Khenpo Chicheng Luozhu: Is Buddhism superstitious or wise?
Buddhism=Buddhism
The true meaning of Buddhism is Buddhism. Because Buddhism is actually a discipline passed down by Buddha Sakyamuni; in other words, Buddhism is a way for ordinary people to reach the realm of Buddha through practice. Therefore, Buddhism is Buddhism.
Buddhism = teaching + certification
The definition of Buddhism in Buddhist scriptures is two words: ‘teaching’ and ‘witnessing’. Teachings are preached by Sakyamuni Buddha himself, or are scriptures and treatises written by Bodhisattvas after being blessed and approved by Sakyamuni Buddha, such as "Tenjur"7 and "Gam" of Tibetan Buddhism. "Zhu Er" 8; Certification refers to personal cultivation, which includes three parts: precepts (discipline), concentration (meditation), and Hui (wisdom). In other words, the two words "teaching and evidence" represent the entire Buddhist dharma. In addition, there are two more important words that can also comprehensively summarize the definition of Buddhism, namely ‘wisdom’ and ‘compassion’. Today we will talk about Buddhism from the perspective of wisdom and compassion.
Buddhism = Wisdom + Compassion
All Buddhism, including Mahayana, Hinayana, Sutra and Tantra, can be summarized in wisdom and compassion. The dual destiny of wisdom and compassion is the essence of the entire Buddhism. Cultivation is to cultivate wisdom and compassion; the so-called learning of Buddhism is to learn wisdom and great compassion.
So, burning incense, kowtowing, chanting sutras, etc., are they practicing Buddhism? It is part of studying Buddhism, but it is not the main content.
What is Buddha? Is the golden-faced Buddha sitting in lotus position in the thangka a real Buddha? That is a Buddha without righteousness.
Mahayana Buddhism believes that the Buddha's incarnation and sambhogakaya are the images that the Buddha appeared in order to save ordinary people and bodhisattvas in the ten realms. In order for the Buddha to communicate with ordinary people, he must appear incarnate9. Although it is said that every sentient being possesses the Tathagatagarbha,10 the Buddha's Dharmakaya cannot yet have any effect on us because we have not yet attained enlightenment. If you want to achieve enlightenment and walk the path of liberation, you must rely on the guidance of the Nirmanakaya Buddha and the Sambhogakaya Buddha. However, neither the incarnation nor the Sambhogakaya is the true Buddha, only the Dharmakaya is the true Buddha. The so-called Dharmakaya Buddha refers to the dual destiny of wisdom and compassion.
When we study Buddhism, we must learn wisdom and compassion. The so-called Buddhahood means that after all the worries of greed, anger, and delusion are eliminated, all the wisdom and great compassion of the Tathagatagarbha are revealed, and nothing else.
The eminent monk Rongsen Pandita of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism once said: The unchanging definition of Buddhism is wisdom and compassion. Apart from this, no other explanation is sufficient to fully express the connotation of Buddhism.
He believes that there are many ways to learn Buddhism, and any method can be used. For example: Pure Land Buddhism’s recitation of the Buddha’s name is one method; Zen Buddhism’s meditation is also one method. But we cannot think that other than chanting Buddha’s name, any other method is not considered as learning Buddhism. Similarly, monks keep the monastic precepts, and laypeople keep the lay precepts. These are two methods. We cannot think that only the monastic precepts are the real precepts, or that we cannot become a Buddha by keeping the lay precepts. Tantric Buddhism has the method of cultivating the Qi channels, but this is not the only way to become a Buddha. You can still become a Buddha without cultivating the Qi channels. These are just methods, and some methods are dispensable. Buddhism does not limit which method must be used; but the only unchanging essence is wisdom and compassion. If any method cannot cultivate wisdom and great compassion, it cannot become Buddha Dharma. Although this is Rongsen Pandita's argument, it is recognized by both Sutra and Tantra.
In short, if we express Buddhism from the two aspects of wisdom and compassion, we can completely summarize the whole picture of Buddhism.
If someone asks: What is Buddhism? Then you can answer: Buddhism is wisdom and compassion. What is studying Buddhism? It is to learn wisdom and compassion.
(Reposted from the Buddhist Buddhist website: /nr/article1/13896.html)