Compassionate Heart (The Appearance stems from the Mind)

Rinpoche first discoursed on 27th December, 1992
Senior Yee in France repeated it on behalf of Rinpoche on 14th April, 2002 (after about ten years) Uploaded to the Website on 5th August, 2014 (and then after about twelve years again)

Introduction
Conducting ‘compassionate heart’ and offering ‘compassionate heart’ widely are very important. If mankind can carry out compassionate heart more frequently, all of their anger as well as resentment will naturally be eliminated.

Content
There is a real story in Buddhist Sutras which is often talked about among Buddhists; it is ‘Prince of demons pretended to be Sovereign Sakra (Ruler of the 33 Heavens) ’.

There was once an exceedingly high-handed demon who was very jealous of the endless pleasure that King Sakra could enjoy, “What kind of ability has he possessed that enables him to own such glory, splendour, wealth and rank (high position and great wealth)?”

One day, taking the chance that King Sakra, his concubines and devakanya (goddesses) were all playing and having amusements in Misrakavana (the name of a park in Sakra’s paradise where all desires can be fulfilled) as well as Nandanavana (the name of another park), Prince of demons turned himself into the configuration of King Sakra. He then walked into Sakra’s palace and seated on the throne of King Sakra pompously. At first, none of the Emperor Princes(inside the palace) was aware of that. Later, when they kept their eyes open and watched more attentively, they unexpectedly discovered that it was Prince of demons who was sitting high in the throne of King Sakra!

At that time, the entire 33 Heavens (including all the Emperor Princes and their family dependents) were extremely furious, “How dare this demon has the audacity to sit on our Master’s seat?” As the notion of anger and resentment had arisen among all the Emperor Princes and deities, it was pretty natural that their complexion was unsightly. On the contrary, the appearance of Prince of demon became so normal and very good-looking.

At the moment, one of the Emperor Princes went to report the incident to Sovereign Sakra, “My Lord, a demon who has turned himself into the same configuration as You is now sitting on Your throne. Now the entire 33 Heavens are all in their utmost indignation. However, it’s weird that the appearance of demon is becoming normal instead!” Hearing this, Sovereign Sakra was not angry at all. He merely felt strange and curious, he thought, “This demon must be a wonderful and marvellous demon; I’ve to go and take a look.”

Then, Sovereign Sakra went back to his palace. When he was near to his throne, he modestly reported his name first, “I’m Sakro-devanamindra (name of Sovereign Sakra), Lord of the (33) Heavens.” The voice of King Sakra sounded sonorously and solemnly. After King Sakra had reported his name; the demon’s mind was filled with fear, dread as well as shamefulness. In addition, he knew very well that he had not yet acquired enough blessed rewards (to be Sovereign Sakra). Immediately, he got back into his primary form which was ugly with a horrible countenance. Moreover, the demon then disappeared at once.

Discussion:

1)	Why did the demon become beautiful initially?
	Answer: Because when he sat on the throne, his innermost was being comfortable and he felt like he was really Sovereign Sakra; it is similar to the visualization during dharma practice in Tantric Buddhism.
2)	Why did the demon turn back into his ugliness and fierceness?
	Answer: After hearing that Sovereign Sakra was coming back, the demon had a guilty conscience in his heart because he sat on Sovereign Sakra’s throne stealthily. He then lost his visualization (of being Sovereign Sakra) immediately and returned to his original form.

Conclusion:

1)	It is useless no matter how hard we try to pretend to be emperors because the most important factor lies on whether one is the chosen one. If one has practised cultivation and accumulated merits, virtues, causes and links in one’s past life, one will naturally be able to sit on an emperor’s throne one day.
2)	The same situation is not only restricted to the realm of devas (heavens), it also happens in the man’s world! For human beings, whatever one is thinking, one’s appearance will be changed gradually according to one’s mind. “If there’s any gift/worry in the inside, it’ll be manifested/expressed on the outside” (one’s appearance). In addition, the Guru has achieved the Wisdom Eye (can perceive both the past and the future) which can view your souls directly. The beauty or the ugliness of ones’ soul (which represents one’s inner world) cannot be escaped from being perceived by the Wisdom Eye.
3)	If a fellow disciple employs the contemplation method of Tantric Buddhism to visualize oneself as merciful, perhaps it may work. However, there is no way of knowing whether he/she has really changed his/her intrinsic quality. Once he/she puts down the contemplation method of Tantric Buddhism or the visualization is confused, he/she will not be merciful anymore. Since his/her compassion comes merely from visualization, it means that there is actually no genuine compassion in his/her mind. It is just like the case of Prince of demon who has not really achieved the felicity of Sovereign Sakra. Hence, the compassionate heart is attained not only through mere visualization, but also through carrying out practical and solid work as well as keeping it up in a steadfast manner.
4)	Sakyamuni Buddha had ever told His disciples, “In one of my past lives, I’d practised the cultivation of the compassionate heart persistently for seven years. After this, I was able to go through seven alternate vivarta-kalpa (the period of time when a World is established) and samlvarta-kalpa (the period of time when a World is destroyed) as well as becoming free from the back and forth between life and death. When a kalpa was going to end, I was born in Abhassara deva (the Heaven of Light and Sound). At the beginning of another kalpa, I was born in Asanjnisattva (the Heaven of Thought Ceases). I also commanded all Heavens and led the ‘ten thousand’ Worlds in Brahmadeva (the Heaven that is free from lust, quiet and tranquil). Besides, I’d been Sakro-devanamindra for 36 reincarnations (that is, having the same blessed reward). Furthermore, I underwent innumerable kalpas and then reincarnated to become Cakra-vartin (the Wheel-turning King). Therefore, when ‘conducting the compassionate heart’, the blessed virtue gained can be as great like this.”
5)	Sakyamuni Buddha discoursed Venerable Ananda (Buddha’s attendant), “On that day, I also applied the merciful and benevolent path to achieve The Supreme Way (truth of a Buddha) when sitting under the (Bodhi) tree. From this, I’ve learnt that ‘mercy’ is of the first place and compassion is the most victorious way. Ananda, the blessed virtue of being compassionate is immeasurable.” Then Venerable Ananda was delighted and practiced accordingly.
6)	‘Four Kinds of Immeasurable Hearts’ which we always chant, including Compassion, Sympathy, Joy and Renunciation, it is also used ‘Compassion’ as the first priority.

Postscript:	It is learnt that the ‘Compassionate Heart School’ of Dan Dou Temple in Qinghai (a province in China) which was named by Rinpoche on 19th May, 2004, Wednesday (1st April of the lunar calendar) as ‘Compassionate Heart’ is also due to the above reasons.