Last time, when explaining the Amitabha Sutra, we spoke about the phrase ‘Thus have I heard.’ These four words have their origin. Later on, it will be explained that the phrase ‘Thus have I heard’ comes from an account before Shakyamuni Buddha entered nirvana, when Venerable Ananda went to ask the Buddha four questions. One of those questions specifically concerned these four words.

The four questions were:

First question, Ananda asked the Buddha, 

“When the Buddha is alive, we rely on him as our teacher; after his passing, who will we rely on as our teacher?”

Second question, Ananda asked the Buddha, 

“When the Buddha is alive, we rely on him as our guide; after his passing, what will we rely on?”

Third question,

“When the Buddha is alive, he subdued unruly monks; after his passing, how will we subdue them?”

Fourth question, 

“The Buddha’s teachings throughout his life should be compiled for future generations; however, what words should be placed at the beginning of the scriptures?”

When Shakyamuni Buddha answered these four questions, the first question he answered with: 

“After the passing of the World-Honored One, take the precepts as your teacher.” 

The precepts are the rules of conduct. Just like we are now, True Buddha School, have our precepts, and in fact, the precepts of True Buddha School are the same as those of Buddhism.

The second question concerns “abiding in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.” What are the Four Foundations of Mindfulness? 

They are: 

1. 1. Contemplating the impurities of the body; 

   2. Contemplating the suffering of feelings;

   3. Contemplating the impermanence of the mind; 

   4. Contemplating the non-selfhood of phenomena. 

Abiding in these four foundations is the seed of Buddhahood.

Regarding the third question, Shakyamuni Buddha replied: 

“Unruly monks should be dealt with by silent expulsion.”

The so-called silent expulsion means silence, using silence as the method of discipline.

The fourth question concerns the opening words of the sutras, “Thus have I heard.” He said, 

“At the beginning of the sutras, it should be stated: Thus have I heard.”

The meaning of these four words, “Thus have I heard,” is to indicate that these teachings were truly and authentically spoken by the Buddha himself. These four words, “Thus have I heard,” affirm that the Buddha indeed spoke them, and they are meant to inspire people to deeply believe in and accept the teachings.

Here, I also need to briefly explain the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. 

“Contemplating the impurities of the body” means constantly reflecting on the impurities of one’s own body—one’s physical form, one’s original body—all are impure. We should also constantly reflect that in this world, suffering outweighs pleasure, there is more pain than happiness. You can all think about it yourselves: even your teacher is almost being crushed by money, and it is still very painful!

 The third point, “Contemplating the impermanence of the mind,” means constantly examining one’s own thoughts. In reality, one’s thoughts are always changing, never at peace. 

The fourth point is “Contemplating the non-selfhood of phenomena.” This point is very important; it means that in cultivation, one must forget oneself, because only by “sitting in forgetfulness” can one find one’s “true self.”

If, at all times, you practice the Dharma for the sake of this “self,” then the wisdom you gain will remain a small, personal wisdom, and the merit you accumulate will be small, personal merit.

But when your practice reaches the point where you have already entered a state of selflessness, you are then able to form karmic connections with all sentient beings and share the Dharma you have cultivated, just as one expounds the sutras and distributes it to all beings.

I’ll tell you this secret, you can become a millionaire for hundreds of lifetimes because you’re not cultivating for yourself, but for all sentient beings. All sentient beings from hundreds of lifetimes owe you money, you can’t help but become a millionaire! So Shakyamuni Buddha didn’t explain it clearly. This “contemplation of the non-selfhood of phenomena” is the first great Dharma—”not practicing for yourself, but for all sentient beings“—and your blessings will be boundless.

There’s a secret here. Everyone, cultivate diligently, and you’ll have endless blessings and boundless wisdom. You could own hundreds of houses. However, don’t be too greedy, because you can only sleep in one bed at night. Many millionaires have said in the past that when they were young and cutting grass, by the time they finished cutting from one end to the other, the grass on the first side had already grown back.

So, the rich have their worries, and the poor have theirs. The final words are, the worries of having money are a little better than the worries of not having money. I hope everyone experiences the worries of having money.

Om Mani Padme Hum