If you want to ask them about something, say for an article, that's fine. But don't ask them, “How's your family doing? How's your dad? And your mom?” They have no idea of such matters. I won't worry about how much anyone talked with them in the past, but in the future I will care, because they are now going through a time of great anxiety. I can ignore the past. This rule is being made today because when Guo Hu went today, he probably drank some Coca-Cola with them, and that's why he didn't return. What happened in the past doesn't count. For example, Guo Zhou, when you stayed with them for three or five hours, you weren't breaking the rule because the rule hadn't been made yet.

I want to ask Guo You about this, because I think he understands my intent. For example, if a worker stops his work and starts chatting with visitors, the boss will certainly be displeased. In this case, the Buddha just gained two sincere disciples who were working hard, but when you went there, they stopped and took a rest. When the Dharma protectors saw that they had no work to do there, they left. With the Dharma protectors gone, when they started bowing again, it would have been very hard, very difficult. The Dharma protectors took their time and were very lazy, as if they hadn't had enough sleep: “Alright, we'll come back and watch over you again.” See, even the Dharma protectors were being lazy. How can that be allowed?

Haven't people said that they have had the response of Dharma protectors coming to protect them? You don't have to ask whether the Dharma protectors have been moved or not. When one of them ripped his pants, he came across another good pair of pants. When people aimed soda bottles at their heads, the bottles missed hitting them by an inch. Those people were driving by very close to them and could easily have bashed their heads; how can you be sure it wasn't a Dharma protector who shielded them from the blow? From all these incidents, it is clear that they have had many responses. And so you should not ruin their chance to gain responses. Do you understand now?  

I like it when people deliver food to them, but you should not stay too long. It's already a long trip going and returning, and staying a long time is pretty meaningless.

Sutra:
Moreover, the River-Ruling Spirit Universally Issuing Swift Currents obtained the liberation door of universally raining boundless Dharma rain.

Commentary:
Moreover, because the meanings of the Sutra were not completely expounded above, the exposition shall continue. The River-Ruling Spirit named Universally Issuing Swift Currents obtained the liberation door of universally raining boundless Dharma rain. “Universally Issuing Swift Currents” is the name of this River-Ruling Spirit. “Swift currents” refers rapidly flowing water. He obtained the Buddha's Dharma rain, which is said to be boundless because there are no bounds above, no bounds below, and no bounds in the north, south, east, and west. Nor are there any bounds in front—that is, in the past. Although this Dharma rain is coming down now, those in the past and future also obtain it. Since it is boundless in the three periods of time, and boundless in the ten directions, the text says “universally raining boundless Dharma rain.” He obtained that kind of door to liberation.

Sutra:
The River-Ruling Spirit Universally Purifying Springs and Torrents obtained the liberation door of universally manifesting before all living beings and causing them to forever leave afflictions.

Commentary:
The next River-Ruling Spirit is named Universally Purifying Springs and Torrents. Sometimes springs and mountain torrents are rather turbid and not very clean. This River-Ruling Spirit purifies the spring waters, which is a metaphor for getting rid of all living beings' afflictions. Water that is unclean represents living beings with afflictions. Water that is clean symbolizes living beings who have left afflictions behind. This River-Ruling Spirit cleanses springs and torrents, which means he cleanses living beings of their afflictions. And so he says he obtained the liberation door of universally manifesting before all living beings and causing them to forever leave afflictions. He enables every living being to separate from afflictions. Separating from afflictions means separating from greed, hatred, and stupidity. Once greed, hatred, and stupidity are left behind, one is eternally free of afflictions. One obtains the inherent, essential purity and gives rise to a kind of great wisdom. He obtained this kind of door to liberation.

※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　 ※

Are there any questions? Today I will give Dharma names to those of you who have received the Shramanera (Shramanerika) precepts. You have to write it yourself. The “Mo” of Guo Mo (“Fruit of Silence”)'s name should have a standing person radical. You should add it to his Taking Refuge Certificate. This means he is someone who does not like to talk. It does not mean he does not talk at all, but he talks a little less. His other name will be Heng Jian (“Constantly Sealed”), where “Jian” has a silk radical. This character is also used to mean sealing a letter.

Originally he should have come back in a short time, such as a thousand years. But somehow his route has changed and now he may not be able to come back for several tens of thousands of years.

Guo Hang (“Fruit of Sailing”)'s Dharma name is Heng Kong (“Constantly Empty”), the emptiness being that of empty space. Guo Ju (“Fruit of Greatness”) will be called Heng Fu (“Constant Ax”) after the ax that he always holds. His name means “great ax” in memory of that ax of his.

Guo Yu (“Fruit of Jade”) will be called Heng Lu (“Constant Prosperity”) as in blessings, wealth, and longevity. Guo Man (“Fruit of Perfection”) will be Heng Fu (“Constant Blessings”) for he is very blessed. You should each remember your own name. Guo Sui will be called Heng Zhen (“Constantly Precious”); the character for “precious” also has a jade radical.

Guo Mo (“Fruit of Silence”) prefers not to talk. It does not mean he absolutely cannot talk, but he should speak less. If you don't speak at all, you'll turn into a mute.

※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　※　　　　 ※

Sutra:
The River-Ruling Spirit Pure Eyes Apart from Dust obtained the liberation door of using expedients of great compassion to universally cleanse all living beings' filth of delusion.

Commentary:
The next River-Ruling Spirit is named Pure Eyes Apart from Dust. What is meant by “apart from dust” and by “pure eyes”? “Apart from dust” means one has left behind all mundane defilements and false thinking. It could also be explained as leaving all defiled thoughts. If one has not left defiled thoughts, one is not apart from dust. Even if one has separated from the external dust, if one has not left defiled thinking internally, then one is not apart from the dust. Defiled thoughts are impure thoughts. With impure thoughts, you cannot obtain pure eyes. If your mind is pure, your eyes will be pure. If your mind is not purified of defiled thoughts, you cannot obtain pure eyes. These pure eyes are the pure Five Eyes. Only when one has purified the Five Eyes can one obtain the Five Powers.

What are the pure Five Eyes? They are the Buddha Eye, the Dharma Eye, the Wisdom Eye, the Heavenly Eye, and the Flesh Eye. Purifying the Five Eyes just means opening them. If you can depart from defiled thoughts, then you can open the Five Eyes.

If we went into detail, we could discuss the Five Eyes endlessly. For now I will give a general overview.

I will first talk about the Heavenly Eye. “The Heavenly Eye penetrates without obstruction.” It is unimpeded, so it perceives everything as empty—unobstructed emptiness.

“The Flesh Eye perceives obstructions and does not penetrate.” The Flesh Eye can see objects that have material solidity. It can see both material and immaterial things. Whether objects are obstructed (solid) or not, it can see them. The Flesh Eye does not refer to the physical, flesh eyes of ordinary people. This eye can see things with shape and form, as well as things without shape and form. It can perceive both material and immaterial entities, so it is not the same as the eyes of ordinary people.

The physical eyes of ordinary people can only see material things that have color and form. It does not discern formless things. The Flesh Eye, on the other hand, can see things whether or not they have form and color. What kinds of things are formless? Ghosts are, for example, so most people cannot see them with their ordinary eyes. If you open the Flesh Eye, then you will be able to see them. You will be able to see people as well as ghosts and spirits.

“The Dharma Eye contemplates only the mundane.” The Dharma Eye can behold all mundane and transcendental dharmas with perfect clarity.

“The Wisdom Eye understands True Emptiness.” The Wisdom Eye comprehends the principle of True Emptiness. It understands that True Emptiness is not empty, yet is empty; is empty and yet is not empty. The Wisdom Eye has a very clear grasp of this doctrine.

“The Buddha Eye is like a thousand suns.” The Buddha Eye is as brilliant as a thousand suns. Although it perceives differences, its fundamental substance is one.

Upon opening the Five Eyes, one obtains five kinds of powers, namely, the power of faith, the power of vigor, the power of mindfulness, the power of samadhi, and the power of wisdom. With the Five Powers of faith, vigor, mindfulness, samadhi, and wisdom, one's Bodhi roots will grow and increase. So this River-Ruling Spirit named “Pure Eyes Apart from Dust” obtained the liberation door of using expedients of great compassion to universally cleanse all living beings' filth of delusion. His mind of great compassion employs various kinds of expedient methods, not just one kind. He universally cleanses all living beings of the ten directions. What does he cleanse them of? Of all delusions, of that dust and filth. He washes away the filth of confusion, enabling living beings to obtain pure eyes apart from dust—that kind of liberation door.

To be continued