lindseyandhaley: Taiwan Buddhism

Showing posts with label Taiwan Buddhism. Show all posts

Friday, 7 March 2014

7-Day Kwan Yin Ceremony (March 9-16)

Dhr. Seven, Ven. Abbess, D. Tan, Wisdom Quarterly; Ling Yen Mountain Temple, California

Kwan Yin Bodhisattva, Kwannon, Avalokitesvara (Mig_T_One/flickr.com)

In celebration of Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s BIRTHDAY as well as that of beloved Ven. Master Miao Lien, Ling Yen Mountain Temple is conducting two 7-Day Guan Yin Dharma Services.

Kwan Yin Bodhisattva, Mu Ryang Sa Temple (WileyImages.com/flickr.com)

Saturday, 15 February 2014

Secrets of China's Ancient Pyramids (video)

CC Liu, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly; National Geographic; Nick Redfern (CLE)

Modern Chinese Buddhist pyramid structure and stupa (reliquary), Buddha Memorial Center, Fo Guang Shan Temple complex, Taiwan, Republic of China (Bernard Gagnon)

(National Geographic) Documentary on the pyramids of China and its view of the afterlife

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18897314-the-pyramids-and-the-pentagon?from_search=true

For decades, government agencies have taken a clandestine and profound interest in pyramids and other archaeological, historical, and religious puzzles.

Why and how have they been doing this? What profound and powerful secrets are sequestered in secret vaults and archives, and what would happen if the truth were revealed? Focusing primarily upon the classified work of the U.S. Government, The Pyramids and the Pentagon invites us to take a wild ride into the fog-shrouded past. It is a ride that incorporates highlights such as:

The CIA’s top secret files on Noah’s Ark
U.S. Army documents positing that the Egyptian pyramids were constructed via levitation
Claims of nuclear warfare in ancient India
Links between the "Face on Mars" and the pharaohs...

Modern Buddhist pyramid (Zosoiv71/flickr.com)

Nick Redfern is the author of more than 30 books, including The Real Men in Black; On the Trail of the Saucer Spies; Contactees; and The Pyramids and the Pentagon. He writes for UFO Magazine, Mysterious Universe, and Mania.com. Originally from the UK, Redfern now lives in Dallas, Texas.

Monday, 23 December 2013

Mahayana: "The Sutra in Forty-Two Sections"

Dhr. Seven, CC Liu, Amber Larson, (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; Ling-Yen Mountain Temple, Canada, "The Sutra in Forty-Two Sections"; Master Miao Lien (PURE LAND BUDDHISM)

Kwan Yin Bodhisattva, Goddess of Mercy, at the seaside of Sanya (HawkDisplays/flickr)

OPENING VERSE

The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma

Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of aeons.

I now see and hear it, receive and uphold it,

And I vow to fathom the Tathagata's true meaning.

PREFACE

When the World Honored One had attained the Way, he [is said in Mahayana Buddhism to have] thought, "To leave desire behind and to gain calmness and tranquility is supreme."

He abided in deep meditative concentration and subdued every demon and externalist.

[Externalist: six non-Buddhist wandering-ascetic (shramana) traditions led by: Pūraṇa Kassapa, Makkhali Gosāla, Ajita Kesakambalī, Pakudha Kaccāyana, Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta (Jainism's Mahavira), and Sañjaya Belaṭṭhaputta].

In the Deer Park he turned the Dharma-wheel of the Four Noble Truths and took across Ajnata-kaundinya [led Añña Kondañña to enlightenment] and the other four [first] disciples, who all realized the fruition of the Way.

Then the bhikshus expressed their doubts and asked the Buddha how to resolve them. The World Honored One taught and exhorted them, until one by one they awakened and gained enlightenment. After that, they each put their palms together, respectfully gave their assent, and followed the Buddha's instructions.

SECTION 1

Leaving Home and Becoming an Arhat

Shakyamuni Buddha walking (sdhammika)

The Buddha said, "People who take leave of their families and go forth from the householder's life, who know their mind and penetrate to its origin, and who understand the unconditioned Dharma [i.e., asankhata, nirvana, what is not conditional, not dependently originated] are called shramanas [wandering ascetics as distinguished from Brahminical temple priests].

"They constantly observe the 250 [monastic] precepts, and they value purity in all that they do. By practicing the four true paths [likely a reference to the four analytical knowledges], they can become arhats."

"Arhats [equipped with abhinnas or siddhis] can fly and transform themselves. They have a life span of vast aeons, and wherever they dwell they can move heaven and earth."

"Prior to the arhat is the anagamin [non returner]. At the end of his life, an anagamin's vital spirit will rise above the nineteenth heaven, and one will become an arhat."

"Prior to the anagamin is the sakridagamin [once returner], who ascends once, returns once more, and thereafter becomes an arhat.

"Prior to the sakridagamin is the srotapanna [stream enterer], who has [at most] seven [more] deaths and seven births remaining, and then becomes an arhat. Severing [attachment] and desire is like severing the four limbs; one never uses them again."

SECTION 2

Eliminating Desire and Ending Seeking

The Buddha [allegedly] said, "Those who have left the home-life and become [wandering ascetics] cut off desire, renounce [attachment], and recognize the source of their minds. They penetrate the Buddha's profound principles and awaken to the unconditioned Dharma.

"Internally they have nothing to attain, and externally they seek nothing. They are not mentally bound to the Way, nor are they tied to karma. They are free of thought and action [are not storing up karma]; they neither cultivate nor attain certification; they do not pass through the various stages, and yet they are highly revered [reverence-able, worthy of reverence]. This is the meaning of the Way."

SECTION 3

Severing [Attachment] and Renouncing Greed

The Buddha said, "Shaving their hair and beards, they become shramanas who accept the Dharmas of the Way. They renounce worldly wealth and riches. In receiving alms, they accept only what's enough. They take only one meal a day at noon, pass the night beneath trees, and are careful not to seek more than that. Craving and desire are what cause people to be stupid and dull."

The Buddha's life in panels, Jing'an Temple wall, Shanghai, China (Wisdom Quarterly)

SECTION 4

Clarifying Good and Evil

The Buddha said, "Living beings may perform Ten Good Deeds or Ten Evil Deeds. What are the ten? Three are done with the body; four are done with the mouth; and three are done with the mind.

"The three done with the body are killing, stealing, and lust [sexual misconduct]. The four done with the mouth are duplicity [slander], harsh speech, lies [perjury], and frivolous speech. The three done with the mind are jealousy [craving], hatred [aversion], and stupidity [tenaciously holding wrong views].

"Thus, these ten are not in accord with the Way of sages and are called the Ten Evil Deeds. To put a stop to these evils is to perform the Ten Good Deeds."

SECTION 5

Reducing the Severity of Offenses

The Buddha said, "If a person has many offenses and does not repent of [turn away from] them, but cuts off all thought [intention, aspiration] of repentance [of changing one's way], the offenses will engulf [one], just as water returning to the sea will gradually become deeper and wider. If a person has offense and, realizing they are wrong, reforms and does good, the offense will dissolve by themselves, just as a sick person who begins to perspire will gradually be cured."

SECTION 6

Tolerating Evil-doers and Avoiding Hatred

The Buddha said, "When an evil person hears about your goodness and intentionally comes to cause trouble, you should restrain yourself and not become angry or blame [that person]. Then the one who has come to do evil will do evil to him/herself."

SECTION 7

Evil Returns to the Doer

The Buddha said, "There was a person who, upon hearing that I observe the Way and practice great humane kindness, intentionally came to berate me. I was silent and did not reply. When [that person] finished abusing me, I asked: 'If you are courteous to people and they do not accept your courtesy, the courtesy returns to you, does it not?' 'It does," [that person] replied. I said, 'Now you are scolding me, but I do not receive it, so the misfortune returns to you and must remain with you. It is as inevitable as an echo that follows a sound, or as a shadow that follows a form. In the end you cannot avoid it. Therefore, be careful not to do evil.'"

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

The Tea-Dharma Club (U West)

Angela Lee (UW), Ashley Wells, CC Liu, Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; tdhammaclub@gmail.com

Chinese tea and traditional mooncakes on bamboo platter (npr.org)

The inaugural meeting of the "Tea and Dharma" plenary session, an informal gathering of persons interested in Buddhism and healthy-soothing refreshments, is set for Friday at the:

Tea-Dhamma Club
University of the West, Cafeteria Balcony
1409 Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead 91770
Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, 6:30-7:30 pm

UWest is a Buddhist university in suburban Los Angeles, set in the rolling hills of Rosemead, not far from "Going West" Temple, downtown L.A. to the west, and the San Gabriel foothills to the north.

The goal of the gathering is to facilitate conversation on Dharma (Pali, Dhamma), the Buddha's teaching taken as a whole, socializing with American and Taiwanese students, while sipping tea.

University of the West friendly exchange students from Taiwan and monastics (far right)

It is a chance for East to meet West in a relaxing setting to exchange stories and traditions while enjoying each other's company. Make friends, generate positive affinities, (gripe about China and its official policies and abysmal human rights record?), and mentally limber up for Dr. Wu's lecture series (details) on the Mahayana Buddhist Canon, which runs concurrently from 6:00-9:00 pm or 1:00-4:00 pm for four consecutive days, covering eight topics.

Saturday, 21 September 2013

Full Moon Observances, Los Angeles (photos)

Angela Lee (UWest), Dhr. Seven, CC Liu, Ashley Wells, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly

Hsi Lai Temple ("Going West" Monastery), Hacienda Heights, suburban Los Angeles, CA

Chrysanthemum tea and red bean and lotus seed paste mooncakes (npr.org)

Mahayana nun, Theravada monk, devotees in courtyard imbibing tea and Dharma (WQ)

Lining up candles in hand following Hsi Lai Temple tea ceremony and meditation (WQ)

Tea and mooncakes by moonlight, Hsi Lai Temple, Sept. 20, 2013 (Wisdom Quarterly)

Lining up to offer candles (WQ)

We gathered under the Harvest Moon, Saturday night, a mix of Americans and Taiwanese in the hills above the San Gabriel Valley in suburban Los Angeles.

The courtyard of the largest Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Western hemisphere -- excluding perhaps the immense Chaung Yen Monastery (BAUS.org) in Upstate New York where the world's greatest living Theravada Buddhist scholar (Bhikkhu Bodhi) alongside a massive indoor Buddha statue with a specially built enclosing it -- was lit up. Mist clouded the sky, obscuring the Moon.

Gathering around the tea table (WQ)

Bhikshunis (fully ordained nuns) sat at low tables mixing chrysanthemum tea distributing mooncakes (not vegetarian but full of white sugar and egg coating). Various pods arranged themselves.

Wisdom Quarterly discussed topics of interest, then one of the editors told an amazing story at the nun's invitation.

Sun and Moon

Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

Full moon (Tim McCord (space.com)

One day a boy lost his mother the moon and lived on with his father the sun, who was feeble and in need of his son's help. Together in the father's great home, the son showed filial devotion alone.

Eventually, with his father's help, he found a wife. They brought her home, and set her up in charge of the household. She was dutiful, but she soon grew tired of the old man who, she felt, was stealing all of her husband's attention. "Throw him out," she said to her new husband, "if you love me."

Approaching the Buddha light altar (WQ)

"He's my father! All we have is because of him!" "All he does is eat; he will eat us out of house and home! Now it is time for you to grow up, take your inheritance, and let's get on with our lives." "What are you saying?" the husband asked. "I'm saying, man up and get rid of him! At least put him out in the barn!"

Bhikshuni dispenses tea and stories (WQ)

The son carried his father to the barn and cared for him there. As the father was unable to walk, he depended on his son to wheel him around in a wheelbarrow. But the son came out less and less." The wife was still not satisfied. The husband asked, "Now what's the problem? He's out of your hair."

Travis waiting for tea, cake, and stories

"I still have to cook for him and feed him. He's going to eat us out of house and home!" "What do you want me to do?" the husband asked. The wife insisted, "I want you to take that old man, wheel up the hill, and toss him over the cliff! If you don't, I'm leaving you. I thought I married a man. It's either him or me! And it would be for his own good -- he's old, he doesn't want to be a burden. It's euthanasia, that's all. I'm packing right now."

Lining up in front of main hall (WQ)

The husband, not wanting to lose his wife and realizing that his father was old and feeble and would never want to be a burden to anyone, much less his only son, went out and placed the old man in the barrow without saying a word. The father was overjoyed to see him: "You've finally come to visit me, son! Where are we going, to town, to the market? Hooray!" The boy slowly began to wheel his father up the hill. "But, son, the town is thataway. Are we taking in the view first? There's nothing up here but the...cliff."

The father suddenly fell silent. The son had still not said a word. As they slowly approached the cliff, the father finally spoke: "Son, may I make one last request?" The son broke down crying, full of resolve to complete this heinous deed, "Anything, father, just name it!"

In line with candle offerings following guided meditation, Hsi Lai Temple (WQ)

"Son, when you throw me over, make sure you don't drop the barrow over with me."

"But why, father?"

"Well, your son is going to need it."

Just then the son turned on his heel, wheeled around, and raced down the hill. He threatened to put his new wife out in the barn unless she respected his father as she respected him. And together they live happily and dutifully for a long time. Having lost the moon, the son at least kept his sun alive. Ancient Chinese wisdom.