The Three Poisons

What does the Three Poisons: of Desire, Anger and Ignorance;
mean to you all?

Thank you.
Brenda

Hi Brenda & Lyciss,

Aren't they Greed, Anger & Ignorance?  I don't know if it really matters though as greed probably comes from desire.

In my mind, the 3 Poisons represent mental afflictions we are cursed and at the same time blessed to have as sentient beings.  

I say 'cursed' for obvious reasons, but when I say blessed I mean that experiencing these things and having a certain understanding of them can help us realize that we really do suffer in Samsara.  Once we realize this, we can do something about it to help ourselves and others, and this is to cultivate.  Not just cultivate by doing practice at home, but by incorporating cultivation into our daily lives.  

Anyway, the main point of what I was trying to say is that from suffering, we can realize Bodhicitta and over time develop it, nurture it, and apply it.  

They say that one who suffers on Earth will have immeasurable merits in the Heavenly Realms.  They also say, a true Bodhisattva never abandons suffering.

We are lucky to be students of Grand Master in the True Buddha School.  If we cultivate diligently and really penetrate the teachings we can transform our mental afflicitons, which are rooted in suffering, to eventually realize our true Buddha/Bodhisattva Heart.

Om mani padme hum

Lu

http://www.tbsn.org/ebooks/abrief/chap3.htm

1. Living Buddha Lian Shen was entrusted by Amitabha Buddha for the sake of all sentient beings since time immemorial to be born in the secular world.

Because sentient beings do not know the importance of detachment they have to be reborn time and again. They are enslaved by their own klesa (trouble), have to suffer from the birth of four yoni (modes of birth -- womb-born, egg-born, spawn-born and born by transformation). They are inflicted with the Three Poisons of Desire, Anger and Ignorance; and have to alternate between the Six realms of Existence.

Entrusted by Buddha, Grandmaster Lu expounds and teaches the most profound dharma, using the Wisdom of the Five Buddhas, and tames all the sentient beings, salvaging all the beings from the sea of suffering to the Maha Double Lotus Pond in the Western Paradise.

2. Bodhisattva Maitreya instructed: " In the future world, after the salvations of Manjusri Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbha, Mahapadmakumara will be reincarnated to do the salvation work. He will not abandon Taoism, Mahayana, or the Esoteric way. He will use an expedient way to salvage -- missing no one."

All those internal forms and external forms of the Esoteric way, that have not been revealed before will be disseminated to and for, the benefits of sentient beings. Even the most profound Esoteric dharma, those that are not even known to the Arhats will be disseminated so that it will be circulated in this world. He will shoulder the greatest tasks of Buddha. This is the biggest dharma causation. There is no other religion that can match this. Pramita Bodhisattvas from the Nine Locations will support the widespread dharma of Mahapadmakumara. In this life of his, he will be able to succour others, and attain Buddhahood as the central accomplished Buddha."

3. Grand Master Padmasambhava showed himself in guru Lian Shen's deep meditation and he prophesied by energising Vajra Guru Lian Shen's head and said "Varja Guru Lian Shen, in the future you will attain Buddhahood at the Maha Double Lotus Pond in the Western Paradise, and many sentient beings will be succoured."

The dignified look of guru Lian Shen is similar to the virtues of guru Padmasambhava. His sermon not only will benefit himself and others, but also those practising Hinayana and those taking refuge in him. Guru Lian Shen will be beating the big Dharma Drum; and blowing the big Dharma Conch. The number of people salvaged by him will be surpassed by no one else.

4. In his previous lives, Padmakamura had made a big vow. The Maha Double Lotus of the Western Paradise was transformed by the Mother of All Buddhas, Cundi Boddhisattva. The Lotus Youth, Padmakamura, living inside it, was also an embodiment of the Mother. The Mother is herself a reincarnated body of Mahavairocana and Buddha Shakyamuni.

His Real Title is "All Buddha eye--Vajra fortune -- all the mothers of Buddha ". His Secret Title is "Specially Magnificient", better known for his merits.

The reincarnated body of Lotus Youth - Padmakamura, Lu Sheng Yen the Living Buddha has vowed that " Until all the sentient beings have achieved Buddhahood, I will not want to be a Buddha myself. I will risk my life to salvage all of them, even if my bones are shattered to smithereens."

5. Because Padmakamura has made a great vow, starting from Christianity, guru Lian Shen went through Taoism, then Mahayana, and finally Esoteric Buddhism. In accordance with his previous life's cause and effect, he carried out spiritual practice step by step. In view of his vigour, he has accomplished in his practice and has the ability to recall his previous lives. Because of his great vow previously, he has attained Buddhahood, able to return to his own True Self --- the Lotus Youth, Padmakamura.

That is why he is able to give impromptu speeches on the Buddha Dharma.