HeShang's (Venerable Haiyun Jimeng) classification:
The Enlightened: The one who is able to describe the references or experience first hand.
The ideologist: one who researches on the first hand references and converts it into second hand resources.
The philosopher: one who researches on the second hand references and converts it into third hand resources.
The scholar: one who researches on the third hand references and converts it into forth hand resources.
The specialist or craftsman: one who researches on the forth hand references and converts it into fifth hand resources.
See how HeShang has his own first hand answer to most of the things...
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Essence, Manifestation and Function
Here are some questions raised by my friend:
1."Why is there something instead of nothing?"
2."If all IS "nothing", what is the point of it all?"
3."If the mind is no-thing (and we get some kind of "enlightenment"), what is the purpose. "We" now know how the universe IS (in some sense of "knowing"), but what then?
4."If the universe is constantly expanding, into WHAT is it expanding?"
Based on these questions, I like to suggest that we need to understand the three aspects of all phenomena : the Essence, the Manifestation (form/appearance) and the Function(usage/application/purpose).
The Essence of all phenomena is emptiness (or nothingness) as it has no substance and inconceivable.
Manifestation takes place due to dependent originations (causes and factors). When the causes and factors disappear, manifestation no longer or cannot take place.
Function takes place in many dimensions and aspects, like the Net of Indra, all inter-related and inter-dependent.
This is the over-simplified version of the answer. A deep and detail explanation will required hours of discussion.
Wish that this will arouse some of the readers to study more about Huayen.
Try to use more of the sensation aspect and less of the rational thinking aspect of our ability, a different realm will appear to you.
1."Why is there something instead of nothing?"
2."If all IS "nothing", what is the point of it all?"
3."If the mind is no-thing (and we get some kind of "enlightenment"), what is the purpose. "We" now know how the universe IS (in some sense of "knowing"), but what then?
4."If the universe is constantly expanding, into WHAT is it expanding?"
Based on these questions, I like to suggest that we need to understand the three aspects of all phenomena : the Essence, the Manifestation (form/appearance) and the Function(usage/application/purpose).
The Essence of all phenomena is emptiness (or nothingness) as it has no substance and inconceivable.
Manifestation takes place due to dependent originations (causes and factors). When the causes and factors disappear, manifestation no longer or cannot take place.
Function takes place in many dimensions and aspects, like the Net of Indra, all inter-related and inter-dependent.
This is the over-simplified version of the answer. A deep and detail explanation will required hours of discussion.
Wish that this will arouse some of the readers to study more about Huayen.
Try to use more of the sensation aspect and less of the rational thinking aspect of our ability, a different realm will appear to you.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Develop our own mode of thinking
I was with Master Haiyun for a week in Ann Arbor, his reply to many existential questions raised by us:
Authentic Life consists of three elements:
1) Faith
2) Quest for Existential/Ultimate Truth
3) Wisdom
Authentic Life is attained through:
1) Quest for Existential/Ultimate Truth (Raising existential doubts)
2) Searching, Scrutinizing, and Re-assurance (Groping)
3) Resolving the difficulties or problems right in front of you at present (daily life issues)
Master Haiyun suggested that we should write down all (existential) questions in a journal on a regular basis.
We should keep on raising questions in our mind; having them written down in the journal without asking anyone for the answers. We keep on asking, searching, transcending and rectifying. By the time we have 4000-5000 questions, we should be able to have answers for the first 1000 questions ourselves. The answers to these existential questions should be self-reflective, arise from our heart, grown with our nature. Answers provided by others through words are ineffective. Only through self-examining and self-assurance, we can evoke the wholesome intrinsic nature (Factors of Life) within us.
Questions are fragmentary. The true answer lies in having developed one’s own “Mode of Thinking”. Master Haiyun wants to teach us the method of how to develop our own mode of thinking. However as an individual, we have to research and construct on our own. The deeper the intensity of the questions and the higher the frequency of the questions lead to more advanced attainments.
Keeps on raising the questions, having faith and wisdom will developed.
Recorded by Lung Zhi
Illusive Life consists of three elements:
1) Memory
2) Logical Reasoning
3) Pre-determinate Goal/Objective
Authentic Life consists of three elements:
1) Faith
2) Quest for Existential/Ultimate Truth
3) Wisdom
Authentic Life is attained through:
1) Quest for Existential/Ultimate Truth (Raising existential doubts)
2) Searching, Scrutinizing, and Re-assurance (Groping)
3) Resolving the difficulties or problems right in front of you at present (daily life issues)
Master Haiyun suggested that we should write down all (existential) questions in a journal on a regular basis.
We should keep on raising questions in our mind; having them written down in the journal without asking anyone for the answers. We keep on asking, searching, transcending and rectifying. By the time we have 4000-5000 questions, we should be able to have answers for the first 1000 questions ourselves. The answers to these existential questions should be self-reflective, arise from our heart, grown with our nature. Answers provided by others through words are ineffective. Only through self-examining and self-assurance, we can evoke the wholesome intrinsic nature (Factors of Life) within us.
Questions are fragmentary. The true answer lies in having developed one’s own “Mode of Thinking”. Master Haiyun wants to teach us the method of how to develop our own mode of thinking. However as an individual, we have to research and construct on our own. The deeper the intensity of the questions and the higher the frequency of the questions lead to more advanced attainments.
Keeps on raising the questions, having faith and wisdom will developed.
Recorded by Lung Zhi
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Meditation on Loving-kindness
Gunasekera forwarded me the following from Ken and Visakha Kawasaki:
Would like to share with you...
Meditation on Loving-kindness
May my mind be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May I be generous.
May I be gentle.
May I be relaxed.
May I be happy and peaceful.
May I be healthy.
May my heart become soft.
May my words be pleasing to others.
May I be a source of peace and happiness.
May I be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of my teachers be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of my parents and dear ones be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of all strangers be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of all unfriendly persons be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of all living beings be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May my mind be free of greed, anger, aversion, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May the thought of loving-kindness embrace me and envelope me.
May every cell, every drop of blood, every atom, and every molecule of my entire body and mind be charged with the thought of friendliness.
May my body be relaxed.
May my mind be relaxed.
May my body and mind be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade my entire body and mind.
May the minds of everyone in this room be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May the minds of everyone in this building be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this street be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this city be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this region be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this nation be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone on this continent be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this universe be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May every being touched by these thoughts of loving-kindness be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May they be happy-hearted.
May they be free from worries and troubles.
May all beings in all directions throughout the universe be happy.
May they have good fortune.
May they be prosperous.
May they have good friends
May they be filled with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, and measureless
May they be free from enmity affliction, and anxiety.
May they live happily.
May all those who are imprisoned legally or illegally, all who are in police custody anywhere in the world waiting trials meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May all who are in hospitals suffering from sickness meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their bodies and minds.
May all mothers who are in pain in delivering babies meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all parents taking care of their children meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all children abused by adults in any way meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all rulers be gentle, kind, generous, compassionate, and considerate
May they have the best understanding of the oppressed, the underprivileged, the discriminated, and the poverty-stricken.
May their hearts melt at the suffering of these unfortunate citizens.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May the oppressed, the underprivileged, the discriminated, and the poverty-stricken meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all beings in all directions, all around the universe be happy.
May they have good fortune.
May they be prosperous.May they be famous.
May they have good friends.After death may they be reborn in a happy destination.
May they be reborn in the heavens.
SADHU! SADHU!! SADHU!!!
Please visit our websites
Buddhist Relief Mission: < http://www.brelief.org/ <http://www.brelief.org/> >
Relief Notes: < http://home.earthlink.net/~brelief <http://home.earthlink.net/~brelief> >
Sri Lanka reports: < http://www.brelief.org/reports/
Jayamangala Gatha video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXa5mw97b-I
Would like to share with you...
Meditation on Loving-kindness
May my mind be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May I be generous.
May I be gentle.
May I be relaxed.
May I be happy and peaceful.
May I be healthy.
May my heart become soft.
May my words be pleasing to others.
May I be a source of peace and happiness.
May I be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of my teachers be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of my parents and dear ones be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of all strangers be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of all unfriendly persons be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May the minds of all living beings be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May they be generous.
May they be gentle.
May they be relaxed.
May they be happy and peaceful.
May they be healthy.
May their hearts become soft.
May their words be pleasing to others.
May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness.
May my mind be free of greed, anger, aversion, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May the thought of loving-kindness embrace me and envelope me.
May every cell, every drop of blood, every atom, and every molecule of my entire body and mind be charged with the thought of friendliness.
May my body be relaxed.
May my mind be relaxed.
May my body and mind be filled with the thought of loving-kindness.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade my entire body and mind.
May the minds of everyone in this room be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May the minds of everyone in this building be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this street be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this city be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this region be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this nation be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone on this continent be free from greed, . . .
May the minds of everyone in this universe be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May every being touched by these thoughts of loving-kindness be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.
May they be happy-hearted.
May they be free from worries and troubles.
May all beings in all directions throughout the universe be happy.
May they have good fortune.
May they be prosperous.
May they have good friends
May they be filled with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, and measureless
May they be free from enmity affliction, and anxiety.
May they live happily.
May all those who are imprisoned legally or illegally, all who are in police custody anywhere in the world waiting trials meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, and fear.May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May all who are in hospitals suffering from sickness meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their bodies and minds.
May all mothers who are in pain in delivering babies meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all parents taking care of their children meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all children abused by adults in any way meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all rulers be gentle, kind, generous, compassionate, and considerate
May they have the best understanding of the oppressed, the underprivileged, the discriminated, and the poverty-stricken.
May their hearts melt at the suffering of these unfortunate citizens.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May the oppressed, the underprivileged, the discriminated, and the poverty-stricken meet with peace and happiness.
May they be free from pain, afflictions, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fear.
May these thoughts of loving-kindness embrace them and envelope them.
May the peace and tranquillity of loving-kindness pervade their entire bodies and minds.
May all beings in all directions, all around the universe be happy.
May they have good fortune.
May they be prosperous.May they be famous.
May they have good friends.After death may they be reborn in a happy destination.
May they be reborn in the heavens.
SADHU! SADHU!! SADHU!!!
Please visit our websites
Buddhist Relief Mission: < http://www.brelief.org/ <http://www.brelief.org/> >
Relief Notes: < http://home.earthlink.net/~brelief <http://home.earthlink.net/~brelief> >
Sri Lanka reports: < http://www.brelief.org/reports/
Jayamangala Gatha video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXa5mw97b-I
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