2024.05.31 Sangha Group Practice

From May 27 to 31, the Sangha continued to organize the study of the teachings of the virtuous spiritual guide. During these teachings, the guide emphasized that our study of the Lamrim (The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment) should help us understand that the paths of the persons of modest, medium, and greater motivation searching are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they should be harmonized to ultimately achieve the One Vehicle of Buddhahood. The Buddha's teachings aim to guide all beings to enlightenment, not just to practice the lower scope or any specific branch of Dharma.
The goal of the modest scope is to attain happiness, specifically the bliss of Dharma, which is different from worldly pleasure driven by desire. The bliss of Dharma is the joy derived from studying, contemplating, and practicing the Buddha's teachings, free from attachment. The medium scope aims to overcome the suffering caused by afflictions and karma, thus achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth in the three realms and six paths. The greater scope aims for Buddhahood, not only liberating oneself from afflictions and karma but also helping all sentient beings achieve liberation.
How do we help other sentient beings? By accumulating merit. This means performing virtuous deeds to help others hear, contemplate, and practice the Dharma, thereby freeing themselves from the suffering caused by afflictions and karma. This is the accumulation of merit.

下士道所追求的是安乐,即法乐。这种安乐并不同于世间的欲乐,因为世间的欲乐是由贪念引起的。我们所追求的法乐实际上是指通过闻思修佛法而产生的快乐,它是与贪欲无关的。中士道的目标是解决惑业苦,即解脱惑业的缠缚,摆脱三界六道轮回带来的痛苦。至于上士道,则是要成佛,不仅自己解脱惑业苦,还要帮助其他众生一同解脱。

如何帮助其他众生呢?那就是要积累资粮。就是说我们做的善事,是为了帮助众生闻思修佛法,然后解脱,出离惑业苦的状态,这个就是积资粮。

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