The Ten Wonders & The Manfestation of Enlightenment

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The Ten Wonders that are the Manifestation of Enlightenment:

The first five are about the wonder of one’s own practice

1. The Wonderful Manifestation of the Object - (the sphere of objective truth) With or without a Buddha enlightened to it, it is the true spiritual aspect of reality and is also known as the spiritual realm (S. Dharmadhatu). It is explained as being the ten spiritual realms with their ten aspects, the twelve-fold wheel of causality and conditions, the four truths, the three truths, the two truths, the one truth, the truth of non-existence, etc. All of these are different ways of trying to analyze and explain it in such a way that one can grasp its totality and reality. One’s understanding of it is in accordance with one's wisdom and one's confusion. Being the teacher of the Buddhas, it is called the wonderful object. This object is also called "the door to the Buddha’s wisdom". The Lotus Sutra says:

• “The true spiritual aspect of reality can only between fathomed between Buddhas”
• “The door to the Buddha’s wisdom is difficult to understand and difficult to enter”
• “The very deep and subtle Dharma is difficult to see and difficult to understand”
• “With the Buddhas of the Ten Directions I am able to recognize its aspect”

2. The Wonderful Manifestation of the Wisdom - (the subjective realization of truth) - This is one’s understanding of the truth, whether it is worldly (materialistic) wisdom, the selfless and noble wisdom of the Arhat, the compassionate wisdom of the Bodhisattva, or the totally enlightened wisdom of the Buddha. Because of the wonderful object, there is the wonderful wisdom that accords with it. Because the Dharma is eternal, the Buddhas are eternal as well. That is, the object is the spiritual reality (the Dharma) whereas the wisdom is the person that realizes it (the Buddha). The unconditional wisdom is fused with the object that is beyond aspects and ultimately they are one and inseparable. The Lotus Sutra says:

• “The wisdom that I have attained is most subtle and wonderful”
• “With this wonderful insight I seek the supreme path of enlightenment”
• “The Dharma is very deep, subtle, and beyond all afflictions; only I know its aspect”

3. The Wonderful Manifestation of the Practice - Wisdom guides one’s practice, just as the eyes guide the feet. With the eyes of wisdom and the feet of practice, one may reach the object. Practice includes Dharanis (chanting or prayers), Samadhis (meditations), Calm-Observation (Chih-Kuan), the threefold training of morality, mental concentration & spiritual insight, the noble eightfold path, the 37 facets of spiritual awakening, the five facets of faith as described in The Lotus Sutra, the five practices of the Buddha as described in The Nirvana Sutra, and all the various practices of Buddhism. The Lotus Sutra says:

• “Having perfected the practices of the countless Buddhas before Him, Sakyamuni attained the fruit of enlightenment at the Bodhimandala.”
• “Pressing their palms together with reverent heart, they desire to hear of the path of perfection.”
• “All things from the beginning of time have always been characterized by extinction - with the Buddha’s children having practiced the path of enlightenment, in the future world they will be able to attain enlightenment.”

4. The Wonderful Manifestation of Rank - The eyes (of wisdom), the feet (of practice) and the object (of truth) together are called ‘the vehicle’. In riding the vehicle, one progresses up through the stages towards enlightenment. This includes the stages of the three vehicles, the Four Fruits of the Arhat, the 42 stages of the Bodhisattva leading to Enlightenment, and the Six Identities with Enlightenment. The Lotus Sutra says:

• “The four kinds of flowers rain down”, expressing the ten abodes of inspired understanding, the ten practices of virtue, the ten transfers of spiritual merit, and the ten groundings of enlightenment.”
• “Opening up, revealing, awakening, and entering into enlightenment”
• “The precious vehicle traveling in the four directions”. The four directions are the four kinds of ranks (referring to the 40 ranks of the Bodhisattvas).
• “Going straight to the Bodhimandala” - This refers to the fruit of enlightenment (the Buddha).

5. The Wonderful Manifestation of the Threefold Dharma - The first four (object, wisdom, practice & rank) are the cause whereas the wonderful threefold Dharma (spiritual reality) is the effect. As one rides this vehicle of enlightenment, one perfects the threefold body of enlightenment. This body follows a threefold track, which includes:

• the nature of absolute reality,
• the illumination of observation &
• the supporting means of attainment.

It is known variously as the threefold Buddha nature, the threefold wisdom, the three Bodhis, the three virtues, the three treasures, etc etc. All of these are different names for the threefold body of enlightenment. It is threefold but it is one. It is one and yet it is three. It is inconceivable. It is also called the treasury of the secret mystery. The Lotus Sutra says:

• “The Buddha abides in the Great Vehicle, and is adorned with the power of the mental concentration and spiritual insight that He has attained”

“The Great Vehicle” (S. Mahayana) is nature of the absolute “Mental Concentration” (S. Samadhi) is the means of attainment “Spiritual Insight” (S. Prajna) is the illumination of observation

The last five are about the wonder that is the influence of others

6. The Wonderful Manifestation of Sympathetic Response - With the wonderful effect of the Threefold Dharma, there is serenity (Calm) and illumination (Observation), and there is a dynamic in one’s relationships with others that is called sympathy and response.

• The spiritual capacities of others (their conditions of life, their natures, desires & abilities) are the sympathy.
• Reaching out and responding to them with the four methods of teaching the Dharma (S. Siddhanta) is the response.

This is the relationship between living beings and the Buddha. As Chih-I said in The Hidden Meaning of the Lotus Sutra, "The waters do not rise up and moon does not descend, but in a single moment the one moon is manifested everywhere in the multitude of waters. The Buddhas do not come down and living beings do not go up, but with the power of mercy (from the Buddhas) and the good spiritual roots (of living beings) it seems to be like this. Therefore it is called sympathy and response." The Lotus Sutra says:

• “With my enlightened eye I observe and see living beings on the six paths.”
• “All living beings everywhere are my children.”
• “From far away they saw their father sitting upon the lion’s throne.”

7. The Wonderful Manifestation of Spiritual Penetration - With the six spiritual penetrations one turns the wheel of the body, the mouth & the thinking mind and is able to get through, reach and influence the minds of others, helping lead them towards spiritual transformation and enlightenment. This is not just a technique devised to suit one’s immediate needs, but rather it is creating the conditions for spiritual transformation. Whether living beings are far from or near to the goal, and whether one is at the point of the seed, the ripening, or the harvest, all are part of the One Vehicle. The Lotus Sutra says:

• “Now the World Honored Buddha has entered into Samadhi and inconceivable and rare signs have been manifested.”

8. The Wonderful Manifestation of Teaching the Dharma - Although the Wonderful Dharma is inconceivable and beyond the way of words and language, one uses the power of the word to teach and guide living beings to the Wonderful Dharma. This refers the teaching of Buddhism and the twelve parts of the Sutra. The total (perfect) teaching is in accordance with the principle of the true spiritual aspect of reality, and everywhere it makes people open up, reveal, awaken and enter into the knowledge and vision of enlightenment. This is called the wonderful teaching of the Dharma. The Lotus Sutra says:

• “The One That Has Come can make the different kinds of distinctions to explain the teaching, speaking in terms that are soft and gentle and pleasing their minds.”

• “Sariputra said, ‘I hear the Buddha’s soft and gentle sound that is deep and very subtle.’”
• “The teachings that He makes reach those at all the different stages of wisdom.”
• “Only teaching the supreme path.”

• “Now I must teach that which is the most difficult to believe and understand.”

9. The Wonderful Manifestation of Followers - Upon hearing and believing in the Dharma, followers are attracted to the Buddha, and they repeat the process of these ten wonders. This refers to the followers that are the vows, the practices, the responses, the penetrations, etc etc. They are like the shade of clouds that conceal the moon and like the crowds of subjects that are gathered around the King. The Sutra says:

• “I only instruct the Bodhisattvas and do not have any Sravakas as disciples.”

10. The Wonderful Manifestation of Benefits - These are the benefits of happiness, inspiration, awakening and enlightenment. They are like a great ocean that is able to withstand the downpour of rain from the Dragon-King. The Lotus Sutra says:

• "Anyone who hears a single phrase or a single verse with faith will attain the prediction of complete enlightenment (Sambodhi)."
• "Those that hear it with faith will attain complete enlightenment (Sambodhi)."
• "If I only try to influence people with the small vehicle, they will fall to stinginess and greed. This is not enough."
• Ultimately, no one may be made to attain extinction alone. Everyone attains extinction through the extinction of The One That Has Come."

The sequential birth and origination of these ten:

1. The object is the true spiritual aspect of reality. It was not created by the Buddha, the gods, or by human beings. It is originally existent and it is without beginning. Therefore it comes first.
2. Delusions arise because of confusion about this principle of the true spiritual aspect of reality. Wisdom is born because of understanding of this principle.
3. Wisdom is the source of practice. In causing the eye of wisdom, the feet of practice rise up and follow. The eyes, the feet, and the object are the three aspects of the vehicle.
4. In riding the vehicle one enters into the clear cool pool and advances through the stages of enlightenment.
5. In what stage does one abide? One abides in the Threefold Dharma that is the Treasury of the Secret Mystery. Upon abiding in the Dharma (the spiritual reality), one is serene and yet always illumined.
6. The Buddha illuminates the capacities of living beings in the ten spiritual realms. Where there is the capacity for spiritual enlightenment, the Buddha directly responds to it.
7. When the Buddha responds in accordance with the capacity of living beings, first He uses the wheel of the spiritual body with a startling display of spiritual penetration.
8. Upon seen the transformations that arise from spiritual penetration, living beings are willing to accept the path of enlightenment. With the mouth declaring the Wheel of the Dharma, the Buddha reveals it and opens it up to guide living beings.
9. Having been moistened by the rain of the Dharma, living beings receive the doctrine, accept the path of enlightenment and become followers of the Dharma.
10. Using the various practices that root up the source of Life & Death, they open up the knowledge and vision of enlightenment and attain the great benefits.

The first five are in terms of the cause and effect of one’s own perfection whereas the last five are perfection in terms of the capabilities of another. Although the teachings of the Dharma are without measure, the meanings of these ten contain the total intent of the Buddha. From beginning to end, one’s own practice and the influence of others are everywhere complete.

Source

tientai.net