~Spoken
by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Hong Kong July 8, 1989
(Originally in Chinese)
Q.
In spiritual practice, what is the difference
between the esoteric and the exoteric paths?
M.
First, spiritual cultivation will be
perfect only if it incorporates both the "esoteric" and "exoteric"
aspects. However, most people do not practice the esoteric path because
they have not found the lineage or met an Enlightened Master who can
transmit the method. So, they choose the exoteric path, which is taught
openly and can be followed without a change in deportment or moral standards.
People who worship the Buddha statue and offer red envelopes (containing
donations) at the temples are considered exoteric practitioners, even
though they slaughter pigs sometimes. People devoted to the esoteric
practice must have high moral standards, strictly observe the precepts,
and know many secret methods that have been passed down through the
ages. However, the most difficult thing is to find an Enlightened Master
who has acquired the esoteric method that transcends worldly language.
He can transmit the method to us only after he has graduated from this
school of intangible teachings and attained the true method that "can
be neither described nor named".
In
the exoteric path, practitioners must study many scriptures and learn
a lot of Buddhist terminology before they can graduate. They must know
what the Buddha, Mahayana, or Mahaprajnaparamita means. They must learn
and know all these things to be able to answer people's questions. Only
then can they preach the exoteric path. It is more difficult to practice
the esoteric path because there are no scriptures to learn from. We
rely on our life-after-life spiritual practice, our intense aspiration
for the Truth, as well as our sincerity, precepts and diligent practice.
We rely on ourselves until we find our own Enlightened Master. Therefore,
it is very difficult to graduate from the esoteric path. Shakyamuni
Buddha was accomplished in both the exoteric and esoteric paths. He
could teach anything and elaborate on any scripture, including the four
Vedas. He had no difficulty debating with Brahman believers, or anyone,
for that matter. He had also attained the esoteric teachings that cannot
be transmitted through
words or expressed in writing. Since He had graduated from this school
of intangible teachings, He could transmit them to His believers.
The
difference between the two paths is that very few people have accomplished
the esoteric path while many have accomplished and graduated from the
exoteric path. Ordinary people who have studied in a Buddhist institution
for several years are also considered graduates from the exoteric school.
So, even lay practitioners can preach and explain to the masses the
definition of Mahaprajnaparamita; the Great Mercy Mantra; or the origin
of Amitabha Buddha, the meaning of His name, and why we should repeat
His name.
In
contrast, the esoteric school is very difficult. There are no scriptures
to rely on. We can only depend on our God Nature and wisdom to uncover
the path. We yearn and practice diligently every day until we attain
it completely. Then only can we transmit the path to other people. It
is really difficult because it is the true and intangible scripture,
the Muni Pearl, our intangible possession that we can only earn intangibly
and silently. Not even the Master can help us; He or She can only guide
us on the road. We have to devote our own efforts and know-how to use
our Wisdom.
~Spoken
by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Taipei, Formosa March 6, 1988
(Originally in Chinese)
Q.
There are 84,000 methods in Buddhism. The Diamond
Sutra says that all methods practice benevolence and they are all equal.
However, in the Surangama Sutra, the Buddha said that sentient beings
of the "Dharma Ending Period" should practice the Quan Yin
Method. Is it because the Quan Yin Method is more suitable for sentient
beings?
M. Not only more suitable, but sentient
beings should be practicing the Quan Yin Method in the first place.
Let's make this point clear. We are born as humans in order to practice
the Quan Yin Method and if we do not, then we will not realize what
we should do in our human lives. We miss this precious opportunity because
we miss this vital point, and then we go somewhere to practice the 84,000
methods all over again. But when we finally reach the gate of the ultimate
method and we are born again as human beings, we are reluctant to be
detached. We refuse to practice even when we have met the Enlightened
Master, and we have to transmigrate again and again.
Human
beings are born to practice the Quan Yin Method; it is our obligation
to do so. We are born as humans for the purpose of attaining sainthood
and the great Wisdom. Our final, most precious, and one and only chance
is to be born as humans for the goal of attaining this great Wisdom
and being liberated from the other 84,000 methods that bind sentient
beings. However, because we don't understand this truth, we don't know
what we should do as humans. After practicing the Quan Yin Method, we
slowly come to understand why we are born as humans and what our goal
is. You may be skeptical right now but you give me no choice. Since
you asked, I have to tell you about it. All the other 84,000 methods
are useless; they only bind us within the three realms. They bring us
blessed rewards, power, and supernatural powers, but still chain us
within the three realms. The Quan Yin Method is the one and only method
that will take us beyond the three realms. This is incredible, which
is why we rarely hear about it.
