Page 38 - 加拿大佛教会湛山精舍杂志季刊第74期

法脈摭實
D HARMA COLLECTION

The Direct Approach to

Buddhadharma III

直達佛法的方法（三）

Translated by Venerable Dharma Master lok To

Part I

Teaching Regarding the Worldly

For the purpose of an overview, teachings contained universe and how is it regulated have preoccupied
in Buddhadharma can be conveniently divided into people as far back in history as evidence can take us.
two paths, i.e., the mundane Dharma, also known as The scope of the universe in terms of space and time
the “Teaching Regarding the Worldly”; and the Dhar- exceeds our capacity for understanding. The earth’s
ma of the Supramundane, also called the “Ultimate volume makes us insignificant by comparison, and
Path”. Dharma of the Ultimate Path is the essential all our attempts to control time and space are equal-
constituent in each of the three major traditions of ly frustrating; their boundaries keep evading us. The
Buddhism practiced today, namely Theravada, Ma- riddle of the universe daunts philosophers and scien-
hayana and Vajrayana. We are going to study Bud- tists alike. In theistic systems the answer to the riddle
dhadharma by first turning our attention to the Mun- is invariably relegated to the uppermost echelons of
dane Dharma or the Teaching regarding the worldly. divine power and worldings advised to regard these
mysteries beyond their scope of thinking.
Our connection with the world is most intimate al-
though the fact usually escapes our attention because Answers to questions regarding the universe offered
we take it for granted; we re-confirm it with each by Buddhadharma have been recognized on count-
breath we take and every action we perform and there less occasions as the most plausible; they are being
is no way we can control it. This connection con- considered seriously by an ever increasing number of
tinues after we die and therefore we keep turning on scientists. The universe as posited by Buddhist met-
the wheel of birth and death. The only way to lib- aphysics is powered by and depends on the dynam-
eration from this fetter is to discern the true reality ics of karma. The earth’s enormous body and its life
of our lives. Addressed exhaustively, this process of consist entirely of a network woven by the dynamics
discerning will lead to liberation. According to Bud- of karma. What do we mean by the word “Karma”?
dhadharma, the first step is to become fully aware of According to the Abhidharma Kosa, “to institute an
the world. action is karma.” In more detail, every action through
the body, speech and mind is manifesting the dynam-
Questions regarding the origin and the purpose of the ics of karma. The karmic momentum is referred to as

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