3. Praise of the Buddha's Qualities

Overall Teaching

The Buddha explains to Candraprabha the qualities of a tathāgata attainable through this sūtra, his past generosity, and the sūtra's benefits while condemning unpracticed teaching. Candraprabha vows to uphold this teaching.

Summary

• Bodhisattva mahāsattvas are encouraged to study, uphold, and expound the profound samādhi (i.e. the meditation and the sūtra) to reveal the true merits of the Tathāgata and receive predictions of their buddhahood from Buddhas.

• The true qualities of a Tathāgata include: being an accomplished meditator, teacher of devas and humans, possessing boundless wisdom, having extraordinary physical and moral characteristics, and being untainted by desires, transcending the formless realms and suffering.

• The merits of the Tathāgata are endless and include their ability to transform sentient beings and guide them towards nirvana, demonstrating an incomparable body and the ultimate liberation from all dharmas and cravings.

• The importance of preserving and spreading the teachings of this samādhi is emphasized, with all expressions and teachings being endorsed and predicted by the Buddhas.

• In gātha, the Buddha reflects on the Tathāgata's virtues, which cannot be fully expressed even over countless kalpas and are a result of long cultivation of excellent roots and virtues aimed at achieving this profound samādhi. 

  • He emphasises generosity, such as giving away wealth, precious items, and teachings to pursue spiritual perfection and the higher virtues associated with the samādhi.

• The Bodhisattva vows to protect and promote this profound samādhi after the Buddha's nirvāṇa, highlighting the contrast between true practitioners and those who preach without practising, particularly in the degenerate age to come.

  • The sutra criticizes monks in future ages who will preach without practising, comparing them unfavourably to those who truly embody the teachings.

• The sutra concludes with a call for all present to commit to upholding this samādhi, with the youth Candraprabha and five hundred others vowing to maintain and spread this teaching, exemplifying their dedication to the Dharma and compassion towards sentient beings enduring suffering.

Commentary

Thrangu Rinpoche writes that the third chapter of the King of Samadhis Sutra highlights the virtues of samadhi, emphasizing the importance of cultivating faith and devotion towards one's root and lineage teachers to receive and apply the teachings of samadhi effectively. By practising samadhi diligently, practitioners can achieve the ultimate fruition—manifesting the extensive enlightened qualities of the Buddha in body, speech, and mind, which include major and minor marks of excellence, the melodious voice of Brahma, fearlessness, and profound wisdom. The chapter also underscores the necessity of having complete trust in the teachings, illustrated through Milarepa's life story. Milarepa clarifies that his enlightenment was not due to being an incarnation of a buddha or bodhisattva but rather the result of his dedicated practice of the Dharma, emphasizing that enlightenment is attainable in a single lifetime through sincere practice rather than through numerous reincarnations. This narrative reinforces the power of authentic teachings and the transformative impact of genuine spiritual practice.

Discussion

• The chapter highlights the practice of sitting quietly in solitude under a tree. How does solitude contribute to spiritual growth, and what can we learn from this practice about balancing community life and personal meditation practice?

• The chapter mentions future times when the Dharma might be misunderstood or not practised correctly. How can we ensure the purity of the teachings and practices in times when spiritual integrity is challenged?

• The Tathāgata's pleasing appearance and elegant voice inspire faith and respect. How do our own actions and demeanour influence others around us, and what can we learn from the Tathāgata's example?