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Wednesday
March 1, 1978
"They understand and know that everything in the world is identical in appearance with the true Suchness nature." -- Avatamsaka sutra "Ten Transfernces chapter"
All living beings are part of the Avatamsaka Sutra. The sutra is the true heart of all living beings. The entire dharma realm is the great means expansive Buddha flower adornment sutra, and originally the universe, the sutra and each living being are one, not two or three.
The entire world is the Avatamsaka sutra; every person a chapter, each experience a small section. The wonderful dharma is constantly being spoken all around and through us, everywhere and simultaneously.
"Deep and wide and interfused, Vast and great and totally complete Surely this must be: The great means expansive Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra!" -- Avatamsaka sutra preface By National Master Ch'ing Liang
On Pain
When the suffering of cultivation gets unbearable I think: my birth caused my mother pain. Raising me took sacrifices and brought worries to my parents. My selfishness and bad habits caused my family and friends much suffering. Insincerity and using people caused others much pain of heart. My attachments, confusion and hang-ups created disappointment and insecurity for those I was closest to. Now as a monk I break the rules, am arrogant and hard to teach, and do a mediocre job in representing the awesome and compassionate deportment of a left-home person. This brings on pain for my teacher and dharma friends.
So the least I can do is gladly bear the little suffering that comes my way to try and make up for all the suffering I have caused the world.
"Suffering is a Feeling"
The feeling of suffering is just another feeling. All feelings are basically empty. They come and go, and when you look for them they can't be found.
"In the bodhisattva's practice he is greatly happy and increases his finest joyful and determination. In the midst of dharmas his mind skillfully underst- ands them all.He does not seek any suffering, however he knows the feeling. Of suffering has no appearance and is unproduced. All Feelings mutually arise and do not stay. Therefore I should cultivate great renunciation along with all bodhisattvas of the past, Present, and future, and with deep faith, happily seek all-wisdom without retreat." -- Avatamsaka sutra "Ten grounds"-6th ground
All life is suffering, a vast "tree of suffering." What is the root cause of suffering? Ignorance. Ignorance is just becoming attached to a view of self. So it says: "Ignorance is just not understanding the primary truth."
-- Avatamsaka sutra
"Ten grounds"-6th ground
The primary truth is the truth of no-self. Without a self there are no deeds done. Without deeds there is no confused karma and the retribution of heavy suffering that it creates. Without a self there are no problems, and one is free and easy, nowhere attached. Because,
"Within the primary truth nothing can be obtained." -- Avatamsaka sutra "Ten grounds"-6th ground