Part of this teaching was posted here previously;
Part of this teaching was posted here previously; however, in light of recent events in this world, it seems appropriate to post the entire teaching. "How great the practice is: The five degenerations are happening now; you should convert them into the path of awakening. We are currently in the era of the five degenerations, a time when the good eon is finishing. By 'we' I am not referring to our generation, or even to a time that includes a generation or two before out own. Our own eon is the same as that of Shakyamuni Buddha: he himself was also born and taught during this degenerate time. The good eon had its own Buddhas, he first four. We are most fortunate to have had a Buddha in this difficult eon. For many, many generations, sentient beings have lived and continue to live under very difficult conditions. These adverse conditions have been termed 'the five degenerations', or the five crises. They are as prevalent today as they were two thousand years ago: Ph...