How to Practice Unification of Three Virtues

Yutang Lin

In Buddhism wisdom, compassion and power are referred to as the Three Virtues (of a Bodhisattva or Buddha).

Wisdom is not just comprehension of Buddhist theories on Blank Essence and Conditional Arising, but involves deeds of renouncing grasping. Compassion need to be cultivated through observation on sentient beings' situations and participation in Dharma services. Actually and completely devoted oneself to Dharma practices and services, then wisdom and compassion naturally will gradually develop in harmonization in one, because they are two aspects of one as a sentient being, even though they can be mentioned separately, in reality there is no way to separate them.

As to power, it is the function of wisdom and compassion in unification. As wisdom and compassion gradually become more mature and harmonized in one, power also becomes more prominent.

Three virtues are originally in harmonious oneness. As to how the three virtues could gradually become noticeable in the body, speech and mind of a Dharma practitioner, it all depends on whether one's Bodhi aspiration is genuine and thorough, and whether one's practices and deeds are in accordance with the right path of Bodhi. The best approach to cultivate the unification of the three virtues is to renounce worldly ways completely and to stay under the guidance of a virtuous Guru so as to engage in Dharma practices and services whole-heartedly.

If interested in more theoretical discussions, among my works those on "Great Harmony" may be referred to. But for actual practices, the point is not to read much, but to engage completely in Dharma practices sooner.

Upon request from disciple Jing Xing
Written in Chinese and translated on September 5, 2009
El Cerrito, California

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