Introduction to Buddhism (III) Dr. Robert C L Law Buddhist Lodge of Laity January, 2008.

Vajrayana 金剛乘 Vajra—the thunderbolt of Indra , transformed into a diamond scepter. Emphasis on visualization , symbols and ritual . Visualization : perceive having the body, speech , and mind of a deity Symbols and rituals ---- help to cut one loose from ordinary perception to see the true nature of things. Fully developed in Tibetan Buddhism 2

Vajrayana ( Cont’d) “The proper way is to develop faith” Complete Faith ( after due investigation); Faith in the inconceivable truth : Faith in the lineage, vajrayana path, and the Vajra master. Such complete faith in the Vajra master (Guru) –terrifying and claustrophobic ? Like Islam?

Vajrayana ( Cont’d II) Tantric Rituals--- psychological empowerment? Initiation rituals ---- Unorthodox breaking of orthodox perception drinking impure things, sex with consort Problem with faulty Guru

Three Dharma Seals (三法印) Dukkha 苦 Impermanence 無常 No-self 無我

Impermanence 無常 Nothing is the same from one moment to another . All objects of our perception Not pessimistic --- no change would be possible without it . Should not be a source of suffering – rather, it is wanting things to be permanent that causes suffering

No-self ( Non-self)無我 The most difficult concept in Buddhism What is the self ? Hindu ------ An Essence , goal --- to be one with Brahman Soul -----Greek Soul Christian Soul Chinese Soul ?

Buddhist concept of a person Five Aggregates ( skandhas)五蘊 : form 色 --- body, sense organs feelings 受 ---- pleasant , unpleasant , neutral perceptions 想 – conceptualizing mental formation 行 --- fear etc (51 categories) consciousness 識 ---- stored consciousness , the matrix with seeds in it. None of the above is permanent, so where is the self ? Craving for a permanent soul is a source of suffering

No-self ( Cont’d) Traditional thinking hard to change Difficult to understand and accept Apparent contradiction with other teachings. As a strategy to alleviate suffering ? Need intense meditation to transform one’s mind

Problem with No-self . If no-self , who attains enlightenment ? If no-self , who goes into the next life ? The story of Sati The story of Vacchagota

In spite of these………….. The Alaya consciousness阿賴耶識 Apparent “Re-incarnation” in Tibetan Buddhism .

A most vexing question How it is possible to have rebirth without a self ? Buddhist monks have struggled with this problem for over 2000 years. One must understand the principle of Dependent Origination 緣起法

Dependent Origination 緣起法 “ This is, because that is ; This is not, because that is not . This comes to be , because that comes to be. This ceases to be , because that ceases to be” “ He who sees Dependent Origination sees my teachings “ “ My teacher (the Buddha)’s teaching is all about Dependent Origination”

Dependent Origination All teachings are based on it . If a teaching is not in accord with it , then it is not the teaching of the Buddha Impermanence is implicit in this teaching. Main implication : we think we are an independent entity , but we are , in fact , not.

The Twelve Links of D O Ignorance 無明 Volitional action 行 Consciousness 識 Mind/Body 名 Six senses/objects 六入 Contact 觸 Feeling 受 Craving 愛 Grasping 取 Coming to be 有 Birth 生 Old Age/Decay 老死

No linear , all inter-related

The T L of D O ( Cont’d) Not always 12 links . Some overlap , e.g. ignorance and volition exist in consciousness ; the six senses are already in the body/mind . Thus sometimes the Buddha teaches 9 links , sometime 10 links ( omitting ignorance and volition) Not linear , all interrelated, all are causes and effects at the same time. Not used to explain birth and death .

Dependent Origination Your health and the farmers in China

Dependent Origination Pollution Greenhouse Effect

Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) - More examples : - people in this room - your children.

Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) Sariputta : It is so clear and easy to understand Buddha : Don’t say that . It is through not being able to comprehend Dependent Origination , that people are entangled like a ball of cotton, and not being able to see the Truth ………….

Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) May not be easy to accept : Child labour in India ? A dead miner in the diamond mine in Africa? How about a mugger in Hong Kong ?

Dependent Origination ( Cont’d) A butterfly flaps its wings in Africa…… Thich Nhat Hanh : We are all inter-beings , we are all inter-are” One must understand this concept in order to understand the Buddhist idea of Karma and Re-birth

Importance of Dependent Origination Helps to explain all phenomena in this world. Help one to understand Kamma and Rebirth .