THE DHARMA DISCOURSES OF CARDINAL MASTER CHŎNGSAN(CHŎNGSAN CHONGSA PŎBŎ)
Part Two: Dharma Discourses
Chapter Six: Exposition of Scriptures
43
43. Hearing a student explain the Heart Sūtra, the Master responded, “The gist of practice according to the Heart Sūtra derives from the dharma teaching on perception, as in the passage ‘he beheld that the five aggregates of being were all empty.’ Such perception involves tracing back the radiance of the light of the self-nature rather than ratiocination and discrimination. It is direct contemplation that is unattached to any sign, which is perfect, complete, utterly impartial, and selfless. If I were to expatiate on the steps in this practice of perception, first, this is a practice that involves direct contemplation, which sees clearly and judges correctly the reality of the universe and human life without abiding in any sign. Second, it is a practice that involves enlightenment, which, while seeing clearly and judging correctly, cultivates without obstructions the numinous awareness that is the true voidness of the original source of the self-nature, so that one may thereby attain a great awakening. Third, it is a practice that involves action, which, simultaneous with attaining this enlightenment that is free from obstructions, disciplines all types of actions in accordance with one’s enlightenment, so that one possesses liberation and infinite ability. By maintaining good balance between practices of perception, enlightenment, and action, and by becoming accustomed to it, one will complete the practice of perception, and go beyond ‘all suffering and distress.’”
THE DHARMA DISCOURSES OF CARDINAL MASTER CHŎNGSAN(CHŎNGSAN CHONGSA PŎBŎ)
Part Two: Dharma Discourses
Chapter Six: Exposition of Scriptures
43
43. Hearing a student explain the ita_tHeart Sūtraitb_t, the Master responded, “The gist of practice according to the ita_tHeart Sūtraitb_t derives from the dharma teaching on perception, as in the passage ‘he beheld that the five aggregates of being were all empty.’ Such perception involves tracing back the radiance of the light of the self-nature rather than ratiocination and discrimination. It is direct contemplation that is unattached to any sign, which is perfect, complete, utterly impartial, and selfless. If I were to expatiate on the steps in this practice of perception, first, this is a practice that involves direct contemplation, which sees clearly and judges correctly the reality of the universe and human life without abiding in any sign. Second, it is a practice that involves enlightenment, which, while seeing clearly and judging correctly, cultivates without obstructions the numinous awareness that is the true voidness of the original source of the self-nature, so that one may thereby attain a great awakening. Third, it is a practice that involves action, which, simultaneous with attaining this enlightenment that is free from obstructions, disciplines all types of actions in accordance with one’s enlightenment, so that one possesses liberation and infinite ability. By maintaining good balance between practices of perception, enlightenment, and action, and by becoming accustomed to it, one will complete the practice of perception, and go beyond ‘all suffering and distress.’”
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