Surangama Sutra Exposition
by Living Buddha Lian Sheng, Grandmaster Sheng-Yen Lu
Countless dharma bodies manifest in inconceivable forms; they pervade all of space. One can communicate with them and even ask for help upon attaining spiritual union with the Guru, Yidam, or protector. This is why cultivating until we attain spiritual union is most important.
Subhuti then rose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and said to the Buddha:
“For countless kalpas, my mind has been free of obstructions. I can recall as many past lives as there are grains of sand in the Ganges River. While still in my mother’s womb, I was already aware of emptiness and quiescence.
“Eventually, I realized that all ten directions were empty, and I also enabled sentient beings to realize the nature of emptiness. Through the Tathagata’s guidance, I awakened to the true emptiness—the nature of emptiness, perfect and bright—and attained arhatship.
“I immediately entered the Tathagata’s precious, bright ocean of emptiness and shared the same knowledge and views as the Buddha. I received the Buddha’s confirmation and attained the state of beyond learning. In liberation through the nature of emptiness, I am foremost.
“The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. According to my realization, recognizing that all phenomena are neither arising nor ceasing and returning them to nothingness is the supreme means.”
Subhuti is foremost in understanding emptiness. Grandmaster explained that the nature of emptiness is buddhanature—the wondrous luminous true mind. Subhuti realizes that there is nothing to gain or grasp as inherently existent. Through realizing the emptiness of self and all phenomena, he attains enlightenment. His realization accords with unattainability, emptiness, non-phenomena, and non-dwelling.
When the Buddha returns to the saha world after teaching the Ksitigarbha Sutra in the Trayastrimsa heaven, Uppalavanna is the first to greet him in person. However, the Buddha regards Subhuti as the first to welcome him. Although Subhuti remains in his cave, he has already greeted the Buddha through his heart-mind. This is a union of the “dharma” (meaning everything) of Subhuti with the “dharma” (everything) of the Buddha.
Grandmaster spoke about early disciples, including Peter Lin, Demi, Li Xingxhu, Li Meili, and Yang Jiahui, who took refuge when he was still in Ballard. When they were hospitalized, he wished to visit them. Although he did not go physically, his dharma body appeared through the connection of their heart-minds.
Peter Lin saw Grandmaster’s dharma body sitting beside him and chatting with him. When his daughter asked how he saw Grandmaster, he replied that Grandmaster was just as usual. Li Meili also reported seeing Grandmaster’s dharma body emerge through the hospital wall. As for Demi, Grandmaster also sent his dharma body which Demi felt at the hospital. At the moment of her passing, Grandmaster immediately knew and delivered her to the pureland.
Many disciples have seen or sensed Grandmaster’s dharma body. When the disciple and Grandmaster have each other in mind, they remain connected. With pure faith and the mutual intent of disciple and guru, their minds connect and spiritual responses arise.
One dharma sister experienced his dharma body calling her to Seattle in May, although she did not arrive until October. For some, the dharma body remains beside them at all times, appearing in response to a single thought. They can share their difficulties and ask for help without making a phone call. Grandmaster described a disciple who asked for help when business was quiet. Customers soon arrived in such numbers that she became too busy even to answer his call. The dharma body can also change in appearance; instead of appearing with Grandmaster’s face, they can appear as we would like them to be.
Spiritual responses can also come through dreams. Once practitioners attain spiritual union with the guru, personal deity, or dharma protectors, they remain inseparable and can receive guidance, help, and comfort.
Manjusri Bodhisattva is present in every buddhaverse, illustrating how dharma bodies function. Their manifestations are countless and can fill the entire space. Space, dharma bodies, and their subtle, wondrous functions are boundless.
Like Subhuti, Grandmaster recalls many past lives, including how he died and who was present. Disciples helped document these accounts in his 312th book, The Last Secret. He also spoke of knowing Ayrton’s past life and teaching him from an early age to repent and avoid repeating past mistakes.
Grandmaster’s family recollections illustrated how parents, children, and spouses come together through karmic connections and mutual debts. Amid these relationships, we should remember that everything is empty.