Master Chin Kung - Essence of Vajra Sutra 1A 金剛經要義

(English subtitles) Buddhist Master Chin-Kung (淨空法師), 1927-2022, talks dharma.
Subtitles:
Dharma masters and fellow practitioners.
1:00
Since ancient times, we have always attached importance to organizing the Buddha Seven Assembly. There is one thing to be accomplished in these seven days. The so-called achievement is what the Amitabha Sutra tells us to be single-minded and unruffled. The skill of being single-minded and unruffled is usually categorized into 3 levels: upper, middle and lower. Being rationally single-minded and unruffled is the upper level. The so-called rationally single-minded and unruffled is the same state as the Buddhist doctrine:
2:00
Clarify the mind and see nature; see nature and attain Buddhahood. The middle achievement is being single-minded, and unruffled by matter. That is to cut off the vexation of view and thought. The certification and the skill of cutting off
is equal to that of Hinayana Arahant. The lowest achievement is as we call the skill of sustainability, which is being single-minded, and unruffled by thought. Indeed, not everyone can achieve the former two, but everyone can achieve the skill of sustainability. What is the skill of sustainability?
3:00
In the 24 hours a day, there is only one thought of Amitabha in mind, and there isn't a single delusion except Amitabha. . This is called the skill of sustainability. Hence, we can see that gathering for seven days to be mindful of the Buddha has an excellent purpose. Revelation of dharma in the Buddha 7 is a casual interruption. How is this reasonable? Revelation of dharma can be distracting and prevent you from acquiring the skill of sustainability. Why do we not only give revelation in the Buddha 7, but also talk for more than an hour?
4:00
Honestly, although everyone gather here 7 days to chant Buddha, you definitely won't get the skill of sustainability. Why can't you get it? Too many delusions and too many distracting thoughts. This is why our fellow practitioners who have not been able to recite the Buddha well for so many years. This is a very serious problem. We shouldn’t take this lightly. Hence, we taught Vajra Sutra once last year. I haven't read the Vajra Sutra for at least a dozen or twenty years.
5:00
When people ask me to lecture it, I think it makes sense.
Why does it makes sense? Everyone is unable to recite the Buddha effectively. Why not? You haven’t seen through it and let it go. This is the reason why your efforts are in vain. Since last year, and until the beginning of this year, I lectured the Vajra Sutra in detail. Fellow practitioners came to me to lecture the Infinite Life Sutra. I thought about it and realized that I have taught the Infinite Life Sutra 9 times in the past 10 years, which is indeed a lot.
6:00
Why can't you let go? Because you didn't see through it. What does it mean to see through?
Understand the truth about life in the universe. Of course, the simplest and most common answer is vajra prajna. All Mahayana sutras, such as Surangama, Lankavatara, Avatamsaka, and Lotus, discuss these issues in detail.
Although there are not many words in the Vajra Sutra, its content is by no means inferior to other Mahayana sutras or thesis.
7:00
Every word and sentence has immeasurable meaning. The Vajra Sutra has transcended sects in Chinese Buddhism. No matter which sector you are, no matter which dharma you practice, almost everybody read the Vajra Sutra. This sutra is indeed a household name in Chinese Buddhism, and many Buddhists read it. To solve this problem requires wisdom. What Buddhism seeks, you must remember, is a high degree of wisdom, ultimate and perfect wisdom.
8:00
Only wisdom can solve all the problems. What are the problems? The problems of birth and death, reincarnation, ten dharma realms, enlightenment, these are the big ones. Without wisdom, you can not solve these problems. For the smaller problems, we are safe and happy both physically and mentally. I often tell my students, if you practice hard, what will you achieve? Your purity will appear.
If your mind is pure, your body will be pure, and you will be free from all diseases.
9:00
This is the forthcoming benefit. Your body is getting healthier every year, and your appearance is getting better every year. These are small ones.
I see many fellow practitioners who are suffering from illness. They often come to me and ask me, what is the cause of illness and suffering? You aren't mindful of the Buddha effectively, and your mind is not pure. Remember, the root cause of sickness and pain arises from delusion, from vexation. As the Chinese saying goes, “Worrying ages you.”
If you are often worried and vexed, how can you not age? How can you not weaken? It is also said that 'people feel refreshed during happy events', so when you are happy, you will age slowly.