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Bodhi-tree King 2013-01-10

 

By Dharma Master Heng Yun
English Translation By Laura Lin

 

The 2007 transmission of the lay Bodhisattva Precepts at CTTB has been satisfactorily completed. The two Chinese characters for the English word “completion” are “yuan man.” The character “yuan” means perfection or inclusiveness. In this context, it means “the light of the precepts shines perfectly.” The character “man” means fullness. In this context, it means to be “full of the joy of the Dharma.” This time, all the participants of the precept transmission -- both the Sangha members and the lay preceptees – were very sincere. In fact, their sincerity greatly adorned CTTB. I was very fortunate to participate in the precept transmission this time. Ever since I received my complete Bhikshuni precepts, I have participated in numerous precept transmissions. However, I still learned a lot this time; I was indescribably touched by the preceptees’ sincerity, and their sincerity reminded me to return the light within to reflect on how I am upholding the precepts.

Earlier I talked about the Chinese character “yuan” in the context of “the light of the precepts shines perfectly.” However, it does not mean that you once you have received the precepts, you can immediately uphold them flawlessly, and they will shine like a transparent pearl. Rather, the process is not that fast. It actually requires you to take one step at a time. However, the seeds for reaching that goal have been planted. As for the second character “man,” as in “full of the joy of the Dharma,” during the entire precept transmission period, CTTB was surrounded by remarkable and auspicious energy, and everyone in the City was full of the joy of Dharma. There was a laywoman who lives in CTTB, but was not a preceptee. She mentioned that she deeply felt the remarkable and majestic energy of the precepts, which filled everyone with the joy of the Dharma.

The entire precept-transmission process took six days. During these six days, in addition to participating in CTTB’s daily ceremonies, the preceptees attended special classes to learn about the lay Bodhisattva precepts. The transmission involved six major and twenty-eight minor Bodhisattva precepts. In order to teach these precepts, the Sangha members divided the precepts into eight general categories according to their characteristics. The first six categories deal with precepts against killing, against stealing, against sexual misconduct, against lying, and against drinking intoxicants, respectively. The next two categories cover showing of respect and making offering to the Triple Jewel. The last category deals with compassion. In addition to learning about the precepts, the classes also covered the guidelines for deportment and ceremony. When the classes ended, there was also an evaluation session. The preceptees were extremely sincere in their studies. They took notes and asked questions in class. Despite their tight schedule, they even gave up their rest period in order to ask the Dharma Masters more questions.

Most of us may have done a lot of meaningless things in our lives. However, during the six precept-transmission days, many good men and good women gathered together to do something meaningful. Indeed, this is a very important event in our lives! The Venerable Master said that, “Taking refuge with the Triple Jewel is like going through rebirth with your eyes open.” If taking refugee with the Triple Jewel is like this, we can’t even describe what it is like for you to receive the Bodhisattva Precepts. You are very clear about what you are doing – you have chosen to cultivate the Bodhisattva Path. Therefore, by doing so, it is “the rebirth with your eyes open among all the rebirths with your eyes open.”

CTTB, as a place to receive precepts, is very different from other places. For example, explaining the precepts and ceremonial guidelines alone took about twenty-four to twenty-five hours. However, the preceptees still wished to continue their lessons, saying that “we don’t have enough time! There are still a lot of questions that we haven’t asked.” Nowadays it is very difficult to find a precept-site that would spend so much time and energy to explain the precepts. In CTTB, we teach the preceptees the correct concepts, so they will be able to uphold the precepts in accord with the Dharma in their daily lives. In this way, the light of the precepts will shine brighter and brighter day by day.

It is not surprising then that a layperson who observed the preceptees said that, “the preceptees were as solemn as if they were receiving the full precepts of a monastic.” However, in the midst of this solemn atmosphere, everyone was very relaxed; the ceremony was not meant to make people nervous. Rather, everyone was cultivating the wholesome Dharma together. During the formal transmission of the Bodhisattva precepts, there is a phrase describing how the wonderful and wholesome Dharma of the precepts will flow into the minds of every preceptee. So when you received this wonderful, supreme and wholesome Dharma, it is planting good seeds in your mind that will last forever.

During the precept-training period, one Dharma Master gave a Dharma lecture, and she talked about the Bodhi-tree King. She mentioned that the roots of the tree are below ground and cannot be seen. Indeed, most of time what we can see is the flowers and fruits. However, in order for these flowers and fruits to flourish, the roots need to be very deep and very stable. So, this Dharma Master encouraged everyone to build up “invisible virtues;” they are unseen just like the roots below the ground. However, it is due to these unseen virtues that the leaves, flowers and fruits of your tree will grow in abundance. There is a similar metaphor in the Conduct and Vows of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra. This chapter talks about a Bodhi-tree King that grows in the wilderness, and this tree is so lush and strong that it can provide shades for many people. Where did this Bodhi-tree King come from? The Sutra tells us that “All living beings comprise its roots; all the Buddha and Bodhisattva comprise its flower and fruits.” In other words, if we want to be a Buddha or a Bodhisattva, we have to start working on our roots as living beings. We need to cultivate the Bodhisattva Path and use the water of Dharma to irrigate this Bodhi tree.

We all know that a tree grows from a seed. In fact, this little seed contains the essence of a tree. When we plant a seed, we have to water and take care of it, so the tree can gradually grow. Similarly, when you receive the precepts, you are taking in wholesome seeds as your substance. In other words, since the precepts are wholesome seeds, you have planted wholesome seeds. Now you need use the water of Dharma to nourish the seeds so the roots can grow. In addition, when you uphold one precept, it is comparable to growing one root of your Bodhi tree. Although you have received the six major and twenty-eight minor Bodhisattva precepts, the essence of these precepts is limitless and boundless. In fact, the Bodhisattva precepts pervade the empty space and fill the entire Dharma realm. By upholding these precepts, you are cultivating one of the six Paramitas of the Bodhisattva path. By practicing the other five Paramitas, you roots will grow deeper and deeper and your Bodhi tree will be tall and strong.

If everyone waters their wholesome seeds, everyone can become a Bodhi-tree King, just like the Venerable Master. Right now because we are sheltered by the Buddhas, the Bodhisattvas and the Venerable Master, we have the opportunity to study the Buddhadharma and receive precepts. Even though none of us are Bodhi-tree Kings yet, the gathering of about one hundred preceptees has a lot of power. We can say that we have come together in order to become Bodhi-tree Kings. This is a really meaningful and significant event!

I heard that in 2009, CTTB will transmit the lay Bodhisattva precepts again. As I said before, most of us have done a lot meaningless things in our life; they are not necessarily evil deeds, but we just let time slip by in vain. We need to turn our frivolity around, and treasure our lives and our Buddha nature. We should create a positive cause for ourselves by planting wholesome seeds, and let the precept substance surge forward. By doing so, we will change the direction of our lives. In addition, once you have received the Bodhisattva precepts, the transmission is valid forever. In other words, once you have planted the seeds for becoming a Bodhisattva, these precepts will follow you life after life. Let’s encourage and support each other in our endeavors!