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IMPORTANT NOTICE
The following is an English translation from Chinese. Because this translation has not been personally reviewed and approved by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, it definitely contains translation mistakes. Therefore, it is provided for your reference. After H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is able to personally review and approve this English translation, we will then congratulate all of you for having the opportunity to learn from the correct English translation of this Buddha-dharma.
OFFICE OF H.H. DORJE CHANG BUDDHA III
(Eighth Public Announcement)
The "Brief Explanation of Evil Views and Erroneous Views" that the Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III hereby makes public is based on an oral discourse given by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. This discourse provides overall views for all Buddhist cultivation and is a supreme dharma treasure for cultivators. These views are non-sectarian. They do not belong to esoteric Buddhism, exoteric Buddhism, the Pure Land sect or any other sect. They do not belong to the Mahayana or Hinayana. All Buddhists who learn Buddhism and cultivate themselves must never follow any of these 128 evil and erroneous views if they want to progress on the path toward enlightenment, increase their good fortune and wisdom, and eventually attain liberation. All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions have the common understanding that following these views is unacceptable. To accept these views is tantamount to following them. Cultivators must use these views as the standard to check the correctness of their own views. Anyone who follows these views will definitely not experience any beneficial effects in his practice no matter what dharma he practices, will forever live in samsara, and may even descend into one of the three lower realms.
This dharma on elucidating views is beneficial to cultivators in every way and does not harm them in any way. Conversely, to charlatans who are false cultivators, to those who follow evil views and erroneous views, to false “persons of holy virtue” who flaunt the banner of Buddhism, to so-called great dharma kings, great Rinpoches, and great dharma masters, this dharma will be as painful as peeling off a scar from their body. Why?
The first reason is that all false holy ones have the goal of cheating living beings out of their wealth. They have no scruples about poisoning the wisdom-roots of living beings that lead to liberation. Therefore, the dharma that they preach must be heresy in the form of evil and erroneous views. These 128 views thoroughly reveal the true colors of those false holy ones. Everyone can now instantly see that they are actually evil people in the guise of famous people of great holiness! Thus, these 128 views will enrage them. They will put up a last-ditch fight against these 128 views and will certainly engage in unbridled revenge. They will even hate H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to their core and will come up with various dark plots. They will slander this dharma on elucidating views. Or, to avoid exposing their evilness and ugliness, they will use indirect, tricky ways or other means to attack H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. With careful observation, you will discover that every one of those who attack H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III or this dharma on elucidating views follows one or more of these 128 views.
The second reason is that this dharma on elucidating views is bright and devoid of selfishness. It is purely beneficial to living beings and is absolutely true dharma of the Buddhas. It will destroy the fraudulent work of those demonic and evil masters and those false holy ones. Consequently, they will definitely oppose and attack it to protect their own selfish interests. However, their attacks actually prove that they are evil masters and deceivers.
Those attackers may foolishly say, "Our sect has nothing to do with these views." However, you must remember that only evil and demonic sects will claim to have nothing to do with these views. That is because this dharma on elucidating views encapsulates all of Buddhism and is the truth based on the law of cause and effect in the universe. Every one of these views is relevant to any sect, as long as it is a sect within Buddhism. This dharma on elucidating views is purely beneficial to living beings in their quest to attain liberation. Everyone can understand these views, although those with deep insight will see deeply into them, and those with shallow insight will see shallowly into them.
Those evil attackers might also say, “This dharma on elucidating views is incorrect.” Think about this carefully. Is it correct to protect the interests of living beings and the wisdom-roots of living beings that lead to liberation, or is it correct to help those who deceive living beings and rob them of their wealth? Is it correct to violate the teachings and precepts of the Buddha, or is it correct to uphold the teachings and precepts of the Buddha? Which is correct, having holy realization after the crown of one’s head has been opened or only being able to talk about theories because one has no such realization? Which is correct, having true tummo (inner heat) concentration powers or only being able to talk about tummo concentration powers because one has no true tummo concentration powers?
We ask the following simple questions, the answers to which everyone can understand right away. Could the view that one may violate the precepts of the Three Vehicles be correct? Could the view of approving cultivation that is divorced from bodhicitta be correct? Could the view that there is no need to abide by all of the precepts you have received be correct? Could the view that one may falsely claim to be a Buddha or Bodhisattva in order to propagate the dharma be correct? How about the view that it is acceptable for a master to speak falsely and deceive living beings, the view that helping evil masters do bad things is a dharma-protecting practice, the view that it is acceptable to call yourself a Buddha or Bodhisattva in front of your disciples, the view that one may eat meat after one is tonsured and becomes a monastic, the view that cutting off attachment to self means not caring for the sufferings of others, the view that it is acceptable to perform an initiation or transmit Buddha-dharma in exchange for the payment of money, the view that it is acceptable for a master to demand and take property from his disciples, the view that the protective powers of mountain deities are greater than the protective powers of great Bodhisattvas, the view that one with the thoughts or conduct of an icchantika is an eminent monastic, and the view that it is acceptable to place Buddhist books and images of Buddhas at a height lower than the seat of an eminent monastic or person of great virtue? Could it possibly be that those who engage in such evil should be regarded as correct? Could it possibly be that they should be regarded as holy beings?
Everyone must clearly understand that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has pure bodhicitta based on great compassion and a desire to benefit living beings. Therefore, His Holiness only benefits living beings and does not accept offerings from any practitioner. Evil masters and false holy ones are unable to do that. They greedily seek offerings from others to benefit themselves. Thus, they definitely will harbor intense hatred for H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The difference between His Holiness and those people is not merely like the difference between the sky and the earth. Rather, it is like the difference between brightness and darkness, between nectar and poison!
Always remember that demons and Buddhas are opposed to each other. The goal of demons and deceivers is harming living beings. The aim of Buddhas is protecting and blessing living beings. Therefore, it is certain that evil spirits and deceivers will frantically attempt to destroy the Buddha-dharma. They will definitely oppose the discourses on the Buddha-dharma given by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III through which His Holiness selflessly benefits living beings. They will use slanderous attacks in a reckless attempt to cover up their own evil and erroneous views and prevent everyone from seeing who they really are. However, you will clearly see that 100% of those attackers definitely follow some of these 128 evil and erroneous views. If they did not, they would be persons of holy virtue who would praise this “Brief Explanation of Evil Views and Erroneous Views” dharma taught by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as that which upholds the true Tathagata dharma and protects the interests of living beings.
For now, let us put aside the fact that these 128 views encapsulate the dharma of the Tripitaka. Let us just look at the five views of strictly observing the precepts of the Three Vehicles, adhering to bodhicitta in cultivation, clearly believing in the law of cause and effect, the need to understand the meaning of the sutra one is reciting, and diligently practicing the six paramitas. These five views alone relate to the essence of the Tripitaka. Hence, these 128 views are a supreme treasure of Buddha-dharma. Therefore, anyone who slanders them is certainly a false person of holy virtue, an evil master, a deceiver, or a demon! We hope that all believers of Buddhism will think deeply in order to discern well, will establish right understanding and right views, will open up their eyes to discern who is an evil master or demon, will increase their fortune and wisdom, and will soon realize enlightenment!
Office of H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
August 25, 2009
H.H. DORJE CHANG BUDDHA III GIVES A BRIEF
EXPLANATION OF EVIL VIEWS AND ERRONEOUS VIEWS
(Excerpted from an oral dharma discourse given by
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III)
What am I going to speak about today to all of you? I will give a discourse on key Buddha-dharma that is of utmost importance to attain liberation. I must remind you that because the dharma I will expound upon today is so important, you truly cannot overlook it. What makes it important? This dharma is related to the big issue of whether or not you will experience beneficial effects from learning Buddhism and cultivating yourself. It is related to the big issue of whether you will increase your good fortune and wisdom and become liberated or whether you will descend into one of the three lower realms of existence.
Today I am going to speak about evil views and erroneous views. If anyone who is learning Buddhism and cultivating himself follows one of these evil views, he will not become liberated. Furthermore, the meritorious virtues that are the basis for his good fortune and wisdom will not grow, and he will not achieve realization powers through his practice. No matter what sect you belong to, if you want to end your cycle of birth and death and attain liberation, then you must not follow any evil view or erroneous view. If you follow even one evil view, it will not be possible for you to accumulate through your practice the meritorious virtues that are the basis for good fortune and wisdom. Moreover, you will be unable to attain liberation. However, if you repent and immediately correct yourself after following such a view, there will be no problem.
The offense of following erroneous views is slightly lighter than that of following evil views. Although the offense is slightly lighter, there are certain erroneous views which if followed will result in problems even if you follow only one of those erroneous views. There are certain erroneous views which if followed will result in preventing you from becoming accomplished and experiencing beneficial effects in your practice even if you follow only two or three of those erroneous views.
Not following these 128 views is an iron-clad dharma rule. All Buddhists must comply with this rule by not following these views so that they can end the cycle of birth and death and realize the holy fruit of accomplishment. This dharma rule was not created by anyone. It is the law of cause and effect. Correctly complying with this dharma rule is the common enlightenment practice of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions.
The listing of evil and erroneous views is an important part of The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation. In order to avoid misunderstandings of these views or explanations of them that are wrong or even reckless, I am going to personally explain them today. This will be just a brief, overall description of them.
Evil views are generally those listed below. The term “generally” here means that not all evil views are included below. However, based on the dharma, the major ones are included. If you do not follow these evil and erroneous views, you will naturally become a cultivator of great virtue on the path to enlightenment who has right understanding and right views and who acts according to the dharma.
Each of the views below begins with the words “the view that…” If you approve of, agree with, or carry out any of the evil views below, you are following that evil view.
EVIL VIEWS:
1. THE VIEW THAT GHOSTS AND GODS ARE ONE’S LIBERATION MASTERS
Those with this view regard ghosts and gods as masters upon whom we should rely for liberation and as leaders upon whom we should rely to attain accomplishment in the dharma. Those with this view firmly believe that ghosts and gods can save us from the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. A person holding this view believes that ghosts and gods are the only masters who can save him through ending the cycle of birth and death. In reality, ghosts and gods have not even ended their own cycles of birth and death. Therefore, they definitely are not masters of liberation for Buddhist cultivators.
2. THE VIEW THAT ATTAINING SUPERNATURAL POWERS IS THE GOAL OF ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE DHARMA
Those with this view think the purpose of cultivating and learning Buddhism is realizing supernatural powers and the ability to shape-shift. They think that obtaining supernatural powers is the ultimate goal that we should pursue. They think that obtaining supernatural powers is tantamount to attaining accomplishment or liberation. You must understand that supernatural powers and accomplishment or liberation are two completely separate things. No matter how great one’s supernatural powers may be, they do not belong to the essence of accomplishment or liberation. Therefore, the goals of accomplishment are perfecting good fortune and wisdom, realizing the empty nature of true such-ness, and acquiring mastery over one’s own living and dying.
3. THE VIEW THAT ONE MAY VIOLATE THE PRECEPTS OF THE THREE VEHICLES—HINAYANA, MAHAYANA, AND VAJRAYANA
Those with this view think that it is permissible to violate the precepts of the Three Vehicles that they have received. They think that under certain karmic conditions or with a special dharma practice it is acceptable to deviate from the precepts of the Three Vehicles. You must bear in mind that no matter what the circumstances may be, the precepts of the Three Vehicles may not be violated. Everyone, including eminent monastics and holy dharma kings, must strictly adhere to those precepts. Otherwise, one is a heretic in the guise of a Buddhist practitioner.
4. THE VIEW OF APPROVING CULTIVATION THAT IS DIVORCED FROM BODHICITTA
There are many methods of cultivation within the Buddha-dharma. Whatever method one uses to cultivate, it cannot be divorced from bodhicitta. Any form of cultivation that is divorced from bodhicitta is evil cultivation. Therefore, the most important aspect of cultivation is never separating from bodhicitta. In addition, we should not approve of those whose cultivation is divorced from bodhicitta.
5. THE VIEW THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO ABIDE BY ALL OF THE PRECEPTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED
As long as you received a precept, you must abide by it fully. You must abide by each and every precept you received. It is unacceptable to think that you may just abide by one of them or some of them and need not abide by certain others. Any thinking that not all precepts must be observed is not only wrong but also evil.
6. THE VIEW THAT ONE MAY FALSELY CLAIM TO BE A BUDDHA OR BODHISATTVA IN ORDER TO PROPAGATE THE DHARMA
Those with this view think that in order to propagate the dharma and bring people to Buddhism, one may use the expedient means of elevating one’s status by claiming to be a certain Buddha or Bodhisattva. They tell their disciples and friends to spread the word that they are a certain Buddha or Bodhisattva. Those who engage in or approve of this type of conduct are following this evil view.
7. THE VIEW OF SUBSTANTIALISM IN WHICH WORLDLY PHENOMENA TRULY EXIST AND ARE NOT ILLUSORY
This touches upon the ultimate truth. Those with this view regard all phenomena as truly existing, not illusory, and real. They think everything that exists among people, among things, and among events is real. To them, all worldly phenomena are not impermanent but truly exist and are real. They regard everything as real and not illusory. This is an evil view.
8. THE VIEW THAT EMPTINESS IS SEPARATE FROM AND INDEPENDENT OF WORLDLY PHENOMENA
Those with this view think that emptiness is unrelated to all views that accept the substantial-ness of worldly phenomena. They think that as long as one enters emptiness, everything that is actually present will no longer exist. They think that conditioned phenomena do not exist within emptiness and that emptiness is independent of conditioned phenomena. This view is already evil. One must understand that emptiness is not separate from worldly phenomena. After realizing emptiness, one knows that form is emptiness and emptiness is form. The two are not mutually incompatible. The fundamental truth is that the two are one and the same. That is the unattached true such-ness, the Buddha-nature from which usages arise.
9. THE VIEW THAT ONE CAN BECOME LIBERATED ONLY BY PRACTICING A DHARMA AND WITHOUT CULTIVATING ONESELF
Those with this view think that once they learn a certain dharma, they have succeeded. For example, they think how great it is that they now practice the Vajra Substitute Body Meditation. They think they can perform dharma and control their destiny at will. Or they think, “I can practice tummo concentration dharma to eliminate karmic hindrances. Why do I need to cultivate myself? It is even permissible for me not to cultivate myself since I will still succeed and become liberated.” That view is extremely evil.
10. THE VIEW THAT THE DHARMAKAYA IS A BODY WITH FORM
Our tathagata-garbha true mind refers to the dharmakaya. The dharmakaya is one of the three bodies; namely, the dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, and nirmanakaya. Those with this view describe the dharmakaya as having form, size, color, or a feeling of tranquility, peace, or happiness. Any view that regards the dharmakaya as an object with shape or awareness of feelings is an evil view.
11. THE VIEW THAT YOU CAN DO BAD THINGS AND STILL BE FREE OF SIN BY RELYING ON THE POWER OF THE BUDDHAS
Those with this view think that due to the power generated from their own dharma practice, they are already blessed by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions. They think that they can do something bad and still be free of sin because the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will come and eliminate their sin right away.
12. THE VIEW THAT CUTTING OFF ATTACHMENT TO SELF MEANS CUTTING OFF FEELINGS FOR YOUR PARENTS
For the purpose of cutting off attachment to self, there are sons and daughters who do not even recognize their relationship with their parents. There are also sons and daughters who ignore the feelings of their parents when their parents sadly cry over the decision of their son or daughter to become a monastic. Such sons and daughters even think that in so doing they are cutting off attachment to self. In reality, such filial disobedience is an evil view. Cutting off attachment to self entails benefiting living beings, caring about living beings, and putting one’s own interests second to those of living beings. It does not entail disregarding the feelings of one’s parents and cutting off one’s relationship with them.
13. THE VIEW THAT ONE CAN ATTAIN HOLY NIRVANA BY SIMPLY DOING GOOD DEEDS
Those who with this view think that as long as they do good deeds and everything that they do benefits living beings, that is enough for them to attain the nirvana of holy beings and become a Buddha or Bodhisattva. One must know that doing good deeds is performing conditioned charity. Based on the law of cause and effect, such charity will result in karmic rewards in the human or heavenly realms. However, attaining holy nirvana entails realizing a holy state. That means attaining the unconditioned state in which one has ended the cycle of birth and death and possesses total self-mastery. It means reaching that holy land where there is no arising or ceasing. Therefore, thinking that one can attain holy nirvana by simply doing good deeds is an evil view. You must understand that in addition to doing good deeds one must also practice unconditioned, holy dharma. Only then can one attain holy nirvana. There is no other path to attain holy nirvana.
14. THE VIEW THAT REGARDS AS A BODHISATTVA SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT ACT OUT OF GREATLY COMPASSIONATE BODHICITTA
Within society, there are various kinds of dharma kings, rinpoches, masters, and great dharma teachers. Some of them do not have bodhicitta and do not act out of bodhicitta. However, certain publicity portrays them as great Bodhisattvas. In reality, they are false people of holy virtue. Therefore, one who does not have bodhicitta of great compassion is not a Bodhisattva no matter what status he may have. The view that regards as a Bodhisattva this type of person who does not act out of greatly compassionate bodhicitta is an evil view.
15. THE VIEW OF NOT CLEARLY BELIEVING IN CAUSE AND EFFECT BUT SUPERSTITIOUSLY BELIEVING IN DIVINATION AND LUCK INSTEAD
Those with this view do not clearly believe in the law of cause and effect. They do not believe in the law of cause and effect. They deny the law of cause and effect. They instead believe in divination and luck. This is an evil view. You must understand that everything is based on the law of cause and effect.
16. THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO SIMPLY EXPOUND THE PRINCIPLES OF EMPTINESS WITHOUT SPEAKING ABOUT REAL CULTIVATION THROUGH CONCRETE PRACTICE
This type of situation exists more in exoteric Buddhism. However, it also exists in esoteric Buddhism. Some currently well-known people in society especially like to expound the principles of emptiness. They talk about the Zen method of penetrating the truth. They explain that all phenomena are without self-nature and are originally empty, that one should generate a mind that is unattached to anything, that one’s mind should be empty and tranquil. They talk about the original nature that does not come or go. They talk about these principles in elaborate, high-flown terms that are mysterious and hard to understand. They especially like to talk about the Platform Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and prajna. They speak on and on about the principles of emptiness without ever mentioning real cultivation through concrete practice. They do not teach real cultivation. They do not tell living beings how to practice through concrete actions the path that leads to enlightenment. There are too many people like this. They very seriously violate the law of cause and effect. One may talk about the principles and truth of emptiness as contained in the Buddha-dharma. However, that is just theory and cannot solve the problem of ending the cycle of birth and death. That is why Sakyamuni Buddha told us how to cultivate ourselves. Only through cultivation and transforming cause and effect can one actually realize the states that those theories describe. Therefore, those who simply expound the principles of emptiness without speaking about real cultivation through concrete practice are evil people. This view is an evil view.
17. THE VIEW THAT THE EXSTENCE OF THE SIX REALMS OF SAMSARA IS AN UNTRUE LEGEND
Those with this view regard the six realms of heaven, asura, human, hell, animal, and hungry ghost as existing only in legend. They think that such realms do not actually exist. They think that there are no ghosts and that none of the six realms exist. Won’t such a concept lead to the conclusion that all causes and effects are meaningless and false and that the law of cause and effect is not true? You must understand and think clearly about this. Sakyamuni Buddha stated that the six realms of reincarnation are real. He spoke of the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death, and the five turbidities of an evil age. You are all living in that reality now. Could it be that this is not the case? Such are the facts. One who denies the existence of the cycle of reincarnation is opposing the Buddha. Such people can describe the human world with the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death as the Pure Land of the West. I will give you an example. There truly are people who want to change this world of suffering into a human Pure Land. This type of following what is good, promoting benevolence toward others, and guiding people to be good and do good is implementing of the four limitless states of mind. However, if you believe that this world can be made into a real human Pure Land, then you believe in something that goes against the teachings of the Buddha. There is no method that can change the laws of cause and effect and reincarnation that exist in a world. No matter what method is used to create a desired result, that result will not be a Pure Land. The human realm is the human realm. A Pure Land is a Pure Land. The difference is like that of heaven and earth. One is a holy world and the other is an ordinary world. The Pure Land is a world where there is no arising or ceasing. Beings there get clothing when they think about clothing and get food when they think about food. There is no form of impermanence there. On the other hand, a so-called Pure Land in the human realm would still be full of all of the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. People would not get clothing or food just from thinking of clothing or food. People would still have to work and make money to obtain such things. They could not rely upon visualizing such things to obtain them. In this world, people do not want the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death, but such sufferings truly exist. It is inevitable that this world be filled with such sufferings. No matter what method is used, the result will still entail the attribute of impermanence inherent in a world within samsara. Nobody can change the impermanence that exists in this world caused by arising and ceasing. No ordinary person, regardless of how smart he may be, can escape the sufferings of five turbidities because that is the inevitable law of impermanence that exists in the six realms of reincarnation. Therefore, the six realms of reincarnation do exist.
18. THE VIEW THAT FAMOUS LAMAS OR FAMOUS MONKS ARE DEFINITELY PEOPLE OF GREAT HOLINESS AND VIRTUE
Whenever those with this view meet a famous lama or famous monk, they conclude that he is as a holy monk or a person of great holiness and virtue. What is meant by the terms famous lama or famous monk? They are a type of eminent monastic who has great fame or who is regarded around the world as being amazing. Those with this view conclude that such monastics are people of great holiness and virtue. In reality, such monastics might be people of holy virtue, and they also might not be people of holy virtue. There are even some extremely famous dharma kings of Buddhism who actually are ordinary beings.
19. THE VIEW THAT PERSONAL INTERESTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE BUDDHA-DHARMA
When there is a conflict between your personal interest and the Buddha-dharma, do you choose the Buddha-dharma or your personal interest? If you regard your personal interests as being higher than the Buddha-dharma, your view is an evil view. Personal interests should not be regarded as being higher than the Buddha-dharma. The Buddha-dharma is a supreme treasure. It is better to give up one’s life than give up the Buddha-dharma.
20. THE VIEW THAT ONE MAY KILL A LIVING BEING WITHOUT COMMITTING AN OFFENSE SO LONG AS ONE CHANTS THE MANTRA TO RAISE THE DECEASED TO A HIGHER REALM OF EXISTENCE
Those with this view think that by chanting the Mantra to Raise the Deceased they can raise deceased beings to higher realms of existence, including those beings they killed or any other deceased being. They think that as long as the being has died, they can raise that deceased being to a higher realm by chanting the Mantra to Raise the Deceased. As such, they think that no problems will remain. However, if you chant the Mantra to Raise the Deceased as you purposefully kill a living being, you will not be able to raise that being to a higher realm of existence, and you will have committed an extremely large sin. Therefore, those who chant the Mantra to Raise the Deceased while killing a living being will experience no resulting increase in merit. The only result will be an increase in their dark karma.
21. THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO GO AGAINST MATTERS DECIDED UPON BY YOUR ROOT MASTER WHO HAS BOTH HOLY REALIZATION AND BODHICITTA
The term root master refers to a root master who has holy realization and bodhicitta; that is, a greatly virtuous one with holy realization who acts out of bodhicitta. Moreover, such a master does not follow any of these 128 evil and erroneous views. You practice the dharma he transmitted as your fundamental dharma. For example, your own yidam comes from practicing the dharma he transmitted to you. You plan on practicing throughout your entire life the dharma he transmitted to you so as to become accomplished. That is what is meant by a root master. If a disciple thinks it is acceptable to go against or not carry out matters decided upon by his root master, this is an evil view. However, if your root master follows some of these 128 views, then he has become an evil root master regardless of whether he is a dharma king, a venerable one, or a master. In such case, you absolutely may not follow and execute what he has decided upon, for to do so would be assisting evil. If you continue to follow a master with evil and erroneous views, you will not experience any beneficial effects from your practice no matter what Buddha-dharma you practice.
22. THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO RESPECT THE BUDDHAS AND YOUR MASTER BUT NOT SHOW FILIAL PIETY TOWARD YOUR PARENTS
Some people are very respectful toward their master and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. However, they talk back or speak defiantly to their parents and act against the wishes of their parents. They do not show filial piety toward their parents and even leave their parents to go to a faraway place, where they totally ignore their parents. This reflects an evil view.
23. THE VIEW OF BELIEVING IN SOMEONE’S POSITION AND STATUS RATHER THAN THE DEFINITIVE TRUTH
There are some great dharma kings, great rinpoches, and great dharma masters whose positions are quite high. They can even be ranked as first or second class great dharma kings, great rinpoches, or great dharma masters. When we hear them mistakenly expound the dharma, we do not apply the correct and definitive truth to recognize such mistakes, and we do not apply Buddha-dharma principles to judge whether their words are correct. We think that the dharma they expound must be correct simply because they have the status of a great dharma king or some other position. Such a view is an evil view.
24. THE VIEW THAT LIVING BEINGS WERE BUDDHAS WHO LATER DEVOLVED INTO LIVING BEINGS
There are some people who frequently describe living beings as Buddhas. They say that in beginning-less time living beings were once Buddhas but later devolved into living beings due to the arising of ignorance and defilements. This is an evil doctrine expressed by those who do not understand Buddha-dharma. Living beings have always been living beings and since beginning-less time have never been Buddhas. Living beings are surrounded by karmic hindrances, such as the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. However, all living beings possess Buddha-nature. They can become Buddhas through learning Buddhism, cultivating themselves, and practicing according to the dharma. You must understand that living beings definitely did not devolve from Buddhas into living beings. Living beings are living beings. There is no such thing as Buddhas devolving into living beings. If Buddhas could devolve into living beings, then when would Sakyamuni Buddha devolve into a living being?
25. THE VIEW THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO MIX HERETICAL PRACTICES WITH THE PRACTICES OF THE BUDDHA-DHARMA
This type of situation occurs quite a lot. People practice a mixture of regular Buddha-dharma and heretical methods. This is because there are numerous and varied heretical methods or practices, such as selecting a good hour or auspicious day for an event, yin and yang, feng shui, Taoist magic figures or incantations, beseeching spirits, fortune-telling by means of Chinese characters and other methods, witch dancing, rearing a small ghost, and so on. All of these are heretical practices. Practicing a mixture of these with the Buddha-dharma is evil.
26. THE VIEW THAT THE LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT IS IMAGINARY AND NOT REAL
Some people think that the law of cause and effect does not exist. They think that there is no need to be afraid since there is no karmic retribution. They think it is all right to do bad things as long as nobody finds out. In short, to them there is no such thing as karmic retribution. Remember, regarding the law of cause and effect as imaginary and not real is an evil view.