Dharma Talk by Living Buddha Lian Sheng on 20/7/90
(page 70-74 Achievement of Rainbow Light Body volume one)
Of the ways of teaching Buddhadharma, two of them, "oral transmission" and "void transmission" are considered very authentic.
"Oral transmission" i.e. by means of mouth has been around for a long time. Buddhadharma has been passed from generation to generation by this means. Zen school has transmitted its lineage on a person to person basis from the first patriarch to the six patriarch Hui Neng. In fact, most of Sakyamuni Buddha's disciples became enlightened after listening personally to his Dharma talk and carried out spiritual cultivation.
"Oral transmission" has the advantage that all the minute details can be explained and clarified. But not all "oral transmission" will be time consuming. When the fifth patriarch Hong Ren passed the gist of Zen Buddhadharma to the six patriarch, he only needed a few words. Hui Neng then carried out the actual practice and was tested by his teacher on a later date.
After hearing and understanding the teaching, a person must carry out an important task i.e. to verify the teaching personally. This is how the Buddhadharma is transmitted orally.
"Void transmission" is very different from "oral transmission". A receiver will suddenly come to realize the Buddhadharma when the great void transmitted the teaching to him. Many great spiritual achievers had such experiences. Patriarch Tilopa was taught by the great void when he was in deep meditation. Nagarjuan Bodhisattva was reputed to have the same kind of experience. When he opened the "Southern Heaven Iron Tower" , he met Vajrasattva who transmitted the teaching to him.
Generally speaking, Tantrayana considers Maha Vairocana to be the first generation patriarch, Vajrasattva, the second. "Long Shu"(Nagarjuan), the third, and Sakyamuni Buddha , the fourth.
How did Nagarjuan get his lineage from Vajrasattva ? As Vajrasattva was a Bodhisattva and not a human being, Nagarjuan can only receive his teaching by means of "void transmission" in his meditative stabilization.
In my case, apart from receiving oral transmissions from many of my religious teachers and later on verifying them personally, I have experienced "void transmission" from such sages as "Gu Lian " and "Three Mountains Nine Marquees in my meditative stabilization.
I have not received any instructions from other human beings on the subject of Mudras . All the Mudras that I knew were taught by the great void. Once I closed my palms, Mudras will be formed and I was told by a voice the name of the Mudra I had just formed. The Mudras are true , but my teachers are invisible. Therefore I should say that the lineage of our school is a combination of "Oral transmission " and "void transmission".
I am not alone in this aspect, many past patriarchs had the same experience. They learned from their predecessor when they were in meditative stabilization.
Patriarch Naropa was reputed to have been taught the six yoga of Naropa by the void in his meditative stabilization . And later on the Buddhadharma were passed from generation to generation using "oral transmission."
In order to carry out spiritual cultivation, it is best for us to take refuge and receive empowerment from a guru. Merely reading from a book is inadequate. I must say that it is difficult for non-accomplished cultivators to meet the patriarchs from the void. But I am quite sure some of you are able to tell when they arrive at our group practice.
In fact, many came today. If your mind is close to them, in your meditative stabilization, they can teach you the Buddhadharma that you want to learn.
I will be considered a great liar if I have felt nothing , seen nothing, heard nothing and sensed nothing right now. If I have just followed the rituals, and faked the sensational experience, then am I not a liar?
In the presence of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I am affirming that "void transmission" is real. When you have attained a higher level of spiritual enlightenment in future, you will bear me out.
Just now after I had finished the meditation, I opened my eyes and started to chant the heart mantras of the Buddhas. Although my eyes were open, I was still in a stage of meditative stabilization. I saw something in the void, I will never deny what I saw even if you threaten to kill me for saying so.
Now that I have nothing to ask from life, it will be unkind of you to say that I am a hoax ! As I do not ask for anything in return. If I have cheated you, I have to take cover elsewhere later on , and life will be meaningless to me. I might as well go and enjoy my life in the Samsara world now. So please remember, Buddhadharma can be transmitted by the void when you are in a stage of meditative stabilization.
In conclusion, both "oral transmission" and "void transmission" are important. If you have had the sensational experiences I just mentioned, you are telling the truth. Otherwise, don't claim to have such experience, as you are lying . Only you yourself know whether you have arrived at this level.
A truly accomplished cultivator will be able to attest to what I have just said.
