1 00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:01,639 The courtesan and the tyrant 2 00:00:01,740 --> 00:00:04,339 Why did the Buddha call them spiritual teachers 3 00:00:05,179 --> 00:00:05,859 Spiritual teacher 4 00:00:06,179 --> 00:00:06,859 Virtuous man 5 00:00:07,139 --> 00:00:08,079 Virtuous woman 6 00:00:08,259 --> 00:00:10,118 You have recited the word virtuous all your life 7 00:00:10,300 --> 00:00:12,359 But the Buddha meant something entirely different 8 00:00:13,099 --> 00:00:14,099 Twenty five hundred years ago 9 00:00:14,500 --> 00:00:16,079 A teenage boy 10 00:00:16,100 --> 00:00:18,158 Traveled across India in search of teachers 11 00:00:18,500 --> 00:00:20,338 The first people he met were monks 12 00:00:20,780 --> 00:00:21,759 That seems perfectly normal 13 00:00:22,219 --> 00:00:24,239 But among his fifty three spiritual teachers 14 00:00:24,339 --> 00:00:27,199 One was the most famous courtesan in the city 15 00:00:27,460 --> 00:00:28,178 And another 16 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:31,118 Was a king who had prisoners mutilated 17 00:00:31,660 --> 00:00:32,598 Both of them 18 00:00:32,619 --> 00:00:36,279 Were honored as spiritual teachers in the Avatamsaka Sutra 19 00:00:36,499 --> 00:00:37,879 I bet that stopped you for a moment 20 00:00:38,249 --> 00:00:38,699 A courtesan 21 00:00:39,428 --> 00:00:39,898 A tyrant 22 00:00:40,700 --> 00:00:42,298 How could either have anything to do with virtue 23 00:00:43,060 --> 00:00:44,999 The Avatamsaka Sutra did not get it wrong 24 00:00:45,340 --> 00:00:47,438 We are the ones who misunderstood the word virtue 25 00:00:47,620 --> 00:00:49,199 For two thousand years 26 00:00:49,843 --> 00:00:50,163 Hello 27 00:00:50,443 --> 00:00:50,882 Everyone 28 00:00:51,123 --> 00:00:52,102 I am Leo Wang 29 00:00:52,364 --> 00:00:53,083 For us Chinese 30 00:00:53,244 --> 00:00:54,083 From childhood onward 31 00:00:54,083 --> 00:00:55,583 Whenever we hear the word virtue 32 00:00:55,724 --> 00:00:58,202 What picture automatically appears in our minds 33 00:00:58,684 --> 00:01:00,742 Good deeds bring good rewards and evil deeds bring evil 34 00:01:00,843 --> 00:01:02,663 Heaven sees everything we do 35 00:01:02,684 --> 00:01:04,183 We should be kind 36 00:01:04,523 --> 00:01:06,522 In our cultural context 37 00:01:06,524 --> 00:01:09,022 Virtue has become almost identical to doing good deeds 38 00:01:09,244 --> 00:01:10,223 A virtuous person 39 00:01:10,244 --> 00:01:12,622 Does not steal or rob and gladly helps others 40 00:01:12,643 --> 00:01:13,982 Someone with a tender heart 41 00:01:14,244 --> 00:01:15,083 A virtuous deed 42 00:01:15,324 --> 00:01:17,203 Is something everyone would praise 43 00:01:17,203 --> 00:01:18,622 And no one would criticize 44 00:01:19,750 --> 00:01:22,050 So when Buddhist scriptures repeatedly use 45 00:01:22,110 --> 00:01:24,690 The terms virtuous man and virtuous woman 46 00:01:24,750 --> 00:01:28,969 Your mind automatically translates them as kindhearted men and women 47 00:01:29,311 --> 00:01:32,130 When you hear the term spiritual teacher 48 00:01:32,231 --> 00:01:34,809 You imagine a kindhearted teacher 49 00:01:34,871 --> 00:01:36,609 With noble character 50 00:01:36,910 --> 00:01:38,669 When you read refrain from all evil 51 00:01:38,951 --> 00:01:40,210 And practice every virtue 52 00:01:40,311 --> 00:01:42,309 You take it to mean do nothing bad 53 00:01:42,591 --> 00:01:43,729 And do more good deeds 54 00:01:43,990 --> 00:01:44,949 That all sounds right 55 00:01:45,630 --> 00:01:47,770 The perfect image of a Buddhist practitioner 56 00:01:48,151 --> 00:01:49,430 But today I want to tell you 57 00:01:49,830 --> 00:01:50,850 This whole interpretation 58 00:01:50,871 --> 00:01:52,529 Is wrong at its root 59 00:01:52,750 --> 00:01:53,796 Completely wrong 60 00:01:54,177 --> 00:01:55,755 Let us return to that young man 61 00:01:55,977 --> 00:01:56,695 His name was Sudhana 62 00:01:57,097 --> 00:01:58,775 He is the main character in the final chapter 63 00:01:58,776 --> 00:01:59,576 The Entry into the Dharma Realm 64 00:01:59,776 --> 00:02:00,596 Of the Avatamsaka Sutra 65 00:02:00,977 --> 00:02:02,915 He set out from Manjushri 66 00:02:02,936 --> 00:02:04,936 Who told him to journey south 67 00:02:04,936 --> 00:02:06,915 And visit spiritual teachers from every walk of life 68 00:02:07,097 --> 00:02:08,755 Fifty three teachers in all 69 00:02:08,897 --> 00:02:10,636 In nearly every encounter 70 00:02:10,656 --> 00:02:13,036 The scripture calls the person a spiritual teacher 71 00:02:13,417 --> 00:02:16,236 If that means a kindhearted teacher 72 00:02:16,256 --> 00:02:19,256 Then all fifty three should have looked gentle and compassionate 73 00:02:19,256 --> 00:02:21,275 And observed the precepts perfectly 74 00:02:21,457 --> 00:02:22,456 But what actually happened 75 00:02:23,069 --> 00:02:26,808 Sudhana arrived at the splendid city in the perilous land 76 00:02:27,030 --> 00:02:29,209 Seeking a woman named Vasumitra 77 00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:30,989 Who was Vasumitra 78 00:02:31,629 --> 00:02:33,329 The scripture is remarkably direct 79 00:02:33,390 --> 00:02:35,169 She was a woman of extraordinary beauty 80 00:02:35,229 --> 00:02:38,088 Her house stood in the busiest part of the city 81 00:02:38,229 --> 00:02:41,288 Any man who saw her felt intense desire 82 00:02:41,509 --> 00:02:42,429 As for her work 83 00:02:42,430 --> 00:02:44,609 The scripture uses no euphemism 84 00:02:44,629 --> 00:02:48,169 She received men who came to her driven by desire 85 00:02:48,310 --> 00:02:49,269 In modern terms 86 00:02:49,550 --> 00:02:51,366 She was a high class courtesan 87 00:02:51,548 --> 00:02:52,646 Sudhana went to see her 88 00:02:52,987 --> 00:02:55,206 A teenage spiritual seeker 89 00:02:55,228 --> 00:02:56,426 Went to visit a courtesan 90 00:02:56,427 --> 00:02:58,986 In India twenty five hundred years ago 91 00:02:58,987 --> 00:03:01,567 That caused as much controversy as it would today 92 00:03:02,068 --> 00:03:03,706 Yet Sudhana still went 93 00:03:03,707 --> 00:03:05,967 And the scripture says that at her door 94 00:03:06,027 --> 00:03:08,526 He respectfully joined his palms and bowed at her feet 95 00:03:08,587 --> 00:03:10,743 Prostrating himself fully before her 96 00:03:11,045 --> 00:03:13,083 What did Vasumitra teach Sudhana 97 00:03:13,684 --> 00:03:14,703 She said something 98 00:03:14,765 --> 00:03:17,983 That I find among the most radical passages in the entire sutra 99 00:03:18,364 --> 00:03:18,724 She said 100 00:03:19,124 --> 00:03:21,263 Sentient beings come to me because of desire 101 00:03:21,364 --> 00:03:22,884 But after coming into contact with me 102 00:03:22,885 --> 00:03:25,224 Their desire is transformed instead 103 00:03:25,605 --> 00:03:28,624 Some attain the samadhi of joy merely by seeing me 104 00:03:28,844 --> 00:03:32,504 Some attain the samadhi of unobstructed sound by speaking with me 105 00:03:32,765 --> 00:03:37,064 Some attain the samadhi of traveling to every Buddha land by holding my hand 106 00:03:37,324 --> 00:03:38,124 And some 107 00:03:38,124 --> 00:03:42,743 Attain the samadhi that expands all beings store of merit by kissing me 108 00:03:43,284 --> 00:03:44,803 That is exactly what the scripture says 109 00:03:44,964 --> 00:03:46,143 I have not omitted a word 110 00:03:46,765 --> 00:03:48,483 Her Dharma gate has a name 111 00:03:48,804 --> 00:03:50,183 The Limit of Freedom from Craving 112 00:03:50,564 --> 00:03:52,224 Deep within desire 113 00:03:52,284 --> 00:03:55,311 One touches the boundary beyond desire 114 00:03:55,732 --> 00:03:58,210 Set aside your assumption that Buddhism must be pure 115 00:03:58,211 --> 00:04:00,430 And that monastics must reject desire 116 00:04:00,611 --> 00:04:02,610 Here the Avatamsaka Sutra tells you 117 00:04:02,611 --> 00:04:04,550 Something truly astonishing 118 00:04:04,651 --> 00:04:06,651 A woman who received many men every day 119 00:04:06,651 --> 00:04:08,730 And made her living by arousing desire 120 00:04:08,732 --> 00:04:11,191 Was counted among Sudhanas spiritual teachers 121 00:04:11,371 --> 00:04:11,930 Her virtue 122 00:04:12,252 --> 00:04:13,531 Did not lie in her profession 123 00:04:13,532 --> 00:04:15,050 Or in her outward behavior 124 00:04:15,051 --> 00:04:16,911 It lay in the fact that what she did 125 00:04:17,051 --> 00:04:18,791 Was itself a gate to the Dharma 126 00:04:19,092 --> 00:04:20,811 She gave those who came near her 127 00:04:20,811 --> 00:04:23,551 A chance at the instant desire burned most fiercely 128 00:04:23,571 --> 00:04:26,591 To see the illusory nature of desire itself 129 00:04:26,812 --> 00:04:29,151 Let me put it another way 130 00:04:29,413 --> 00:04:31,531 Someone who has never handled money 131 00:04:31,533 --> 00:04:33,432 Tells you I am not greedy for wealth 132 00:04:33,652 --> 00:04:34,692 Does that statement carry any weight 133 00:04:35,142 --> 00:04:35,942 No 134 00:04:36,093 --> 00:04:37,832 But someone holding a billion 135 00:04:37,892 --> 00:04:40,772 Whom countless people try to extract money from each day 136 00:04:40,772 --> 00:04:42,291 Tells you I am not greedy for wealth 137 00:04:42,812 --> 00:04:44,432 Now that statement carries weight 138 00:04:44,853 --> 00:04:48,192 Vasumitra stood at the very center of desire 139 00:04:48,293 --> 00:04:49,731 What she faced every day 140 00:04:49,733 --> 00:04:52,632 Was a density of temptation most people never encounter in a lifetime 141 00:04:52,853 --> 00:04:55,312 Yet in that position she remained lucid 142 00:04:55,533 --> 00:04:57,291 And her very presence 143 00:04:57,613 --> 00:04:59,111 Became a mirror 144 00:04:59,173 --> 00:05:01,671 Reflecting everyone who approached her 145 00:05:01,933 --> 00:05:02,731 Is that virtue 146 00:05:03,452 --> 00:05:04,171 The Avatamsaka Sutra says 147 00:05:04,572 --> 00:05:05,272 Yes 148 00:05:05,493 --> 00:05:06,452 And it is great virtue 149 00:05:06,853 --> 00:05:08,632 The mark of a supreme spiritual teacher 150 00:05:08,733 --> 00:05:09,911 Let us continue 151 00:05:10,493 --> 00:05:12,392 Sudhana arrived in the city of Many Banners 152 00:05:12,413 --> 00:05:14,031 To visit a king 153 00:05:14,533 --> 00:05:16,551 The king was named Anala 154 00:05:16,892 --> 00:05:17,971 As soon as Sudhana entered the city 155 00:05:18,332 --> 00:05:19,531 What did he see 156 00:05:20,132 --> 00:05:22,471 The scripture describes a horrifying scene 157 00:05:22,652 --> 00:05:25,632 Every kind of torture device filled the square before the palace 158 00:05:25,733 --> 00:05:28,351 Some prisoners had their ears and noses cut off 159 00:05:28,452 --> 00:05:29,692 Some had their hands and feet severed 160 00:05:30,053 --> 00:05:31,632 Some were disemboweled 161 00:05:31,692 --> 00:05:33,392 Some struggled in cauldrons of boiling oil 162 00:05:33,533 --> 00:05:35,132 Blood ran across the square 163 00:05:35,373 --> 00:05:36,591 And cries of agony filled the air 164 00:05:36,853 --> 00:05:39,711 King Anala sat high on his throne 165 00:05:39,812 --> 00:05:40,832 Watching it all 166 00:05:40,933 --> 00:05:41,812 His expression cold 167 00:05:42,093 --> 00:05:43,527 As he issued orders 168 00:05:43,987 --> 00:05:45,886 Sudhana fell apart on the spot 169 00:05:45,987 --> 00:05:47,647 The scripture says a profound doubt 170 00:05:47,647 --> 00:05:48,926 Arose in his mind 171 00:05:49,068 --> 00:05:50,746 How could this possibly be a spiritual teacher 172 00:05:51,107 --> 00:05:52,467 How could this possibly be a bodhisattva 173 00:05:52,868 --> 00:05:55,366 He was clearly a bloodthirsty tyrant 174 00:05:55,587 --> 00:05:56,967 I seek the path of awakening 175 00:05:57,027 --> 00:05:59,746 Why would Manjushri send me to bow before such a man 176 00:06:00,547 --> 00:06:02,366 Just as Sudhana began to waver 177 00:06:02,388 --> 00:06:03,946 A voice came from the sky 178 00:06:03,948 --> 00:06:06,046 The Buddhas of the ten directions reminded him 179 00:06:06,227 --> 00:06:06,787 Virtuous man 180 00:06:07,068 --> 00:06:08,926 Do not entertain such thoughts 181 00:06:09,068 --> 00:06:10,227 What you see before you 182 00:06:10,388 --> 00:06:12,087 Is not what you think it is 183 00:06:12,188 --> 00:06:13,607 This King Anala 184 00:06:13,628 --> 00:06:16,999 Is a great bodhisattva who attained liberation through illusion 185 00:06:17,261 --> 00:06:19,800 Still doubtful Sudhana continued onward 186 00:06:20,021 --> 00:06:22,480 When he finally stood before King Anala 187 00:06:22,581 --> 00:06:24,280 The king told him the truth 188 00:06:24,581 --> 00:06:25,460 King Anala said 189 00:06:25,860 --> 00:06:27,400 In the country I govern 190 00:06:27,420 --> 00:06:29,040 The people are stubborn and difficult to tame 191 00:06:29,220 --> 00:06:30,920 They create extremely grave karma 192 00:06:31,021 --> 00:06:33,100 Murder arson and plunder 193 00:06:33,100 --> 00:06:34,160 There is nothing they will not do 194 00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:35,900 When I teach them by ordinary means 195 00:06:36,141 --> 00:06:37,480 They refuse to listen 196 00:06:37,540 --> 00:06:38,780 When I use gentle policies 197 00:06:38,980 --> 00:06:40,400 They only grow worse 198 00:06:40,461 --> 00:06:41,819 In the end I had no choice 199 00:06:41,821 --> 00:06:43,660 But to use the harshest punishments 200 00:06:43,660 --> 00:06:45,739 So that in the face of immense suffering 201 00:06:45,740 --> 00:06:48,001 They would feel profound fear 202 00:06:48,222 --> 00:06:50,100 But the punishments you saw 203 00:06:50,102 --> 00:06:52,061 The noses cut off and the hands severed 204 00:06:52,062 --> 00:06:53,720 The prisoners thrown into boiling oil 205 00:06:53,781 --> 00:06:56,641 Were all illusions I created through supernatural power 206 00:06:56,941 --> 00:06:58,280 They were not real people 207 00:06:58,662 --> 00:07:00,300 They were conjured by me 208 00:07:00,302 --> 00:07:02,480 Actors who merely appeared to suffer 209 00:07:02,901 --> 00:07:05,561 I made the real offenders watch these illusions 210 00:07:05,581 --> 00:07:06,600 And experience the fear that 211 00:07:06,701 --> 00:07:08,381 If I do not stop doing evil 212 00:07:08,381 --> 00:07:09,501 This will be my fate 213 00:07:09,701 --> 00:07:10,641 The fear of that consequence 214 00:07:10,901 --> 00:07:12,220 Then arose within them 215 00:07:12,222 --> 00:07:14,461 A real fear of harmful karma 216 00:07:14,461 --> 00:07:15,881 And they truly began to turn toward virtue 217 00:07:16,461 --> 00:07:17,420 Across the entire kingdom 218 00:07:17,422 --> 00:07:20,401 Not one real prisoner died by my hand 219 00:07:20,701 --> 00:07:22,540 Yet the crime rate throughout the kingdom 220 00:07:22,542 --> 00:07:24,081 Fell to almost zero 221 00:07:24,461 --> 00:07:25,261 After hearing this Sudhana 222 00:07:25,622 --> 00:07:26,902 Prostrated himself fully 223 00:07:27,204 --> 00:07:27,962 At this point 224 00:07:28,204 --> 00:07:29,642 You may be starting to wonder 225 00:07:29,644 --> 00:07:31,402 If Buddhist scriptures stretch the imagination a little too far 226 00:07:32,043 --> 00:07:33,803 Using illusions to terrify prisoners 227 00:07:34,404 --> 00:07:35,863 That may sound implausible 228 00:07:36,363 --> 00:07:37,382 But do not rush to judgment 229 00:07:37,604 --> 00:07:39,902 Treat this story as a parable 230 00:07:40,123 --> 00:07:42,462 And see what it is really trying to tell you 231 00:07:42,964 --> 00:07:43,642 Conventional virtue 232 00:07:43,964 --> 00:07:45,223 Classifies behavior 233 00:07:45,363 --> 00:07:46,642 Good deeds are virtuous 234 00:07:47,043 --> 00:07:48,663 Bad deeds are evil 235 00:07:49,123 --> 00:07:51,503 If a king throws someone into boiling oil 236 00:07:51,644 --> 00:07:52,923 Whatever his reason 237 00:07:52,923 --> 00:07:53,902 That is evil 238 00:07:54,204 --> 00:07:56,402 If a woman receives many men 239 00:07:56,404 --> 00:07:57,762 Whatever her intention 240 00:07:57,764 --> 00:07:58,702 That is also evil 241 00:07:59,204 --> 00:08:02,063 But the Avatamsaka Sutra makes an extraordinarily bold move 242 00:08:02,284 --> 00:08:04,522 It shifts the standard for judging good and evil 243 00:08:04,524 --> 00:08:07,342 From outward behavior to underlying function 244 00:08:07,644 --> 00:08:08,762 What does underlying function mean 245 00:08:09,803 --> 00:08:10,642 It means asking one question 246 00:08:11,404 --> 00:08:12,303 Does this action 247 00:08:12,324 --> 00:08:14,402 Ultimately lead sentient beings toward awakening 248 00:08:14,683 --> 00:08:15,762 Or toward deeper delusion 249 00:08:17,076 --> 00:08:18,596 Vasumitra received men 250 00:08:18,877 --> 00:08:19,935 Which appeared evil 251 00:08:20,197 --> 00:08:23,276 Yet her presence allowed countless people trapped by desire 252 00:08:23,276 --> 00:08:25,196 At the moment their desire burned most fiercely 253 00:08:25,197 --> 00:08:26,516 To see the true nature of desire 254 00:08:26,797 --> 00:08:27,935 And become free 255 00:08:28,197 --> 00:08:29,115 What she did 256 00:08:29,437 --> 00:08:31,615 Functionally led toward awakening 257 00:08:31,636 --> 00:08:32,776 Therefore it was virtuous 258 00:08:33,117 --> 00:08:34,636 King Anala imposed harsh punishments 259 00:08:34,956 --> 00:08:36,096 Which appeared evil 260 00:08:36,276 --> 00:08:40,816 Yet through illusions he made people who might have murdered and burned 261 00:08:40,836 --> 00:08:44,135 Feel fear stop creating harmful karma and turn toward virtue 262 00:08:44,356 --> 00:08:45,316 What he did 263 00:08:45,596 --> 00:08:47,875 Functionally led toward awakening 264 00:08:47,876 --> 00:08:49,056 Therefore it was virtuous 265 00:08:49,957 --> 00:08:50,596 Now consider the reverse 266 00:08:50,957 --> 00:08:52,035 Suppose a teacher 267 00:08:52,037 --> 00:08:55,295 Tells students every day to be kind and tolerant 268 00:08:55,356 --> 00:08:58,856 But actually uses kindness to manipulate them 269 00:08:58,957 --> 00:09:01,936 Making them afraid to refuse any unreasonable demand 270 00:09:02,077 --> 00:09:03,795 Until the students become people 271 00:09:03,797 --> 00:09:06,696 Who always please others and live in inner conflict 272 00:09:06,876 --> 00:09:07,996 This education in kindness 273 00:09:08,236 --> 00:09:09,816 Sounds entirely positive 274 00:09:09,837 --> 00:09:11,395 But where does it functionally lead 275 00:09:11,797 --> 00:09:14,976 To a soul trapped by self deception 276 00:09:15,276 --> 00:09:15,476 That teaching 277 00:09:15,917 --> 00:09:17,155 By Buddhist standards 278 00:09:17,356 --> 00:09:18,535 Is not virtuous at all 279 00:09:18,797 --> 00:09:19,635 Do you understand 280 00:09:20,197 --> 00:09:21,295 Virtue in Buddhism 281 00:09:21,317 --> 00:09:23,375 Is not a moral label 282 00:09:23,516 --> 00:09:25,096 It is a judgment of function 283 00:09:25,837 --> 00:09:28,696 It does not ask whether your action looks good 284 00:09:28,756 --> 00:09:30,436 It asks whether your action 285 00:09:30,437 --> 00:09:33,236 Can ultimately free beings from suffering and bring them joy 286 00:09:33,236 --> 00:09:34,375 And lead them toward awakening 287 00:09:34,636 --> 00:09:35,076 If it can 288 00:09:35,396 --> 00:09:36,515 Even if your methods 289 00:09:36,516 --> 00:09:39,216 Look shocking by conventional standards 290 00:09:39,276 --> 00:09:40,915 Being a courtesan or imposing harsh punishment 291 00:09:40,917 --> 00:09:42,555 Scolding striking or lying 292 00:09:42,797 --> 00:09:44,255 Any of these can be virtuous 293 00:09:44,516 --> 00:09:45,196 If it cannot 294 00:09:45,476 --> 00:09:46,716 Even if your behavior 295 00:09:46,717 --> 00:09:49,196 Appears beyond reproach by conventional standards 296 00:09:49,197 --> 00:09:51,076 Chanting the Buddhas name daily and making offerings every month 297 00:09:51,276 --> 00:09:52,696 Always talking about compassion 298 00:09:52,717 --> 00:09:54,155 These may still not be virtuous 299 00:09:54,476 --> 00:09:56,152 They may even be profoundly harmful 300 00:09:56,734 --> 00:09:57,333 At this point 301 00:09:57,454 --> 00:09:58,672 I need to pause 302 00:09:58,773 --> 00:10:00,633 And give you a crucial warning 303 00:10:00,814 --> 00:10:02,473 The reversal I just described 304 00:10:02,533 --> 00:10:04,713 May sound exciting to some people 305 00:10:04,893 --> 00:10:05,093 They may think 306 00:10:05,574 --> 00:10:07,012 So Buddhism is this permissive 307 00:10:07,413 --> 00:10:09,412 Then whenever I do something outrageous 308 00:10:09,413 --> 00:10:10,973 I can simply say I did it for your own good 309 00:10:10,974 --> 00:10:11,973 And call myself a spiritual teacher 310 00:10:12,694 --> 00:10:12,892 No 311 00:10:13,293 --> 00:10:14,233 That is not how it works 312 00:10:14,574 --> 00:10:18,792 The Avatamsaka Sutra gives no one a free pass beyond morality 313 00:10:18,974 --> 00:10:21,953 Vasumitra and King Anala could do these things 314 00:10:21,974 --> 00:10:23,593 Only under one absolute condition 315 00:10:23,814 --> 00:10:26,272 They had personally realized liberation through illusion 316 00:10:26,373 --> 00:10:27,253 In other words 317 00:10:27,253 --> 00:10:30,512 They had seen through the illusory nature of every phenomenon 318 00:10:30,653 --> 00:10:33,152 Their minds were perfectly lucid 319 00:10:33,174 --> 00:10:35,473 Without any greed or hatred 320 00:10:36,013 --> 00:10:37,873 Their motivation for these actions 321 00:10:37,893 --> 00:10:40,353 Was completely devoted to the other persons awakening 322 00:10:40,454 --> 00:10:41,772 Not the slightest part of it 323 00:10:41,773 --> 00:10:44,432 Served their own pleasure interest or pride 324 00:10:44,613 --> 00:10:46,312 Ordinary people have not reached this stage 325 00:10:46,334 --> 00:10:47,892 If you imitate their behavior 326 00:10:47,893 --> 00:10:49,432 Only two things can happen 327 00:10:49,533 --> 00:10:51,692 You either make excuses for your own desires 328 00:10:51,694 --> 00:10:53,953 Or disguise your own brutality 329 00:10:54,413 --> 00:10:56,133 So this deeper message of the Avatamsaka Sutra 330 00:10:56,133 --> 00:10:58,613 Does not grant you a license to break morality 331 00:10:58,613 --> 00:11:01,384 It gives you a measure for distinguishing truth from pretense 332 00:11:01,684 --> 00:11:03,163 The next time you meet someone 333 00:11:03,164 --> 00:11:05,984 And wonder whether that person is truly virtuous 334 00:11:06,125 --> 00:11:07,923 Do not look only at outward behavior 335 00:11:07,924 --> 00:11:09,443 Look at what that behavior actually does 336 00:11:09,845 --> 00:11:10,923 When you are around that person 337 00:11:10,924 --> 00:11:12,163 Do you become more lucid 338 00:11:12,404 --> 00:11:13,484 Or more confused 339 00:11:14,085 --> 00:11:14,923 More free 340 00:11:15,164 --> 00:11:16,244 Or more dependent 341 00:11:16,804 --> 00:11:18,384 More able to face yourself honestly 342 00:11:18,445 --> 00:11:20,083 Or more skilled at deceiving yourself 343 00:11:20,684 --> 00:11:21,844 If it is the former 344 00:11:21,845 --> 00:11:24,423 Even if they scold you strike you or embarrass you 345 00:11:24,485 --> 00:11:26,264 They may be your spiritual teacher 346 00:11:26,365 --> 00:11:27,443 If it is the latter 347 00:11:27,445 --> 00:11:29,563 Even if they constantly care for you 348 00:11:29,564 --> 00:11:30,663 And say every comforting word 349 00:11:30,684 --> 00:11:31,563 In terms of function 350 00:11:31,845 --> 00:11:33,744 They may be pushing you into a pit 351 00:11:34,164 --> 00:11:36,724 This is the discernment the fifty three visits 352 00:11:36,725 --> 00:11:39,047 In the Avatamsaka Sutra truly seek to teach you 353 00:11:39,589 --> 00:11:40,888 Let me take this a little further 354 00:11:41,268 --> 00:11:42,648 Twenty five hundred years ago 355 00:11:42,749 --> 00:11:46,248 As Vasumitra and King Anala taught this beside the Ganges in India 356 00:11:46,308 --> 00:11:47,628 At the same time 357 00:11:48,109 --> 00:11:49,648 During Chinas Spring and Autumn period 358 00:11:49,668 --> 00:11:52,728 An old master said almost exactly the same thing 359 00:11:53,229 --> 00:11:55,728 Laozi wrote a line in the Tao Te Ching 360 00:11:55,948 --> 00:11:58,167 When all under heaven recognize beauty as beauty 361 00:11:58,268 --> 00:11:59,248 Ugliness is already there 362 00:11:59,428 --> 00:12:00,748 When all recognize virtue as virtue 363 00:12:01,148 --> 00:12:02,327 What is not virtuous is already there 364 00:12:02,349 --> 00:12:04,087 Let me put that in plain language 365 00:12:04,389 --> 00:12:07,547 When everyone defines beauty as one fixed form 366 00:12:07,548 --> 00:12:10,207 That very act is already ugly 367 00:12:10,349 --> 00:12:13,347 When everyone defines virtue as one fixed form 368 00:12:13,349 --> 00:12:15,167 What is not virtuous comes into being 369 00:12:15,428 --> 00:12:18,023 Consider how powerful that statement is 370 00:12:18,604 --> 00:12:19,663 Laozi is saying 371 00:12:19,683 --> 00:12:22,143 The moment you fix virtue into a label 372 00:12:22,163 --> 00:12:24,143 Such as doing good deeds is virtuous 373 00:12:24,244 --> 00:12:26,422 You simultaneously create its opposite 374 00:12:26,443 --> 00:12:28,342 Not doing good deeds becomes unvirtuous 375 00:12:28,523 --> 00:12:31,422 People then become attached to that label 376 00:12:31,484 --> 00:12:34,462 And act in order to be seen as virtuous 377 00:12:34,563 --> 00:12:37,462 Instead of acting to truly benefit others 378 00:12:37,683 --> 00:12:39,062 That attachment itself 379 00:12:39,084 --> 00:12:41,643 Turns virtue into a new shackle 380 00:12:41,643 --> 00:12:43,103 A new form of attachment to self 381 00:12:43,764 --> 00:12:44,942 Laozis insight 382 00:12:44,964 --> 00:12:47,442 And the Avatamsaka Sutra in a different language 383 00:12:47,443 --> 00:12:48,942 Point to the same truth 384 00:12:49,163 --> 00:12:50,643 Virtue is not a label 385 00:12:51,004 --> 00:12:52,702 Or a category of behavior 386 00:12:52,884 --> 00:12:54,442 The moment you turn it into a label 387 00:12:54,764 --> 00:12:55,783 It dies 388 00:12:56,643 --> 00:12:59,422 It becomes a tool for dividing self from other 389 00:12:59,443 --> 00:13:02,302 Superior from inferior and right from wrong 390 00:13:02,484 --> 00:13:05,342 And no longer expresses what it originally meant 391 00:13:06,759 --> 00:13:08,058 So look back now 392 00:13:08,238 --> 00:13:10,737 At those Buddhist terms you have recited all your life 393 00:13:11,319 --> 00:13:12,977 Virtuous man and virtuous woman 394 00:13:13,118 --> 00:13:16,698 They do not mean kindhearted men and women 395 00:13:17,039 --> 00:13:17,718 They mean 396 00:13:17,998 --> 00:13:20,298 You who walk the path of awakening 397 00:13:20,439 --> 00:13:23,097 You who aspire to see reality clearly 398 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:26,257 Here virtue names a direction of practice 399 00:13:26,439 --> 00:13:27,977 Not a moral judgment 400 00:13:28,358 --> 00:13:29,277 A spiritual teacher 401 00:13:29,279 --> 00:13:32,298 Does not simply mean a kindhearted good teacher 402 00:13:32,519 --> 00:13:33,158 It means 403 00:13:33,478 --> 00:13:35,497 Anything that can awaken you 404 00:13:36,198 --> 00:13:39,578 That may be a highly respected monk 405 00:13:39,598 --> 00:13:42,698 Or an adversary you cannot stand 406 00:13:42,759 --> 00:13:45,958 It may be your child your partner or your boss 407 00:13:45,958 --> 00:13:49,137 It may even be an illness that utterly breaks you 408 00:13:49,358 --> 00:13:52,017 If it ultimately leads you toward awakening 409 00:13:52,039 --> 00:13:54,482 It is your spiritual teacher 410 00:13:54,902 --> 00:13:55,661 Refrain from every evil 411 00:13:55,943 --> 00:13:57,082 And practice every virtue 412 00:13:57,262 --> 00:13:59,462 Does not merely mean do nothing bad 413 00:13:59,703 --> 00:14:00,762 And do more good deeds 414 00:14:01,142 --> 00:14:02,122 It means 415 00:14:02,142 --> 00:14:06,041 Do nothing that drives you and other beings deeper into confusion 416 00:14:06,142 --> 00:14:10,041 Do anything that leads you and other beings toward deeper awakening 417 00:14:10,422 --> 00:14:11,362 This standard 418 00:14:11,382 --> 00:14:14,641 Goes far beyond the conventional division between good and bad people 419 00:14:15,063 --> 00:14:16,502 I must say this honestly 420 00:14:16,902 --> 00:14:17,742 This understanding 421 00:14:17,742 --> 00:14:19,342 For most people 422 00:14:19,343 --> 00:14:21,962 Is harder to practice than simply being a good person 423 00:14:22,262 --> 00:14:24,362 Because being good has clear standards 424 00:14:24,583 --> 00:14:25,901 You do not steal rob or deceive 425 00:14:26,502 --> 00:14:27,602 You gladly help others 426 00:14:27,742 --> 00:14:28,622 You respect the old and care for the young 427 00:14:28,983 --> 00:14:30,041 Then you are a good person 428 00:14:30,343 --> 00:14:32,202 That standard is socially defined 429 00:14:32,262 --> 00:14:34,531 It can be imitated and checked off a list 430 00:14:34,752 --> 00:14:35,391 But practicing virtue 431 00:14:35,671 --> 00:14:37,330 By the standard of the Avatamsaka Sutra 432 00:14:37,472 --> 00:14:38,730 Has no fixed standard 433 00:14:38,992 --> 00:14:40,470 Being gentle with someone today 434 00:14:40,752 --> 00:14:41,771 May be virtuous 435 00:14:41,911 --> 00:14:43,171 Or it may be indulgence 436 00:14:43,352 --> 00:14:44,830 Being strict with someone tomorrow 437 00:14:45,152 --> 00:14:46,171 May be virtuous 438 00:14:46,191 --> 00:14:47,450 Or it may be an outlet for your anger 439 00:14:47,711 --> 00:14:49,950 The basis for judgment is not your behavior 440 00:14:49,951 --> 00:14:51,251 It lies in your motivation 441 00:14:51,311 --> 00:14:55,051 And in the real effect that behavior has on the evolution of their awareness 442 00:14:55,352 --> 00:14:55,950 This means 443 00:14:56,352 --> 00:14:57,371 True virtue 444 00:14:57,472 --> 00:15:00,450 Requires you to maintain profound awareness at every moment 445 00:15:00,632 --> 00:15:01,791 Awareness of your own motivation 446 00:15:02,112 --> 00:15:03,651 Awareness of the other persons state 447 00:15:03,671 --> 00:15:06,771 Awareness of where this interaction is leading them 448 00:15:06,951 --> 00:15:09,690 It cannot be outsourced to any moral rule 449 00:15:09,711 --> 00:15:10,791 Only you can 450 00:15:11,191 --> 00:15:12,551 At each present moment 451 00:15:12,551 --> 00:15:15,462 Judge it personally and bear the responsibility yourself 452 00:15:15,763 --> 00:15:17,702 This is why the Avatamsaka Sutra says 453 00:15:17,803 --> 00:15:20,741 The path of awakening has fifty three kinds of spiritual teachers 454 00:15:21,002 --> 00:15:23,501 You are not meant to meet fifty three good people 455 00:15:23,602 --> 00:15:26,741 You are meant to meet fifty three real states of being 456 00:15:27,002 --> 00:15:31,221 Each one challenges your fixed definition of virtue 457 00:15:31,443 --> 00:15:32,361 Every challenge 458 00:15:32,683 --> 00:15:34,562 Loosens the label of virtue inside you 459 00:15:34,563 --> 00:15:38,381 That society welded firmly into your mind 460 00:15:38,643 --> 00:15:40,342 Once you complete the fifty three visits 461 00:15:40,403 --> 00:15:43,302 You no longer judge virtue through any label 462 00:15:43,443 --> 00:15:44,922 At every present moment you simply 463 00:15:45,322 --> 00:15:46,101 See 464 00:15:46,242 --> 00:15:49,662 See the motivation the function and the result 465 00:15:49,842 --> 00:15:50,662 Only then 466 00:15:50,683 --> 00:15:55,021 Do you truly deserve the title virtuous man or virtuous woman 467 00:15:55,842 --> 00:15:57,861 Not because of how many good deeds you have done 468 00:15:57,923 --> 00:15:59,562 But because your eyes 469 00:15:59,563 --> 00:16:02,162 For the first time without the filter of labels 470 00:16:02,163 --> 00:16:03,880 See the world clearly 471 00:16:04,140 --> 00:16:05,580 As we come to the end of this episode 472 00:16:05,581 --> 00:16:07,399 I have to leave you with a question 473 00:16:07,581 --> 00:16:09,720 I just spent twenty minutes telling you 474 00:16:09,780 --> 00:16:12,320 That virtue in Buddhism is not a moral label 475 00:16:12,380 --> 00:16:13,620 But a judgment of function 476 00:16:13,981 --> 00:16:15,919 What leads toward awakening is virtuous 477 00:16:16,020 --> 00:16:18,000 What leads toward delusion is evil 478 00:16:18,260 --> 00:16:19,220 So here is the question 479 00:16:19,620 --> 00:16:21,419 If the judgment of good and evil 480 00:16:21,421 --> 00:16:24,200 Depends entirely on where it leads sentient beings 481 00:16:24,260 --> 00:16:25,299 Does that mean 482 00:16:25,540 --> 00:16:27,519 That in certain extreme situations 483 00:16:27,581 --> 00:16:28,779 Killing can be virtuous 484 00:16:29,221 --> 00:16:30,766 And saving a life can be evil 485 00:16:31,326 --> 00:16:33,745 Buddhist scriptures actually contain such a story 486 00:16:33,926 --> 00:16:35,365 In one of Shakyamuni Buddhas past lives 487 00:16:35,566 --> 00:16:37,085 He was once aboard a ship 488 00:16:37,086 --> 00:16:40,926 And personally killed a bandit who planned to murder all five hundred people aboard 489 00:16:40,926 --> 00:16:41,445 The scripture says 490 00:16:41,806 --> 00:16:42,766 By doing so 491 00:16:42,767 --> 00:16:44,245 He saved five hundred lives 492 00:16:44,247 --> 00:16:48,386 And stopped the bandit from creating the grave karma of five hundred murders 493 00:16:48,527 --> 00:16:51,585 Keeping him from falling into the deepest hell after death 494 00:16:51,966 --> 00:16:53,945 It was a virtuous act of killing 495 00:16:54,367 --> 00:16:54,886 Now consider the reverse 496 00:16:55,127 --> 00:16:56,465 You save someones life 497 00:16:56,487 --> 00:16:59,166 But your help makes them dependent on you forever 498 00:16:59,167 --> 00:17:00,205 And robs them of independence 499 00:17:00,206 --> 00:17:02,386 Leaving them a soul that never grows up 500 00:17:02,487 --> 00:17:04,382 Is that action good or evil 501 00:17:04,983 --> 00:17:05,921 I do not know 502 00:17:06,343 --> 00:17:07,022 I only know 503 00:17:07,383 --> 00:17:09,282 That once you seriously accept 504 00:17:09,302 --> 00:17:11,921 The Avatamsaka Sutras functional standard 505 00:17:12,103 --> 00:17:16,481 You can no longer view the world through simple labels 506 00:17:16,543 --> 00:17:18,122 Of good people and bad people 507 00:17:18,502 --> 00:17:21,041 You must shoulder a heavier responsibility 508 00:17:21,182 --> 00:17:22,362 Use your own awareness 509 00:17:22,462 --> 00:17:25,961 To judge the good and evil of each present moment for yourself 510 00:17:26,422 --> 00:17:29,201 This may be the hardest part of spiritual practice 511 00:17:29,222 --> 00:17:31,253 And also the most liberating part 512 00:17:31,595 --> 00:17:33,194 What do you think about this episode 513 00:17:33,835 --> 00:17:34,993 In your own life 514 00:17:34,994 --> 00:17:37,333 Has someone who looked good on the surface 515 00:17:37,435 --> 00:17:39,154 Actually kept making you worse 516 00:17:39,714 --> 00:17:42,214 Or has something that looked terrible on the surface 517 00:17:42,274 --> 00:17:43,593 Instead awakened you completely 518 00:17:44,195 --> 00:17:45,033 For the next episode 519 00:17:45,314 --> 00:17:46,773 What would you like me to discuss 520 00:17:46,835 --> 00:17:49,127 Tell me in the comments 521 00:17:49,639 --> 00:17:50,173 I am Leo Wang 522 00:17:50,322 --> 00:17:51,166 See you next time