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

(English subtitles) Buddhist Master Chin-Kung (淨空法師), 1927-2022, talks dharma.
Subtitles:
On February 1 this year, I accepted an invitation from the director of the Minority Affairs Bureau of Queensland, Australia, who organized a multicultural forum in Queensland and invited me to give a speech. The purpose of his forum is very valuable. He is an Israeli Jew who has been naturalized in Australia, an Australian citizen, also a Jewish believer. The purpose of his forum is to bring together various religions in the world. He now has 14 different religious groups participating. Everyone was open and honest with each other about how to be united, bridge the racial barrier, the cultural barrier and the religious barrier.
1:00
Because Australia is now open to immigration, many people immigrate from various places. In the future, how can different countries, races, lifestyles, cultures, and religions coexist harmoniously and cooperate with each other in this place? His concept is consistent with a Bodhisattva, so remarkable. We often see religious people rejecting each other, but they seek to cooperate. A few years ago, when I was giving a lecture at the Buddha Seven assembly here, I also proposed an idea that was similar to his idea. So, I was pleased to accept his invitation. That day I met with those 14 religious groups.
2:00
I admired them that they were true Bodhisattvas who completely abandoned selfishness to seek peace in this society and pray for the true blessing of all people. So I hope to promote this forum to other cities in Australia in the future, and gradually develop to the entire world. Its goal is indeed world peace. But peace is not about shouting slogans. Shouting slogans is useless. We must bridge the barriers and find resolutions among disagreement.
For example, in their religion, they emphasize fraternity and love for secular people. What our Buddhism talks about is compassion, this is what we have in common.
3:00
All religions have this common view, and we start with that. Let's put aside the differences for the time being and develop the common ground first, and then when we have the wisdom, we can round out the differences. Can it be rounded out? Absolutely. There is nothing that cannot be rounded out. Theoretically speaking, they are all realized from within one's self nature, so how can there be any reason why they cannot be rounded out?
The Avatamsaka Sutra says: No hindrance between principle and phenomena; No hindrance among phenomena. This is the truth. We cannot achieve it because we have karmic hindrance and lack of wisdom. If you have wisdom, it definitely can be harmonious, and all barriers can be resolved. How wonderful is this world?
In the Vajra Sutra, Subhuti saw that.
4:00
This is the life, work, and dealings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is Vajra Prajnaparamita, which is the ultimate and perfect wisdom. In other words, this term in the sutra is anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
So he said to the Buddha:
“World Honored One. When good men or good women bring forth the resolve for anuttara-samyak-sambodhicitta.”
These good men and good women refer to classmates. The Buddha has done it, but our classmates have not yet done it. Even though we didn’t achieve it, we have brought forth the resolve, and that is extraordinary.
5:00
Subhuti is very smart and extremely skillful and expedient. He asked two questions on behalf of everyone. These two sentences are the symptoms of the problem.
“How should one dwell, how should one subdue his mind?” Let’s think about it, are these two the root causes of our illnesses? The first one is not knowing where to settle my heart. The second one is delusions. There are too many delusions. How to stop delusions? To subdue one's mind is to put an end to vexation. Hence, people do not know where to rest their mind. This is delusion.
6:00
Too many thoughts are vexations. What are thoughts? Criticism , relationship, greed, anger, stupidity and pride. This is the delusion and attachment mentioned in the Avatamsaka Sutra. “Where should we dwell?” That is to solve delusions. “How to subdue my mind?” That is to break through attachment. If these two problems are solved, you will transcend the 10 Dharma Realms. So these two questions he asked have infinitely profound meanings. Besides, the technique of question is really brilliant. When answering these two questions, the Buddha summarized them into one.
7:00
In fact, the two issues are two sides of the same coin.
“I will lead various sentient beings to enter nirvana without residue, eliminate their vexations and ferry them to the opposite bank.” If you can develop this heart, this is Bodhicitta, and this is true heart. Various sentient beings are various types of sentient beings. As we have seen currently, different countries, different ethnic groups, different cultures, and different religious beliefs, these are types. How do we treat various sentient beings? With purity, equality, and great compassion.