Showing posts with label merit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label merit. Show all posts
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
7 Noble Branch Prayer
In order for ourselves to improve in our life, we required to improve in our accumulation of Hock (福). This is the Teaching of Buddha and also the Chinese culture. The following prayer will help us to accumulate Hock (福) if we can recite everyday from our heart.
7 Noble Branch Prayer
1. With complete faith and trust, I bow,
to all the Victorious Ones and their sons
who dwell in the ten directions and three times.
2. I array the offering at the holy shrines,
Water, flowers, incense, lights,
Scented water, food, and music,
along with many other things.
I offer them in real and with imagination.
I request the kind Noble Assembly to accept them.
3. I confess and repent all the evil deeds that I have done,
from the past until now.
Influenced by defilements,
The non-virtuous acts were done through body, speech and mind.
4. I rejoice in delight from the merits gained by
Sravakas, Pratyeka Buddhas, Bodhisatvas and ordinary beings,
throughout the three times.
5. I pray that The Dharma Wheel continue to be turned;
The teachings of the Mahayana and Hinayana continue to be flourished,
and benefit all beings with different aptitudes and motivations inside them.
6. I beseech the Buddhas of ten directions not to pass away into Nirvana,
But to stay until Samsara is empty;
To save all sentient beings
who drown themselves in the ocean of Samsara.
7. May whatever merits I have accumulated
Become a seed for Enlightenment for all beings,
Without delay,
May I become a splendid leader to lead all beings across the ocean of samsara.
I recommend you to do the above prayer 3 times a day, morning, noon time, and before sleep. You may read this prayers aloud or silently at anywhere.
7 Noble Branch Prayer
1. With complete faith and trust, I bow,
to all the Victorious Ones and their sons
who dwell in the ten directions and three times.
2. I array the offering at the holy shrines,
Water, flowers, incense, lights,
Scented water, food, and music,
along with many other things.
I offer them in real and with imagination.
I request the kind Noble Assembly to accept them.
3. I confess and repent all the evil deeds that I have done,
from the past until now.
Influenced by defilements,
The non-virtuous acts were done through body, speech and mind.
4. I rejoice in delight from the merits gained by
Sravakas, Pratyeka Buddhas, Bodhisatvas and ordinary beings,
throughout the three times.
5. I pray that The Dharma Wheel continue to be turned;
The teachings of the Mahayana and Hinayana continue to be flourished,
and benefit all beings with different aptitudes and motivations inside them.
6. I beseech the Buddhas of ten directions not to pass away into Nirvana,
But to stay until Samsara is empty;
To save all sentient beings
who drown themselves in the ocean of Samsara.
7. May whatever merits I have accumulated
Become a seed for Enlightenment for all beings,
Without delay,
May I become a splendid leader to lead all beings across the ocean of samsara.
I recommend you to do the above prayer 3 times a day, morning, noon time, and before sleep. You may read this prayers aloud or silently at anywhere.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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
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.”
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.”
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
5. Becoming Member of Sangha - Becoming Monk or a Nun
As I have mentioned earlier, Merit Accumulations (福 ) can be gained through positive actions and lost or destroyed through negative actions, moment to moment in our lives. Hence we have to be very careful indeed at all the time, to watch out our actions which are performed through our body, speech and mind. Why? Because when we are lacking the merit accumulation (福 ) we are not going to have good lives.
Sincere motivation (without expectation of returns) is necessary when doing Merit Accumulations (福 ).This is not an easy task. Hence, Merit Accumulations (福) are difficult to gain but easily lost. This is rather similar in dealing with our money. Most of us find it difficult to earn money and save it. But to spend it, everyone can do it excellently. Hence, Credit Card Companies are making millions, year after year, because of the over whelming spending habits of credit card holders.
How are we able to do Merit Accumulations with sincerity? One of the many methods taught by the Buddha is renunciation for worldly gains. Through pure loving kindness and compassion for others, one can work for the benefits for others with sincerity.
The Buddha set an example by giving up his throne to become a monk. Buddha renounced worldly interests such as fame, power, wealth and etc. He created the Sangha community.
The community of Sangha consists of ordained monks or nuns, bodhisattvas, yogis or yoginis. Buddha advocates that Members of Sangha are excellent field for us to sow the seeds of Merit Accumulations. This is very well understood and being carried out in Buddhist countries but not so in non-Buddhist countries although Buddhism is being practiced by the minority people of the country.
Countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others, although Buddhism is being practiced, many of these Buddhist devotees do not understand the meaning of offering to Members of Sangha. Some of the people in these non-Buddhist nations even consider that monks and nuns are defeated people; fail to take challenges, jobless and need financial support. They are the outcasts of the society. They have mental problems and etc. I have met such kind of people having wrong thoughts about monks and nuns.
Once, I was invited to give a Dharma Talk (Teaching on Buddhism) to the members of a Buddhist Association in Malaysia. I was invited by the Chairman to her home for lunch. She introduced me to her husband, and told me that her husband was a retired School Principal. She let her husband know that I was a school teacher too before I became a monk. While she was laying out the dishes for my lunch, she told the husband to attend to me. We sat down on the sofa after greeting each other. We drank our tea and started our conversation. Our conversation went smoothly. He asked me about my travels. I related my travels with enthusiasm to him. Then he asked suddenly.
“Did you become a monk because you had mental problems?”
So I spontaneously replied;
“Well, did you always ask this question to all the monks who visited your home?”
Then I looked closely into his face and asked with a serious tone,
"May I know how they answer?"
He was stunned by my questions. He looked blank, stood up and left with head bending down. This experience in Malaysia was just one of the many I had gone through. There were more stunning questions posted to me during my Travels in various countries as a monk.
Since then, I have found out that many Buddhists in non-Buddhist countries have mistaken the meaning of Merit Accumulations (Taan Boon in Thai language).They think that it is a charity for the monks when they give money or offer meals to them. At another time, I was with a high ranking Tibetan Lama (addressed as Rinpoche). A Buddhist devotee presented to Rinpoche a sum of money in an envelop.
“Rinpoche, this is my contribution to you,” said he.
Then Rinpoche replied;
“Please keep it for yourself. I don't need your contribution. Thank you." He said it politely.
The Buddhist devotee then took back his money and put it into his bag.
The Tradition of Merit Accumulations was started by Buddha himself. It was started more than 2,500 years ago after He had attained His Supreme Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, India, After spending some time in Bodhgaya, Buddha then went to Sarnath, Varanashi, where He gave His first discourse on The Four Noble Truth to His first 5 disciples. After spending some time with His disciples at Sarnath, Buddha decided to visit His father who was a king, together with His disciples.
After having stayed in His father’s palace for a few months, Buddha told His monks that they had to go to city for allowing people to give alms to them so that the city folks would have the opportunity to accumulate merits. When Buddha and the monks returned from city after gathering alms, the King was rather angry because he thought that his son had brought shame to him. Buddha then explained patiently to His father that receiving alms from public was a Lineage of Buddha. It was His duty to carry out the Tradition handed down by the past Buddhas. This Tradition was to provide opportunities for people to accumulate merits through offering alms to Buddha and monks. It was not an act of begging like the ordinary street beggars. It was an act of loving kindness and compassion for the people. It was an act for benefiting them. From then on, the Tradition of receiving alms from public by members of Sangha was handed down till today.
The present King of Thailand, His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej is 80+ years old now. His Majesty is the longest living reigning monarch in this world, and also the most revered King by His citizens. He is highly well recognized and respected in this Modern World. His Majesty has once been a ordained monk. He took ordination as a Monk for a short period (a few months) when he was a young man. His Majesty went receiving alms from public just like any other monks did. Thus His Majesty the King followed the foot-step of the Buddha.Buddha said that if a person had been ordained as a monk even for a day, he would gain much merits. The merits gained by becoming a monk can benefit seven generations of one's ancestors. Hence, in Thailand, when a member of a family passes away, a member next to kin of the family, usually one of the deceased’s sons or a grandson, will quickly ordain to be a monk for a day, or 3 days or a week or more. He will then dedicate the merits gained by being a monk for that period to the Deceased. It is believed that such a virtuous act will help to bring a good rebirth for the Deceased.
Most of the Thais wish to be monk at least for a short period once in their lifetime. Many Thais take up monkshood for the rest of their lives when they have retired from their professions. I have met a number of these monks who had high academic qualifications. Some even resigned from high positions held in International Companies to take up lifetime monkshood after their children have completed university education.
May the Merit gained through writing this article is dedicated to the enlightenment of all sentient beings especially to the well beings of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej so that H.M. may have long life.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
4. Importance of sincerity
In the previous article, I mentioned the correct way to gain "福" or Merit Accumulation. Here, we shall analyze how those actions, which are defined as “Merit Accumulations” or increasing of our "福" –the essence of positive energy- are made possible.
For example, when we buy a Buddha statue and consecrate it. We put it on the shrine. We do some offerings such as flowers, lamps, fruits and etc, this action brings us “福". When we offer food or anything to a member of Sangha, this gives us the merit accumulations in return. We offer to print or help to print Dharma books, these are actions to increase Merit Accumulation. But are these actions mentioned, same as actions of trying to buy "福"? Some people may think so, because in both circumstances, we have to spend money on them. We do this to gain "福”.
However, for Merit Accumulations or gaining "福”, we have to be sincere with right motivation. When we offer to Buddha, the action itself signifies appreciation of Buddha’s Teachings and Buddha’s Activity etc., and we should bear these in our mind. Whenever we do offerings to Sangha and Dharma, we do it with correct motivations. In this way, we are creating positive energy through positive action. When we appreciate the Buddha, we are appreciating the activity of benefiting others, appreciating the teachings which will give us wisdom and freedom from ignorance, and also motivating ourselves to become like Buddhas to benefit others. Hence, those actions are not only for ourselves, but bear a great significance of benefiting all sentient beings. As the result of that, those actions can generate much essence of positive energy -"福” - to oneself and others. That is the difference from the action of buying Lucky Charm Items, which is mostly intend for benefiting oneself only.
In Buddhist practice, we sincerely dedicate all our merits gained to the Enlightenment of all sentient beings. This action brings great benefit to others and oneself. Dedication of merit is just like dropping a spoonful of water into the ocean. A spoonful of water will dry up in a few days. But when this spoonful of water is dropped into the ocean, the amount of this spoonful of water will never dry up.
When we do positive action, we accumulate "福”. Offering to The Triple Gems- Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, is a positive action, which will generate positive energy as described above. When our positive energy ("福”) increased, it combines with effort, skilful means, right timing etc, to be transformed into whatever form of things we need. It is necessary to have lots of "福” for our wishes to come true. In short, our wish to have a good life will come true.
For example, when we buy a Buddha statue and consecrate it. We put it on the shrine. We do some offerings such as flowers, lamps, fruits and etc, this action brings us “福". When we offer food or anything to a member of Sangha, this gives us the merit accumulations in return. We offer to print or help to print Dharma books, these are actions to increase Merit Accumulation. But are these actions mentioned, same as actions of trying to buy "福"? Some people may think so, because in both circumstances, we have to spend money on them. We do this to gain "福”.
However, for Merit Accumulations or gaining "福”, we have to be sincere with right motivation. When we offer to Buddha, the action itself signifies appreciation of Buddha’s Teachings and Buddha’s Activity etc., and we should bear these in our mind. Whenever we do offerings to Sangha and Dharma, we do it with correct motivations. In this way, we are creating positive energy through positive action. When we appreciate the Buddha, we are appreciating the activity of benefiting others, appreciating the teachings which will give us wisdom and freedom from ignorance, and also motivating ourselves to become like Buddhas to benefit others. Hence, those actions are not only for ourselves, but bear a great significance of benefiting all sentient beings. As the result of that, those actions can generate much essence of positive energy -"福” - to oneself and others. That is the difference from the action of buying Lucky Charm Items, which is mostly intend for benefiting oneself only.
In Buddhist practice, we sincerely dedicate all our merits gained to the Enlightenment of all sentient beings. This action brings great benefit to others and oneself. Dedication of merit is just like dropping a spoonful of water into the ocean. A spoonful of water will dry up in a few days. But when this spoonful of water is dropped into the ocean, the amount of this spoonful of water will never dry up.
When we do positive action, we accumulate "福”. Offering to The Triple Gems- Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, is a positive action, which will generate positive energy as described above. When our positive energy ("福”) increased, it combines with effort, skilful means, right timing etc, to be transformed into whatever form of things we need. It is necessary to have lots of "福” for our wishes to come true. In short, our wish to have a good life will come true.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
1.Chinese New Year Message - To have good life
Hi, 
恭喜发财 （ Gong Xi Fatt Chai ） !!!!!!!
And a very Happy Chinese New Year to you!
Buddha says: Life lingers on from moment to moment; life after life. He taught this in the Abhidharma (The Higher Teaching). We can experience the well-being, moment to moment, life after life, is due to our Merit accumulations.
Our present lifestyles on this Earth are possible because of our collective merit accumulations. Different countries or societies will experience different lifestyles because each country or society’s collective merit accumulations is different. Merit accumulations can be gained through positive actions and lost or destroyed through negative actions moment to moment in our lives.
During this festive season, you'll notice that the Chinese word "福 (Fu)" is being displayed in every Chinese house. The ancient Chinese Sages discovered this principle before Buddhism had arrived in China. Throughout the ages, the Chinese Sages emphasized that "福" is very closely woven in our lives. "福" has to do with all the good things we wish to have in our lives. And they are not wrong about this idea because Buddha taught about this too.
Buddhism emphasizes Merit Accumulations, which is a similar concept to the Chinese Sages’ concept about "福". Nowadays, Buddhist devotees are constantly reminded by monks, nuns, lamas and Rinpoches that Merit Accumulations are important for their well-being including to progress in their Dharma practices. Therefore, there are many methods in Buddhist practice for merit accumulations.
In Thailand, to accumulate "福" is to “taan bun”. The Thais are very happy when they visit monasteries to “taan bun”. There are four special days in a month (called “wan phra” – Buddha’s day) where Thais crowd the monasteries to “taan bun”. They rejoice very much after they have “taan bun”, because they believe that “taan bun” will help their lives to become better. You can see this in their faces after they have completed the ceremony of "taan bun".
"福" appears as an Essence of positive energy in our mind stream. This Essence can be transformed into anything through right combination with right timing. In Tibetan Buddhism, there are various skillful methods of transforming this Essence of positive energy. Our creative ideas sprung from this Essence in our mind stream.
Unknowingly, we can destroy our ”福” too. This is done through body, speech and mind. We do this by having negative actions moment to moment in our daily life. What are the negative actions that destroy “福”? Both the Chinese Sages and Buddha agrees that “福” or Merit Accumulations are destroyed through negative emotions such as jealousy, anger, hatred, pride, stinginess and uncontrolled desires arising in our mind from moment to moment. However, all these negative emotions can be corrected through practicing the Teachings taught by Buddha.
Buddhism emphasized Mental Development Activities commonly known as Meditation. Through this method, we can develop healthier minds, which can reduce negative emotions slowly but steadily. As a result, we are able to save ourselves from destroying this precious Essence of positive energy in our mind streams.
Most people can't have their wishes come true because they are lacking the “福”.I notice that most of us have destroyed more “福” than gaining it. Hence, when we lack merit accumulations (福), obstacles are sure to appear on our way to achieve our goals and our wishes may not come true.
In my opinion, if we wish to materialize our dreams in careers or businesses, our “福” (Merit Accumulations) need to be increased and activated so that it can be transformed into monetary terms or prosperities, opportunity to practice Dharma without obstacles in order to gain joy, happiness, peace of mind and etc. We can have good lives through constantly accumulating the “福” wherever and whenever we can.
WE NEED MERIT ACCUMULATIONS ( 福 ) FOR EVERYTHING WE DO , OR HAVE OR ACHIEVE OR WHATEVER!
In my next message, I shall write about methods of accumulating “福”.
May this New Year Message benefit you.
With Best of regards.
Achan Lama Hui Guo
恭喜发财 （ Gong Xi Fatt Chai ） !!!!!!!
And a very Happy Chinese New Year to you!
Buddha says: Life lingers on from moment to moment; life after life. He taught this in the Abhidharma (The Higher Teaching). We can experience the well-being, moment to moment, life after life, is due to our Merit accumulations.
Our present lifestyles on this Earth are possible because of our collective merit accumulations. Different countries or societies will experience different lifestyles because each country or society’s collective merit accumulations is different. Merit accumulations can be gained through positive actions and lost or destroyed through negative actions moment to moment in our lives.
During this festive season, you'll notice that the Chinese word "福 (Fu)" is being displayed in every Chinese house. The ancient Chinese Sages discovered this principle before Buddhism had arrived in China. Throughout the ages, the Chinese Sages emphasized that "福" is very closely woven in our lives. "福" has to do with all the good things we wish to have in our lives. And they are not wrong about this idea because Buddha taught about this too.Buddhism emphasizes Merit Accumulations, which is a similar concept to the Chinese Sages’ concept about "福". Nowadays, Buddhist devotees are constantly reminded by monks, nuns, lamas and Rinpoches that Merit Accumulations are important for their well-being including to progress in their Dharma practices. Therefore, there are many methods in Buddhist practice for merit accumulations.
In Thailand, to accumulate "福" is to “taan bun”. The Thais are very happy when they visit monasteries to “taan bun”. There are four special days in a month (called “wan phra” – Buddha’s day) where Thais crowd the monasteries to “taan bun”. They rejoice very much after they have “taan bun”, because they believe that “taan bun” will help their lives to become better. You can see this in their faces after they have completed the ceremony of "taan bun".
"福" appears as an Essence of positive energy in our mind stream. This Essence can be transformed into anything through right combination with right timing. In Tibetan Buddhism, there are various skillful methods of transforming this Essence of positive energy. Our creative ideas sprung from this Essence in our mind stream.
Unknowingly, we can destroy our ”福” too. This is done through body, speech and mind. We do this by having negative actions moment to moment in our daily life. What are the negative actions that destroy “福”? Both the Chinese Sages and Buddha agrees that “福” or Merit Accumulations are destroyed through negative emotions such as jealousy, anger, hatred, pride, stinginess and uncontrolled desires arising in our mind from moment to moment. However, all these negative emotions can be corrected through practicing the Teachings taught by Buddha.
Buddhism emphasized Mental Development Activities commonly known as Meditation. Through this method, we can develop healthier minds, which can reduce negative emotions slowly but steadily. As a result, we are able to save ourselves from destroying this precious Essence of positive energy in our mind streams.Most people can't have their wishes come true because they are lacking the “福”.I notice that most of us have destroyed more “福” than gaining it. Hence, when we lack merit accumulations (福), obstacles are sure to appear on our way to achieve our goals and our wishes may not come true.
In my opinion, if we wish to materialize our dreams in careers or businesses, our “福” (Merit Accumulations) need to be increased and activated so that it can be transformed into monetary terms or prosperities, opportunity to practice Dharma without obstacles in order to gain joy, happiness, peace of mind and etc. We can have good lives through constantly accumulating the “福” wherever and whenever we can.
WE NEED MERIT ACCUMULATIONS ( 福 ) FOR EVERYTHING WE DO , OR HAVE OR ACHIEVE OR WHATEVER!
In my next message, I shall write about methods of accumulating “福”.
May this New Year Message benefit you.
With Best of regards.
Achan Lama Hui Guo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)