The Fundamental Importance of the Shurangama Sutra
Within Buddhism, there are very many important sutras. However,
the most important sutra is the Shurangama Sutra. If there are
places which have the Shurangama Sutra, then the Proper Dharma
dwells in the world. If there is no Shurangama Sutra, then the
Dharma-ending Age appears. Therefore, we Buddhist disciples, each
and every one, must use our strength and our blood, sweat, and toil
to protect the Shurangama Sutra. In the Sutra of the Ultimate
Extinction of the Dharma, it says very, very clearly that in the
Dharma-ending Age, the Shurangama Sutra will be the first to
disappear. The rest of the sutras will follow. As long as
Shurangama Sutra does not disappear, then the Proper Dharma Age is
present. Because of that, we Buddhist disciples must use our lives
to protect the Shurangama Sutra, must use vows and resolution to
protect the Shurangama Sutra, and must cause the Shurangama Sutra
to be known far and wide, reaching every nook and cranny, reaching
into each and every dust-mote, reaching out to the exhaustion of
empty space and of the Dharma Realm. If we can do that, then the
Proper Dharma will continue radiating great light for a long time
to come.
Why would the Shurangama Sutra be destroyed? It is too true. The
Shurangama Sutra is the Buddha’s true body. The Shurangama Sutra is
the Buddha’s sharira. The Shurangama Sutra is the Buddha’s true and
actual stupa and shrine. Therefore, because the Shurangama Sutra is
so true, all the demon kings use all kinds of methods to destroy
the Shurangama Sutra. They begin by starting rumors, saying that
the Shurangama Sutra is phony. Why do they say the Shurangama Sutra
is phony? Since the Shurangama Sutra speaks too truly, especially
in the sections on the Four Decisive Deeds, the Twenty-five Sages
Describing Perfect Penetration, and the States of the Fifty Skandha
Demons. Those of off-center persuasions and externally-oriented
ways, weird demons and strange freaks, are unable to stand it.
Consequently there are a good many senseless people who claim that
the Shurangama Sutra is a forgery.
Now, the principles set forth in the Shurangama Sutra are on the
one hand proper, and on the other in accord with principle, and the
weird demons and strange freaks, those in various cults and sects,
are thus exposed. Even so, many people, in particular unwise
scholars and garbage-collecting professors “Tread upon the holy
writ.” With their extremely scant and partial understanding, they
are confused and unclear, lacking real erudition and true and
actual wisdom. That is why they resort to baseless criticism. We
who study the Buddhadharma should be acutely aware of these
circumstances. Therefore, wherever we go, we should mention the
Shurangama Sutra. Wherever we go, we should propagate the
Shurangama Sutra. Wherever we go, we should introduce the
Shurangama Sutra to people. Why is that? It is to help the Proper
Dharma long to dwell in the world.
If the Shurangama Sutra is regarded as true, then there is no
problem. To verify its truth, let me say that if the Shurangama
Sutra were phony, then I would willingly fall into the hells
forever through all eternity . for being unable to recognize the
Buddhadharma . for mistaking the false for true. If the Shurangama
Sutra is true, then life after life in every time I make the vow to
propagate the Great Dharma of the Shurangama, that I shall in every
time and every place expound upon the true principles of the
Shurangama.
Everyone should pay attention to the following point. How could
the Shurangama Sutra not have been spoken by the Buddha? No one
else could have spoken the Shurangama Sutra. And so I hope that all
those people who make senseless accusations will wake up fast and
stop creating the causes for suffering in the Hell of Pulling Out
Tongues. No matter who the scholar is, no matter what country
students of the Buddhadharma are from, all should quickly mend
their ways, admit their mistakes, and bring about a change. There
is no greater good than that. I can then say that all who look at
the Shurangama Sutra, all who listen to the Shurangama Sutra, and
all who investigate the Shurangama Sutra, will very quickly
accomplish Buddhahood.
Composed by, Gold Mountain Shramana Tripitaka Master Hua.
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