To Understand Buddhism CHAPTER FIVE The Great Perfection of Mahayana Buddhism The sequence of practice in Mahayana Buddhism is represented in China b

The Great Perfection of Mahayana Buddhism

The sequence of practice in Mahayana Buddhism is represented in China by the four Great Bodhisattvas: Di Tzang (Earth Treasure) of Jiuhua Mountain; Guan Yin (Great Compas" sion) of Putuo Mountain; Wen Shu Shi Li (Manjushri) of Wutai Mountain; and Pu Xian (Universal Worthy) of Emei Mountain.

Earth Treasure means stored treasure of the great mother earth, which represents our mind. Without the earth nothing could survive. So the Buddha used the earth as a meta" phor for our mind, which is the Great Perfection. It encompasses infinite compassion, wisdom, intuitive wisdom, auspiciousness, good fortune, merit and virtue. Therefore all that the Buddha told us in the sutras is infinite, is the Great Perfection. Understanding this will enable us to find the boundless meanings within.

The Earth Treasure Sutra explains that we begin our learning and practice by being fil" ial to our parents and respectful to our teachers and elders. Buddhism is an education of honoring teachers and revering their teachings, which is based on the foundation of filial pi" ety. How can we expect a person who does not love his parents to respect his teachers? A teacher, regardless of learning and capabilities, cannot impart knowledge to a student who

Therefore, only when we honor teachers and revere their teachings can we succeed in our learning of Buddhism. The Original Vow of Earth Treasure Bodhisattva Sutra is the sutra of the filial piety, which is the very heart of the Great Perfection. All other perfections arise from it. From here we extend this loving and caring for parents to respecting teachers and elders.

We keep expanding from here until we respect and care for all sentient beings without discrimination or attachment. This is the enhancement and extension of Earth Treasure Bo" dhisattva and is also the teaching of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Therefore, without filial piety, there would be no great compassion. This is similar to building a house. The second floor must be built upon the first floor. In being filial to parents and showing compassion for all other beings we should not use emotions. Rather we need to base this compassion on ra" tionale and wisdom. Only in this way can we attain positive results.

Next we have the third Bodhisattva, Manjushri, who symbolizes wisdom and Universal Worthy Bodhisattva who symbolizes the practice of filial piety, respect, compassion and wis" dom in our daily lives. If we follow these principles when interacting with others, matters and objects, then we ourselves are Universal Worthy Bodhisattva.

The teachings of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva are perfect. As the Flower Adornment Sutra tells us, we cannot attain Buddhahood, if we do not follow this teaching. Why? This Bodhisattva is perfect in every thought, every vow and every act. Without true wisdom, the great vow of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva cannot be fulfilled.

These four great Bodhisattvas exemplify this understanding and represent the perfec" tion of Mahayana Buddhism. Therefore, from Earth Treasure Bodhisattva we learn filial piety and respect, from Guan Yin Bodhisattva we learn great compassion, from Manjushri Bodhi" vows and conduct.