Only by aiming for a high level of spirituality can you become a Buddha; Look at the human realm from the perspective of a Bodhisattva
Disciple’s Question: Every sentient being is a future Buddha, and all possess the wisdom and virtuous capability of a Buddha. If we place ourselves in that state of mind in our daily lives, would it be easier to cultivate? (At what state of mind?) That is, seeing ourselves as future Buddhas.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Answer: If you have such determination and vow, of course you can place yourself in that state of mind. For me, I set a goal for myself: everything I do must be like a Bodhisattva; every action must resemble a Buddha. Since our goal is to become a Buddha — after all this study and practice — then we must aim for Buddhahood. If you don’t set your goal higher, how can you become a Buddha? You think of yourself as a human, but humans are full of greed, hatred, delusion, arrogance and doubt. However, if you position yourself as a Buddha, how would you still chase after worldly desires, right?
The human realm is full of suffering. Just look at the people. Everyone is living for their own benefit. They can be upset for a week over what someone has said to them. They would even be unhappy for an entire year over a small loss or something trivial. They put on a long face and sulk whenever they feel like it. They never think of others, only themselves. Don’t you think that’s pitiful?
Let me give you a simple example. If you think of yourself as a Bodhisattva, then how would a Bodhisattva see others? As an analogy, suppose a Bodhisattva is like a shepherd, and people are the sheep. Lost their way in the flock, they fight, compete, and try to outwit one another. Wouldn’t the shepherd simply laugh? In a few days they will all be slaughtered; before long they will all die. So why get upset? What is there to fight over? The shepherd can only feel pity for them.
That’s why the Bodhisattva sees us humans as truly pitiable. Our lives are short — only a few decades — yet we fight and argue endlessly. So what if you’re rich? So what if you’re famous or successful? What difference does it make if you’re jealous or seek revenge? In the end, you still die.
So just think about it — wouldn’t the Bodhisattvas see us as pitiful? That’s why they tell us to let go, to stop being attached, and quickly ascend to Heaven, where we can always be together with the Bodhisattvas. This is a matter of perspective. If you elevate your own state of mind and use the Bodhisattva’s perspective to look at others, would you still care whether or not someone is attractive?
Think about it: would a shepherd fall in love with a sheep? Even if one sheep looks very beautiful — with curly wool and curled eyebrows — would the shepherd marry it? If you are at the Bodhisattva’s level of spirituality, would you prefer a sheep over the others? As a shepherd, how could you love a sheep? As a Bodhisattva, how could you be so narrow-minded to love someone just for their beauty?
Bodhisattvas dwell in the Heavens; their level of spirituality is very high. How could they fall in love with human beings? They know that beneath the human skin, everything is filthy — all seven orifices produce unclean matter. How could they love that? How would they like you just because you put on some makeup? Do you understand? That’s why you need a high state of mind. If you set yourself as a Bodhisattva, then in the future you may become a Bodhisattva. If you can’t even set such a target for yourself, you will definitely not become one — you’ll just remain an ordinary person. Understand?
Disciple: Thank you Master Lu.
Master Jun Hong Lu: My teachings are very profound. Sometimes when you bring up these questions, I will explain to you the concepts. Now think about it: aren’t people pitiful? Throughout our lives, what have our parents left us? Nothing. They themselves left this world empty-handed. We are the same: no matter how famous or wealthy we are, when we die, we leave empty-handed. So why are we still fighting over these things? We should learn to be open-minded.
Look at the amount of killing and violence happening around the world today. There are conflicts because of some hatred and jealousy. Isn’t it just like a flock of sheep fighting among themselves?
This ram likes that ewe, so it walks over. The shepherd sees this and says, “Don’t do that, don’t do that!” Isn’t it the same as the Bodhisattva telling us, “Don’t cling to these worldly matters”? You’re already filthy, don’t you know? The shepherd says, “You sheep are already so dirty, why do you still mess around like this?” It’s like the Bodhisattva saying: “You humans are already like this, why don’t you put in effort in cultivating your mind?”
Why do we need Buddhist monks and nuns? Because they are pure. Are ordinary people pure? No, they are filthy. Why did the Buddha teach us the contemplation of impurity? What part of the body is clean? There’s eye discharge, boogers and earwax. When you open your mouth, there’s plaque, and saliva, which is full of bacteria. What part of the body is clean? The mind is defiled, and the body is dirty.
That’s why the Bodhisattva says: “Look at this body of flesh, full of filth — and yet you are still attached to it. Quickly, let it go.” This is how the Bodhisattvas are teaching us. Contemplation of impurity means to see the human body as unclean. If you like a woman, you must see that she is unclean — everyone is dirty. One is enough. Why do you go around chasing for more? Why do you have to be like that? Do you understand?
Disciple: Yes, I understand.
Master Jun Hong Lu: You must diligently practise Buddhism with me. Only when your state of mind is higher, will I teach you more of these concepts. I talk about such Dharma with the Buddhist monks and nuns. But all of you just started — can I tell you all this right away? If I did, things would become awkward. You’d be thinking, “don’t look at me. I don’t want to look at you” and that’s going to be a problem. That’s because you haven’t attained such a high level of cultivation. Do you understand?
Disciple: Yes I do.
Master Jun Hong Lu: So, you must take it slow and study well, because right now you are still too far off. Remember: a true Buddhist practitioner will not fight with others; they will just smile. When mistreated, they will still maintain a smile. Why do senior monks and accomplished masters, only respond with “Amitabha” regardless of what insults or accusations you throw at them? Because they have a high level of cultivation. They are like the shepherd — they won’t argue or fight with a sheep. If a senior monk’s state of mind is already like that of a Bodhisattva, would he still argue with ordinary people?
Disciple: Thank you Master for your compassionate teaching.
Source: Q&A Session during Master Lu’s Dharma Convention, Amsterdam, 11 September 2019
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