qns abt buddhism
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
It is part and parcel of the life of an ignorant sentient being who is stucked in wrong views, not one who has realised the nature of reality (emptiness of all phenomena).
AEN has a problem understanding true nature. There is no ignorance, it's your own view of someone else being ignorant. -
By AEN: It is stated in the Amitabha Sutra that rebirth in the Western Pure Land is not possible via conditions that are lacking in virtuous roots, blessings and merits. So even though it is the 'easy path' it does not mean rebirth in pure land is that simple. We still have to practice.
Whilst i respect Ren Cheng, however, i have to clarify one view that is common misunderstanding amongst those who do not practice Pure Land as their main practice. The act of reciting Amida's Name is NOT lacking in any way, virtuous roots, blessings and merits, because the Name IS the culmination of Amida's merits and is directed to us. Master Yuan Chao (元照法師) writes in his commentary on the Amitabha Sutra:
Master Yüan-chao's Commentary on the Amida Sutra states:
Gassho
The Tathagata seeks to clarify the excellence of virtue of holding to the Name. First, other good acts are criticized and labeled "small roots of good." If performed without true trust, all meritorious acts - including charity, observance of the precepts, temple construction, making images, worship and chanting, seated meditation, repentance, and ascetic practices - are only small good acts, even though they are directed toward birth with aspiration for the Pure Land. They are not the cause of birth. If one holds steadfast to the Name in accord with this sutra, one will definitely attain birth. We know then that saying the Name is possessed of many roots of good and many merits.
I formed this understanding long ago, but people hesitated to accept it because of their doubts. Recently, I have obtained a copy of the sutra as engraved on a stone monument at Hsiang-yang and find that this text corresponds perfectly with the truth. Thus people have begun to embrace a deep faith. The inscribed text states:
Good sons and daughters, hearing the teaching of Amida Buddha, solely say the Name single-heartedly, without being disturbed by other thoughts. Because one says the Name, all one's evils are eradicated. It is the act of many roots of good, many virtues, and many merits.
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Originally posted by sanath:
By AEN: It is stated in the Amitabha Sutra that rebirth in the Western Pure Land is not possible via conditions that are lacking in virtuous roots, blessings and merits. So even though it is the 'easy path' it does not mean rebirth in pure land is that simple. We still have to practice.
Whilst i respect Ren Cheng, however, i have to clarify one view that is common misunderstanding amongst those who do not practice Pure Land as their main practice. The act of reciting Amida's Name is NOT lacking in any way, virtuous roots, blessings and merits, because the Name IS the culmination of Amida's merits and is directed to us. Master Yuan Chao (元照法師) writes in his commentary on the Amitabha Sutra:
Master Yüan-chao's Commentary on the Amida Sutra states:
Gassho
The Tathagata seeks to clarify the excellence of virtue of holding to the Name. First, other good acts are criticized and labeled "small roots of good." If performed without true trust, all meritorious acts - including charity, observance of the precepts, temple construction, making images, worship and chanting, seated meditation, repentance, and ascetic practices - are only small good acts, even though they are directed toward birth with aspiration for the Pure Land. They are not the cause of birth. If one holds steadfast to the Name in accord with this sutra, one will definitely attain birth. We know then that saying the Name is possessed of many roots of good and many merits.
I formed this understanding long ago, but people hesitated to accept it because of their doubts. Recently, I have obtained a copy of the sutra as engraved on a stone monument at Hsiang-yang and find that this text corresponds perfectly with the truth. Thus people have begun to embrace a deep faith. The inscribed text states:
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Yes, reciting Amitabha's name is itself v meritious.
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Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
AEN has a problem understanding true nature. There is no ignorance, it's your own view of someone else being ignorant.You can't deny facts.
If you're blind, you're blind. Blind to our true nature, stuck in duality. So stop denying and look the way to see (dharma).
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Originally posted by sanath:
By AEN: It is stated in the Amitabha Sutra that rebirth in the Western Pure Land is not possible via conditions that are lacking in virtuous roots, blessings and merits. So even though it is the 'easy path' it does not mean rebirth in pure land is that simple. We still have to practice.
Whilst i respect Ren Cheng, however, i have to clarify one view that is common misunderstanding amongst those who do not practice Pure Land as their main practice. The act of reciting Amida's Name is NOT lacking in any way, virtuous roots, blessings and merits, because the Name IS the culmination of Amida's merits and is directed to us. Master Yuan Chao (元照法師) writes in his commentary on the Amitabha Sutra:
Master Yüan-chao's Commentary on the Amida Sutra states:
Gassho
The Tathagata seeks to clarify the excellence of virtue of holding to the Name. First, other good acts are criticized and labeled "small roots of good." If performed without true trust, all meritorious acts - including charity, observance of the precepts, temple construction, making images, worship and chanting, seated meditation, repentance, and ascetic practices - are only small good acts, even though they are directed toward birth with aspiration for the Pure Land. They are not the cause of birth. If one holds steadfast to the Name in accord with this sutra, one will definitely attain birth. We know then that saying the Name is possessed of many roots of good and many merits.
I formed this understanding long ago, but people hesitated to accept it because of their doubts. Recently, I have obtained a copy of the sutra as engraved on a stone monument at Hsiang-yang and find that this text corresponds perfectly with the truth. Thus people have begun to embrace a deep faith. The inscribed text states:
<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/topbutton.lbi" -->
I do not wish to comment much about Ren Cheng as it is another respected and truthful form of Buddhism.
I just hope that more will come to understand that Reciting the Amitabha Buddha's name by itself already encompasses both 'self-power' and 'other-power'.
All the 3 main sutras that mentions about Amitabha Buddha and his Pureland tells us that we have to practise to accumulate merits in addition to reciting the Buddha's name daily. It is clearly mentioned in those sutras that we have to cultivate thoughts which do not dwell in jealously, anger, hatred or unwholesome views. Hence I don't see any inadequacy or conflict with what Ren Cheng preaches about contemplation of the emptiness of self or self-power, when any individual, young or old practises Amitabha Buddha's Pureland dharma door.
I will continue to work towards letting more understand that wishing to be reborn in Amitabha Buddha's Pureland and reciting his name wholeheartedly during one's lifetime is not just for the old and sick.
The young, no matter how young, as long as they can recite the name and believe in the existence of Amitabha Buddha's Pureland and wishes wholeheartedly, steadfastly to be reborn there, will definitely see that their wish will come true no matter where and when they breathe their last.
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
You can't deny facts.
If you're blind, you're blind. Blind to our true nature, stuck in duality. So stop denying and look the way to see (dharma).
Stop seeing and start living.... You are the one who is so admanment. -
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
Stop seeing and start living.... You are the one who is so admanment.You can't start living when you don't even know Life. A sentient being will always be caught up in ignorance, and greed, hatred, ignorance, and the notion of 'I' and 'mine', to really appreciate life every moment.
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Originally posted by Spnw07:
I do not wish to comment much about Ren Cheng as it is another respected and truthful form of Buddhism.
I just hope that more will come to understand that Reciting the Amitabha Buddha's name by itself already encompasses both 'self-power' and 'other-power'.
All the 3 main sutras that mentions about Amitabha Buddha and his Pureland tells us that we have to practise to accumulate merits in addition to reciting the Buddha's name daily. It is clearly mentioned in those sutras that we have to cultivate thoughts which do not dwell in jealously, anger, hatred or unwholesome views. Hence I don't see any inadequacy or conflict with what Ren Cheng preaches about contemplation of the emptiness of self or self-power, when any individual, young or old practises Amitabha Buddha's Pureland dharma door.
I will continue to work towards letting more understand that wishing to be reborn in Amitabha Buddha's Pureland and reciting his name wholeheartedly during one's lifetime is not just for the old and sick.
The young, no matter how young, as long as they can recite the name and believe in the existence of Amitabha Buddha's Pureland and wishes wholeheartedly, steadfastly to be reborn there, will definitely see that their wish will come true no matter where and when they breathe their last.
Yes there isn't contradictions.
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Yesterday I received a beautiful book of caligraphy writings and drawings by my Master, one of which is this:
Many paths, many expedient means for the many sentient beings, but ultimately same goal.
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
You can't start living when you don't even know Life. A sentient being will always be caught up in ignorance, and greed, hatred, ignorance, and the notion of 'I' and 'mine', to really appreciate life every moment.
That's your own personal biased view, not the rest of the world's view on life. Go figure on how to live a proper human life. -
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
That's your own personal biased view, not the rest of the world's view on life. Go figure on how to live a proper human life.This is not a personal biased view, this is the state all sentient beings are in, and can be seen and observed.
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What does it mean to shatter our usual way of seeing our life? My ordinary experience of life is centered around myself. After all, I am experiencing these ongoing impressions - I can't have your experience of your life. I always have my own. And what inevitably happens is that I come to believe that there is an "I" central to my life, since the experiences of my life seem to be centered around "I". "I" see, "I" hear, "I" feel, "I" think, "I" have this opinion. We rarely question this "I." Now in the enlightened state there is no "I"; there is simply life itself, a pulsation of timeless energy whose very nature includes -or is - everything.
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To talk on the razor's edge is to do that; we have once again to be what we basically are, which is seeing, touching, hearing, smelling; we have to experience whatever our life is, right this second. If we're upset we have to experience being upset. If we're frightened, we have to experience being frightened. If we're jealous we have to experience being jealous. And such experiencing is physical; it has nothing to do with the thoughts going on about the upset.
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It's not that "I" hear the birds, it's just hearing the birds. Let yourself be seeing, hearing, thinking. That is what sitting is. It is the false "I" that interrupts the wonder with the constant desire to think about "I." And all the while the wonder is occurring, the birds sing, the cars go by, the body sensations continue, the heart beating - life is a second-by-second miracle, but dreaming our I-dreams we miss it. So let's just sit with what may seem like confusion. Just feel it, be it, appreciate it. Then we may more often see through the false dream which obscures our life. And then, what is there?('Everyday Zen' by Charlotte Joko Beck)
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
This is not a personal biased view, this is the state all sentient beings are in, and can be seen and observed.
..................
What does it mean to shatter our usual way of seeing our life? My ordinary experience of life is centered around myself. After all, I am experiencing these ongoing impressions - I can't have your experience of your life. I always have my own. And what inevitably happens is that I come to believe that there is an "I" central to my life, since the experiences of my life seem to be centered around "I". "I" see, "I" hear, "I" feel, "I" think, "I" have this opinion. We rarely question this "I." Now in the enlightened state there is no "I"; there is simply life itself, a pulsation of timeless energy whose very nature includes -or is - everything.
..................
To talk on the razor's edge is to do that; we have once again to be what we basically are, which is seeing, touching, hearing, smelling; we have to experience whatever our life is, right this second. If we're upset we have to experience being upset. If we're frightened, we have to experience being frightened. If we're jealous we have to experience being jealous. And such experiencing is physical; it has nothing to do with the thoughts going on about the upset.
..................
It's not that "I" hear the birds, it's just hearing the birds. Let yourself be seeing, hearing, thinking. That is what sitting is. It is the false "I" that interrupts the wonder with the constant desire to think about "I." And all the while the wonder is occurring, the birds sing, the cars go by, the body sensations continue, the heart beating - life is a second-by-second miracle, but dreaming our I-dreams we miss it. So let's just sit with what may seem like confusion. Just feel it, be it, appreciate it. Then we may more often see through the false dream which obscures our life. And then, what is there?('Everyday Zen' by Charlotte Joko Beck)
If not for your biased generalization that this is the state all sentient beings are in, and can be seen and observed, then most people suddenly realised that your so-called truth is nothing much than a theory.
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Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
If not for your biased generalization that this is the state all sentient beings are in, and can be seen and observed, then most people suddenly realised that your so-called truth is nothing much than a theory.
If you cannot even see that the dualistic state is the state you are most often stuck in, then you are exceedingly blind.
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
If you cannot even see that the dualistic state is the state you are most often stuck in, then you are exceedingly blind.
You are the one who is stuck in a dualistic state. Go find your own answer. Note your "us" or "them" behaviour. -
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
You are the one who is stuck in a dualistic state. Go find your own answer. Note your "us" or "them" behaviour.All of them is stuck in the dualistic state, unless they are enlightened to ultimate reality. And most are not.
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
All of them is stuck in the dualistic state, unless they are enlightened to ultimate reality. And most are not.
No worries, because your view is still stuck in the dualistic nature. -
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
No worries, because your view is still stuck in the dualistic nature.So are yours and almost everyone elses.
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
So are yours and almost everyone elses.
Then why complain? It's normal human nature to do so, even Gautama was human and thus will still adhere to such nature. -
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
Then why complain? It's normal human nature to do so, even Gautama was human and thus will still adhere to such nature.Nope. Like all other beings enlightened to ultimate reality, he is no longer confused and in a dualistic state. He is freed from sufferings.
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Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
Then why complain? It's normal human nature to do so, even Gautama was human and thus will still adhere to such nature.ok lah ok lah, you win.
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Originally posted by justdoit77:
ok lah ok lah, you win.
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
6. What happens when we realised the non-existence of the Four Forms?
When you free yourself from all forms, you will realise that all things are in fact empty. Within this emptiness there is infinite brightness. When you realise this infinite brightness, then the Amitabha Buddha in fact resides in your mind.
Pure Vision, Buddha Vision: Turning the Spotlight Inward
(By Lama Surya Das)
Tuesday, June 7th, 2005
I have noticed that if I can change the frame, the picture always looks quite different. I wonder what new and high tech specs or special eyewear can provide us with Buddha Vision. And more importantly, as my wife would want to know: How do they look on me?!
How would Buddha see this is a good question to ask. Buddhism actually has some practices to help us see things through such a divine iye.
My favorite practice of this kind is called Pure Perceptions. Cultivating this kind of sacred outlook — dak-nang in Tibetan–helps us see the Buddha, the light, the divinity in everyone and everything, and to experience this very world we live in as a Buddha field, a Pure Land or paradise. Actually this isn’t just something we superimpose upon reality, like donning the proverbial rose-colored glasses; instead it’s more akin to seeing things as they actually are.
Pure perception or sacred outlook is something we can practice daily, and even moment to moment, as a way of cultivating BuddhaVision, a way which purifies and transforms our way of relating to everyone and everything. As the Buddha himself said, according to Zen Buddhist teaching: “When I was awakened, all were awakened, even the rocks and the trees.” We may hear about sacred vision or we may read about it in the sutras, in teaching tales or personal anecdotes; we may believe or we may wonder and doubt. Yet, we can each come to know that there really is a there right here, and sacred vision is accessible, even from just a brief visit. A genuine glimpse or spiritual epiphany can help.
An authentic awakening experience — a glimpse of Reality — can become our inner guide or pole star. Yet that infinite emptiness — the shining void mystics talk about, which is none other than the intrinsic Buddha-nature of one’s own heart and mind — is not the end of the path, but the beginning of the true path. There is no substitute for such an awakening experience — one that gives us a naked glimpse into there. This one experience alone can cut through and uproot many of the illusions and delusions we have about the nature of reality. Our awareness, understanding and perspective fundamentally shifts and we come to know pure vision, Buddha vision — just as we know the sun exists — firsthand, without needing to see it all of the time. We know it’s there from one glimpse. As the poet Kabir sang, “I glimpsed it for fifteen seconds and it made me a servant for life.” One glimpse of pure vision, sacred outlook, was enough to transform my life and my world.
Guru Padma Sambhava said, long ago: “Let go into the clear light, trust it, merge with it. It is your own true nature. It is home.”
I myself was once vouchsafed a sacred glimpse of this earth as an altar and all who walk upon it as gods and goddesses, dakas and dakinis. In fact, this pure vision was so strongly impressed upon my consciousness twenty-five years ago, that I can still see it in some way right now! Believing is seeing. It was spring in the Catskills, 1977. My guru the Gyalwa Karmapa was giving an empowerment and blessing of land for a new monastery to be built in Putnam County, New York. I’d come from my cabin on Woodstock’s Mount Guardian for the day–and what a day it was!
This was the first time that I was literally transported to another place, another plane, another reality entirely. His Holiness sat radiating infinite light, which both poured out of him and into me, and from me into him, at one and the same time, more powerful than a thundering waterfall. I was electrified, transformed and I was no more. The page had been turned, the binding consumed. When I returned, the chanting was winding down and everything fell back into place. Jamgon Rinpoche smiled knowingly, and all was well. I heard a voice in my head whisper: The Buddha of Infinite Light is not in the Western Pure Land; he is right here in the world. I knew my guru was that Buddha, and forever with me and within me. Infinite light was before my eyes for several days before I drifted back to my normal state of semi-consciousness. I was in this world but definitely not of it. This must be what Sakyamuni Buddha meant when he said, in the Diamond Sutra, that life is like a dream, a mirage, a sitcom. For things are not what they seem to be; nor are they otherwise.
I have learned, it’s easier to visit the Pure Lands than to live there. Although I can still see it before me, I find myself trying to return. Undoubtedly I am looking Upwards when I should be looking Inwards, seeing more deeply. What we seek, we are - it is all within! From that single glimpse, I know as Kabir knew. We are all Buddhas at heart–we simply have to recognize that fact. Turn the searchlight, the spotlight, Inward.
I can still hear the voice: This land where we stand is the Pure Land, this very body the body of Buddha! So turn the searchlight inward, catch a glimpse, and know.
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ok...another qn.. from an answer i got earlier, it seems tat buddha condemns sexual indecency...my qn is how come Thailand, a country well-immersed into buddhism has so many transvetites...is the act of changing gender condoned by buddhism???
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Originally posted by despondent:
ok…another qn..
from an answer i got earlier, it seems tat buddha condemns sexual indecency…my qn is how come Thailand, a country well-immersed into buddhism has so many transvetites…is the act of changing gender condoned by buddhism???
http://www.buddhanet.net/homosexu.htm
quote:
Theravada Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka and Burma had no legal statutes against homosexuality between consenting adults until the colonial era when they were introduced by the British. Thailand, which had no colonial experience, still has no such laws. This had led some Western homosexuals to believe that homosexuality is quite accepted in Buddhist countries of South and South-east Asia. This is certainly not true. In such countries, when homosexuals are thought of at all, it is more likely to be in a good-humored way or with a degree of pity. Certainly the loathing, fear and hatred that the Western homosexual has so often had to endure is absent and this is due, to a very large degree, to Buddhism's humane and tolerant influence.
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Follow and understand the four noble truth and eightfold path.Read the heart sutra,emptyness, or should i say persistency in knowing the so call truth is ignorance, the truth is on ourselves, the truth of our mindfulness, when you understand your truth, you will be enlightened.So I think there is no need to debate on or exchange views as such, as one who practise the Dharma will have many ways to gain knowledge, just that the time has not reach a person to see things more clearly yet.
In Pureland Buddhism:一心�乱
In Chan' Buddhism:明心�性
A verse written by me
万法真明自在心，心悟净土�万佛