The Scripture of the Founding Master
Chapter Six: Doubts Clarified
17
A disciple asked the Founding Master, “They say that if one circumambulates the stupa in a Buddhist temple numerous times, one will be reborn in paradise after one’s death. So adherents often worship by circumambulating a stupa. Is this belief really true?” The Founding Master said, “This passage does not mean that our physical body should circumambulate only a stupa made of stone; rather, it means that if our own minds always circumambulate and examine the stupa of our bodies made from earth, water, fire, and wind, then we will be able to enjoy paradise. If our physical body circumambulates only the stone stupa but our minds do not know how to circumambulate the stupa of our own bodies, then how can we say that we have understood the true meaning?”
The Scripture of the Founding Master
Chapter Six: Doubts Clarified
17
A disciple asked the Founding Master, “They say that if one circumambulates the stupa in a Buddhist temple numerous times, one will be reborn in paradise after one’s death. So adherents often worship by circumambulating a stupa. Is this belief really true?” The Founding Master said, “This passage does not mean that our physical body should circumambulate only a stupa made of stone; rather, it means that if our own minds always circumambulate and examine the stupa of our bodies made from earth, water, fire, and wind, then we will be able to enjoy paradise. If our physical body circumambulates only the stone stupa but our minds do not know how to circumambulate the stupa of our own bodies, then how can we say that we have understood the true meaning?”-br-
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