http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol7no3e.htm
Volume 7 no 3
The Bliss Compass
Beyond 3-steps-1-bow
Buddhism has many graceful rites and rituals. To those who are not
knowledgeable, they may seem absurd. But, in fact they are all
methods of cultivation and if we understand the true purpose of
learning and practising Buddhism, then we will appreciate that
these are means to becoming awakened from our illusions or in other
words, to becoming enlightened, like Buddha. In short, they are
means to help us unfold and develop our innate wisdom so that we
know how to avoid suffering and live blissfully. While one may or
may not have performed the 3-steps-1-bow, it is nevertheless useful
to know that a free and unattached mind that the practice
advocates, helps us to unfold this wisdom. Let the Bliss Compass
illustrate.
1. Who is the Manjusri Bodhisattva and why do Buddhists perform
the 3-steps-1-bow [1] in his reverence?
Manjusri Bodhisattva is foremost in wisdom.
The teachings of Buddhism centre on wisdom. Among all the
Bodhisattvas, Manjusri is the Bodhisattva who symbolises the
foremost wisdom. Therefore we cultivate the 3-steps-1-bow in
reverence of this great Bodhisattva. The 3-steps-1-bow in reverence
of the Manjusri Bodhisattva is not only to eliminate our karmic
hindrances, but also to unfold our wisdom. Not only do we unfold
our wisdom, but we also hope that our descendants will also unfold
their wisdom. And, not only does our wisdom unfold in this
lifetime, but also in lifetime after lifetime.
2. What is the significance of cultivating the
3-steps-1-bow?
It has broad significance. In simple terms, it is to eradicate
pride and ego.
The 3-steps-1-bow is a very good method of cultivation. In
cultivation we seek to let go of the Three Minds [2] and eliminate
the Four Forms [3]. At the time of practising this method, the mind
of the past, the present and the future does not exist.
Furthermore, the ego-form, human-form, sentient being-form and
time-form are also non-existent. When we cultivate the
3-steps-1-bow in reverence of the Manjusri Bodhisattva, we only
have the Manjusri Bodhisattva in our mind.
As Buddhism practitioners, we demonstrate our reverence of the
Buddha by, for example, bowing or prostrating before the Buddha.
There is yet a very important purpose in paying reverence to the
Buddha in this way, and that is to eliminate our pride and ego. If,
as practitioners of Buddhism, we continue to harbour pride and ego,
then it shows that we have not cultivated enough.
When we practise in this way, we will begin to experience
changes in our lives. For example, people who used to be egoistic
and conceited will become mellowed with humility and modesty. It is
only when a person has become humble and modest that he gradually
finds changes and progress in his conduct as a person and in his
dealings in all matters. At the same time, his wisdom will begin to
grow.
In the past, in China, many of the well-cultivated monks
cultivated the 3-steps-1-bow method. They did not perform the
practice just for an hour or a day, but they could take years at a
stretch. Each day, they cultivated the 3-steps-1-bow method, and
the pilgrimage might take 2 or 3 years or even longer. Hence, when
we aspire to become Buddha, we have to learn and cultivate like
them, with such determination. This would hasten the goal of
Buddhahood. However, not many people can do the same.
[1] 3-steps-1-bow method: Practitioners take three steps as they
recite the name of a Bodhisattva or Buddha and then prostrate their
body in reverence.
[2] The Three Minds: (i) the past is gone and cannot be grasped.
(ii) After this moment, the present becomes past and also cannot be
grasped. (iii) The future is not here yet and therefore cannot be
grasped too.
[3] The four forms: Form – Characteristics; (i) Everybody has an
ego, this is the ego- form. (ii) When we see another person, we
arise in our mind the human-form. (iii) When thoughts arise in our
mind, we produce the sentient being-form in our mind. (iv) The
continuity of these thoughts through time gives rise to the
time-form.
3. How often should we cultivate the 3-steps-1-bow?
As often as we are able to.
If in our lifetime we are able to practise the 3-steps-1-bow as
many times as we can, then so much the better. Even if a person
under normal circumstances does not perform good deeds, his merits
are still immense if he cultivates the 3-steps-1-bow.
A few years ago, there was a report of a man who turned over a
new leaf after having committed many evil deeds. Subsequently he
renounced the worldly life and became a monk. Still, many people
made offerings to him in reverence along the way as he practised
the 3-steps-1-bow in various parts of Taiwan. If we are good people
and we practise the 3-steps-1-bow, not only are we righteous but we
would have gained as much merits as we have cultivated as such.
4. Can cultivating the 3-steps-1-bow help to fulfil our
wishes?
Yes, but it also means being humble and creating virtuous
conditions with others.
If we wish for peace, safety and prosperity by cultivating the
3-steps-1-bow, such wishes can also be fulfilled. Of course, as
practitioners of Buddhism we cannot set terms and conditions for
the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, for instance, by asking to be blessed
with earning a certain sum of money for each bow that we make. We
cannot have such thoughts in our mind. But, if we are always
humble, polite, harmonious and accommodating in our interaction
with others, and always maintain an excellent attitude regardless
of whom we are dealing with, then we create virtuous conditions
with others. Virtuous conditions lead to positive interpersonal
relationships and as a result, there is no jealousy and there are
no obstacles. Thus, if you are working on a business deal or any
other plan for that matter, other people will look you up and
strike deals with you. In this way, you can also reap big profits.
Jen Chen Buddhism advocates to begin cultivation not only by paying
respects to the Buddha, but also by being a better person.
5. Some people despite having embraced Buddhism still do not do
well in their lives. Why is this so?
We need to correct our outlook in life and inspire our own
wisdom.
There are people who pay their respects to the Buddha all their
lives and yet find their businesses (or careers) deteriorating.
Perhaps, to them it suffices to pay respects to the Buddha but in
business they adopt an indifferent “take-it-or-leave-it” attitude.
Such a notion is incorrect. When we wish to cultivate the
3-steps-1-bow, particularly in reverence of the Manjusri
Bodhisattva, and aspire to unfold our wisdom, then we need to
correct our outlook in life and inspire our own wisdom. But, human
beings brought with them many undesirable habits and self-serving
temperament from aeons of their many past lives. Therefore, it does
not mean that all of these habits and temperament can be corrected
instantly. When we are devoted in aligning ourselves with the
Buddha, and we are devoted in cultivating the 3-steps-1-bow in
reverence of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and constantly subdue our
pride, arrogance and ego, it would have achieved its objective (of
being closer to unfolding our wisdom and a better life).
6. Many of our distresses in life stem from the environment, in
which we live and work. How we can live and work happily?
Be principled, accommodating and harmonious.
An important point about being a practitioner of Buddhism is to
be rounded and accommodating, and that is to be harmonious. We
would have failed as practitioners of Buddhism if we do not
understand the principles of accommodation and harmony, and are
rigid in our ways wherever we go. On the other hand, there are
those who can accommodate and harmonise, but they are lacking in
the correct principles. This is also not the right way. We need to
be principled, accommodating and harmonious; then will we be
all-rounded and complete. If a person understands these principles,
then as a practitioner of Buddhism, he will be very happy and very
bright.
7. What are the other methods of cultivation besides reciting
the name of the Buddha?
There are 84,000 methods. Reciting the name of the Buddha is one
of them.
Many practitioners of Buddhism feel that it suffices to
cultivate by reciting the name of the Buddha and disregard the
other methods. Although this is a very good method of cultivation,
in the teachings of Buddhism there are many other methods or
“Dharma-doors”. Speaking of reciting the name of the Buddha, in
general, people recite Amitabha Buddha. Actually, this method is
not limited to reciting Amitabha Buddha. We can recite the name of
all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions and the
three periods (8 directions of the compass, the zenith and nadir;
the past, present and future), for example, Sakyamuni Buddha,
Manjusri Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra
Bodhisattva, and many others.
If we seek to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, then we need
to recite Amitabha Buddha frequently. However, there is no
guarantee that a person who only recites Amitabha Buddha will
definitely be reborn in the Western Pure Land. It is stated in the
Amitabha Sutra, “It is not possible through conditions lacking in
virtuous roots, blessings and merits to be born in that land (i.e.
Western Pure Land).” This means that besides reciting the name of
the Buddha, we must also cultivate our blessings and wisdom, and
until the fulfilment of many, many conditions relating to our
blessings and merits, is it possible to be reborn in the Western
Pure Land. For example, cultivating the 3-steps-1-bow is also a
method of cultivating blessings and lessening our sickness,
sufferings and misfortunes.
The teachings of Buddhism are not limited to reciting the name
of the Buddha. There are 84,000 methods or Dharma-doors through
which we can enter, and all of them are equally reliable. The
3-steps-1-bow is one of them.
8. Where do our sufferings come from and can we eliminate
them?
Sufferings are created by the actions of the body, speech and
mind. We need to purify them.
In life we have to face many obstacles and sufferings. These are
created by our own actions, speech and thoughts, because they are
not pure. These three karma’s refer to the mental culture of the
general masses of the society, the words said in our speech and the
various unwholesome deeds committed by our body. They transform the
world into one that is perpetually crying out in pain and
suffering, thereby turning it into a sea of suffering.
If we wish to leave this sea of suffering for the purity and
calm of other shore (happiness and bliss), we have to embark on the
compassionate ferry of the teachings of Buddha. As practitioners of
Buddhism, we are already on board this ferry. Thus, from the day we
board this ferry, we have to cultivate diligently and genuinely, so
as to purify the three karma’s.
9. What causes our 3 karma’s to be impure and how can we purify
them?
Emulate the Bodhisattva who is foremost in wisdom – Manjusri
Bodhisattva.
Among all the Bodhisattvas, the Manjusri Bodhisattva is the
foremost in wisdom. It is because people do not have wisdom that
they commit unwholesome karma’s through their actions, speech and
thoughts. These kinds of negative karma’s produce many
sufferings.
The most important point about paying our reverence to the
Manjusri Bodhisattva is to lessen and eliminate all these three
kinds of negative karma which we have been committing since the
aeons of our many past lives, so that our actions, speech and mind
are pure. When we are in accord with the Manjusri Bodhisattva, then
our wisdom will blossom. With wisdom, we can be hopeful that our
friends and relatives will also learn and practise Buddhism so that
they, too, could unfold their own wisdom. Then, by so doing, we
would have attained purity in action, speech and mind for a
start.
10. Is there a difference between wisdom and intelligence?
Wisdom and intelligence are not the same.
It is commonly misunderstood that reading books attains wisdom.
In reality wisdom and intelligence are not the same. A person can
become cleverer by learning from books. However, unfolding our
wisdom is not like this. What does being clever mean? It means that
our ears and eyes are sharp and we quickly understand what we hear
or see. But, at times, we may be unwittingly fooled by our own
cleverness. There many clever people who ended up committing many
evil deeds. If people were wise, then they would not commit such
wrongdoings. Buddhism is the only religion that advocates
wisdom.
11. How does the 3-steps-1-bow in reverence of the Manjusri
Bodhisattva help in unfolding our wisdom?
It puts the principle of letting go of the Three Minds and
eliminating the Four Forms into practice and thereby allowing the
wisdom to arise.
In the process of cultivating the 3-steps-1-bow, we have no
other thoughts in our mind, except the Manjusri Bodhisattva. With
only Manjusri Bodhisattva in our mind, then our mind resonates with
the Manjusri Bodhisattva. At the same time, when we do not engage
in other verbal activity besides reciting “Manjsuri Bodhisattva”,
then the speech karma that we create resonates with the Manjusri
Bodhisattva. When we prostrate ourselves once every three steps, we
are paying reverence to the Manjusri Bodhisattva and the action of
our body thereby resonates with the pure actions of the Manjusri
Bodhisattva.
Thus, while we are cultivating the 3-steps-1-bow, we have
actually let go of the Three Minds and eliminated the Four Forms.
We are not thinking about the past, the present and the future. We
do not have the ego-form. If we have, we wouldn’t be able to
prostrate ourselves. That would mean that we have not subdued our
pride, arrogance and ego. Many people, including senior government
officials, wealthy tycoons, teachers, professors, have been able to
perform the 3-steps-1-bow. This shows that they have already “put
down” their own pride, arrogance and ego-form.
When we are able to recite “Manjusri Bodhisattva” and prostrate
ourselves, and not perturbed by onlookers, this constitutes
non-arising of the ego-form and the human-form. Normally wild
thoughts constantly arise in our mind, giving rise to the inner
sentient being. But, when we are cultivating the 3-steps-1-bow, our
mind is pure. Except for reciting “Manjusri Bodhisattva”
wholeheartedly, we have no notion of any other forms. Therefore, we
do not have the sentient being-form. Because our sentient
being-form does not arise, it makes no difference whether or not
there are people looking at us. Moreover, as we continuously recite
“Manjusri Bodhisattva” and prostrate ourselves without notion of
the past, present and future, then we are free from the time-form.
This means that there is no age-form. Thus, we have already
accomplished the letting go of the Three Minds and eliminating the
Four Forms.
When we achieve the state of not having the Three Minds and Four
Forms, we gradually unfold and develop wisdom.
12. What is the relationship between wisdom, liberation and
distancing from suffering and being happy?
It is through wisdom that we know about liberation, distancing
from suffering and being truly happy.
The 3-steps-1-bow in reverence of the Manjusri Bodhisattva is a
method to unfold our wisdom. With wisdom, we can truly distance
from suffering and attain happiness in the course of our daily
lives. “Distance from suffering and attain happiness” is the
objective of learning and practising Buddhism. If we truly
understand this, then when we cultivate the 3 steps-1-bow we can
also attain liberation and true brightness. When we are cultivating
the 3-steps-1-bow we do not bear thoughts of how others treat us.
If someone had scolded us yesterday, and today we pay our reverence
to Manjusri Bodhisattva, and we let go of the Three Minds and
eliminated the Four Forms, then naturally, we are liberated. If,
somebody had suggested that we go and try our luck in a lottery
game, but we let go of the idea and instead chose to practise the
3-steps-1-bow, then we have become liberated. If we extend this
practice (of letting go of the Three Minds and eliminating the Four
Forms) widely, then we will become liberated. When we are
liberated, our frame of mind will be different and our wisdom will
unfold.
When we have unfolded our wisdom, we will know what are the
appropriate things to say or do, and what are not. With wisdom, our
actions henceforth are known as “Practising the Bodhisattva Path”.
When we walk the Bodhisattva Path without stopping, then we
expedite our aspiration to become Buddha.
