The Practice of the Four Right Efforts (Part II)

Volume 29 of the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra (Part 2)

Original Text: What is called all wholesome dharmas? It refers to that which counteracts, counteracts the coverings, counteracts the fetters, whether unarisen or arisen. It should be understood as previously explained. When unwholesome dharmas have not yet arisen, and the conditions for unwholesome dharmas have not previously coalesced, one arouses an aspiration wishing that they will not arise, thinking, "I shall cause all, all of them never to arise again." This is called generating desire for the sake of non-arising regarding all unarisen unwholesome dharmas.

Explanation: What can be called all wholesome dharmas? Wholesome dharmas counteract unwholesome dharmas; they are the opposite of unwholesome dharmas and are the dharmas that subdue unwholesome dharmas; thus they are called wholesome dharmas. For example, the counteraction of the coverings of afflictions, the counteraction of the fetters of afflictions: when wholesomeness arises, the unwholesome ceases, just as light dispels darkness, causing the darkness to vanish. If unwholesome dharmas disappear, there is no further need to counteract them with wholesome dharmas. Once the mind is purified, it is neither wholesome nor unwholesome. Performing wholesome actions is still conditioned phenomena (saṃskṛta-dharma), karma leading to birth and death. When the mind is purified, there is no karma; one attains great quiescence (mahā-śānti) and great nirvāṇa.

Counteracting unwholesome dharmas with wholesome dharmas is the cultivation of the Four Right Efforts: preventing unarisen unwholesome states from arising, and abandoning arisen unwholesome states. When the causal conditions for the arising of unwholesome dharmas are not yet complete, in order to prevent the unwholesome from arising, one arouses within the mind a seeking and aspiration, wishing that the unwholesome dharmas will not arise again. For example, making vows such as: "May I never be jealous again, never steal again, never speak falsely again, never kill again, never harm others again," and so forth. This is called, regarding the unarisen unwholesome dharmas, arousing hope and desire for the sake of their non-arising.

Original Text: If, when unwholesome dharmas have already arisen, having previously coalesced, one arouses an aspiration wishing to abandon them, thinking, "I shall not endure any, any of them. I shall cut them off, extinguish them, and remove them." This is called generating desire for the sake of abandoning regarding all arisen unwholesome dharmas.

Explanation: If, at that time, the conditions for the arising of unwholesome dharmas have coalesced, and unwholesome dharmas have already arisen, one arouses a seeking and aspiration wishing to abandon the unwholesome dharmas, hoping that one will no longer endure any unwholesome dharmas, resolving to cut off and remove all unwholesome dharmas, transforming the mind towards wholesomeness. This is called, regarding the arisen unwholesome dharmas, arousing hope and desire for the sake of their abandonment.

The vows made above are all wholesome vows. Only an awakened person can make such vows. An awakened person recognizes the unwholesomeness and afflictions within their own mind, knows the evil consequences and retribution of unwholesome dharmas, understands that they obstruct liberation, and is also able to clearly distinguish what is wholesome and what is unwholesome. If one cannot distinguish clearly, one cannot awaken to one's own mind; even if one has vows, they cannot be fulfilled. These vows arise spontaneously and consciously during the practice process; they are the manifestation of effective practice according to the Dharma and the result of diligence (vīrya). Diligence is diligence of the mind, not merely superficial effort on the level of body and speech. Body and speech are like the cart; the mind is like the cart-driver. If one wants the cart to move quickly, one must urge and spur on the driver. Most beginners in Buddhism diligently apply effort on the level of body and speech, such as prostrating to the Buddha or reciting the Buddha's name, but do not yet know how to apply effort on the level of the mind. Experienced practitioners know to observe their own mind, monitor their own mind, counteract their own mind, causing the mind to abandon the unwholesome and cultivate the wholesome.

Dedication: By the merit of all Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform, we dedicate this merit to all sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm, to the people of the world. May the world be at peace, free from war; may conflict cease, weapons forever laid down; may all disasters completely subside! May the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, treating each other with kindness; may the weather be favorable, the nations prosperous and the people at peace! May all sentient beings deeply believe in cause and effect, be kind-hearted and refrain from killing; may they widely form wholesome connections, widely cultivate wholesome karma; may they believe in the Buddha, learn the Buddha-Dharma, and increase their wholesome roots; may they understand suffering, abandon its origin, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; may the door to the evil destinies be closed, and the path to Nirvāṇa opened! May the Buddha-Dharma flourish eternally, the True Dharma abide forever; may the fiery house of the three realms be transformed into the Lotus Land of Ultimate Bliss!