Article connected to first three parts of this collection of teachings:
The hells, preta and animal realms are called the three
lower realms, where suffering is more intense than in the rest of the six
planes of existence. We must not only read about the various pain and suffering
in the lower realms, but deeply contemplate on them until we become fully aware
of their reality and that we too have a great chance to be reborn there. A
master of the past once said:
"At present it is difficult to endure
sitting for merely a single day with my hand stuck in burning coals, or to
remain naked for that long in a cave of ice during the winter winds, or to go
for a few days without food and drink, or for my body to be stung by a bee and
the like. If even these are difficult to endure, how will I bear the sufferings
of the hot hells, the cold hells, the hungry ghosts, or the animals devouring
each other alive?"[1]
Another one also said:
"Examine whether
or not you have previously created the conditions for being born in these
miserable realms, whether or not you are currently creating them, whether or
not you would consider creating them in the future. Since you will go there if
you have created them, are creating them, or would consider creating them,
think, 'If I am bom there, what will I do then; will I be able to do anything?'
With your head pounding, or like a man struggling in the desert, consider that
there will be absolutely nothing you can do, and develop as much fear and dread
as possible."[2]
The more frightened we become when contemplating the three
lower realms, the better it is, because that would make us really wish to
escape samsara and take refuge in Amida Buddha, our Compassionate Protector:
"Saying, 'Who
will protect me
From this great
terror?'
I will stare, aghast,
And search all around
for a refuge.
Seeing no refuge
anywhere,
I will be completely
dejected.
If there is no refuge
there,
What will I do?
Thus, from today, I go
for refuge
To the Conqueror, Protector
of living beings,
The one who strives to
rescue living beings,
The Mighty One who
dispels all fear."[3]
If we do not contemplate on the sufferings of samsara and
take refuge in Amida Buddha to stop the causes of being reborn there, while we
are still living in this human body, it would be extremely difficult to do that
when we fall in the three lower realms where we do not have the capacities and
conditions to hear or understand the Dharma. As Bodhisattva Nagarjuna advised:
"Reflect daily on
the hells,
Both those extremely
hot and cold.
Reflect also on the
hungry ghosts
Emaciated by hunger
and thirst.
Observe and reflect on
the animals
Overcome by the
suffering of stupidity.
A human body in this
world is difficult to obtain.
Once you have it,
diligently stop
The causes of
miserable rebirths".
[1] The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment,
volume I, by Tsong-kha-pa, Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca, New York, p. 173
[2] Yeshe Bar as quoted in The Great
Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, volume I, by
Tsong-kha-pa, Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca, New York, p. 174
[3] Bodhisattva - caryavatara by Shantideva, as quoted in in The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path
to Enlightenment, volume I, by Tsong-kha-pa, Snow Lion Publications,
Ithaca, New York, p. 175
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