The Eight Realizations of Great Beings Sutra

The Eight Realizations of Great Beings Sutra

佛 說 八 大 人 覺 經

As the disciples of the Buddha, constantly within the day and night, sincerely chant and  study The Eight Realizations of Great Beings.

The first realization is the awareness that the world is impermanent. All political regimes are subject to fall; all things composed of the four elements are empty. The five aggregates are selfless. They are always in the process of change  constantly being born and constantly dying. They are empty of self, without sovereignty. The mind is the source of all confusion, and the body is the forest of all impure actions. If we mediate on these facts, we can gradually be released from the round of birth and death.

The second realization is the awareness that more, desire brings more suffering. All hardships in daily life arise from greed and desire. Those with little desire and ambition are, free from entanglement  and able to relax their bodies and minds.

The third realization is that the  mind never feels fulfilled, is always searching for possessions and. This causes impure actions to ever increase. Bodhisattvas are not like this  they always remember the principle of having few desires. They live a simple life in peace in order to practice the Way, and consider the realization of perfect understanding as their only career.

The fourth realization is laziness causes downfall. For this reason,we must practice diligently to Break the evil of worry and distress Conquer the four demons, in order to free ourselves from the prisons  of the five aggregates and the three worlds

The fifth realization is the awareness that ignorance is the cause of the endless round of birth and death. There fore, Bodhisattvas always remember to listen and learn in order to develop their understanding and eloquence. This enables them to educate living beings and bring them to the realm of great joy.

The sixth realization is the awareness that poverty creates hatred and anger, which creates a vicious cycle of negative thoughts and activity. When practicing generosity, Bodhisattvas consider everyone, friends and enemies alike, as equal. They do not condemn anyone¡¦s past wrong doing, nor do they hate those who are presently causing harm.

The Seventh Realization is that the five categories of desire lead to difficulties. Although we are in this world, we should try not to be caught up in worldly matters. A monk, for example, has in his possession three robes and one bowl. He lives simply in order to practice the Way. His precepts keep him free from attachment to worldly things, and he treats everyone equally and with compassion.

The eighth realization is the awareness that the fire of birth and death is raging, causing endless suffering every where. We should take the Great Vow to help everyone, to suffer with everyone, and to guide all living beings to the realm of great joy.

These eight realizations are the discoveries of Great Beings, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who have diligently practiced the way of compassion and understanding. They have sailed the Dharmakaya boat to the shore of Nirvana , but they return to the ordinary world, having abandoned the five desires, with their minds and hearts directed toward the noble way, using these eight realizations to help all living beings recognize the suffering in this world. If the disciples of the Buddha  recite these eight realizations and meditate on them, they will put an end to countless misunderstandings and difficulties and progress toward enlightenment, leaving behind the world of birth and death, dwelling forever in peace.