The Profound Practice of Maha Sukhavati
Teacher: Mingyur Rinpoche
Chinese Interpretation: Tzunma Rangrik
Date: Sept.1, 2024
Day 4 Teaching
Today, Rinpoche continued to give oral transmission of The Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra.
Conditions of Amitabha Pure Land are given in detail. Apparently, there are many universes in different directions, and there are buddhas also giving teaching about Amitabha Pure Land at the same time. Whoever hears Amitabha’s name or heard about his story, with one moment of inspiration in arousing bodhicitta – the seed to be reborn in Amitabha Pure Land is already planted.
Rinpoche reiterated on the four causes to be reborn in Amitabha Pure Land: Bodhicitta, focus on Amitabha and Amitabha Pure Land (Refuge), accumulation of two virtues: merits and wisdom, and dedication to be reborn in the Pure Land.
Sentient beings in Amitabha Pure Land do not die, they have one life and then Buddhahood. Exceptions are those who aspire to be born in another realm with an aim to help sentient beings of those realms. Beings in the Pure Land are born in big lotuses on lakes. When being reborn in the Pure Land, some beings suddenly have doubts, and the lotus will remain unopened. At this point, Rinpoche gives us one reminder. In the bardo of becoming and having confirmed that one is dead, it is crucial that we remember Amitabha Pure Land. There is no need to have the address, just a wish will take us there! Speed of the mind is instant. In no time you are in one of those lotuses that you feel connected to you. Your body will be immediately transformed. When you have no doubt, the lotus will open and you are there! You can receive Dharma teaching from Amitabha there and then.
The most important quality of Amitabha Pure Land is that it is non-discriminative: anyone can go - as long as you have the wish. Exceptions are those who bear the five extreme bad karmas or those who have given up the Dharma.
Reading The Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra is also a good way to accumulate merits. It is also beneficial to read the Sutra to deceased people. This takes us to the end of the last day of teaching.