Date: 12/06/2025 12/07/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Dharma Talk
Awakening the Supreme Mind Through a Dharma Robe
Thus have I heard:
At one time, in the city of Śrāvastī, there was a woman of surpassing beauty. Her form was graceful, her face radiant, her brows like painted arcs, her mouth small and delicate, and her eyes, large and clear, shone with charm. All the men of the city were captivated by her.
The woman, knowing well her own allure, passed her days in pleasure, ever seeking the company of different men.
On a certain day, accompanied by the son of a great minister, she rode in a carriage through the streets. At that moment, the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, perceiving her with eyes of compassion, resolved to awaken her heart to the Dharma. He devised a skillful means.
As the carriage approached a crossroad, the woman beheld a youth of wondrous beauty standing by the way. His countenance was bright, his bearing noble, and his robe shone with radiant light, setting him apart as one not of this world.
At once, her heart was stirred. She cried for the carriage to halt, and before it stopped, she leapt down and ran toward the youth, forgetting utterly the minister’s son who accompanied her.
“Where are you going?” cried the minister’s son in alarm, chasing after her. But she did not turn back.
Then Śakra, Lord of the Heavens, transformed into a man, appeared and blocked her path.
“Wait, O fair woman,” he said.
Startled, she halted.
“Listen well,” said the man. “That youth you behold, though radiant and fair, has no desire for women.”
The woman, angered, glared at him and tried to pass, but again he barred her way:
“Do not be foolish. He is not moved by passion. You will find no delight there.”
“Why is this so?” she asked, unwilling to yield.
The man replied:
“He is Mañjuśrī, the great Bodhisattva, who grants blessings to all beings, yet harbors no selfish desire.”
Saying this, Śakra vanished.
The woman thought to herself:
“It is said that Mañjuśrī bestows all things. I shall ask for his robe of radiance, and see if he will grant it.”
So she approached the youth and said:
“Noble one, will you give me the robe you wear?”
The Bodhisattva answered:
“If you resolve to cultivate the Dharma, then this robe shall be yours.”
“Truly?” she exclaimed in wonder and delight.
“Truly,” said Mañjuśrī.
In that instant, desiring the Dharma robe, she gave rise to the supreme resolve for awakening. Her heart overflowed with joy in the Dharma.
From that time forth, she upheld the Five Precepts, devoted herself to practice, and became a faithful disciple of the Buddha.
