Refuge Talk Four : Refuge of the Buddha

[Susthama]

[Dharmavidya]

Additional notes on the Refuge of Buddhahood
A Buddha is not necessarily somebody who is perfect in every way. A Buddha is perfect in one way. That one way is the completion of confidence in where they stand in relation to all Buddhas. That is what gives them the confidence to go forth. for the weal of all sentient beings. The person who has other power refuge relies upon the Buddhas as an infant child relies upon a parent, whereas a Buddha relies on other Buddhas in the same way as a grown up child relates to the parent - in a fullness of love and identity that cannot be taken away no matter what happens. The Zen Master Dogen says that in the end it is just Buddhas together with Buddhas. Before he became a Buddha Gotama was on a self power path. His awakening from this was triggered by the encounter with Sujata the maiden of the milk offering. Many things then fell into place including the understanding of dependent origination. Dependent origination is another name for other power. However, even after this awakening he did not know what to do. He was still in two minds whether to teach or not and it took the intervention of Brahma Sahampati to crystalise his mind. Only then was he able to fully enter into the spirit of what it was to be a Buddha.

We can thus distinguish four periods in the career of Shakyamuni. Before leaving home he is in the condition of latent refuge. After leaving home he is in the condition of self-power refuge. From meeting Sujata until meeting Sahampati he is in other power refuge. After that he is a Buddha. What we call his enlightenment is the third period during which he gained insight into other power as dependent origination, as the transformation of kleshas into kushalas (the defeat of Mara's legion), as the clear seeing of the morning star, and as the middle path and four noble truths. While in this other power phase he is in blissful enjoyment and disinclined to teach.

We can see, therefore, that each stage change involves other intervention or other relatedness. Buddha would not have left home without the four sights. He would not have discovered other power without Sujata. He would not have gone forth without Sahampati. The fact that a change is triggered by a condition does not, on the one hand, mean that it is caused by that condition - Sujata would not have had the same effect on any other ascetic she encountered. Nor, on the other hand, does it mean that the resulting form of refuge is conditioned in the same way once it is in place. For a Buddha the everyday conditions of the world are quite sufficient to keep the fire of compassion alive. For the person in the other power refuge the support that one receives from all quarters - the miracle that the morning star rises every day with no assistance from oneself - refreshes one's awareness of Amida's grace.

[Katrien Sercu]

Now I see that I better waited to comment each talk, because they complete each other, until there is for the Buddha complete confidence, totaly refuge, a perfection in one way...not in all, but in relationship with other Buddha's. Even the Buddha has an dependent origination! That shows so beautiful the interdependency of the Whole, with each his little and big place....an invitation to live a wholesome life with an dependent origination.

The Buddha sells his jewel and used this richness for the benefit of all...This makes me very humble and little. Yes, I try, I do my best, receiving the grace of Amida...but I never could sell 'my jewel". This is confronting. Namo Amida Bu.
Thanks Dharmavidya for this clear and comprehensible way of talking, with the clear and simple imaginations of the seed, the stem, the flower and the fruit. This is food for me for many months.
Namo Amida Bu