Eight Great Realizations Sutra
[Chin.: Bā Dà Rén Jué Jīng 八大人觉经]
In the past, translating sutras was a great undertaking that required many people. Master Xuanzang [Chin.: Xuánzàng 玄奘 | c. 602–664] had 600 monks to help him. Even emperors and empresses helped too. The Dharma was extremely important. After all, it can lead one to end birth and death and attain true immortality. Monks who arrived in China during that time had spiritual powers and were hard to refute.
Master An Shi Gao [Chin.: Ān Shì Gāo 安世高 | c. ?—168 CE] was not Chinese. He was from Persia [then called Parthia]. He was a prince. He was highly educated and gifted in worldly matter. Early in his life he decided to leave his country for Canton, China. He was able to learn the language and came to Canton. When he arrived, he learned that people believe in a certain lake spirit who controlled the nearby lake. People had to light incense to cross the lake; when the spirit was angry, he capsized the boats.
Master An Shi Gao had to cross the lake to reach a temple. People warned him not to cross the lake because it was too dangerous. But suddenly a voice at the shrine to the spirit said to invite Master Gao to come over. The spirit said, "Teacher!" Master Gao said, You still have that bad temper. You haven't changed a bit. The spirit said, I am trapped by my karma. I killed a lot of people. Please save me. In his past life, this person got angry a lot and one time killed someone and was reborn as a ghost. Master Gao ordered the spirit to show himself, who turned out to be a huge boa.
Master Gao gave him the three refuges and crossed him over. The snake repented and cried. In the past, he was a monk who had broken the rule of killing. The snake went to the marsh in Shaanxi and die. After that, there was no more trouble at the lake. Think about it, who is behind the faces we know? Who are they? Who are we? Who am I? Who were we before? Master An Shi Gao had the wisdom to see through appearances.
"Eight Great Realizations Sutra"
Buddhist Brothers and Sisters!
All hours, during the day, from dawn until sunset the followers the believers and the disciples should Sincerely, Mindfully with great concentration and whole-heartedly recite and contemplate The eight realizations of Great Beings.
The First Realization:The whole world is impermanent. Countries are fragile and perilous. The body is just a source of pain, ultimately empty. In the five skandhas there is no self. Life and Death is nothing but a series of transformations—arise, change, and perish. Mind is the root of all evil; the body a breeding ground of sins [misdeeds, actions that lead to harm and suffering]. Observing and contemplate these True Realizations. Gradually break free of death and rebirth.
The Second Realization: Too much desire brings suffering. Death rebirth and weariness in life, originating from our thoughts of greed, lust and desires. By lessening desires we can realize absolute truth and enjoy peace, freedom, and health in body and mind.
The Third Realization: Our minds are never satisfied or content with just enough. Always seeking, thirsty for more,
Thus increasing our sins and we create offenses and perform evil deeds. Bodhisattvas or Great Beings renounce such conduct. Instead, they choose to be content. They nurture the Way, living a quiet life in humble surroundings with poverty,—their sole occupation, cultivating wisdom.
The Fourth Realization: Indolence and self-indulgence leads to degradation. Always practice with diligence. With unflagging vigor, great people break through their afflictions and baseness. They vanquish and defeat the four kinds of demons, and escape from the prison of the five skandhas.
The Fifth Realization: Stupidity and ignorance are the leading cause of death and rebirth. Bodhisattvas constantly striving to expand their wisdom and refine their eloquence, by Mindfulness. Teaching and enlighten all living beings, imparts great joy to all.
The Sixth Realization: Suffering in poverty and hardship breeds resentment. Wealth unfairly distributed creates ill-will and conflict among people. Thus, Bodhisattvas practice giving. Beholding the friendly and hostile equally. They do not harbor grudges Nor despise malicious people.
The Seventh Realization: The five desires are are perilous. They are a source of sins and grief. Truly great people, laity included, are not blighted by worldly pleasures. Instead, they think frequently of the three-piece precept robe,
The blessing bowl, and instruments of Dharma. They Aspire to the monastic life and their ultimate ambition is to leave the home life and to cultivate the Path with impeccable purity. Their virtuous qualities are noble and sublime; their attitude towards all creatures, kind and compassionate.
The Eighth Realization: Like a blazing fire, birth and death are plagued with suffering and endless afflictions. Therefore, great people resolve to cultivate the Great Vehicle, to bring relief to all; to endure hardship on behalf of others, and to lead everyone to supreme happiness.
These are the Eight Truths of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Great Beings. Once awakened, they practice the Way with diligence, steeping themselves in kindness and compassion, they cultivate wisdom. They sail the Dharma ship across to Nirvana's shore, and then returning again to samsara to liberate and rescue sentient beings. With these eight principles, they show the proper course for living beings, causing them to recognize the anguish of birth and death by relinquish the five desires, and
Cultivate the mind on the noble path.
If Buddhist followers recite these Eight Realizations, and constantly ponder its meaning, in thought after thought, they will eradicate boundless sins, advance on the Bodhi Path, and will realize Enlightenment. They will always be free of birth and death, and will abide in eternal bliss.
By Shaolin Master Shi Yan Zhuo
Head Master of the Greek Shaolin Temple Cultural Center
