The last four vajra points are the buddha-essence,4 enlightenment, the buddha qualities, and the buddha activities. Each vajra point will be divided into two parts: a general and then a more detailed description. The following introduction is a description of the last four vajra points. These points cannot be understood directly by ordinary beings.
arise from the suchness, polluted and unpolluted,
the qualities of immaculate Buddhahood and the victors’ deeds—
such is the domain of knowledge for those who perceive the ultimate.
The nature of sugatagarbha or Buddha-nature is unpolluted suchness which is the true condition of phenomena when it is not distorted by illusion or the confusion created by the mind. In the example in which a rope is mistaken for a snake, if one understands the nature of the rope, one is not afraid of it. Normally, the suchness of phenomena is distorted by the illusion of samsara, even though the actual nature of this suchness is emptiness and clarity. In this way, polluted suchness is similar to Buddha-nature. If one has a jewel covered with mud and the mind is removed, the purity of the jewel is revealed. Because the nature of the jewel is pure, one can remove the impurities and it will still retain its purity. In the same way, Buddha-nature is stainless when the emotional and cognitive obscurations are removed. The presence of unpolluted suchness which is Buddhahood will appear. Once all the impurities are removed, the suchness can manifest in all of its purity and is revealed as enlightenment which is the second of the last four vajra qualities. When the suchness has been purified, all the qualities inherent in this suchness can manifest.
These are the buddha qualities which are the third of the last four vajra points. The buddha qualities represent total fulfillment for oneself and others. They are the fulfillment of one’s own potential because all the causes of suffering, karma, have been removed. This happiness is complete and unchanging because all causes of happiness are present. From the qualities of Buddhahood spring the power to help other beings which is the fourth of the last vajra points, buddha activity. The realization of Buddhahood is the supreme way to help all beings and as long as samsara continues Buddhahood will continue to help an infinite number of beings. Buddha activity gives more than temporary relief from suffering, It permits beings to achieve ultimate happiness.
It is said that before we see the three jewels as rare and supreme, we see them as a refuge with the Buddha being the ultimate refuge. But where do these refuges come from? They arise from the above four qualities of unpolluted suchness, the qualities of Buddhahood, and the activities of Buddhahood. Through these qualities one can achieve the three refuges. It is difficult for ordinary persons to understand how these last four vajra points can bring about the
realization of the three jewels because only Buddhas are capable of perceiving this directly.
The virtuous Three Jewels, which are rare and sublime, arise from suchness bound up
with pollution, from the one free from pollution, from the qualities of unpolluted
Buddhahood and from the deeds of the Victor. This is the object of those who see the
ultimate truth.
Now we come to a thorough explanation of why there are the Three Jewels.
There are four reasons:
1. When the Buddha-nature is accompanied or wrapped by stains or defilements
2. When the same Buddha-nature is free from these temporary defilements
3. This Buddha has all the great qualities such as the ten powers.
4. And this Buddha manifests, with infinite activity, in order to benefit sentient beings.
From these four reasons emerges the concept of the “Triple Gem”. This stanza is amazing. It’s an amazing teaching. You see, we have the Triple Gem as the object of refuge. But who appointed it as the object of refuge to which we should be praying? Maitreya is saying that no one did! So where does it come from? From kham, the element or Buddha-nature. When this Buddha-nature is wrapped by defilements, when it is free from defilements, and after that its
activity and its power. There are the four reasons, including the time when it is wrapped. Because when it is wrapped then there is a path, and then there is longing for or referring to some kind of model, as I was telling you earlier. And with this comes the notion of the rare, precious gem. And then Maitreya concludes by saying that this is beyond our ordinary conception.
For me, the most amazing part of this is the first reason. As we have just seen, there are four reasons why there are Three Jewels, and the first one is when Buddha-nature is wrapped by defilements. Again, let me bore you with my window example. The glass itself is pre-clean and pre-dirty. It has nothing to do with dirty and clean. It’s just pure glass. Now it’s wrapped by dirt, temporary dirt, and therefore it can be cleaned. And after cleaning, we have a certain
quality that we call ‘clean glass’. This is an analogy for the Buddha qualities, like the ten powers. For example, when the glass is clean, then you can see the leaves falling through the glass. This is like the infinite Buddha activity. These four exist, and because of that, the Three Jewels exist. The clean glass – that’s Buddha. The fact that the dirt is not glass and therefore it can be cleaned – that’s the Dharma. And then, those window-washers who, with that confidence, wash the temporary non-glass dirt – that’s the Sangha. That’s the path. Maitreya’s introduction to the Triple Gem is amazing! I don’t think you will find a greater introduction than this. And ultimately this can only be expressed or explained by someone who has understood the ultimate nature.
déjà quelques commentaires ...
sur la mise en forme, qui n'est pas si aisée ... quand on voit la présentation de la version de DJKR, avec des commentaires en marge de l'enseignement lui même.
Il faudrait véritablement mener un travail de mise en forme de la présentation de la version traduite (ainsi d'ailleurs que le texte complet à traduire)
au départ j'avais essayé d'y ajouter le commentaire de Jamgon Kongtrul ... j'ai abandonné.
il me semble intéressant que d'autres déjà travaile sur la forme de cette première strophe ... présentation du texte et des commentaires (voir y ajouter le commentaire de JKR)
je le laisse à votre appréciatiion
Sönam
nb : les volontaires peuvent aussi s'inscrire dans ce même sujet ... tout est à construire
: Est-ce que tu cherches à reproduire la mise en page du texte original? Si oui, peux-tu poster ici une copie du document et des 3 commentaires pour aider à visualiser ce que tu souhaites atteindre comme mise en page?
