New Writings by Master Hui Lu (June 2022)

Master Huilü

Master Huilü's Teaching - June 13, 2022

Why study Buddhism?

Studying Buddhism means not wanting to lose at life,

To transform oneself into a miracle of wisdom,

And also to transform oneself into the reality of truth.

"Dependent Arising" (緣生 - Yuánshēng) refers to the arising of all phenomena (dharmas).

There is no so-called dominator that dominates them,

Nor is there a controller that controls them.

They arise solely by relying on various provisional conditions.

Originally non-existent, now existing;

From the perspective of the effect, this is called "Dependent Arising".

"Dependent Origination" (緣起 - Yuánqǐ) means "various conditions can give rise to all phenomena".

This is from the perspective of the cause, called "Dependent Origination".

Conclusion:

Dependent Arising (Yuan Sheng) – is spoken of from the perspective of 'effect'.

Dependent Origination (Yuan Qi) – refers to being spoken of from the perspective of 'cause'.

"Because this is, that is; because this arises, that arises."

This is the 'gate of arising and ceasing of impermanent phenomena'.

"Because this is not, that is not; because this ceases, that ceases."

This is the 'gate of cessation and return' which transcends the phenomenal world, transforming the ordinary into the holy.

All phenomena –

Do not arise from themselves, nor from others,

Nor from both self and others combined, nor without a cause.

The myriad phenomena arise only from conditions.

Therefore, all phenomena are fundamentally "unborn" (無生 - Wúshēng).

Based on "Because this is, that is; because this arises, that arises," if we differentiate "Dependent Arising":

"This is, this arises" – refers to the nature of dependent origination (緣起性 - Yuánqǐ xìng).

"That is, that arises" – refers to the characteristics of dependent arising (緣生相 - Yuánshēng xiàng).

The conclusion is:

Dependent Origination (Yuan Qi) – refers to being spoken of in terms of the interdependence of 'existence' and 'non-existence'.

Dependent Arising (Yuan Sheng) – refers to being spoken of in terms of the interdependence of 'arising' and 'ceasing'.

Because of dependent origination leading to dependent arising, it is said –

All phenomena are empty and lack inherent nature (自性 - zìxìng).

This is personally realized by the wisdom of the sages.

It is the true reality (truth) of eternal life.

Master Huilü

Master Huilü's Teaching - June 10, 2022

The true nature renders conditioned phenomena empty; because they are dependently arisen, they are like illusions.

Unconditioned phenomena have no arising or ceasing; they are unreal like flowers in the sky.

All conditioned phenomena (有為法 - yǒuwéi fǎ), because they arise from conditions,

Are like illusory events, without real substance.

All unconditioned phenomena (無為法 - wúwéi fǎ) are also not truly existent,

Because they are unborn, like turtle's hair [i.e., non-existent].

Non-discriminating wisdom (無分別智 - wú fēnbié zhì), having realized Suchness (真如 - zhēnrú),

Within the subsequently attained wisdom (後得智 - hòu dé zhì), can then fully understand the dependent nature (依他起性 - yī tā qǐ xìng).

Because all phenomena are like illusory events,

Deluded sentient beings do not truly know how they are drawn forth by various conditions,

[And how they are] transformations manifested by the illusory discriminations of their own mind and mental factors.

Like mirages, dreamscapes, reflections in a mirror, light and shadow, echoes in a valley, the moon's reflection in water – formed by transformations.

Non-existent yet appearing to exist.

The wise are never deluded by illusory matters.