VAJRA POINT VI: BUDDHA
QUALITIES
"Shugchang" <bialick@usit.net> Date: Sat Aug 11,
2001
4:21 pm Subject: Vajra Point
VI: Buddha Qualities
The 32 aspects detailing the qualities of a fully
awakened buddha
relate to directly to excellence in teaching and leading other sentient
beings to perfect happiness; the main symbols associated with this
chapter are
v a j r a
l i o n
s p a c e
m o o n i n w a t e r
vajra is noted for its
indestructibility and capacity to destroy
all obstacles
lion is
noted for his
fearless presence, proclaiming the dharma
deep in the jungles of samsaric views
space is
unmixed with the
dynamics of the other elements while allowing
for their expression in the same way that the 18 qualities of body,
speech and mind are unique to Buddhas while supporting worldly beings,
sravakas, pratyekas, and bodhisattvas in their respective levels of
present refinement. These last four are symbolized by earth, water,
fire, and air. As for Buddhas, the text states, (p. 235) "Away from the
features of the worldly and of those being beyond the world, they are
similar to space."
moon in
the water
represents the two aspects of the Buddha's
teaching; the moon itself represents the dharmakaya and the reflection
symbolizes the form (rupa)
kayas; the wisdom knowing correctly and the
wisdom which knows completely.
The chapter also includes a detailed list of the 32
physical marks of
the supreme nirmanakaya which is as close to unbelievable as it gets
for me. This is not the form taken by all those who awaken but is an
extremely rare emanation displayed in one like Shakyamuni Buddha who
was
of the special class known as supreme nirmanakaya.
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche comments: A supreme
nirmanakaya in all
his beautiful signs and marks is only seen by a sentient being who has
purified the veil of negative karma, whereas to someone whose mind is
still obscured by former very negative actions he may appear in a very
ordinary or even revulsive form, just as the clear reflection of the
moon is only seen unpolluted water. [BN 385-6]
jsierra@usit.net Date: Mon Aug 13, 2001 3:15 pm
Subject: Re: Vajra Point VI: Buddha Qualities
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary on The Uttara
Tantra delineates
the qualities of enlightenment in two ways, those with value for
oneself which he relates to the absolute truth and the Dharmakaya, and
value for others, which he relates to the relative truth and the
Samboghakaya and Nirmanakaya. He explains that the qualities related to
value for oneself relate to freedom and the qualities of value for
others relate to maturity. Together they give fulfillment for oneself
and others. I have listed what he says are the qualities with value for
oneself. This is not a commentary; these are simply notes for study.
The first kaya which relates to value for oneself
has 32 qualities of Freedom:
ten powers, four fearlessnesses and eighteen
distinctive qualities
the ten powers:
1. perfect knowledge of the appropriate
and inappropriate
2. full understanding of karma
3. being able to gauge the intelligence of persons so that they may be
taught according to their level
4. knowing the temperaments of beings so as to know which remedies to
suggest
5. knowing the interests of beings so that they know which teachings
will help them
6. knowing which path leads to less suffering, which to happiness in
the here/now, and which leads to eternal happiness.
7. knowing the correct and incorrect way to meditate
8. remembering former lifetimes, attained through the practice of
virtue
9. being able to see the future
10. knowing that all impurities have been perfectly eliminated
the four fearlessnesses:
1. fearless because they know they have
nothing more to purify
2. fearless of contradiction because they know they have a correct
understanding
3. fearless because they know that the path is the way to complete
enlightenment
4. fearless because they have had no pride when teaching
and the 18 distinctive qualities:
in relation to behavior:
1. it is not
possible for their action to be a mistake
2. they do not speak meaninglessly or uselessly
3. their mindfulness never diminishes
4. they rest perpetually in meditation
5. they never think of deceiving others
6. they always act carefully, never casually
relative to understanding:
7. they never lose their aspiration to
help other beings
8. they never lose their diligence
9. their memory never decreases
10. their understanding never becomes distorted
11. their perfect liberation does not change
12. they never lose their jñana
as related to qualities of activity:
13. their
physical activities are preceded and followed by jñana
14. their speech is preceded and followed by jñana
15. their
thoughts are preceded and followed by jñana as related to
qualities of jñana
16. their jñana is unhindered by the past
17. their jñana is unhindered by the present
18. their jñana is unhindered by the future
These qualities are the result of freedom from
obscurations, and
manifest as knowledge of how-it-is and variety.
VAJRA POINT SEVEN: BUDDHA ACTIVITIES
OUTLINE
CONTENTS