Last night, I visited a patient suffering from tuberculosis. Counselled him and chanted Om Mani Padme Hum with him and his family members. It’s been awhile since I chanted Om. He is a long time chanter of it, so I explained in brief to him, the significance of this Mantra, and chanted Om Mani Padme Hum with him and his family members.
I had wanted to chant seven rounds of the small beads I was wearing, as I didn’t want to tire him out. In the end, we must have chanted for 30 minutes to 45 minutes or so, so we reached around 8 and left at 9. Ended with a recitation of the Heart Sutra.
In Buddhism, we give what is suitable and appropriate for the recipient and not simply shove what we prefer down people’s throat! 😉
This reminds me of the teaching in 《觀世音菩薩普門品》 “The Chapter on Universal Doors (Methods) of Guan Yin (Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva)”.
Below is an excerpt:
無盡意菩薩白佛言。世尊。觀世音菩薩。云何遊此娑婆世界。云何而為眾生說法。方便之力。其事云何。
Inexhaustible Aspiration* Bodhisattva addresses the Buddha: “World Honoured One, how does Guan Yin Bodhisattva traverse this Saha World, how does he speak (teach) the Dharma to the beings? Through what means is this possible?”
佛告無盡意菩薩。善男
子。若有國土眾生應以佛身得度者。 觀世音菩薩。即現佛身而為說法。
The Buddha tells Inexhaustible Aspiration Bodhisattva: “Good man, if there are such beings in the land that requires a Buddha to liberate, Guan Yin Bodhisattva, would manifest as a Buddha and teach the Dharma.”
應以辟支佛身得度者。即現辟支佛身而為說法。
… requires a pratyeka Buddha …
應以聲聞身得度者。即現聲聞身而為說法。
… requires a Śrāvaka …
應以梵王身得度者。即現梵王身而為說法。
… a brahma …
應以帝釋身得度者。即現帝釋身而為說法。
… a Śakra …
應以自在天身得度者。即現自在天身而為說法。
… a Īśvaradeva …
應以大自在天身得度者。即現大自在天身而為說法。
… a maheśvara …
應以天大將軍身 得度者。即現天大將軍身而為說法。
… deva general …
應以毘沙門身得度者。即現毘沙門身而為說法。
… Vaiśravaṇa (a yakṣa king) …
應以小王身得度者。即現小王身而為說法。
… a king …
應以長者身得度者。即現長者身而為 說法。
… an elder …
應以居士身得度者。即現居士身而為說法。
… a householder …
應以宰官身得度者。即現宰官身而為說法。
… a minister …
應以婆羅門身得度者。即現婆羅門身而為說法。
… a brahmin …
應以比丘比丘尼優婆塞 優婆夷身得度者。即現比丘比丘尼優婆塞優婆夷身而為說法。
… a bhikshu, bhikshuni, lay person..
應以長者居士宰官婆羅門婦女身得度者。即現婦女身而為說法。
… a lady …
應以童男童女身得度者。即現童男童女 身而為說法。
… a child …
應以天龍 夜叉 乾闥婆 阿修羅 迦樓羅 緊那羅 摩睺羅伽 人非人等身得度者。即皆現之而為說法。
… a nāga, yakṣa, gandharva, asura, garuḍa, Kiṃnara, Mahoraga, human, human-like beings …
應以執金剛身得度者。即現執金剛身而為說法。
… a vajra-wielding being …
The list is often summarised as
應以何身得度者，即現何身而為說法
In whatever forms is required to teach in order to liberate the recipient, one shall manifest in that form to teach.
While we are not necessarily capable of manifesting in various forms externally, we can follow the spirit of it and share what is conducive, suitable and needed for others to progress, to practise, to move even if one step closer towards Nibbāna … or Nirvāṇa if you will!
PS: The keyword is what is required for them to learn, practise and be liberated, and not simply what people want.
Footnote
* 無盡意菩薩 – I translate as “Inexhaustible Aspiration Bodhisattva”, as he is named due to his great aspiration to aspire towards attainment of inexhaustible (unlimited) merits of Buddhahood, in order to guide, teach and liberate the inexhaustible number of sentient beings in this world.
Reference