The Meaning and Level of Freedom

Xuefeng

May 22, 2012

Like an eagle soaring freely in the high and empty blue sky Like a steed galloping across the endless grasslands Free to sway freely and bloom with neither boundaries nor fetters Travel through the vastness of time and space at will

The pursuit of freedom comprises the unremitting efforts and the ultimate pursuits of all beings in the universe.

"Live Free or Die" was the cry for freedom pursued by the American statesman, Patrick Henry in his speech to the Virginia Parliament in order to gain independence from British rule in North America nearly a quarter millenium ago. The original meaning of the sentence from France was "Set me free or kill me".

"Life is precious, but love is more expensive, yet if it is for freedom, then both can be discarded". This is from the Hungarian poet, Petofi Sandor’s "Freedom and Love", from his “A Song of Liberty”, 180 years ago in order to get rid of the slavery of the Austrian Empire.

Freedom, you are the most beautiful flower in the forest, the eagle that spreads its wings high, the rushing river that flows without restraint, the boundless blue sea and waves, and the heaven of bliss; in your arms, there is neither fear nor worry, but only security for prevention, and there are no fetters, only the flirtatious splendor of Tathagata's nature.

Freedom is the most holy and most desirable, the most charming and fascinating, the sexiest and most inspiring, and the most solemn and dignified.

What is freedom?

Freedom is to do as you please without breaking the rules.

Freedom is to fully bloom the nature of Tathagata.

Freedom is to do what you want without interfering with others in society and without harming nature.

Freedom is to release the breath of love without interference or obstruction along the way.

Freedom is to gallop freely in the boundless time and space without shackles, constraints, or fetters.

Freedom is a the Greatest Creator’s gift of a natural right to life.

In a free life, there is no trouble, pain, anxiety, or sorrow, let alone any fears, anxieties, precautions, or worries. Within a free life are only happiness, joy, and comfort, and only carefree, elegant, wonderful, and infinite relaxation.

There are three levels of freedom:

The First level: Better to barter empty fame For the pleasures of good wine and sweet song In a straw cloak, I spend my life in mist and rain In the dreamy shades of apricot flowers In the spring that seems boundless Singing and playing the flute till dawn

The Second level: I see a thousand hills crimsoned through By their serried woods deep-dyed And a hundred barges vying Over crystal blue waters Eagles cleave the air Fish glide through the deep blue water Under freezing skies, a million creatures contend in freedom

The Third level: Jumping out of the three realms, Not in the five elements, Freely travel around the whole Earth.

How to achieve the three levels of freedom?

Being above the common and free from vulgarity, we can reach the first level of freedom where we can enjoy the wonderful movement given by nature in tranquility.

Making the world peaceful and warm, we can reach the second level of freedom where everyone can be Yao and Shun, outside the pavilion, along the ancient road, the grass is green. Wherever you go, it is indescribable, and you are high from mountains and rivers.

Listening to the teachings of gods, Buddhas, immortals, and saints, and walking the way of the Greatest Creator, you can achieve the third level of freedom, where you can raise a handful of sand and transform it into thousands of green trees, gallop freely in the universe, and absorb infinite beauty.

Long live freedom! Let us sway in the youthful time, play to the youthful music, walk out of the kingdom of necessity, and move toward the kingdom of freedom. I know the road to freedom, come with me, hold my hand as we run to the free hills to sing and dance, to enjoy the beautiful mountains and rivers, and to enjoy the endless, most wonderful time of life and of LIFE.