One of the Ten Titles about Buddha -- Teacher of Heavens and Humans

 

Author: Tao Qing Hsu

                                                                                                                    

The general meaning of Teacher of Heavens and Humans

The word Teacher of Heavens and Humans is translated from the Chinese and it is translated from the Sanskrit "sasta dena - manusyanam". Generally speaking, it means that the Buddha is good at teaching sentient beings what they should do and what they should not do, as well as what is good and what is not good. If all sentient beings can follow the Buddha's teachings and not deviate from the right path, they will be able to be free from their troubles and to liberate themselves from sufferings of life and death. 

The explanation of Teacher of Heavens and Humans said by Buddha

In the Buddhist Scripture--The Scripture of the Ten Titles Said by Buddha, the Buddha explained what the Teacher of Heavens and Humans  meant:

Why was it called the Teacher of Heavens and Humans? The Buddha said. It is not to be the teacher for Ananda of one Bhiksu. All Bhiksus and Bhiksuni. And Upasaka and Upasika. And the heavens and humans. The Srmana and Brahmin. The demon king and the outside Dao. All the heavens of Sakras, Brahmas and Dragons had returned their missions and relied on the teachings to pursue and follow it and all became disciples of the Buddha. It was hence named the Teacher of Heavens and Humans.

Further explanation for Teacher of Heavens and Humans

From this paragraph, we know that the Buddha is the teacher of all beings, no matter these beings are humans or non-humans, no matter they are heaven beings or non-heaven beings, no matter they are monks or nuns, no matter they are residence-scholars or residence-learners in Buddhism,  no matter their status are and no matter they are in the Dao of Buddhism or not in the Dao of Buddhism. That is, no matter what their races, appearances, colors, forms, non-forms, religions, and beliefs are, they all finally return to their missions and rely on the teachings of Buddha. Meanwhile, they finally pursue and follow the teachings of Buddha, and become the disciples of the Buddha.  

The explanation of the words in the content

The word Dao is translated from Chinese into English. Dao means path or way. The meaning of Dao is extended to be the truth of practicing in life, belief and religion. Dao is Tao. Bhiksu and Bhiksuni, Upasaka and Upasika, are Sanskrit. Bhiksu and Bhiksuni means monk and nun. In historical India, those who left the home and pursued and practiced the truth of life were called  Bhiksu and Bhiksuni, no matter what their beliefs and religions were. Generally speaking, they did not reside in a fixed place and always stayed under a tree.  And, those who did not leave the home, and pursued and practiced the truth of life at home, were called Upasaka and Upasika. That is, Upasaka is the residence-scholar of male or residence-learner of male. Upasika is the residence-scholar of female or residence-learner of female.

The following explanations for Srmana and Brahmin  are referred to on the Internet. Srmana and Brahmin are Sanskrit. Srmana is a person "who labors, toils, or exerts themselves for some higher or religious purpose" or "seeker, one who performs acts of austerity, ascetic". Brahmin is a varna (caste) within Hindu society. Traditionally, Brahmins are accorded the highest ritual status of the four social classes, and they also served as spiritual teachers. 

The heavens of Sakras, Brahmas and Dragons are the beings in heavens according to the records of historical India. According to our current understanding, they are sentient beings belonging to different dimensions of space and time. Meanwhile, they have lifespan and will experience reincarnation after the ending of their life. They have the huge blessings and are in the position of Bodhisattva (Pusa; Bosa).  However, they have not yet achieved Buddhahood. They always do their best to support the teachings of Buddha and to practice Buddhism. 

From Buddhist scripture, we can see the Buddha Shakyamuni spoke the Buddha-Law for the heavenly beings.

The Buddha Shakyamuni can be the teacher of humans. There is no doubt. However, from which scripture can we know that the Buddha Shakyamuni can be the teacher of heavenly beings? In some of the Buddhist scripture, it mentioned that the Buddha Shakyamuni was into the state of Zen-steady and went up the heaven to spoke the scripture for the heavenly beings, such as the Buddhist scripture --The Scripture of The Virtue and Merit of The Original Vow of The Bodhisattva Land-Treasure (Pusa Land-Treasure; Pusa Land-Hidden; The treasure is hidden in the land. Pusa is Bodhisattva). The Buddha Shakyamuni went up to the Daoli heaven (Trayastriṃśa) to speak this Buddhist scripture for his mother and the family members. His mother passed away after the Buddha Shakyamuni was born, and then she reincarnated in the Daoli Heaven (Trayastriṃśa) and enjoyed blessings. In other Buddhist scripture, it also mentioned that the Buddha Shakyamuni went up to the Daoli heaven to speak scripture for the heavenly Bodhisattvas (Pusas).

Except for this, in the great-boarding classic scripture, when the Buddha Shakyamuni spoke the scripture, the countless heavenly Pusas and beings, and the countless Pusas who appeared from the different worlds of all Buddhas, would attend the law-congregation to listen to what the spoken and taught by Buddha Shakyamuni. Furthermore, the Buddha Shakyamuni spoke the scripture for kings and his family members of all heavens and the earth. Such as this scripture -- Lotus scripture, there were countless sons of different heavens flown to attend the law-congregation so as to listen to the Buddha’s teaching. Pusa is Bodhisattva. Law-congregation means that the Buddha spoke the Buddha-Law for all beings in one place. 

From Buddhist scripture, we can see the Buddha Shakyamuni spoke the Buddha-Law for the king on the earth.

There also exists such a kind of Buddhist scripture that the Buddha Shakyamuni spoke the scripture for the king who lived on earth. As we have mentioned that the word Buddha is just a title. The meaning of Buddha is similar to the saint. That is, they already have good cultivation in moral and ethical aspects. Meanwhile, they are capable to save, teach and reform all beings to liberate them from sufferings of life and death. 

In conclusion

From the above explanation, we know why the Buddha was capable of being the teacher of heavens and humans. Please keep following this blog, we will explore more and deeply why the Buddha is the Teacher of Heavens and Humans.

The Scripture of the Ten Titles Said by Buddha (Updated on May 23, 2024)

The ancient translator: Master Devasantika, Buddhist monk, Since A.D. Unknown to A.D.1000, born in North India, Jalandhara. Master Devasantika accepted the ancient emperor's order to translate this Buddhist scripture from Sanskrit into Chinese.

The modern translator: Tao Qing Hsu, Buddhist-at-home, not Buddhist nun, born and living in Taiwan. She has translated this Buddhist scripture from Chinese into English since the year of 2023 AD.

 

　　

Tathagata, Should-Make-Offerings, True-Equality-Enlightenment, Brightness-Action-Feet, Good-Death, World-Understanding, Supreme-Scholar, Man-Tamer, Teacher-of-Heavens-and-Humans, Buddha, and World-Venerable-One.

 

Ananda spoke and said. Why was it called Tathagata? The Buddha told Bhiksu. In the past, when I was a Pusa in the cause position, I had experienced to practice various deeds. In order to seek the supreme truly equality and truly enlightenment, now I have attained Bodhi, Nirvana and all truth. By the Eight Sage Paths truly see what the proved. It was named Tathagata. Just like those, who attained the truly equality and truly enlightenment in the past, tamed and rested the mind so as to achieve nirvana. It was named Tathagata.

 

Why was it called Should-Make-Offerings? The Buddha said. In the past, when I was in the cause rank, the good laws, solemn and majestic appearance, and the classified of precepts were practiced. The strength of the ten good roots was cultivated so as to make it increased. Thus consummately practicing and learning to attain the ultimate rank. When achieve the Nirvana, cut off and end all worries. To make the body, mouth and mind clean and untainted. Forever destroy worries. Such as to break the head-root of Tala tree, make it never sprout buds. Furthermore, due to ending the worries of greed, anger, and obsession, all the toward-going would never produce the fruition and generate. It was beyond the law of bitter fruitions of the four difficulties of birth (living), aging, illness and dying. The two seeds of confusion and suffering would never be produced. It was established the name of Should-Make-Offerings. Furthermore, make all the clothes, bedding, food and drink, soups and medicines, banners, flags, precious canopies, fragrant flowers, lamps and fruits in the world, and the highest thing in heaven and earth be offered to the Buddha. Obtain the blessing of supreme wealth and auspiciousness. It was the name of Should-Make-Offerings.

 

Why was it called the True-Equality-Enlightenment? The Buddha said. The Tathagata possessed all wisdom. There was nothing all over the places that could not be understood and known. Take the four thought places, four right breakings, four spiritual feet, five roots, five strengths, seven factors of enlightenment, eight sage paths, twelve causalities, and the four reason laws, etc., such were the laws. Equally enlighten all sentient beings. Make them arise the wisdom, cut off the confusion, and attain the in-flaw fruition, one-come-and-go fruition, never-come-again fruition and the no-birthing fruition. Possess the three kinds of brightness and six kinds of spiritual openness. Furthermore, in the great boarding (Mahayana), make the meaning and think the requesting so as to experience and practice all the status. Cut off the knots’ habits and attain the supreme enlightenment. This name was the True-Equality-and-True-Enlightenment.

 

Why was it called Brightness-Action-Feet? The Buddha said. The brightness meant that the brightness of heavenly eye, the brightness of experienced and predestined destinies, and the brightness of leak- ended. What the meaning of the action feet was the Karma of the Tathagata’s body, mouth, and mind. Good at practicing the consummate of possessing feet, the rightly truth and clearly clean. Such as owning a large clothing and bowl, etc., being able to perceive and reflect it at ease but without loving or attaching it. In all actions of the voluntary strength, practice them so as to make them consummate to possess the feet. It was named Brightness-Action-Feet.

Why was it called the Good Death? The Buddha said. That is the meaning of marvelous going. Such as greed, anger, obsession, etc., dragging all sentient beings towards the other evil going. This is not named good death. Tathagata's right wisdom was capable to eliminate all confusion. Wonderfully appearing and beyond the world can go toward the Buddha-fruition. It was hence named Good Death.

 

Why was it called the World-Understanding and the Supreme-Scholar? The Buddha said. What the world means. It was called the desire realm, the color realm, and the colorless realm. And the hells, the hungry ghosts and the brutes, etc., that sort of things. Each had its own form aggregate, feeling aggregate, thought aggregate, action aggregate and consciousness aggregate. And the root of the eyes, the root of the ears, the root of the nose, the root of the tongue, the root of the body, and the root of the mind. And all the laws of that six consciousnesses and of that realms of thereon depending and so on. It was called the world. Truly enlightenment and truly knowing was called World-Understanding.

 

Moreover, all the two-legged, four-legged, many-legged and no-legged in the other world, the all heavens of desire and color, the heavens of thoughts and no thoughts, the heavens of neither thinking nor non-thinking, and supposing to be the mortal or the sage, in all these sentient beings, only the Buddha was the first, the most supreme and no grade. It was thus named the Supreme-Scholar.

 

Why was it  called Man-Tamer? The Buddha said. Buddha was a great man. And it could harmonize and rule the two sorts of good and evil things. The evil one made the three karmas of not good arise. And doing all the evil thus depraved oneself into the hells, hungry ghosts and brutes therefore gained the evil retribution. A good person practiced all good deeds in body, mouth and mind. Obtain blessings fruition from human and heaven. All good and evil were done by the mind. The Buddha used the law of nirvana of the good of the first meaning. It demonstrated the harmonizing and ruling to make beings leave the contaminated and filth and thus gained the supreme silent and eliminated Nirvana. Therefore, it was called Man-Tamer.

 

Why was it called the Teacher of Heavens and Humans? The Buddha said. It is not to be the teacher for Ananda of one bhiksu. All Bhiksus and Bhiksuni. And Upasaka and Upasika. And the heavens and humans. The Srmana and Brahmin. The demon king and the outside Dao. All the heavens of Sakras, Brahmas and Dragons had returned their missions and relied on the teachings to pursue and follow it and all became disciples of the Buddha. It was hence named the Teacher of Heavens and Humans.

 

Why was it called Buddha? Its wisdom possesses the adequately three enlightenments and the consummate and the brightness. It was hence named Buddha.

 

The Buddha told Ananda. I had done the practicing of regularly-walking in the past. A Brahmin came and asked me. Why did your parents name you Buddha? The Buddha immediately answered. That what the world understands and knows can be understood and known by me. That what the world perceives can also be perceived by me. That what the world can eliminate can also be eliminated by me. I have all wisdom and all understanding. I have experienced my lives since the countless kalpas. All kinds of practice are far away from dust and dirt. Now I have achieved the supreme Bodhi. Therefore, the name of Buddha was established.

 

Why was it called the World Venerable One? The Buddha said. When I was in the cause rank, I investigated myself to perceive all good laws. Precepts’ laws, mind’s laws, and wisdom’s laws. And I also perceived the laws of not good of the greed and so on. It could incur all sufferings of having generated and eliminated and so on. Used the wisdom without leakage to break through those worries and gained supreme enlightenment. That was why heavens, humans, mortals and saints. Those who transcended the world and those who were in the world respected him. Therefore, it was called World Venerable One.

Annotation: Pusa is transliterated from Chinese. It means Bodhisattva.  

 

The God for me is the Buddha; The Buddha is the God.

 

Author: Tao Qing Hsu (Hsu, Tao-qing) 

 

Even though I am a Buddhist teacher now, I had been baptized informally, read the bible, and went to the church, sang the saint song. I also prayed to the God before I went to bed. Do you know what I pray to the God? I pray to him that I hope that I am able to help people someday. In that time, I was a 16-years-old girl and I only had a little idea about Buddhism.

 

Meanwhile, I also have read a novel which is a story about an American nun of Christian, who does her best, and abandon her self-ego, so to help people and to take care of what the peoples need. And she is always misunderstood by another nun. I have forgotten the name and the detail of the novel. But, I remember that I was so moved by the drama. I think that what the nun has done is the virtue of human beings, which is not concerned about any belief or any religion.

 

One day I realize that my wish and what I have prayed to the God has come true. And the God never left me alone. In that time, I was already a 46-years-old woman and have trained in Buddhism. What you have known about the God might be different from what I have known. I tell you a truth that I do not know what the said in the bible. The God what I have known is very mercy and its mind is very open and inclusive the all. It absolutely would not reject any human beings who do not believe the God. The God for me is the Buddha; The Buddha is the God.

 

In Buddhism, the Buddha Sakyamuni also mentioned about the God who dominate one of the 33 heavens. And the God always guards and supports the Buddha Sakyamuni and his disciples, or any person who puts the Buddhism into practice. When I read the Buddhist scripture, I think it is reasonable according to my personal experience. God for me is not someone else, it is the Bodhisattva. The nature of name, image, and picture is emptiness. The essence of the Buddha-nature is true, which is the Emptiness. It is not important about what the name is. In my realizing and opinions, the essence and the nature of the God is Emptiness. The state of Emptiness is still and "be able to create and appear". Due to the Emptiness, it can create and appear the all, including the ideologies of religions, or of the public, or of the politics, or of any parties, or any ideas.  All of these things is created from the nature of Emptiness.  

About Tao Qing

Tao Qing, is the founder, teacher and leader of Buddha’s Virtue & Love Widely & Universally. She has learned Buddha since 1995, and founded Buddha’s Virtue & Love Widely & Universally in May of 2018, in honor of her parents, great Buddhist Master and all Buddha, and in order to complete her vows of previous life and present life in having sympathy for all sentient beings.

Tao Qing is not Buddhist nun. When she is leaning Buddha, she still has a job to maintain herself. In the period of teenage, she wishes to help people, if one day she has any such ability. In that time, she feels all suffering, including herself and others. That is why she goes to the path of Pusa and learns Buddha. (Pusa means Buddhisattva.)

Her great Buddhist master has ever said that:

No one would be alone, because Pusa always be there with you.  (Pusa means Bodhisattva)                                                                                                          

May all sentient beings be benefited from Buddha’s Virtue & Love Widely & Universally, be free from all suffering, and get into Buddhahood.