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Global Lamrim II

Lecture No. 0270

Lamrim Volume 1:  Pg40 LL17

Tape No | 4B 23:15 ~ 24:13

Date: 17 Jul 2022

Topic: Put ourselves in Master Atisha’s shoes, and understand the hardships he went through in establishing Buddhism

Sometimes I would do some calculations like what is the altitude/height above sea level of Bengal? Master Atisha began his journey from the Guge Kingdom in Ngari and went into Tibet, the altitude of the former should be around 3,800 meters [roughly 12,500 feet]. Whereas the altitude of his birthplace, Bengal, seemed like only 4 meters [13 feet] above the sea level. [Meanwhile,] the Vikramashila monastery, where he was appointed as the abbot, was [also only] about 25 meters [82 feet] above the sea level. However, the Guge Kingdom in Ngari where Master Atisha arrived then was already at the altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level. [00:26]

Since I have been to Tibet before, I know that once we reach high altitude, [breathing particularly] inhalation would actually become very difficult; it is difficult to walk or sleep at night, even eating is also very difficult. Anyhow, whatever you are doing, you have to exert great effort; even walking will make one pant as if one was running. We might perceive Master Atisha as a practitioner with great achievements, and he should have no issue handling all these difficulties arising from the altitude sickness. However, as we all already know, Master Atisha sacrificed 20 years of his life span [for going to Tibet]; how did that happen? Imagine this: he was once a prince, [but] had to go through [and endure the hardship of] traveling across the [huge gap of] altitudes; besides, India [as a tropical country] was pretty warm, whereas when [he] came to Ngari it was very cold. Moreover, [Tibetan] dietary habits [were very different]; on top of that, most people didn’t speak his language [but] communicate in Tibetan language [which was is foreign to him]. The friends and gurus he was originally familiar with were not around; after he came over to Tibet, the few people he could talk to were probably only his translators. Such was the place he reached. Under such a circumstance, how much hardship and stress Master Atisha had to endure so as to reinvigorate Buddhism in Tibet, restoring the teaching as substantial as the sun at high noon? Everyone, just try to imagine the magnitude of the strain [Master Atisha] had to go through. [01:31]

[Master Atisha] had to overcome difficulties associated with traveling across different altitudes, not acclimzatized [to the foreign land], having left his birthplace and hometown, and far to a place with completely different climate and scenery. It is said that Master Atisha originally much enjoyed listening to the trumpeting sound of elephant. However, there was no elephant in Tibet, [so he] missed the elephants’ trumpeting sound [very much]. Hence, he left the place he was very familiar with – a place where he was the crown jewel of Buddhism, which was symbolized by carrying 108 keys on his waist - and came to Tibet, a total foreign place with very few people who possibly knew him. Nevertheless, he then accomplished such a remarkable feat of reinvigorating Buddhism in such a place [with all the unfavorable conditions]. You all can think about how difficult it could be! It was almost like starting from scratch – making a fresh start. [02:12]

We may take it as: Well! That is fine. [After all,] he was a Bodhisattva on his way to Buddhahood. However, he also needed to drink and eat when living at the place with altitude of 3,800 meters ... [I remember] like in the [pilgrimage] trips we took to Tibet, seeking to listen to Dharma teachings. Once, there was a Tibetan, he used to stay at the altitude of over 3,000 meters. When we set off for the next monastery [on our itinerary], we would drive all the way to a place at 5,000 meters [16,400 feet] above the sea level, and he claimed, “I don’t believe [I] would have altitude sickness!” So, he got off the car [over there], found an intersection of the road, and started to jump up and down, he said, “For years I am so used to going through the highlands that I am not afraid or worried [about having altitude sickness]!” Then up and down he began to jump, jump, jump, …., jump, jump, [abruptly] with his mouth wide open, he quietened, because he was unable to talk or gasp for breath already – being completely blanked out. Seeing this, people nearby went to help him out and found that he was nearing death, [almost breathless]. If he kept on jumping, he would have been rushed to the hospital for emergency rescue. In fact, he was a Tibetan himself, he asked [us],  “Why is that you people coming from the flatland would suffer the altitude sickness?” He couldn't get it, so [he] said he would jump around to show us [that he wouldn’t suffer from altitude sickness]. Well, in the end when it came to the altitude of 5,000 meters, the altitude sickness struck him. None of us had the sickness, but he did. Why? Because he was too daring – jumping up and down out [there at such an altitude]! [03:11]

Once, [I] can’t recall where it was, probably at Mount Wutai, [a sacred mountain in Shanxi Province China, known as the place of cultivation of Manjusri Boddhisatva]. I also came across similar height level, and hence the attack of altitude sickness. At that time, [I] could barely think and was naturally affected by tinnitus. When taking a walk outside, dizziness struck, while stepping forward, [I felt] as if [I] was going in circles. Some people, after taking a few steps, couldn’t help it but would just lie down directly on the grassland, surrounded by wild flowers and dews, they [couldn’t care more but just] flatly stretched out. Why? Because they were extremely dizzy. Previously, I also noticed that after arriving at Lhasa[, Tibetan capital], some people had to open both arms, as if they were spreading out their wings, so as to lean both hands on the left and right sides of the wall for support to be able to move forward along the corridor in the house; otherwise they could faint and pass out at any moment. All these troubles are because of the altitude sickness, which can be very disturbing to some people! Moreover, you may get sunburned because of the intensive sunlight [at higher altitude]; if your skin is [repeatedly] exposed to the sun, getting sunburn again and again, it might lead to skin inflammation. Besides, there might be issues about the [foreign] medical/pharmaceutical system, different dietary habits and the lodging environment… [04:08]

Have you all ever been to the Nyetang monastery? Not sure the one we visited was the same as it was in the ancient times? The Nyetang monastery is a very small monastery, where Master Atisha resided. [You] can imagine the scale of the [Indian] monasteries he resided before; there were so many prestigious gurus; and several princes were ordained as monastics there; with the capacity of such prosperity, the grand monasteries were built in India. Thereafter,  after [his] arrival in Tibet, [Master Atisha] resided in such a small Nyetang monastery. Thus, if Master Atisha was to look for personal enjoyment, he would never have left India for Tibet. [04:39] 　

Are [you still] listening? All we captured/got now is merely Master’s explanation/exposition, “He rectified and settled what was misperceived, and encompassed what was deficient… Buddhism was flourishing at its height, like the sun at high noon, for a very long time.” [We might just] simply read these words in [quick] passing; [rather, we] should contemplate what was the price Master Atisha had to pay by coming to Tibet all by himself [from India], and attaining such remarkable achievements? Everyone please put yourself in his shoes/position and [give it a thorough] consideration. Only by reflecting on it in this manner can we have a sense of what kind of intention and aspirations did Master Atisha had to leave for Tibet. [05:09]

What we can read now is only the accounts documented in the Buddhism history, but [exactly] how much hardship Master Atisha had actually gone through? No one has ever carefully looked into the details on how he managed to survive every step. Hence, [with utmost respect], I aspire [and vow]: when our Venerables have finished translating the extensive version of the Biography of Master Atisha, I must definitely elaborate [on the book]! So that all of us would remember that it is Master Atisha who reinvigorated the Tibetan Buddhism, and had it passed down to us now. We should cherish it well! And study earnestly! [05:40]

讲次 | 0270

标题 | 设身处地，体会尊者建教艰辛

《广论》段落 | P6-L1 于圣教所作事中分二……藏中所作事理。 今初

音档 | 4B 23:15 ~ 24:13

手抄页/行 | 第1册 P125-LL3 ~ P126-L4　( 2016 南普陀版：P125-LL2 ~ P126-L6 )

手抄段落 | 于圣教所作事中分二……这是我们要了解的一个事实。

(更新日期: 2022年7月17日)

00:00

我有时会算，比如孟加拉的海拔是多少？然后阿底峡尊者是从阿里王朝那个地方开始进入西藏的，那个地方的海拔应该是三千八吧！而他的出生地孟加拉的海拔好像只有四米；住持的印度止迦摩啰室啰寺，约海拔五十二米，然后一到阿里王朝那个地方就三千八百。00:26

因为我也去过藏地，我知道海拔一高之后其实吸不到气，走路都很辛苦、晚上休息很辛苦、吃饭也很辛苦。总之做什么都会花费非常大的力气，走路的时候就像跑步一样会喘。我们可能会认为阿底峡尊者非常有修行，海拔对他应该没有问题。但是大家也都知道阿底峡尊者舍寿二十载，到底是怎么舍的？可以想像：他本来是一个王子，经历这样的一个海拔；还有印度是很热的，而到了阿里那边其实是很冷的；再加上饮食习惯；再加上很多人都不是跟他说一个语言的，都说藏文，原来熟悉的朋友和上师们都不在，就他来到这边，他可能只能跟他的几个翻译对话。所以到了一个这样的地方。在这种状态下，把西藏的佛教如日中天，他自己本身要承受多大的困苦的压力，大家可以想像一下要承受多大的力量。01:31

要穿越海拔、水土不服、背井离乡，到了一个气候、风光完全都不一样的地方。原来阿底峡尊者很喜欢听大象的叫声，到了西藏没有大象，想念大象的叫声。所以从那样一个他已经熟悉了、腰间挂了一百零八把钥匙的佛教顶严的位置，到了西藏这样完全陌生的地方，可能也没有多少人认识他，然后在这样的地方完成这样一个伟业，把佛教振兴起来。大家可以想一想：难度会有多大啊！几乎是白手起家重新来过。02:12

我们可以理解为：啊！那没关系，他是佛菩萨。但是他也要喝水、要吃饭，到了三千八百米的地方......。像我们以前去西藏求法听经，有一次有一个藏人，他待过三千多米的地方。当我们开车到下一个寺院的时候，就会开到五千米的地方，他说：“我就不相信会有高原症！”所以他就从车里下来，找一个路口的地方就开始跳，他说：“我是常年经历过高原，我不怕！”就开始跳、跳、跳......，跳、跳，他嘴张着就不说话了，因为已经讲不出话也喘不出气来，完全处在空白状。后来旁边的人就去帮他，发现他不行了，如果他再跳下去可能就得送医急救了。其实他本身是个藏人，他说：“你们这些平原来的为什么会有高原症？”他不太理解，说我跳给你们看，结果到五千米的时候，他发作了高原症。我们都没发作，他发作了，为什么呢？因为胆子太大了，他在那儿跳！03:11

那一次不知道是不是在五台山，我也经历了那样一个很高的高原。那时候几乎是没法思考问题，耳朵会自然耳鸣，出来一走的时候就觉得好像是眩晕状，往前走的时候好像是在转圈一样，走两步有的人没办法就直接躺在草地上了，旁边都是野花，还有露水，就直接躺下去。为什么呢？因为他就是极度地眩晕。以前我也看到有人去拉萨之后，在屋子里走那个走廊而已，他要把手张开像翅膀一样，必须要两手张开扶着左右的墙才能向前移动，不然他就随时会晕倒。所以这个高原症的问题，会让人非常地麻烦！然后还有剧烈的阳光，会把你的皮肤晒破，晒破了之后，再晒破、再晒破，可能就发炎。然后可能医药系统啊，什么饮食习惯都不一样、住宿的环境......。04:08

大家有没有去过聂塘寺？不知道那个时候我们参访的和古代的一不一样？那聂塘寺是很小的一间寺院，阿底峡尊者就驻锡在那里。可以想一想当年他驻锡的那个寺院的规模，那么多大上师，里边有好几个王子出家，那个繁荣的力量，建了那么大一个寺院；然后来到西藏，就住在那么小的一个聂塘寺里面。所以，阿底峡尊者如果是为了自己能够享一点福，他完全不可能离开印度来到西藏。 04:39

有在听吗？我们现在只看到师父说：“错的改过，不圆满的圆满......如日中天维持了很久。”这几个字就这样看过去，要想他只身来到这样一个地方，达到这样的一个成就，他要付出怎样的代价？大家可以设身处地地想一想。这样想一想之后，才知道阿底峡尊者是用什么样的一个心来到了西藏。05:09

现在我们只能看到佛教史留下这些记载，但阿底峡尊者到底受了多少苦？没人详细地去看一看他每一步是怎么活过来的。所以我就发愿：等到法师翻译完了稍广一点的《阿底峡尊者传》，我一定要好好讲一下！要让我们记得阿底峡尊者他振兴了西藏佛教，然后现在传给我们。我们好好地珍惜！好好地努力！05:40