Philosophy of Spirituality: Bodhidharma’s Four Elements

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Patriarch Bodhidharma, it is estimated that many people in modern times will know his name.

He has summed up a self-reminder method called "Four Elements Concept", which I think is very useful. At least, I think it is very useful for myself.

There are four in the "Four Actions", namely: the action of repaying wrongs, the action of following fate, the action of gaining nothing, and the action of proclaiming the Dharma.

In a sect, the practice of Dharma is the main thing, and the Dharma is the supplement. The master must have personal certification.

Aiming directly at people's hearts, those who have the opportunity will enter, and those who do not have the opportunity will be resented (such as Bodhidharma against Emperor Wu of Liang).

It’s not that the master’s eloquence is bad, but that he has absolutely no redundant words and only speaks the right words. They raised their eyebrows and blinked their eyes, all of them speaking the Dharma.

The practice of Dharma is in the dual movement of tranquility and insight, and one can obtain concentration, wisdom, etc., such as "Contemplation of the Four Elements".

The teachings focus on scriptures and practice, but the master may not have personally witnessed it.

The lotus flower in the mouth is charming, and the whip is enlightening. It is suitable for those who are new to the opportunity. The power lies in guiding.

A true cultivator must only diligently seek out those who have experienced it. A master who has no cultivation and no certification may have good eloquence, but it is not enough to teach people to practice and gain certification.

As for the beauty of both teaching and observation, the main and auxiliary functions can be adjusted, which is naturally the best. But you also have to be destined to have the opportunity to kiss each other personally.

The teachings and practices in the sect: sect teaching A, sect practice B

The teachings and practices in the sect: sect teaching C, sect teaching C Practice D

After you have clearly distinguished the contents of ABCD, you will gradually be able to judge by yourself

The above content was taught by my teacher. I was inspired to do it on my own. Collated written records.

The following is what my teacher said. I would like to put what the teacher said here, so that you can be careful at all times!

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Many people who like to study Buddhism may not understand the differences between sects and sects. It's very troublesome for these two if they don't understand clearly. They say the wrong thing when they open their mouths, and even make jokes without realizing it.

Nowadays, many Dharma masters teach the Dharma, which belongs to the sect and interprets the meaning according to the scriptures. It's enough to just talk empty talk and explain some truth. The main thing is to spread faith. Whether you do it or not is another matter.

The sect talks about practical operations, how to implement the Buddha's teachings step by step until liberation. Liberation is the goal.

Those who learn to teach while teaching and transforming sentient beings, are also achieving themselves. This is called the Bodhisattva Way. And the sect talks about inheritance, and it is you who achieve by yourself. No matter what you learn or practice, the ultimate goal is liberation, and what you achieve is yourself. Be at ease with yourself and have nothing to do with others.

For Buddhists who have not entered the sect, or in other words, Buddhist disciples who have not been passed down by a master, the Dharma you learn online, from classics, or from videos of masters teaching the Dharma is not the essence. Those are popular things.

A mage who teaches Dharma on stage will not talk to you about magical powers or mysteries. There are some things that cannot be said in front of the public. Especially the core inheritance of the sect. One is due to the political environment, the other is due to the legal person’s fundamental reasons, and there are also reasons why the master himself has not attained enlightenment through cultivation.

So don’t think that you can understand Buddhism by watching videos online for a few days or reading a few scriptures. It’s not enough. As a modern person with knowledge, if you really want to learn Buddhism, you should make some efforts. In today's society, how can we learn?

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In summary, what my teacher talks about is related to Buddha, but it may not be related to all the knowledge in this world.

All the knowledge in this world is consistent with the spirit of the above-mentioned teacher's words! What is knowledge used for? This needs to be asked carefully!

If it is purely showing off, it will not only be of no benefit to others, but also hurt your own soul. Even if you gain the whole world, you will lose your soul and life. Such unwise behavior must not be done!

Taking myself as an example, I have been testing the words I am writing now. Am I showing off? Or is it... written to encourage others of the same mind through the spirit behind the words? Moreover, is the so-called mutual vigilance and encouragement just a superficial greeting? Regarding these, I am correcting myself with my body, mind, and spirit.

It is through deep enough examination that the subsequent results will occur naturally:

Face life directly and live out the brilliance of life;

Only by dissociating yourself from all the impurities that prevent life from blooming can the light of life fully bloom!

Showing off is not blooming, but gathering dust!

Blooming is not showing off, this is bringing out new things! Innovation comes from here!