Entering the Hall to Speak Dharma

Issue 289

Entering the Hall to Speak Dharma

Composed by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua

Once, Ven. Svagata invited the youth Sigala to speak about dharmas.
Sigala, however, could not distinguish between dharmas and non-dharmas.
The Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra speaks of emptiness, the principle that Ven. Subhuti explained most excellently.
The Amitabha Sutra speaks of existence, the principle of which only Ven. Sariputra,
the One Foremost in Wisdom, understood.
Layman Vimalakirti spoke of the truth of neither emptiness nor existence, of both emptiness and existence.
So, in the ultimate sense, is emptiness the Dharma, or is existence the Dharma?
What Dharma do you understand —the conditioned dharmas or the unconditioned dharmas?
All of you can go back to reflect upon yourself, return your light inwards to shine within,
and eventually you will find your own original face.

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