T
To awaken to reality,
simply observe the reality
right before you,
till you see it through and through.
- Stonepeace
Buddhist Disciples! At
all times, day and night, sincerely recite and bear in mind these
eight truths that cause great people to awaken. The
First Awakening: The world is impermanent. Countries are
perilous and fragile. The body is a source of pain, ultimately
empty. The five skandhas are not the true self. Life and Death is
nothing but a series of transformations - hallucinatory, unreal,
uncontrollable. The intellect is a wellspring of turpitude, the
body a breeding ground of offenses. Investigate and contemplate
these truths. Gradually break free of death and rebirth.
The Second Awakening: Too much desire brings pain. Death and
rebirth are wearisome ordeals, originating from our thoughts of
greed and lust. By lessening desires we can realize absolute
truth and enjoy peace, freedom, and health in body and mind.
The Third Awakening: Our minds are never satisfied
or content with just enough. The more we obtain, the more we want.
Thus we create offenses and perform evil deeds. Bodhisattvas don't
wish to make these mistakes. Instead, they choose to be content.
They nurture the Way, living a quiet life in humble surroundings -
their sole occupation, cultivating wisdom.
The Fourth Awakening: Idleness and self-indulgence are the
downfall of people. With unflagging vigor, great people
break through their afflictions and baseness. They vanquish and
defeat the four kinds of demons, and escape from the prison of the
five skandhas. The Fifth Awakening:Stupidity and
ignorance are the cause of death and rebirth. Bodhisattvas apply
themselves and deeply appreciate study and erudition, constantly
striving to expand their wisdom and refine their eloquence. Nothing
brings them greater joy than teaching and transforming living
beings. The Sixth Awakening: Suffering in poverty
breeds deep resentment. Wealth unfairly distributed creates
ill-will and conflict among people. Thus, Bodhisattvas practice
giving. They treat friend and foe alike. They do not harbor grudges
or despise amoral people.
The Seventh Awakening:
The five desires are a source of offenses and grief. Truly great
people, laity included, are not blighted by worldly pleasures.
Instead, they aspire to don the three-piece precept robe and the
blessing bowl of monastic life. Their ultimate ambition is to leave
the home life and to cultivate the Path with impeccable purity.
Their virtuous qualities are lofty and sublime; their attitude
towards all creatures, kind and compassionate. The Eighth
Awakening: Like a blazing inferno, birth and death are
plagued with suffering and affliction. Therefore, great people
resolve to cultivate the Great Vehicle, to rescue all beings, to
endure hardship on behalf of others, and to lead everyone to
ultimate happiness.
These are the Eight Truths that all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and
great people awaken to. Once awakened, they even more energetically
continue to cultivate the Path. Steeping themselves in kindness and
compassion, they grow in wisdom. They sail the Dharma ship across
to Nirvana’s shore, and then return on the sea of birth and death
to rescue living beings. They use these Eight Truths to show the
proper course for living beings, causing them to recognize the
anguish of birth and death. They inspire all to forsake the five
desires, and to cultivate their minds in the manner of Sages. If
Buddhist disciples recite this Sutra on the Eight Awakenings, and
constantly ponder its meaning, they will certainly eradicate
boundless offenses, advance towards Bodhi, and will quickly realize
Proper Enlightenment. They will always be free of birth and death,
and will abide in eternal bliss.
hThe Sutra of Eight Great Awakeningse Sutra of Eight Great
Awakenings