32. The Teaching on the Nature of all Dharmas

Overall Teaching

In this chapter, the Buddha teaches that a bodhisattva mahāsattva seeking to understand the nature of all dharmas should cultivate, recite, and share this Samādhi, which gathers and benefits all beings. Through holding this Samādhi, they attain wisdom, discipline, and supernatural abilities, enabling them to visit Buddhas, endure hardships without anger, and teach the Dharma with boundless compassion. Revered by both humans and non-human beings, they gain respect, inspire others toward bodhi, and accumulate immeasurable merit, embodying a life of tranquil generosity, patience, and understanding of emptiness.

Summary

• The Buddha addresses Candraprabha, explaining the purpose of the Samādhi: Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who aspire to know the nature of all dharmas should cultivate this Samādhi. Through upholding, reciting, and teaching it, they benefit all sentient beings by gathering them towards liberation.

• In verse, the Buddha describes the qualities and attainments of those who hold this Samādhi:

• Freedom from Defilements: The wise are free from anger, desire, and delusion, knowing the supreme tranquil Dharma.

• Adherence to Precepts: They uphold the Buddha’s precepts and seek this Samādhi with a disciplined mind.

• Supernatural Abilities: With wisdom, they visit Buddhas in various realms, reaching liberation through dhāraṇī.

• Calmness and Compassion: They endure insults without anger, understanding the emptiness of aggregates and defilements.

• Healing and Liberation: As skilled physicians, they understand suffering's causes and liberate sentient beings.

• Patience and Equanimity: Unshakeable like Mount Sumeru, they withstand all hardships, realising emptiness.

• Boundless Understanding of Dharma: They comprehend the three times, dualities, and boundless Dharma without fear.

• Teaching and Eloquence: Able to expound countless sūtras, they exhibit inexhaustible eloquence and compassion.

• Becoming Kings of Jambudvīpa: Through compassion, they gain respect and rule kindly, understanding emptiness.

• Renouncing Attachments: Abandoning family and kingship, they live without regret, knowing tranquillity.

• Service to Countless Buddhas: Upholding the empty Dharma, they serve Buddhas tirelessly.

• Possessing All Faculties and Freed from Difficulty: They retain faculties through kalpas and remain far from suffering.

• Transformation Bodies and Bodhi Determination: With countless forms, they liberate beings, inspiring bodhi.

• Supreme Attainments through this Samādhi: Emitting radiance beyond the sun and moon, they become supreme among people.

• Unyielding Diligence: Reflecting on the Buddha’s path, they persevere, receiving prophecies for their dedication.

• Final Age Dedication: In the last age, they protect and transmit the Dharma, preserving the sūtra.

Commentary

According to Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, this chapter is on the supreme benefits of upholding the Samādhi, whereas the previous one is on on the temporary, or relative benefits. While this chapter also has some relative benefits, because it includes the highest wisdom and the ability to teach and manifest buddha bodies, these benefits more profound than chapter 31.

Discussion

Since chapters 31 and 32 are fairly straight forward, I do not have a specific discussion question on them. However, we can go over any unclear points in more detail together.