Perfect Enlightenment 33: Questions On Conducting Meditation Retreats
Show scripture (Chinese). 於是圓覺菩薩在大眾中即從座起，頂禮佛足右遶三匝，長跪叉手而白佛言：「大悲世尊！為我等輩廣說淨覺種種方便，令末世眾生有大增益。世尊！我等今者已得開悟，若佛滅後末世眾生未得悟者，云何安居修此圓覺清淨境界？此圓覺中三種淨觀以何為首？唯願大悲為諸大眾及末世眾生施大饒益。」作是語已五體投地，如是三請終而復始。 Show scripture (English). Then the bodhisattva Perfect Enlightenment arose from his seat in the great assembly, bowed his head to the Buddha’s feet and circumambulated him three times to the right. He knelt down with his hands clasped, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “Greatly Compassionate World Honoured One. You have extensively explained pure enlightenment for us, as well as various expedient methods. You have caused the capacities of sentient beings of the degenerate age to be greatly quickened. World Honored One. Those of us present here have already awakened. But what about the case, after your passing away, of the sentient beings of the degenerate age who have not yet been able to awaken? How should they conduct meditation retreats to cultivate this pure realm of Perfect Enlightenment? And in the practice of the three meditations within Perfect Enlightenment, what are the initial steps? I only beg for your great compassion so that you will confer great benefit on the members of this great assembly and the sentient beings of the degenerate age.” After saying this, he prostrated fully to the ground. He asked this question three times in succession. The eleventh inquiring bodhisattva is Perfect Enlightenment, the tenth in terms of the practice. Perfect Enlightenment was last inquiring bodhisattva here, he thus inquired on how one leads their lives to cultivate the pure realm of perfect enlightenment, he asked on conducting meditation retreats, and the guidelines of the retreats. As well, he inquired on the practice of the three meditations, on how one should proceed with them. These are very down-to-earth questions that will serve future generations of practitioners. Stay tuned for the next post for Buddha’s instruction on conducting meditation retreats.Chinese:
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