centered mind and try to understand our Sufferings are making our heavy negative karma into very light and clearing them.
By reading this article we came to know great king Ashoka who followed middle path for practicing Dharma was right in his decision, King Agatasatru who became the Guardian of Dharma are the results of their Right View towards themselves and Dharma. By having right view we can accumulate good merits faster in less time and can get Enlightened.
May Guru and his Consort live long for benefits of other beings and get Enlightened.
May All beings be free from suffering and get Enlightened.
Thank you Mat Hue Phap for translating the article in English, May your good wishes be fulfilled and you may get Enlightened.
Om Mani Padme Hum…
Hello Guru, I really hope your day was blessed and peaceful.
I am still rebouncing from our General Assembley at work.
Thank you for this article on right view. It is really great, and I got several tools to take with me on my path.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Dear Guru
Thank you for your guiding and teaching through articles, I love that method. May your Guru-day be blessed and peaceful.
Namaste Totte
My wrong view comes to feel like i am forced to abide in culture and tradition that is not worthy. I want to disconnect myself from my background. Who don’t even respect what i believe.. Please i ask if you can help me find ways to detach and disconnect with my family who are the cause of me not cultivating right view in my Enlightenment journey.
I bow my head into your lotus feet.
Om Mani Padme Hum.
Guru,
I read above atricle its really true about every human beings, each sentence of this article clear what man has live for in this planet,what he need to do, i would like to thank dear guru who shows why we are all born for?,what we need yo do?
thank you so much
Kính bạch Thầy!
Con xin phép được dịch comment của bạn đọc Sunil sang tiếng Việt như sau:
Kính bạch Thầy tôn quý!
Con đã đọc bài viết này rồi ạ.
Bài viết của Thầy nói rất đúng về con người. Từng dòng chữ trong bài viết nói rõ cho chúng con biết con người nên sống vì điều gì trong hành tinh này và điều gì họ cần phải làm.
Con cảm tạ ơn Thầy đã chỉ dạy cho con mục đích của thân người là gì và chúng con cần phải làm gì.
Con chân thành cảm tạ ơn Thầy.
My name is Tantra Sagovana.
Thank you for sharing this article.
In this article you explain the importance of right view in Buddhism, the benefits it brings to Buddhist practitioners, and that it must be obtained independently from our own effort and not borrowed from or influenced by others.
May all sentient beings be free from suffering and get enlightened.
Om Mani Padme Hum.
Tantra Sagovana (Ahmed Khan)
my name is Tantra Ashihata.
I thank you for this wonderful article you have given to us may you always guide us to right view because some time we are mortal being we may do something out of ignorance we know that it is not an excuse before the karma law but may you in your infinite mercy direct us in our endeavors so that we can have the right view.
May Guru live long for the seek of happiness of all sentient being.
Om mani padme hum
Dear Guru,
I have already read this meaningful lesson in Vietnamese. Thank you so much for your sharing!
May this lesson be spread everywhere for the sake of all sentient beings!
I pray for Guru’s health, I pray that Guru will quickly recover from your illness!
May the light of the Dharma enlighten everywhere!
Peacefulness in this life, ultimate bliss for the afterlife!
Om Mani Padme Hum.
Dear reverend Guru,
In this article, you have again lightened up my mind on the unparalleled benefit of obtaining right view. The Buddha teaches in the Dharmapada that the mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief, they are all mind-wrought. All sufferings in this life derive from attachment and clinging. With Buddhist right view, the practitioner will no longer attach to his ego or “I, me, myself”. He can perceive principle of cause and effect, no longer show doubt about the Buddha’s teachings and diligently practice Dharma. I come to know that not all Buddhist practitioners are equipped with right view. If have, not all gain full knowledge of right view. In case they have full knowledge of right view, not all are able to apply in right time, right person, right context or right environment. Therefore, we can see the appearance and consequences of a Buddhist practitioner without right view as follows: (1) cultivate diligently but gain little result (2) Neither secular life nor spiritual practice is successful (3) Increasingly cling to self and Dharma (4) Gloomy or joyless face caused by negative feelings and emotions accumulated inside body and mind (5) Facing unexpected risks (6) Have rare opportunity to be reborn in the Buddha’s Land.
To attain achievements from practicing right view, we ourselves need engage more deeply into the path under the guidance of the spiritual Guru. Thank you very much for bestowing us this precious teaching.
May Guru and your consort live long for the happiness and benefits of all sentient beings
May all sentient beings be surrounded by the blessings of the Trinity
Om Ah Hum
Attachment is the root cause of all sorrows.One who is attached to nothing will be able to find the true purpose of life
Let the Guru live long and all the sentinel beings have the peacefulness and calmness attained by Buddha
May all sentient being be freed from all sufferings.
Om Mani Padme Hum.
thank you, as always your articles seems to right on
time. I am certain that after reading article I know
I do not have right view. Thank you for sharing these
wisdom. I have a lot of inner work ahead of me. Dearest
Guru thank you for your guidance, your care and your
time.