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Sutra on the King of the Face of Respect 1
Phap Van Temple, Winter Retreat 2009-2010, studying the Kinh Dien Vuong Sutta—the fifth sutra in the Paramattha Sutta. The collection of the Six Paramitas Sutras consists of 90 Jataka tales, divided into six perfections:
- generosity
- precepts
- patience
- diligence
- meditation
- boundless wisdom
Within these:
- boundless wisdom and boundless meditation each have 9 sutras
- boundless diligence has 19 sutras
- boundless patience has 13 sutras
- boundless precepts has 15 sutras
- the remainder belong to boundless generosity
The Kinh Dien Vuong Sutta discusses wisdom (Paramattha, ultimate truth) and the two kinds of truth—conventional truth and ultimate truth. When we are still caught in delusion, embracing ignorance, thinking we are superior to others, unable to let go, we cannot clearly see the light of truth. We must humbly recognize our delusion, let go of ignorance, and practice correctly in order to gradually open the light of wisdom.
The Jataka tale tells of King Dien Vuong inviting blind people to touch an elephant: each person touches only one part and then endlessly argues, like philosophers who each believe they possess the absolute truth. The lesson: truth is not a single view, but the harmony of many perspectives.
