Samadhi: The Meditation of Pure Joy

The cure for anger is simple:
cultivate love and practice patience
in the face of anger, desire, hatred, jealousy
and worldliness too base for comfort.
Show compassion for all sentient beings,
and know that loving kindness leads to
compassion so powerful, it burns away
evil karma until all that is left is merit.

May all sentient beings be happy!
May all sentient beings attain the pure joy of liberation!
May all sentient beings focus on the one-pointedness of mind!
May all sentient beings aspire to attain Buddhahood!
May all sentient beings become determined to be bodhisattvas!
May All sentient beings be loving in the face of anger and hatred!
May all sentient beings remember the kindness of their parents!
May all sentient beings be excellent to each other!

Gone away is this vain grasping self,
for in its place is selflessness as virtue
which drives away selfishness and its companions.
All that is left is the pure joy of liberation.

---

Originally posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:09 AM

Parable of the Burning House & Buddhism Today

One day, a fire broke out in the house of a wealthy man who had many children. The wealthy man shouted at his children inside the burning house to flee. But, the children were absorbed in their games and did not heed his warning, though the house was being consumed by flames.

Then, the wealthy man devised a practical way to lure the children from the burning house. Knowing that the children were fond of interesting playthings, he called out to them, "Listen! Outside the gate are the carts that you have always wanted: carts pulled by goats, carts pulled by deer, and carts pulled by oxen. Why don't you come out and play with them?" The wealthy man knew that these things would be irresistible to his children.

The children, eager to play with these new toys rushed out of the house but, instead of the carts that he had promised, the father gave them a cart much better than any he has described - a cart draped with precious stones and pulled by white bullocks. The important thing being that the children were saved from the dangers of the house on fire.

"Fire" refers to desire and its sinful daughter, lust. Desire leads to anger and hatred if a person's lust is unchecked. Lust for things like money is greed. Lust for sex leads to sexual dysfunction.

Lust for power is the worst of all — this is what the Republicans and their religious right supporters suffer from, due to self-denial and repression of their sexual urges.

"House" refers to the human body.

Thus a burning house refers to a person who is not yet Enlightened.

"Wealthy man" refers to a Buddhist priest who is given spiritual wealth through faith in the Buddha and belief in the core tenets of Buddhism, as well as the core practice of samatha-vipassana. It may also refer to the spiritual aspects of a Buddhist who practices his faith earnestly. Thus meditation provides spiritual wealth that being worldly does not. Indeed, being worldly results in spiritual poverty.

"Many children" refers to his Buddhist pupils. It may also refer to the six consciousnesses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching and cogitating (thinking limited to the five senses).

The wealthy man shouting to his children to flee the burning house refers to the Buddhist meditating and discovering what the six consciousnesses are. It also refers to the call of Amida Buddha, the Name-that-calls.

"The children absorbed in their games" refers to the six consciousnesses which are too ignorant to flee the body and come to the safety of the wealthy man, to be under his control.

Not heeding the wealthy man's warning is the lot of a person who has yet to meditate, and cannot control his senses including the use of his mind.

In the second paragraph is the paraphrase of what the Buddha does: he "lies" to the six consciousnesses in order to save them. The three carts pulled by goats, deer and oxen refers to the Three Treasures of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.

The children coming out of the burning house refers to the six consciousnesses being trained through meditation.

The cart draped with precious stones and pulled by white bullocks refers to samadhi, the mind focused on meditation.

In this parable is the story of a Buddhist who puts his faith in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The "lie" that the Buddha tells Buddhists is that by putting faith in the Three Treasures, one is saved from lust. The truth is this: Samatha-Vipassana meditation helps the Buddhist to place the six consciousnesses under his control.

For the Buddha is long dead, the Dharma is rarely preached, and the Sangha organized Buddhism into a religion. Since then, rare is it that the Sangha practices what the Buddha taught. Instead, the Theravada Sangha has lusted for political power, and control who becomes the leader of a nation where the Sangha are king-makers such as Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. This is the fuel for the fire, and their houses burn.

In contrast, the Mahayana and the Vajrayana sects have flourished wherever they kept their noses out of politics and instead, led the people to respect the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha through meditation and optionally chanting the Buddha's name, provided that they do not make a religion of their practice to force upon Hindus, Muslims, and the people who practice other faiths.

Let this be a warning to Buddhists and other faiths. When you turn your faith into a religion, you only cause lust to inflame desire for power and control over others. Instead, strive to turn your faith into no religion by practice of compassion. Then you shall be rewarded with spiritual treasures beyond your imagination.

YMMV

---

Originally posted: December 24, 2005 10:12 PM PST

Healing the Broken Heart Through Faith and Belief (poem)

I give thanks to the Buddha, for his role in helping us.
I give thanks to the Dharma for dependent arising explains the Four Noble Truths to us.
I give thanks to the Sangha who wrote the sutras that guide us.

When it feels like your heart has broken
free of your mind's gentle embrace,
make them whole again with breath meditation,
mantrayana and devotion to the Buddha.

May the comprehensive love of Amida tame the mind.
May the great compassion of Avalokiteshvara heal the heart.
May the active security of Mahasthamaprapta protect
one's Buddha Recitation and be mindful of Amida.

For the heart-mind, being the Bodhi Mind,
may only be formed from feelings and reason
being acted upon by one's sincere belief
that all sentient beings are our mothers!

Namu Amida Butsu

The Virtue of Gullibility

I believe in Amida's Pure Land of Bliss, and have faith in the Primal Vow.

Even if this was just another Jataka Tale then I would still believe in the Teaching.

For were I to not believe and lose faith, I would suffer the deluded doubt,
and my mind would become confused. That kind of suffering leads me to mindful practice of meditation and Buddha Recitation, so that I remember Amida Buddha and his Forty-Eight Vows.

To an outsider who will never study the True Pure Land School and its three Nembutsu Sutras, this appears to be a superstition proselyted to a truly gullible old fool.

However, if my mindful practice leads me to hell, then I will surely follow the True Pure Land School's founder Shinran to hell.

For his faith, and the Pure Land Sangha's faith are the same as my faith in the Primal Vow.

Indeed, Pure Land Buddhism is no superstition.

A wise person should do good... (study guide)

A man buries a treasure in a deep pit, thinking: 'It will be useful in time of need, or if the king is displeased with me, or if I am robbed or fall into debt, or if food is scarce, or bad luck befalls me.'

But all this treasure may not profit the owner at all, for he may forget where he has hidden it, or goblins may steal it, or his enemies or even his kinsmen may take it when he is careless.

But by charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control man and woman alike can store up a well-hidden treasure -- a treasure which cannot be given to others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good -- that is the treasure which will not leave one. — --adapted from the Khuddhaka Patha, translated by A. L. Basham

When I first came upon the above quote attributed to the American Zen Buddhist Jack Kornfield, I could understand it and state that the treasure is spiritual in nature.

Intrigued by this adapted quote from the Khuddhaka Patha, I decided to find the original, which turned out to be Chapter 8 Nidhi Kanda Sutta.

According to wikipedia, Khuddhaka Patha (Khuddaka Patha) is a collection f instructional sutras for novice monks known as a patha, which is in Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism i.e. it is use in their sutras for their monks.

On finding the original, it was apparent that the text has all the necessary information for the Buddhist: the spiritual treasures and their result.

So here are the treasures of virtue which the Buddhist novice monk practices:

"giving, virtue, restraint, & self-control, with regard to a shrine, the Sangha, a fine individual, guests, mother, father, or elder sibling." &mdash: Khaddakapatha: 8 Nidhi Kanda / The Reserve Fund

Next comes the divine treasures which are gained by the Buddhist novice monk:

"Whatever devas aspire to, all that is gained by this. A fine complexion, fine voice, a body well-built, well-formed, lordship, a following: all that is gained by this. Earthly kingship, supremacy, the bliss of an emperor, kingship over devas in the heavens: all that is gained by this. The attainment of the human state, any delight in heaven, the attainment of Unbinding: all that is gained by this. Excellent friends, appropriate application, [1] mastery of clear knowing & release: [2] all that is gained by this. Acumen, [3] emancipations, [4] the perfection of disciplehood: all that is gained by this. Private Awakening, [5] Buddhahood: all that is gained by this." — ibid.

Additionally, the notes for the instructional sutra are very useful for understanding what is actually meant by the original word or phrase in a sutra. Often the original word or phrase was chosen to fit the accent in a metrical foot of verse.

appropriate application == proper practice of the Dhamma (Dharma)

mastery of clear knowing & release == Clear knowing = knowledge of previous lives, knowledge of the passing away and arising (rebirth) of beings, knowledge of the ending of the mental fermentations: sensual passion, becoming, views, ignorance. Release = release from the cycle of rebirth.

Acumen == acumen with regard to the Dhamma, to its meaning, to language, & to quick-wittedness. These four talents are found in some, but not all, arahants.

Emancipations == "Eight Emancipations" in Maha-Nidana Sutta (Sutra)

Private Awakening: Awakening as a Private Buddha, one who can gain Awakening without relying on the teachings of others, but who cannot formulate the Dhamma in the way a Full Buddha can.


Reference:

Originally posted October 30, 2005 at 2321H
Edited: February 10, 2013 at 2150H


Kornfield quote from: http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/newsletter/news175.html

Khaddakapatha: 8 Nidhi Kanda Sutta / The Reserve Fund: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/khp/khp.1-9.than.html#khp-8

Pali: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali

"Eight Emancipations" in Maha-Nidana Sutta (Sutra): http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.15.0.than.html

Khaddakapatha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khuddakapatha

Shido Bunan

Om devaganapatoyam Priyasurasya. - Homage & divine offerings to Ganesha as the Highest Spirit.
Namo arahato Buddhassanam. - Homage to the Spiritual Awakening.
Namo arahato Dhammassanam. - Homage to the Way to Awakening.
Namo arahato Sanghassanam. - Homage to the Community of Awakening.

Today, we have a listing of Zen Master Shido Bunan's poetry and Zen stories about him.

Google listing of hits on Shido Bunan

The Blotch - how does a blotch stop a plague of misfortune for a family of local lords? Probably a little psychology: if one is takes it easy and relaxes, misfortunes will go away because one is not overly concerned about them.


Adhyatma From Another Mountain - Sake Wine and Samadhi - the beginning of Bunan's journey.


Find out what "shido bunan" means.

Women Are the Three Treasures (NWSF)

Women are heaven;
women are Dharma;
and women are the highest penance.
Women are Buddha;
women are the Sangha;
and women are the perfection of Wisdom.
—'Chandamaharoshana' Ch.8 v.30

What the Yoni Tantra actually teaches is that women must be treated with respect. This quote from the referenced source (The Scarlet Letter) is related to Buddhism.

At the time I found it (December 18, 2004), I could find no other reference to the Chandamaharoshana.

Today the best reference is at Keith Dowman's website.

Chandamaharoshana is the consort of Acala, one of the Five Wisdom Kings of Vajrayana Buddhism. Wisdom Kings are guardians of Buddhism.

According to the Wikipedia entry for Acala, "Acala is said to be a powerful deity who protects All the Living (sattva, shujō (衆生?)) by burning away all impediments (antar-aya, shōnan (障難?)) and defilements, thus aiding them towards enlightenment."

Shujo refers to all sentient beings.

Shonan refers to "difficult obstacles" to Enlightenment such as evil karma accumulated in a Buddhist's life.

Even though Chandamaharoshana appears to be associated with tantric sex, this is a highly respected form of mindful practice.

In tantric sex, you have the tantric devotee (usually male) and the tantrika (the woman representing the female consort) perform according to the Chandamaharoshana Sutra.

Included in all of this are days of fasting before the day of tantric initiations, and also the gifts mentioned in the sutra must be presented to the tantrika.

As well, the devotee must study in tantric yoga with a master, though the tantrika may also provide this service if a master is not immediately available.

However, the purpose of tantric sex is not the sex itself but the experience of the spiritual "energies" of Shiva and Shakti.

According to Lama Thubten Yeshe, "...each one of us is a union of all universal energy. Everything that we need in order to be complete is within us right at this very moment. It is simply a matter of being able to recognize it. This is the tantric approach."

Thus it is possible to view tantric sex as mindful practice.

More importantly the Chandamaharoshana Sutra also has figurative meaning in the symbolic sense.

Thus it's not about sex; it's about respect for man and woman within a religious context.

---

References:
The Scarlet Letter | v2n4 | "The Yoni Tantra, Part I": http://www.scarletwoman.org/scarletletter/v2n4/v2n4_yoni1.html

Chandamaharoshana: http://www.keithdowman.net/vajralove/chandamaharoshana.htm
Acala: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acala

Tantra: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantra

Meditate On and Develop Compassion

If we pick up the handle, we pick up the pot. Similarly, if we meditate on and develop compassion—the wish that all others be without suffering—we hold within us the essence of all other Dharma practices.

-Geshe Hgawang Dhargyey, "Advice From a Spiritual Friend"

May all beings be without suffering,
May all beings be without want,
May all beings be free.

In believing what the Buddha said, I mindfully believe in the Buddhadharma.

For the Four Noble Truths tell us that life is full of suffering, that suffering is due to ignorant craving, that suffering can be remedied, and the cure for suffering is the Eightfold Path which I follow by practicing meditation with Buddha Recitation.

Of course, this is the Buddhist practice I currently follow because it is the best of what I have leaned in the Pure Land School of Buddhism. However, there are other Buddhist practices which also work, but my practices work for me.

Nothing in my practices are New Age. From meditation, I do not develop magical powers like telepathy or astral projection. Rather, my mind is made calm by meditating so that I am able to think clearly and critically.

As well, I am able to practice mindfulness in my daily activities by remaining in the present moment.

By meditating, I develop compassion for all sentient beings.

When someone hurts, I am concerned for their welfare, especially when they are close friends and loved ones.

Thus my concern goes beyond empathy. When I meditate, it is done for all sentient beings.

By burning off my evil karma through meditation and Buddha Recitation, I fulfill my commitment to being a Buddhist.

I am thankful to the Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha.

---

Originally created on January 17, 2006 at 2258H
Last updated on February 12, 2013 at 1400H

Breath Meditation: Notes on Ekottara Agama

DISCLAIMER: These notes refer to texts which Buddhist monks use for meditation and instruction. Unless you are under the guidance of an accredited Buddhist master within his study group, I do not endorse any form of meditation or other spiritual practice using the following material. I provide it for information only.


http://sites.google.com/site/ekottara/

This site contains sutras consisting of instruction on Breath Meditation, and topics of meditation to free the mind from ritual (Brahmin), hatred (Elephant), inequality (Broad-minded), slander (Authentic), by choosing the authentic teachings of the Buddha, and praise (Praise).

It's this last sutra (Praise) which needs to be carefully studied, as it is related to the previous sutra (Authentic).

Then comes the chapter about the Wheel of Dhamma, with sutras about the fearlessness through the metaphor of the Lion, how to be wise (Energy), generosity (Generous) and the story of Āmrapāli the courtesan as seen through ancient Chinese cultural lens.

Regarding Āmrapāli the royal courtesan, she was a well respected Indian woman of high standing because she was well educated and wealthy. The youths she encountered on the way home to prepare a meal for the Buddha and his fellow monks were from well respected clans and respected Āmrapāli, as they went on their way to listen to the Buddha give a dharma talk on being of service to others.

Later, after Āmrapāli spent all night preparing the meal for the Buddha and his monks, she served them when they arrived. Then she donated her park to the Buddha, and later become a Buddhist patroness.

Next comes the chapter on the spiritual friend with sutras describing a good friend, confession (that one is not relying on a good friend) and forgiveness (Forgiveness), the story of Dhammaruci, using the metaphor of lions and sheep to teach proper conduct of monks, appreciation, effort and determination to achieve Buddha-hood (Maitreya's effort), the development of tranquility and penetrating insight to help realize the Four Noble Truths (Calm and insight), contentment (Forest), and instructions on ideal teaching (Teaching).

Finally, the chapter on the Triple Gem is about the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma (the Buddhist Teaching) and Sangha (Buddhist community). It is also about the three qualities of generosity, evenness and meditation; the three conditions a consciousness can receive a womb (Conception) in which the Buddha tells of all the ways conception does not happen except for one way; the three bases of unwavering delight in the Buddha, learning His Dharma, and taking care of the Sangha; virtuous conduct by deed, word and thought to prevent suffering by use of evil words; moderation both in his six senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and mind (cogitation) and eating, and regularly does his walking-exercises; the three severe afflictions of the mind (covetousness and attachment, hatred and aversion, and ignorance and delusion) and their cures (reflecting on repulsiveness, cultivating friendliness in one's heart, and insight into dependent origination); and the good practice of body, mind and speech to achieve the state of the Unconditioned.

References:

Wikipedia entry on the Ekottara Agama: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekottara_Agama

Āmrapāli is also known as Ambapali: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambapali

Royal courtesan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagarvadhu

Dhamma means the same as Dharma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma

Dhammaruci Thera: http://www.vipassana.info/d/dhammaruci.htm
An arahant. In the time of Dipankara Buddha he was a young man named Megha (Rain), who heard the Buddha's declaration regarding Sumedha (wisdom), and entered the Order under the latter. Due to wrong association, he left the Order and murdered his mother. Because of matricide, he suffered in Avīci and was later born as a fish.

One day he heard some shipwrecked sailors calling on the name of Gotama Buddha for protection, and, remembering Dipankara's prophecy, the fish died. He was then born in Sāvatthi, and hearing the Buddha preach at Jetavana, he entered the Order and became an arahant. Ap.ii.429f.

Reflections on repulsiveness: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asubha

Friendliness: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metta

Dependent origination: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependent_origination

Four Noble Truths: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_noble_truths

1. unsatisfactoriness (suffering)
   
2. the origin of unsatisfactoriness
   
3. the final ending of unsatisfactoriness, and
   
4. what needs to be done to overcome unsatisfactoriness (the Eightfold Path)
   

The Four Nobles Truths is what is meant in these sutras by the terms "the subtle Teaching". Eightfold Path: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path It consists of the ideals of:

1. right view
   
2. right intention
   
3. right speech
   
4. right action
   
5. right livelihood
   
6. right effort
   
7. right mindfulness
   
8. right concentration
   

"Right" in this sense means "perfect", "ideal", and "complete". Six senses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_senses_%28Buddhism%29 The state of the Unconditioned: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana Triple Gem, Three Treasures: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripitaka

The Ultimate Pain-killer

If you are afraid of pain,
if you don't like it,
do nothing evil,
either openly or in secret.
For if you do,
even if you get up and run away
you won't escape its pain.
If you are afraid of pain,
if you don't like it,
take refuge in the Buddha,
the Dharma and the Sangha.
Train in the precepts.
This is good.

-Theri-Gatha, 246-249

In this context, "pain" refers to the psychic pain of suffering. It is called psychic because suffering affects the psyche i.e. the mind.

"Evil" refers to mental calculation to achieve short-term satisfaction by an ordinary mind.

"Do nothing evil" thus means to do everything that is good. It stands to reason to include all acts both openly and in secret.

When one does evil, running away will not allow one to escape the pain of suffering.

Since we are afraid of pain and do not like to suffer, taking refuge in the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is the solution.

By training in the precepts, the Buddhist is doing great good. His actions will neutralize the evil he has done.

The Bodhisattva who Preached the Buddhadharma

Dharmaprabhasa Buddha was once the arahat Purna.

Bodhisattva Purna is the penultimate of Buddhist preachers. His mission in Sudana helped the natives become better farmers, and later, 500 of them joined his sangha there.

Thus, the preacher Purna achieved Nirvana and was reborn as Dharmaprabhasa Buddha.

This Love Knows No Bounds (a Poem)

Where mere mortals fear to tread,
this sacred Love True
stands high above human lust,
for but a heartbeat,
this Love knows no common bounds.

At birth we suffer;
in life we suffer also;
yet when your time draws
to a close so suddenly,
forget regret and expire.

Nothing lasts, I know this Truth;
Birth is followed by
Life, and Life by Death again!
Yet life is both joy
and pain, no profit, no gain!

What is this True Love
but the heart-mind unfolded,
at peace with the world
and with the Buddha, Dharma,
and the Sangha? It is Love.

When my body becomes dust,
and my mind a memory lost,
where is the soul? What of karma?
In death my past actions move on.
For what is karma but this Love
so precious that knows no bounds?

Namu Amida Butsu!

The Four Buddhist Blessings (poem)

A blessing: the arising of Awakened Ones.
A blessing: the teaching of true Dhamma.
A blessing: the concord of the Sangha.
The austerity of those in concord
is a blessing.

-Dhammapada, 14, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkh

Blessed are we by the Buddhas
past, present and future.
Blessed are we by the teachings
of the Dharma true.
Blessed are we by the guidance
of the Sangha,
be they monk, nun or layperson.
With their aid
may all of us be blessed
to go to the Pure Land after death,
and return to this Saha world
to help spiritually awaken all sentient beings.

Vow of Three Treasures

To the end of time, I take refuge in the Buddha;
To the end of time, I take refuge in the Dharma;
To the end of time, I take refuge in the Sangha.

This vow is the most valuable of all spiritual practices in Buddhism.

Once you make it, breaking it would lead to the eight wrongs as opposed to the rights of the Eightfold Path.

So choose carefully how sincerely you read the three treasured vows

The True Purpose of the BuddhaDharma

The purpose of the Dharma is to teach the Sangha how to become Buddhas. - Professor Eiken Kobai

As the Buddha said, "Everyone has Buddha Nature". Yet not all people wish to become Buddhas.

To become a Buddha, the Buddhist only needs to commit herself and take the effort to meditate every day.

For the purpose of meditation is to help control the mind. By controlling the mind, the devotee is able to think clearly and critically so as to live a fuller life.

How does one live a fuller life as a Buddhist? By living mindfully in the present moment in all daily activity.

Please click on the labels below this article to learn more about Buddhism.

---

Originally written on January 30, 2006 at 1103H
Updated on February 6, 2013 at 0424H

Ganapati & the Three Treasures (poem)

Homage and divine offerings to Ganapati.
Hail to the Buddha for wisdom.
Hail to the Dharma for truth.
Hail to the Sangha for peaceful discourse.

Om Devadhammoyam Priyaganapatasya

Om devadhammoyam Priyaganapatasya.

Deepest devotion to the Highest Spirit of Ganapati.

Namo Arahato Buddhanamam. - Hail to the Buddha, the symbol of spiritual awakening!

Namo Arahato Dhammanamam. - Hail to the Dharma of compassion!

Namo Arahato Sanghanamam. - Hail to the Sangha, the community of bodhisattvas!

Om Devadhammoyam Priyasurasya

Om devadhammoyam Priyasurasya. -
Deepest devotion to the Highest Spirit.


Namo Arahato Buddhasanam. - Hail to the Buddha, the symbol of spiritual awakening!


Namo Arahato Dhammasanam. - Hail to the Dharma of compassion!


Namo Arahato Sanghasanam. - Hail to the Sangha, the community of bodhisattvas!

Homage to Ganapati (poem)

Om devaganapattoyam Priyasurasya - Divine offerings to the High Spirt of Ganesha!
Namo arahato buddhanamam - Homage to the Buddha.
Namo arahato dhammanamam - Homage to the Dharma.
Namo arahato sanghanamam - Homage to the Sangha.