Commentary on The Sutra of the Compendium of Father and Son (204)

The Importance of Listening to Sutras and Hearing the Dharma

By what means do all Buddhas of the ten directions and three times attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (supreme perfect enlightenment) and accomplish the Buddha Way? All rely on the contemplation that all dharmas are like a dream to realize the three gates of liberation: emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness. First, one hears the correct Dharma of dream-like contemplation, then engages in correct contemplation (right thought), and practices according to the correct principles contemplated, proceeding through the four steps of hearing, contemplation, cultivation, and realization. Without listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma, there will be no right mindfulness for contemplation. Without being able to contemplate and observe the true reality of all dharmas according to the principle, there will be no right diligent practice. Consequently, one cannot realize the true reality of all dharmas, cannot attain the dream-like contemplation, cannot enter the first bhūmi (ground), and cannot attain all subsequent liberations.

If one wishes to realize the illusory nature of all phenomena, realize the inherently pure mind, and attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, one must begin by listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma. After hearing the Dharma, one must gather the mind and contemplate according to the true meaning. One must rely on the Buddha's authoritative teachings (āgama) and, through personal verification in body and mind, gain faith. When the faith faculty becomes firm, and one knows this Dharma will certainly lead to liberation and the accomplishment of the Buddha Way, one will resolutely engage in courageous and diligent practice, never regressing from the great Bodhi Path. Therefore, one will certainly attain the Bodhi fruit. First, one attains the fruit of Śrāvakayāna (Hinayana) Bodhi, realizing the emptiness of the five aggregates and eighteen realms, and the absence of a self. Then, one comprehends the alaya-vijnana (storehouse consciousness) mind, realizing that the alaya-vijnana is neither born nor perishes. One understands that all dharmas arise from the alaya-vijnana, that the self is illusory, that all dharmas are illusory, and that everything is solely the nature of alaya-vijnana, with nothing else existing. Thus, all dharmas are empty, enabling one to reach the first bhūmi. Subsequently, one progressively attains the second, third, and fourth bhūmis, finally realizing the Buddha-ground fruit and entering the ultimate, perfect great Nirvāṇa. Such is the sequence of practice.

Without listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma, and without delving deeply into the scriptural treasury, one will not know how to practice diligently. Delving deeply into the scriptural treasury alone is insufficient; it is crucial to contemplate with right mindfulness according to the principle. This is essential for causing the faculties of faith and diligence to grow continuously. The Buddha stated that relying on this, one can attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Especially important is the Dharma gate of all dharmas being dream-like and illusion-like, as taught by the Buddha in this sutra. By deeply contemplating and practicing this in meditation, one can realize the dream-like contemplation and thereby enter the first bhūmi.