The Three Conditions and Mindfulness
It is mentioned in the Visualization Sutra that one should first cultivate the Three Conditions before [beginning to] cultivate the pure karma to go to the Pure Land. The Three Conditions are the foundation of the Mahayana Buddhism.
Without such foundations, one will not succeed in one's cultivation and learning, regardless of which Dharma door one learns and practices. The Three Conditions are the common foundation. They are the "true causes - the pure karmas - that the Buddhas of the three time periods cultivate to attain Buddhahood". The three time periods refer to the past, present and the future.
there are innumerable Dharma doors that enable one to attain Buddhahood. all the Dharma doors are based on the foundation of the Three Conditions. It is like constructing a building. Regardless of its height and structural designs, the building must have a firm foundation to be sound.
Although the Pure Land method allows one to bring one's residual karmas into the Western Pure Land, one must also suppress one's sexual desire, anger and ignorance. This way, one will be sure of attaining rebirth there.
If one cannot suppress them, then no matter how much one chants the Buddha name, it is an ancient saying: "Even if one chants until one's throat is hoarse, one's chanting is still futile". One will only form a good affinity with Amitabha Buddha but one will not succeed in attaining rebirth in the Pure Land in this lifetime.
When our three karmas of body, speech and mind are the same as Amitabha Buddha, we become his manifestation. We return to this world to fulfill his original vows. This is even more remarkable than being a person of virtue and sincerity.
Originally, we are reborn into this world to repay our karmic debts, but now each of us is Amitabha Buddha coming to this world through the strength of our vows. This is the most remarkable and unsurpassable method in changing our destinies.
In the Western Pure Land, everyone has the same appearance, the same physical conditions, the same living environment and the same learning. Everyone is equal in everything there. Therefore, one will not have afflictions such as arrogance or sense of inferiority.
Although one still has the seeds of afflictions and residual habits, there are no conditions that will cause these afflictions and residual habits to arise.
We should make a vow that when we attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land ad attain Buddhahood, we will first help those beings we have killed. "When I attain Buddhahood, you will be the first ones I would help. Please do not cause trouble or to obstruct me. If you obstruct me, I will not be able to succeed in cultivation and you will continue to suffer in the Six Paths".
The dedication of Merit says "....repay the Four Kinds of Kindness above and relieve the suffering of those in the Three Paths below". In the Three Paths, the first ones to be helped are those who hold grudges against me.
When we encounter animals, we should mindfully chant the Buddha-name and dedicate the merit to them. It is quite usual to chant "Amitofuo". It is even better if we chant the Three Refuges. "Return and rely upon the Buddha so as not to be born in the hell. Return and rely upon the Dharma so as not to be reborn as a hungry ghost. Return and rely upon the Sangha so as not to be reborn as an animal".
We chant this to the beings in the Three Evil Paths. When we encounter animals, we can chant the Buddha-name and dedicate the merit to them as well as chanting the Three Refuges.
When we are reborn in the Pure Land through the state of Constant Mindfulness, we will be reborn in the Land Where Saints and Ordinary Beings Dwell Together. With the state of One Mind Undisturbed in Mindfulness, we will be reborn in the Land of Expedient Liberation. With the state of One Mind Undisturbed in Enlightenment, we will be reborn in the Land of True Reward. The level of attainment we achieve determines which land we will be reborn into.
There are also different levels in the state of Constant Mindfulness; thus there are nine levels of birth. People who are reborn into higher three levels of birth are able to pass away whenever they wish to. At that time, they can go without illness and maybe standing or seated. If they don't feel like leaving this world yet, they can stay longer. Everything can be achieved at will.
People who are reborn into the middle three levels of birth are able to know a few months in advance when are they going to pass away. Again, they may leave this world standing or seated.
In the lower level, people will know several days in advance of their death, but they may become ill before their time of death. In this lifetime we can attain the state of Constant Mindfulness in which we will have the ability to pass away at ease, to leave whenever we wish.
This is to reborn into the higher three levels of birth, into the Land Where Saints and Ordinary People Dwell Together and to carry our remaining karma along with us.
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