..续本文上一页rthermore, the “rainbow body” achievement of Tibetan Vajrayana also has baffled academic circles greatly. Although they find it impossible to accept, such incidents indeed existed in Tibet. Moreover, it has antecedents in the Han area.
For instance, in Chinese history the first fully ordained Bikhuni was named Jin Jian of the Jin Dynasty. At the age of 70, she left this world by flying to the sky and headed directly to Buddha”s Pureland in her very body of flesh and blood. This is a feat no less amazing than that of the highest rainbow body accomplishment in Vajrayana. Such an incident was a true event which later was compiled in the Biography of Bikhuni by the eminent monk Baochang of Liang Dynasty. Master Lung Lian, in his teaching on The Heart Sutra, also referred to this episode. Now, should people question the authenticity of rainbow body achievement in Tibetan Mantrayana practice, how can this account in Han Buddhist history be explained
A contemporary Bhikhu Zhu Shihang was known as the first fully ordained monk in China. In his lifetime, he took tremendous effort to translate the Illuminating Praja Sutra (also called the abridged Sutra of Rainbow Sublimation). By dint of his years” diligent endeavor, he understood the profound essence of rainbow body practice, and when he died, there appeared many miraculous signs attesting to his achievement in this respect. Bhikhu Zhu Shihang”s story also has been cited in my recent teaching on Summary of Prajna Sutra.
V. How to grasp the essential ideology of Tibetan Buddhism
Hence, the misconceptions on Vajrayana should be dispelled to one”s best effort. Should you desire to understand Vajrayana more deeply,two approaches can be taken: the first is to read the texts, and the second to engage in personal practice.As only fromprogressive practicewill bring a heart-felt understanding of its essence, therefore, actual practice is far superior to learning the texts alone.
If some of you here aspire to practice Vajrayana, the proper way is to start from the Preliminary Practices of the Great Perfection. In the tradition of the Great Perfection, the preliminary is comprised of two aspects: common and extraordinary. The former pertains to contemplating the rarity and preciousness of human existence, the impermanence of all phenomena, the suffering nature of samsara, and the infallible law of cause and effect. These studies can only be accomplished under the guidance of a spiritual teacher. Moreover, the most crucial point in undertaking the spiritual practice is to have a deep faith. Otherwise, you are liable to become a person impervious to the Dharma—that is, you would not experience a genuine realization even if you were to become well-versed in all the sutras and shastras and be able to expound them impressively.
In Tibet, it is well known that a book written out of mere academic research is in no way comparable to the one flowing out purely from a realized mind. Many eminent masters, with their immense merit compounded in past lives, need neither special effort nor much brooding to pour out words of wisdom spontaneously. Such attainment is beyond the reach of ordinary beings.
In this respect, my most-revered guru, His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, is a perfect example. In my life I had the fortune of relying on him for almost 20 years and have held my highest respect and admiration in him. At home and abroad I have met many Dharma masters who are brilliant and compassionate, yet in my mind His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche”s realization is simply without equal. In making this statement, I do not mean to extol my own teacher; rather, I”ve taken an objective and fair position.When composing a book, ordinary people like us must do extensive research on information and think it…
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