Having last month considered the arrival of the stupa of Many-Treasures Buddha, we consider the function of the sense faculty of hearing.
The practitioner, having seen the stupa of Many-Treasures Buddha, must then turn again to Universal Sage Bodhisattva, place his or her palms together, pay homage, and say:
“Great Teacher, teach me the way of self-amendment for my faults!”
Universal Sage will respond, saying:
“Throughout many kalpas, the function of your sense faculty of hearing has caused you to chase after and follow external sounds. When you hear wonderful sounds, your mind develops infatuation and attachment. When you hear unwholesome sounds, one hundred and eight25 kinds of delusive worldly passions arise to do you harm. Adverse conditions are the consequences reaped from such a dysfunctional ear, and your constant hearing of unwholesome sounds gives rise to numerous complications. Because you hear things contrary to reality, you fall into bitter conditions, or into faraway realms where there are wrong views and where the Dharma is not heard.
“You now internalize and keep faith with the Great Vehicle – the treasury of an ocean of beneficial effects. You see the buddhas in the ten directions by reason of this cause! The stupa of Many-Treasures Buddha appears to you as proof! Accordingly, you must express your errors and faults yourself, and amend yourself of impurities!”
Then, having heard these words, the practitioner must again place palms together, cast his or her body upon the ground, and speak thus:
“Fully Enlightened World-honored One! Manifest and bear witness for me that the comprehensive sutras are the core of mercy and compassion! May you commune with me and hear my words!
“Throughout many kalpas – up to my existence at this point – my sense faculty of hearing has caused me to become deluded and to become attached to the sounds I hear, just as glue adheres to straw. The poisons of delusive worldly passions are stirred up whenever I hear unwholesome sounds, and I become deluded and attached to them unceasingly everywhere. Being around these hollow sounds exhausts my mental functions, and I fall into the three unwholesome realms. My awareness of this is now awakened for the first time. I face the World-honored One to make acknowledgement and amend myself!”