Four Layers of Tara's MeritsYutang Lin
Comment: This morning right before I woke up I received teachings on the four layers of Tara's merits in a dream. The teachings are succinctly described below:
Explanation: Having fulfilled the trainings that enable one to serve as a patriarch means having mastered the harmonization and unification of Buddhist theories, and possessed attainments completely. Being capable of taking up several kinds of glorious and important responsibilities means the ability to transform appropriately for conversion purposes at will, and to convert beings far and wide. These are merits of Tara that are commonly understood; hence they belong to the outer layer. Explanation: The compassion of Tara is completely impartial and selfless. It is not only universally applicable to all sentient beings but also so profound as to accompany and safeguard each and every sentient being. Such profound compassion is usually difficult to comprehend by ordinary people; hence it belongs to the inner layer. Explanation: Even though free from such intentions, due to the attraction of this person's merits, naturally the conversion became far and wide and the fame spread to distant lands. Such is the result of matching merits of both outer and inner layers and their mutual enhancement; hence this belongs to the secret layer. With gratitude I have carefully and faithfully recorded the teachings here. Through this public announcement I hope to help promote understanding of Tara's merciful and compassionate merits. In addition, I hope that Buddhists who practice sadhanas on Taras would thereby gain accomplishments sooner and save all beings equally.
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