Good Quotations --- 2

Words of Milarepa:
Work toward perfect awakening,
and Love others before yourself —
following Dharma.

Practice discipline
and remember your Spiritual goal

— you do it for the benefit of all living beings.

Khao Phansa Ceremony in Thailand

Khao Phansa Day is on the first day after the full moon of the sixth lunar month (this year is on July 27th, 2010) and marks the beginning of the three-month rain retreat period. The tradition of the annual three-month rains retreat is known in Thai as "Phansa". Khao Phansa means to remain in one place during the rainy season.

During Khao Phansa period monks should not venture out or spend the night in any other place except in cases of extreme emergency and, even then, their time away must not exceed seven consecutive nights. This is a time for contemplation and meditation for monk. The monk meditates more, studies more and teaches more. For Buddist Phansa is also customarily season for temporary ordinations. Young men enter the monkhood for spiritual training, to gain merit for themselves and their parents during this period.

Two main important things will present to monks during Khao Pansa are the candles and monks’ robe. The candles were essential in former times for both ceremonies and studying scriptures during night time. The large candles that are made and given to the temple to create illumination in the belief that such a gift will likewise illuminate the mind.

The presentation of monks’ robe is said to have originated during this period too. Lay people from Singapore and Malaysia organize buses to come to Thailand to offer robes to monks during this 3 month period. In many temples and Buddhist Societies in Malaysia and Singapore carry out the offering of robes ceremony in a grand way.

Not only local people presents the candle to monk, some province in the Northeast of Thailand especially Ubon Ratchathanee province

. In Ubon Ratchathanee, 629 km northeast of Bangkok, the Candle Festival is the province's most popular annual event. The cerebration of the beginning of Khao Phansa is marked by the ceremony of presenting candles to the monks. Various public and private organizations will organize a colorful candl

e processing. On the days before the event, Isan (North East region of Thailand) local arts make ornately carved beeswax candles of various sizes and shapes. On the day of the festival, the fabulous candles are paraded around the town on colorful floats, accompanied by displays of religious devotion. After the procession, they are presented to local temples.
At Sakonnakhorn province, the beautiful embellished beeswax candles were designed in different castle shapes. In this province, the wax castle celebration will start on the third day before the Khao Phansa will be over.

The wax castle procession will be organized and the religious ceremony will be on the last of Khao Phansa (Ok Phunsa day).

Where Science and Buddhism meet.

Many people think and only accept if things are scientifically proven. Here is the case whch shows Buddhism is far ahead than science in the Truth about Emptiness. Buddha explained about Emptiness more than 2,500 years ago and science just found it less than 5 decades.

Part 1:



Part 2:

Good Quotations -- 1

Starfish an inspirational message for all teachers

Prayer to remove obstacles.

Guru Rinpoche


Prayer to Guru Rinpoche to Clear Obstacles on the Path

DÜ SUM SANGYE GURU RINPOCHE
Precious master, the embodiment of all Buddhas of the three times(past, present & future)

NGÖ DRUB KÜN DAG DE W A CHEN PO'I SHAB
The lord of all accomplishments; venerable one of great bliss

BAR CHED KÜN SEL DÜD DÜL DRAKPO TSAL
Dispeller all obstacles,wrathful subduer of negativity(Dud dul Drakpo Tsal)

SÖL WA DEB SO CHIN GYI LAB TU SÖL
I supplicate & pray to you, please bestow your blessings.

CHI NANG SANG WA'I BAR CHED SHI WA DANG
Please pacify the outer, inner, and secret obstacles and

SAM PA LHÜN GYI DRUB PAR CHIN GYI LOB
Grant blessings to fulfill my wishes spontaneously.

Mantra:Om Ah Hung Varja Guru Padma Siddhi Hung.( chant as many times as you can)

Great Compassion Dhaｒaｎi - 大悲咒

1)1st video: This one is for beginner to learn the Dharani.






２）2nd video: Slow recitation of the Dharani.




３）3rd video: Personal practice prayer with the Dharani.

You must dedicate the merits gained from the practice to the Enlightenment of all sentient beings and etc. & etc.....

Karmapa being interviewed

"What is this mind?"

When we are free, our mind behaves like monkey.
It runs into the past thro’ the memories.
It also jumps into future fantasies.
Our mind wonders to and fro.
It hardly rests.
We wonder,
“What is this mind?”
“Does it have a shape, a color?”
How many of us have seen the mind?
All of us somehow are experiencing the mind.
How many of us have really understood our own mind?
Many people have been searching for this mind.
Many a thing has been said about this mind.
But very few really understood the mind.
Since we don’t understand our mind,
We shall not be able to control our mind.
Thus our emotions will be controlling our mind.
Then our actions become emotional instead of reason.
Such kind of actions usually bring undesirable results
As the result, we suffer much for our bad actions.
Therefore we must take control of our mind.
How to do it?
We wonder,
Day & night………..

Songs on Heart Sutra

There are many different Heart Sutra songs in many languages. I have chosen a Japanese and English song on Heart Sutra from YouTube. I hope you will enjoy listening them.

Heart Sutra Song - Japanese (Beethoven Symphony No.9 Melody)

Heart Sutra Song - English

Heart Sutra Translated from Chinese Version

般若波罗蜜多心经
(唐三藏法师玄奘译)
HEART SUTRA
(Prajnaparamitta)
观自在菩萨 行深般若波罗蜜多时
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva while practicing deep Prajnaparamitta,
照见五蕴皆空
Perceived that the Five Skandhas (aggregates) are Empty (of self- nature).
度一切苦厄
Transcending distress and suffering.

舍利子
Oh, Shariputra,
色不异空 空不异色
Form does not defer from Emptiness. Emptiness does not defer from Form.
色即是空 空即是色
Form is Emptiness. Emptiness is Form.
受想行识 亦复如是
So is feeling, thinking, behavior (volition), and consciousness.

舍利子
Oh, Shariputra,
是诸法空相 不生不灭
All Dharmas (and their characteristics) are fundamentally Empty ; No arising, no cessation.
不垢不净 不增不减
Neither impure, nor pure, nor increasing, nor decreasing.
是故空中无色 无受想行识
Thus, in Emptiness, there is no form, feeling, thinking, behavior (volition), and consciousness.
无眼耳鼻舌身意
Neither is there eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, nor thinking.
无色声香味触法
Neither is there form, sound, smell, sensation, nor Dharma.
无眼界 乃至无意识界
There is no eye dhatu, up to no mind- consciousness dhatu.
无无明 亦无无明尽
No ignorance, and also no cessation of ignorance.
乃至无老死 亦无老死尽
Up to no old age and death, and also no cessation of old age and death;
无苦集灭道
No suffering, no origin of suffering, no cessation of suffering, no path.
无智亦无得
No wisdom, and no attainment (no nonattainment).
以无所得故
Since the Bodhisattvas have nothing to be attained,

菩提萨陲 依般若波罗蜜多故
Bodhisattvas abide by means of Prajnaparamitta.
心無罣碍
Mind has no obscuration.
無罣碍故 无有恐怖
Since there is no obscuration in the mind, there is no fear.
远离颠倒梦想 究竟涅盘
They are free from delusory thoughts, and finally reach Nirvana.
三世诸佛
All the Buddhas of three times (past, present and future),
依般若波罗蜜多故
By means of Prajnaparamita, (Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom)
得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提
Fully awaken to Anuttara Samyaksambodhi (Perfect Enlightenment).

故知般若波罗蜜多
For this reason, knowing that the great Mantra of Prajnaparamita is…
是大神咒 是大明咒
The Great Spiritual Mantra, the Great Wisdom Mantra,
是无上咒 是无等等咒
The Unsurpassed Mantra, the Unequalled Mantra.
能除一切苦 真实不虚
It extinguishes all suffering,
真实不虚
And is true and real and it is not false.
故说般若波罗蜜多咒
Thus proclaim the Mantra of the Prajnaparamita.
即说咒曰
By saying:
揭谛揭谛 波罗揭谛 波罗僧揭谛 菩提娑婆诃(Tayata Om)“GATE GATE, PARA GATE, PARASAN GATE, BODHI SVAHA”

般若波罗密多心经
(Prajnaparamitta)

Heart Sutra (Sanskrit) - Translation and Songs from YouTube

Namah sarvajnaaya

Adoration to the Omniscience!

Aaryaavalokiteshvara-bodhisattvo gambhiiraayaam prajnaapaaramitaayaam caryaam caramaano vyavalokayati sma: panca skandhaah; taamshca svabhaava-shuunyaan pashyati sma
When Holy Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was practicing deep meditation to gain the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom), he realized that the five skandhas or aggregates to be empty of nature.

Iha Shaariputra ruupam shuunyataa shuunyataiva ruupam, ruupaan na prithak shuunyataa, shuunyataayaa na prithag ruupam, yad ruupam saa shuunyataa, yaa shuunyataa tad ruupam
Oh, Sariputra, Form is Emptiness and Emptiness is Form; Emptiness is no other than Form, and Form is no other than Emptiness ; that which is Form is Emptiness, and that which is Emptiness is Form
Evem eva vedanaa-samjnaa-samskaara-vijnaanaani.
So likewise, it is the same for feeling, conception (thoughts), mental construction (behavior) and consciousness.
Iha Shaariputra sarva-dharmaah shuunyataa-lakshanaa, anutpannaa, aniruddhaa, amalaa, na vimalaa, nonaa, na paripuurnaah.

Oh, Sariputra, all Dharma is fundamentally Emptiness; they are neither born nor death; they are neither impure nor pure, neither increase nor decrease.

Tasmaac Chaariputra shuunyaayaam na ruupam na vedanaa na samjnaa na samskaaraa na vijnaanaani.

Therefore, in the Emptiness, there is no form, no feeling, no conception, no mental construction, no consciousness.
Na cakshuh-shrotra-ghraana-jihvaa-kaaya-manaamsi.
Neither is there eye, ear, nose, tongue, body nor thought.
Na ruupa-shabda-gandha-rasa-sprashtavya-dharmaah
There is no form, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch and no dharma.
Na cakshurdhaatur yaavan na mano-vijnaana-dhaatuh.
There is no sight, until we come to no mind-consciousness,
Na vidyaa, naavidyaa, na vidyaa-kshayo, naavidyaa-kshayo, yaavan na jaraa-maranam na jaraamarana-kshayo, na duhkha-samudaya-nirodha-maargaa, na jnaanam, na praaptir apraaptitvena
no wisdom, no ignorance, no cessation of wisdom, no cessation of ignorance, (beyond of wisdom and ignorance) until we come to no old age and death and no end to old age and death, (beyond old age and death) no suffering, no origin of suffering, no cessation of suffering, (beyond of suffering) , no path, no wisdom and no attainment. Indeed there is nothing to be attained (beyond attainment and no attainment).
Bodhisattvasya prajnaapaaramitaam aashritya viharaty acittaavaranah. Cittaavarana-naastitvaad atrasto, viparyaasaatikraanto nishtha-nirvaanah.
Since the bodhisattvas have no attainment (beyond of attainment), by depending on the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom), the bodhisattvas dwell without any mental obscurations. Because of the absence of mental obscurations, they have no fear; free from delusory thoughts, they transcend falsity and attain complete nirvana.
Tryadhva-vyavasthitaah sarvabuddhaah prajnaapaaramitaam aashrityaanuttaraam samyaksambodhim abhisambuddhaah.
All the buddhas of the three times (past, present and future) by means of prajnaparamita, fully awaken to anuttara samyaksambodhi—perfect enlightenment.
Tasmaaj jnaatavyo prajnaapaaramitaa-mahaamantro mahaavidyaa-mantro 'nuttara-mantro 'samasama-mantrah, sarvadukha-prashamanah, satyam amithyatvaat, prajnaapaaramitaayaam ukto mantrah
For this reason, knowing that the Great Mantra of the Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom is the Great Wisdom Mantra, the Unsurpassed Mantra, and the Unequaled Mantra. It extinguishes all suffering, and is true and real because it is not false. It is the Mantra proclaimed in the Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom.
"Tad yathaa gate gate paaragate paarasamgate bodhi svaaha"
Namely, "Gone, gone, gone to the other shore; Gone beyond to the other shore. Svaha."
Iti prajnaapaaramitaa-hridayam samaaptam.
Thus ends the Essence of the Transcendental Wisdom Sutra.

Note: I have done some editing to the translation.
**************************************************************

We found this Sanskrit Heart Sutra Song in the You Tube. Hope you will enjoy it. I shall explain in my next article: "Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form". The wisdom you can gain from these two statements from Heart Sutra will help you to increase your happiness and the possibility for you to get a wonderful good life.

Meditation using Om Mani Pad Me Hung

Om Mani Padme Hung is the heart mantra of Avalokitesvara (Sanskrit), or Chenrezig (Tibetan) or Kuan Shi Yin / Kuan Yin (观世音/观音-Chinese) is most commonly chanted by the Tibetans or those practicing Tibetan Buddhism. For those Mahayanist Chinese Buddhists, they chant the name of Kuan Yin in this way: Namo Kuan Shi Yin Pu Satt.

Chenrezig/ Kuan Yin is the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas and Bodhisatvas. When we chant aloud or silently with our heart, we can invoke the blessings from Chenrezig/Kuan Yin.

When we visit Tibetan settlements around Dharamasala, in Northern India or around the Himalayan Regions, we shall see many Tibetans spinning the Mani Wheel (as shown in the picture). Tibetans believe in spinning the written form of the mantras around in a Mani wheel (or Prayer Wheel) have similar benefits as chanting them. In these Mani wheels, being small or big, contain thousands and thousands of the mantras written in papers. The papers are carefully joined and then rolled to take a round shape. They are inserted into the Mani Wheel. When the wheel is spinning in clockwise directions, it is called turning the Mani Wheel. There are also people doing chanting aloud or in silent while spinning the Mani wheels. The merits gained through these actions are then dedicated to the Enlightenment of all sentient beings and etc.

We can do this simple meditation by using these 6 syllables Mantra of Kuan Yin - OM MANI PAD ME HUNG ( 观音菩萨的心咒 – 六字真言 ) to develop our loving kindness and compassion based on a abbreviated translation of Metta Sutra given by the Buddha as follow;

First, with folded palms, you recite the following sutra silently or aloud.

Namo Buddha-ya, Namo Dharma-ya, Namo Sangha-ya ( 3X)

“This is what should be done by those who aspire to be skilled in goodness,
and those who know the way to peace and tranquility:

1.1)May they be upright, straightforward and gentle in speech;
Humble and not be conceited.

1.2)Let no one deceive another or despise any being in any state,
Let none by anger nor hatred wishing harm to others,

1.3)Hatred cannot be overcome by hatred,
HATRED can only be overcome by LOVE.

1.4)May all beings be well and happy.

1.5)May they always be Calm and Peaceful, Wise and Skillful.

2.1)May they be easily satisfied, contented,
Not burdened by many things and duties in their livelihood.

2.2)May they neither be proud nor arrogant nor demanding,
May they never have desires and cravings.

2.3)May they never do anything that the Wise will reprove them later.

May they always feel grateful towards their mothers and fathers,teachers and masters.

2.4)May all beings be Well and Happy.

2.5)May all beings live in safety, free from fear, and be joyful.

3.1)May all beings far or near, seen or unseen, born or to be born,
Whether they are air born, water born, egg born or womb born,
Whether they are long or short, tall or short or small, weak or strong,
May all beings, without exception, be Well and Happy.

3.2)Like a mother who will go all out to save her own child
Even at the risk of her own life,
Even so, may all beings practice this Loving Kindness and Compassion.

3.3)So having a boundless Heart of Loving Kindness and Compassion,
One should Cherish all beings by radiating Kindness over all the World Systems.

3.4)While one is standing or sitting, walking or lying down, during all one's Waking Hours, May one remain mindful of this Heart and this Way of Living.
Thus it is said to be the “Most Noble Way 0f Living”.

3.5)Unattached to speculations, views and free from all cravings and sense desires,
These Pure Hearted ones, with clear mind, will never take Rebirth in Samsara again.”

Om Mani Padme Hung, Om Mani Padme Hung, Om Mani Padme Hung………….

At this point you begin to recite “Om Mani Pad Me Hung” silently or aloud. You can recite it as many times as you can. If you wish to do the following visualization while reciting the mantra, you may do so.
First, you visualize 6 colored lights (white, green, yellow, blue, red, dark blue) issue from your heart as you are chanting the mantra silently, or in whispering tone. The lights together with the mantras radiate out far and wide into the space in ten directions into ten thousands world systems. You think that all beings seen or unseen, far or near are blessed by the mantra.
When you have finished, you dedicate sincerely all the merits (福) gained for the Enlightenment of all sentient beings. Dedication is important because it makes our merits (福) gained to be limitless. And always remember the following words of the Buddha:

“So with a boundless Heart of loving kindness and compassion,
One should Cherish all beings by radiating kindness over all the world systems.

While one is standing or sitting, walking or lying down, during all one's waking hours, May one remain Mindful of this Heart and this Way of Living,
And thus it is said to be the ‘‘Most Noble Way of Living.”

I hope, each and every one of us shall take the advice of the Buddha and practice this Loving Kindness and Compassion. This is what our world needed most in order for it to have a ever lasting peace. The destiny of our world lies in the hands of everyone of us. So you can do a small part to make our world a better place to live by spreading this Metta Sutra to your loves ones, friends, neighbors, office, schools, colleges, universities etc. In the words of the Buddha, “The Gift of Dharma excels all other Gifts” Tashi Delek! 吉祥如意！

Zambala Prayer (Wealth Deity Prayer)

正月初八



In Tibetan Buddhism, there is a diety called Zambala. Zambala is considered a wealth diety. The following is the translation of prayer which was extracted from the Barchey Kunsel Treasure of Chokgyur Lingpa called Lama Norlha, by Dazang Rinpoche and put in English by Pema Kunsang, June 1984.




Lama Norlha Padmasambhava - Zambhala Prayer

OM
Dogu chog tsol ngodrub ter / Tsasum kundu yishin nor
Guru pema sambhava / Rigshi gonpo dzam bhala
Nordag nojin jigten kyong / Jewa samgyi mi khyab pey
Kyilkhor lha tsog thamchey la / Chag tsal choto solwa deb
Jingyi lobshig barchey sol / Ngodrub tsol chig longcho pel
Tendir shug shig trinley dzo / Khordey kungyi leg tsog dang
Nokyi getsen chukyi yang / Lha mi lu dang nojin gyi
Zeynor rinchen jorpey trin / Changshey tadang kangshi chug
Lotog zudang tsi shing men / Tshering neymey trashi pal
Cho dang rigkyi gyu dzin sog / Dorna sizhi phuntshog kun
Beypa meypar wangdu du / Dzaymey chuwoi gyuntar pel
Chi sam yizhin drubpa dang / Trashi dekyi denpar dzo

OM
Bestower of supreme needs, giver of accomplishments,
Embodiment of all the three roots, wishfulfilling jewel,
Lotus Born Master,
Zambhala lords of the four families,
Wealth lords, yakshas, protectors of the world,
In an inconceivable amount of millions,
To this whole assembly of mandala deities,
I prostrate, offer, praise, and supplicate.
Please bless me and clear away obstacles.
Please bestow the siddhis and increase wealth.
While seated here, please fulfill the activities.
All what is excellent of both samsara and nirvana,
The goodness of the world, the prosperity of the beings,
Of gods, humans, nagas, and yakshas,
The foods, wealth, jewels, and a cloud of enjoyments,
All-knowing horses and four-legged cattle,
Crops, grains, herbs, plants and medicines,
Long lifespan, no illness, auspiciousness and splendor,
Lineage holders of both dharma and family, and so forth,
In short, all what is perfect of samsara and nirvana,
Make it effortlessly mastered,
Increase it like the inexhaustible flow of a river,
Make whatever I wish be fulfilled,
And let there be auspicious happiness!

-Mantra-
Om hung tram hrih ah dzambhala dzalendraye soha
Sarva yaksha basupati lokapala tsitta bring bring dzah
Sarva basu siddhi du du puting kuru soha

Zambala is the embodiment of all buddhas and bodhisatva wealth essence. We practise zambala to help ourselves to increase our wealth essence that can be transform into opportunities to practise dharma besides gaining wealth. In fact, I believe that to be rich is easier than to gain liberation within a lifetime. We can see around us many rich people all over the world, the millionaires and the billionaires. But it is very rare to find many people gain liberation within one lifetime. This is like the stars shining in the sky in day time.

We need a lot of merits (福) for practising dharma, and getting teachings and instructions from authentic masters. To gain realisation and liberation, we need more merits (福). As one of my masters put it, “ We need patience to practice dharma. But to have patience, we need merits.”

13. Om Mani Pad Me Hung - My personal episode

The King of Tibet, Lha Thothori Nyantsen who built the “Yumbu Lagang” received the Mantra “ OM MANI PAD ME HUNG”. He received it in a mysterious way. One day,while he was sitting in the "Yumbu Lagang" contemplating deeply how to help his citizens to live a happier life, a small box containing the Mantra - Om Mani Pad Me Hung - suddenly appeared in his hand. Then a voice from the sky told him that a king, born 5 generations later than him would understand the meaning of the Mantra.

King Songtsen Gampo was the king born 5 generations after King Lha Thothori Nyatsen. Through the sincere effort of King Songtsen Gampo, the profound meaning of Om Mani Pad Me Hung was well understood and being propagated throughout Tibet. Until today we can see the tremendous effect of this mantra being woven into the life of every Tibetan.

OM MANI PAD ME HUNG is the mantra of Chenrezig (观音–Kuan Yin). It is believed by the Tibetan that chanting the Mantra “Om mani pad me hung “aloud or silently bring tremendous benefits to oneself and others as a whole. I have personal experiences of receiving tremendous blessings from Chenrezig ( Kuan Yin ) after practicing meditation with this mantra. I shall relate one of the many good experiences of blessings from Kuan Yin.

In 1985, a Rinpoche (Tibetan Lama) visited my home town. I related to the Rinpoche a dream I had in the previous night. “I dreamt that there was a fierce green dragon residing in the lake 0f my home town. This dragon originated from South China Sea long time ago. Because of sinking many ships and killing many people in South China Sea, Kuan Yin decided to subdue this dragon and put it into this lake in my home town.” So Rinpoche suggested to me to place a Naga Vase into this lake, and I should be the one to put the vase. I knew that this lake (Merdeka Lake at Bukit Pasir of Batu Pahat town) was not safe to swim because many people had died in this lake. Hence, I brought along with me a rubber tube.

Rinpoche was doing puja at the side of the lake. I went towards the lake taking the Naga Vase with me. I swam alone with the rubber tube to the middle of the lake. I dived into the bottom of the lake and placed the vase there. I floated up. The rubber tube was a short distance away from me. I swam towards it but it started to move away from me. So I swam harder trying to grab the tube. However much I tried, I could not grab it. After a while, I was out of breath. I tried to call for help but I had no strength left. I felt my four limbs weakened and softened. They seemed like separating from my body. I slowly sank down. My mind was blacking out. Nobody came to help me as they do not know what had happened.

I thought, “This is the end of my life……” and somehow I chanted in my mind “Om mani pad me hung “

Suddenly my hands and legs straightened out! I shot up to the surface of the water like a rocket, and surfaced right in front of the rubber tube! I grabbed the tube, breathing heavily. “Ah, I’m saved now.” A miracle had happened. Kuan Yin had saved my life!