Studying Yogacara Buddhism

I had this opportunity of getting to know one of the 8 major Buddhism schools, Yogacara, or is known in Chinese community as Fa Xiang sect. Xuan Zang was believed the first Chinese Buddhist advocated its theory. His legendary adventure of travelling to India in 7th century was motivated by his intensive longing for the study of the major sastras of this school under the guidance of master Jiexian based in Nalanto monastery.

When my friend living in Australia  passed me some of his notes jotted down from his careful learning through a heap of audio recordings of Prof. Luo, I immediately realized why almost everyone I asked about their comment of the features of Yogacara Buddhism said unanimously that it is a difficult study for the multitude of ordinary or lower level of learners to try to understand what its doctrines are talking about. With this preoccupied thoughts in mind, I did not really read my friend's notes closely, however, my impression about his notes was that there you will come to see a new Buddhism terminology every three or four words as you read along. The terminologies kept on coming up as I read on, not before the first page was finished, I closed the file, and started writing my friend an e-mail as my feedback.

Now I am more convinced the truth of smartness inequality. The smartness makes one understand a statement quite easily like you. No wonder I had been working like a Kooli all in my career, while you have been successful since young. I mean the quote from your last message, "It will also let you know what is true or false, (though). " true and false is one and cannot be separated

 I came across this statement for the first time when I started learning with master Jing Kong in 2006, and I still not understand it today. But you do. You realise it from head to toe about why smart and stupid is one and is not two and can not be separated. But to my view point, you realised what this means as you read it, and I have read it for the past 9 years and still think they are two real damn things, although I will say this two are one when I am asked this question, but honestly to say I still think you are far smarter than me by 9 plus the number of years till I really attain enlightenment and become one with the universe, then he will agree we are one and are not one.

I have tried another two rounds attempting to attain a breakthrough by finding myself become glued to the seat in front of the computer reading his notes, the book with some interest at least, but both attempts were failed because even though I have become familiar with the scriptures and their meanings now, I was perplexed with most of the statements.





-to be continued-