The first advice in the 7-point Mind Training is:
Let's explore what it means to have "gained stability" and why the teaching of emptiness and dependent arising is considered "secret."
Gaining Stability
"Gaining stability" refers to achieving a certain level of mental and spiritual maturity before receiving advanced teachings. In the context of Buddhist practice, this stability encompasses the "three higher trainings":
- Ethical Discipline (Śīla): A practitioner must have a firm foundation in ethical conduct. This involves living a life guided by the precepts, which cultivate moral discipline and help purify the mind.
- Meditative Concentration (Samādhi): The practitioner should have developed some degree of proficiency in meditation, allowing for a stable and focused mind. This stability is crucial for understanding and integrating more profound teachings.
- Wisdom (Prajñā): A basic understanding of Buddhist philosophy, including the Four Noble Truths and the nature of suffering, impermanence, and non-self, is essential. This foundational wisdom prepares the mind to grasp deeper insights.
When a practitioner has gained stability in these areas, they are better equipped to understand and integrate the more advanced and subtle teachings of emptiness and dependent arising.
The Teaching as "Secret"
The term "secret" here does not necessarily mean hidden in the sense of being withheld or obscure. Rather, it implies that the teachings are profound and not easily understood without proper preparation. Here are a few reasons why these teachings are considered secret:
- Profundity and Complexity: The concepts of emptiness (Śūnyatā) and dependent arising (Pratītyasamutpāda) are profound and subtle. They challenge conventional ways of thinking and require a well-prepared mind to be understood correctly.
- Misinterpretation Risks: Without adequate preparation and guidance, these teachings can be easily misunderstood. Incorrect understanding of emptiness, for example, can lead to nihilism or a denial of conventional reality, which is a serious misstep in Buddhist practice.
- Sequential Teaching: In the traditional Tibetan Buddhist path, teachings are often given in a specific sequence. Foundational practices and teachings are provided first to build the necessary groundwork. Only when a student demonstrates readiness through stability and understanding are they introduced to more advanced teachings.
- Historical Context: Historically, certain teachings were indeed kept secret or reserved for advanced practitioners to preserve their purity and prevent misuse. Teachers would assess the readiness of their students before imparting these profound teachings.
Why It Was Kept Secret
In earlier times, especially in the context of Tibetan Buddhism, the secrecy around certain teachings served several purposes:
- Protection of the Dharma: Ensuring that only those who were properly prepared and motivated received these teachings helped protect the teachings from being misunderstood or misused.
- Respect for the Teachings: Treating these teachings as secret or esoteric fostered a sense of reverence and seriousness among practitioners.
- Spiritual Readiness: Teachers used secrecy to ensure that students only received teachings appropriate to their level of development, thereby facilitating gradual and sustainable progress.
"Gaining stability" means achieving a level of ethical, meditative, and intellectual maturity that prepares a practitioner for advanced teachings. The teaching of emptiness and dependent arising is considered "secret" because of its profundity and the risks of misinterpretation. This approach ensures that the teachings are preserved, respected, and imparted in a way that benefits the practitioner's spiritual journey.