The Practice of the Four Right Efforts (5)

Volume 29 of the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra (Part Five)

Original Text: Regarding all wholesome dharmas that have not yet arisen, generating aspiration for the purpose of causing them to arise means: Regarding all wholesome dharmas not yet attained, not yet presently manifest, one generates the mind of hope and wish, arouses a fierce desire seeking to attain them, a fierce desire seeking their present manifestation, so that they become present. This is called generating aspiration for the purpose of causing the arising of all wholesome dharmas that have not yet arisen.

Explanation: For all wholesome dharmas that have not yet arisen, generating the hope and wish for the purpose of causing them to arise means: Regarding all wholesome dharmas not yet attained, not yet presently manifest, one wishes to attain them, to cause them to be present now, generates the mind hoping to attain them, and arouses a fierce wish, the desire seeking to obtain the wholesome dharmas, the desire seeking the wholesome dharmas to become present, ultimately causing the wholesome dharmas to appear. This is called generating aspiration for the purpose of causing the arising of all wholesome dharmas that have not yet arisen.

Original Text: Regarding all wholesome dharmas that have already arisen, generating aspiration for the purpose of causing them to abide, causing them not to be forgotten or lost, and causing their cultivation to be perfected means: All wholesome dharmas that have already been attained, that are already presently manifest, are called arisen wholesome dharmas. Regarding these wholesome dharmas, since they have been attained and are not lost, attained and do not regress, it is said: "for the purpose of causing them to abide." Regarding these wholesome dharmas, since they are clearly understood and presently manifest, without obscurity or dullness, it is said: "causing them not to be forgotten or lost." Regarding these wholesome dharmas, since they have been attained and are present, one repeatedly cultivates them, accomplishing their perfection and ultimate fulfillment. It is said: "causing their cultivation to be perfected." Generating the mind of hope and wish towards these wholesome dharmas, arousing a fierce desire seeking their firm abiding, a desire seeking not to forget them, a desire seeking the perfection of their cultivation, and this becoming present — this is called generating aspiration for the purpose of causing all arisen wholesome dharmas to abide, not to be forgotten or lost, and for their cultivation to be perfected.

Explanation: For wholesome dharmas that have already arisen, generating the hope and wish for the purpose of causing the wholesome dharmas to abide firmly, not to forget or lose them, and to cause them to be perfected. All wholesome dharmas that have already been attained, that are already presently manifest, are called arisen wholesome dharmas. Regarding the wholesome dharmas that have been attained and are no longer lost, nor do they regress, this is called hoping for the wholesome dharmas to abide permanently. Regarding the existing wholesome dharmas, being clearly understood and self-sustained in the mind, lucid and clear, without obscurity or dullness, this is called causing the wholesome dharmas not to be forgotten or lost. Regarding the wholesome dharmas that have already been attained, cultivating them repeatedly, causing the wholesome dharmas to be perfectly and ultimately fulfilled without interruption, this is called causing their cultivation to be perfected.

Generating the mind of hope towards the wholesome dharmas, arousing a fierce desire seeking to obtain and hold them, vowing to gain and maintain them, desiring to abide firmly in the wholesome dharmas without regression or forgetfulness, wishing to perfect the cultivation of the wholesome dharmas — these desires and aspirations are called generating aspiration for the purpose of causing all arisen wholesome dharmas to abide permanently, not to forget or lose the wholesome dharmas, and to perfect their cultivation.

When wholesome dharmas are not yet firm, they are sometimes wholesome and sometimes unwholesome. When encountering wholesome conditions, they are wholesome; when encountering unwholesome conditions, they are unwholesome. Therefore, in the midst of encountering various objects and circumstances, one must constantly examine one's own mind, constantly urge and encourage oneself, maintaining wholesome thoughts, wholesome intentions, and wholesome actions, until the wholesome dharmas become firm, unregressing, perfect, and unobstructed. Only when the unwholesome, non-virtuous mind transforms into a wholesome mind, undergoing a fundamental transformation, can one realize the path and become a sage. This is the practice process of the Four Right Efforts, which is extremely difficult. Because the minds of sentient beings are stubborn and hard to change, their inherent nature is difficult to alter. All methods of practice are for the purpose of subduing and transforming their minds. When the mind is ultimately purified, then there is nothing more to learn regarding the Buddha Dharma, and one attains the fruition of non-learning, the state of Buddhahood. The mind is the master of all things. When the mind changes, all things change accordingly. Therefore, cultivating the root of the mind is true cultivation and genuine practice. Studying only the principles without cultivating the mind is mere performance.

Dedication Verse: May the merit from all Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform be dedicated to all beings throughout the Dharma realm, dedicated to the people of the world. May we pray for world peace, that warfare ceases; may armed conflicts not arise, weapons forever laid to rest; may all disasters completely subside! May we pray that the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, cherishing mutual kindness; may the weather be favorable and the harvests abundant, the nations prosperous and the people at peace! May all beings deeply believe in cause and effect, cherish kindness and refrain from killing; may they widely form wholesome connections, widely cultivate wholesome karmas; may they have faith in the Buddha, learn the Buddha's teachings, and increase their wholesome roots; may they understand suffering, abandon its origins, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; may the door to the evil destinies be closed, and the path to Nirvana opened! May we wish for the eternal flourishing of Buddhism, the eternal abiding of the true Dharma; may the burning house of the three realms be transformed into the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss!