Page 37 - 加拿大佛教会湛山精舍杂志季刊第75期

net of karmic forces endlessly perpetuating themselves as cyclic patterns rooted in
time. The Twelve Links in the Chain of Existence disclose the source of all karmas
and consequently the source of all there is. Theravada practice approaches the
twelve links in terms of the four Noble Truths as follows:

The first five links of the twelve confirm of second of the Four Noble Truths, i.e.,
the Noble Truth of the Causes of Suffering.

The first and the second of the twelve links tie the past to the present, and the third,
fourth and fifth operate in the present. The five links following, namely, the links
number six, seven, eight, nine and ten, are operative in the present, jointly with
links numbered eleven and twelve that ripen in the future and assert the first of the
Four Noble Truths, the Noble Truth of Suffering.

Mindful observation of the twelve links is cultivation of wisdom that reveals the
way to extinction, while the complete extinction of all twelve links is nirvana; it is
the final attainment of praty-eka-buddha and of the arhat. Although the method for
this path to enlightenment is unlike other methods, it shares with them the same
foundation of the three studies, namely discipline, concentration and wisdom. All
of Budhhist practice has one goal, namely, the eradication of defilement and the
attainment of full awakening. It comprises the development of rare powers of the
senses, the knowledge of pervious existences, the capability to appear in any place
at will and insight into the termination of transmigration. As long as the meditator
possesses a body, nirvana is incomplete. Parinirvana or “nothing remaining be-
yond nirvana” manifests itself at the time of dissolution of the retribution-body,
when there is nothing left to hold on to. Such is the absolute state according to
Theravada. Study of the doctrine according to Theravada reveals that the sravake,
the praty-eka-buddha and the arhat all have for their purpose the extinction of birth
and death, the eradication of greed, hatred and ignorance and the attainment of
complete and perfect enlightenment.

Stay tuned for part IV in the next issue
Stay tuned for part IV in the next issue

加國五台山福壽塔

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