(Introduction) A Brief Talk about The Scripture of Forty-Two Chapters Said by Buddha

Co-translators in the time of Eastern Han Dynasty, China(A.D. 25 - 200) : Kasyapa Matanga and Zhu Falan (Who translated the said Scripture from Sanskrit into Chinese. )

Translator in modern time (A.D.2018: Tao Qing Hsu (Who translated the said Scripture from Chinese into English.)

Teacher and writer for explaining the said Scripture: Tao Qing Hsu

Introduction

This scripture refers to the talking of Dao which is about 1H5W (how, what, when, where, why and who).

“Dao” is “Tao” which is transliterated from Chinese character. Its original meaning is path, way and road. Then, its meaning is extended to be talking, saying, method, law, doctrine, morality, skillfulness, capability, and the thought system of religion or education. The thought system of religion or education includes the aforesaid meanings.

No matter Daoism or Buddhism is only one of the thought systems of religion or education. Both of them use the character “Dao” or “Tao”. However, their saying or doctrine or method is some kind of difference. Even though this, we will find that their final goal is the same, if we really put the Dao into practice. I translate this scripture from Chinese into English. I use the word ”Dao” instead of “Path” or ”Way”, because I think that this word ”Dao” could be perceived more widely. That is there is no boundary for Dao. The Buddha said that there is no outer Dao of Buddhism. All is Buddhism. Why? That is very deep teaching and realization. And why the Daoism of local thought system and Buddhism of outer thought system could co-exist peacefully in Chinese culture. From this scripture, you might know it.

Also, when I am translating, I use the word as simple as possible so that it could be understood by the public. Of course, it is not only the translation word by word, the most importance is that the translator should understand the meaning what the Buddha said and have already put the Dao into the practice so that the true meaning could be conveyed properly.

This scripture is related to the teaching of Buddha Siddhartha to his disciples who are Buddhist monks. His teaching is also good for us in our daily life, and could inspire us, even though we are not Buddhist monks.

Furthermore, this scripture has almost included the whole teaching of Buddhism. It is easy to know, however, it is hard to put it into practice. So, it is very challenge to our inner bad habits. Why? To put the teaching of Buddha into practice needs brain, some methods and takes time. So, it is not easy to learn Buddha. Even though this, there is also the easy way to learn Buddha. How? To recite or chant the name of Buddha or Pusa, such as Na Mo Amitabha, Na Mo Pusa World-Sounds-Perceiving. It is some kind of methods to concentrate our mind and let us focus on one thing. The most importance is that our heart should correspond to the compassion and wisdom of Amitabha or Pusa World-Sounds-Perceiving. Then, there is the meaning for us. Finally, we would find that Amitabha or Pusa World-Sounds-Perceiving is not other else, it is in our heart. That means that we and Amitabha or Pusa World-Sounds-Perceiving are no different. That is that we are one.     

This scripture is also mentioned about the three poisons that would harm our physical and mental body, about the six methods which let us go into the wisdom, and about ten things which could let us accumulate our virtue. Of course, this scripture is talked about the final status of learning Buddha. “Buddha” is a name which is given by people. In fact, when we are in the final status, the word ”Buddha” is no meaning for us. Why? When you are in the status, you will know. In a word, this scripture is related to learn Buddha and its methods.

Why most people have the feeling of being betrayed, hurt, or attacked and why some people want to betray, hurt or attack others, because they hold the different things in heart or mind and think that those things are existed. In other words, their heart and mind are occupied by those things. Under such situation, how could they keep the rational thinking and peaceful emotion in heart and mind?    

In the past, we have a lot of misunderstanding about Buddhism. That is because the deep meaning of Buddhism is difficult for the public to understand. The deep meaning of Buddhism is talked about the Emptiness in heart. When most people have heard that, they feel unpleasant, because they want to have love, desire, fame, power, money and valuables, even to control others and want others to obey their greedy or hatred intention.

In fact, when we have understood the deep meaning of Buddhism, we will realize that nothing could control us, such as fame or power or advantages or others evil intention. And we also have no intention to control others.

Furthermore, no one could hurt us or attack us. Why? When we are in the state of Emptiness in heart, there is nothing to be hurt or to be attacked, such as using a sword to cut the sky, the sky is still be there. Does the sky be hurt? No. However, the person who uses a sword to cut the sky with hatred has already exhausted his own energy. From this scripture, you might understand it.

So, do not be bound to the concept or meaning of the word of Buddhism. In fact, the highlight of Buddhism is our heart that is concerned about the humanity, no matter what we believe or what is our faith. The teaching of Buddha is self-control, not to control others; it is self-requirement, not to demand others; it is self-heart-searching, not to search others heart. In a word, it is self-discipline, not to discipline others. And it depends on the nature of Emptiness of our inside, not depends on any object or thing from outside situation. 

Secondly, there is no such concept of betray in Buddhism. Why? There must be any object or thing, so that we say that we betray the object or thing. In Buddhism, there is no object or thing in heart, how could we betray the non-existent object or thing, or how could we betray the Emptiness? This concept is hard to be understood. But, if you carefully read this scripture, you might understand it.

So, we extend the aforesaid meaning. There is no violence or force in Buddhism. If people said that they want to fight with someone, which means that there is any object or thing in the outside situation and in their heart and mind which make them angry so that they want to use the violence or force. However, in the deep-practicing Buddhist heart, there is no object or thing in heart and mind which could make them unhappy, even though any evil object or thing is existed in the outside situation. Then, how could they fight with whom so as to use the violence or force? Why the Buddhist monk or nun or the deep-practicing Buddha-learner is one of the three Treasures? Now, we know that they are one of peace-makers in our society and in the world.

                          

Let me talk about the history of this scripture in a brief. According to the records, this scripture is the first scripture being transmitted from the India to the China and being translated from the Sanskrit into Chinese. The time is in the Han Dynasty of China (B.C.220 - A.D.220). This scripture is also translated to be” The Sutra of Forty-two Chapter”. Which you can find in the Internet, and which further interesting history can be find in WiKi if you are interested.