Tests.... some have to take them...

I've been very busy with my new venture with a few friends. Yes... the Cafe business... F&B line is exciting but it can be very tedious and it's totally hands on.

I'm rather amazed that I've decided to venture into this line. It's all alien to me. Being a Feng Shui consultant was one thing and now, running a cafe is something unexpected. But, so is the case in life. Life itself is an unpredictable process and we're faced with numerous choices we make that will alter our path. So, this long and winding road not taken is what I have to walk on.

This is a test... for me....


Sadhu!

Ullambana... time to repent, pay debts and be filial...

The month of Ullambana for a me is a special month... It is also a month of constant reality check on myself, What have I done wrong? Whom I have cause hurt and grief, through body, speech and mind actions. Every morning, I make a confession on wrong deeds I have done the previous day and atone for my mistakes. It is also a time for me to mindful at all times to make sure I do not repeat the same mistakes I made yesterday.

It is also a time for all monks and nuns in all Buddhist traditions to check with themselves what progress they have made in their cultivation, their errors committed and to seek forgiveness and repentance for their erred actions. It is encouraged by Sakyamuni Buddha to always seek repentance for mistakes done, to be mindful at all times and to do what is right, avoid what is not right and purify your mind so that the defiled mind can be transformed into the pure bright mind it originally was.

If all good Buddhists would take this special month to observe their precepts as pure as they can, take an hour off their daily schedule to meditate, chant sutras, perform merits and virtues, and dedicate their merits to all sentient beings, such auspicious karmic actions is wonderful. Use the month of Ullambana to be mindful, to bring auspiciousness, joy, reassurance and courage to those who need these qualities, Be compassionate as Avalokiteshvara, Be as brave as Ksitigarbha, Conduct yourself like Samanthabhadra, Be as wise as Manjushri. Everyday, we remind ourselves to have qualities like these great bodhisattvas so we can transform not only ourselves but others whom we have affinity with us.

Ullambana - The month of filial piety...

Come this monday, August 13th 2007 is the Chinese 7th lunar month 1st day. Traditionally, in the Taoist mythology, the 7th lunar month is the celebration of the Zhong Yuan (中元). There are 3 yuans in the Chinese lunar calender. The 1st, Shang Yuan (上元) is celebrated on 1st lunar month of the lunar calender, the 2nd is on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. The 3rd and last, Xia Yuan (下元) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 11th lunar month. The 3 Yuan celebrations is to honor the Ancient emperor deities of the Heaven, Earth and Sea.



Coincidently, the 7th Month is also the Month of the Wondering and Lost Spirits. It is known as Yu Lan Pen Festival (于蘭盆) It is derived from the Buddhist holy month of Ullambana. According to Taoist traditions, On Monday, the Gates of Hell will be open as the Hell Ministers, Officials and security officers will commence their 1 month leave (Even the Underworld officials need a holiday too! :D) So, during this month, the Gates of Hell (鬼門開) will open and spirits will be roaming free in earth.



From a Buddhist teaching, The month of Ullambana is the month where the Noble Sanghan community will be in retreat for the rains. It is also at this time, the lay community will bring their offerings to the temples where the Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis reside. During this month of Buddhist lent, the Monks and Nuns will meditate and study and cultivate very rigorously.

Why the Taoist and Buddhist regard this month as holy? The Taoist believe that this is the month where the Jade Emperor will send his Imperial Edict to the Underworld to release the spirits so they can roam free and settle old debts to those who owe them. At the same, time, the Ancestors will be free to go back to their homes to see and reunite with their living descendants.



For the Buddhist, the month of Ullambana is to perform a lot of Dana (Giving) doing donations, releasing lives, volunteer work at Buddhist and Taoist temples, They recite sutras and mantras and hold Dharma activities and assemblies to liberate sentient beings. They cultivate to obtain merits on behalf of their departed ones. To increase one's virtues and to be filial to one's parents, ancestors and to admonish their wrong doings by going for repentance. All these practices and rituals done are to increase merits so the living can dedicate and transfer to the departed ones.

For the Chinese community, this is a month filled with horror stories, taboos and eerie encounters with the YIN (陰) community they call them the 'good brothers and sisters', (好兄第，好自妹) . Due to this misconception of this special occasion, A lot of people are very fearful and superstitious about the month of the 'Hungry Ghost'.

So don't be afraid, but at the same time, don't court their attention. These sentient brothers and sisters are real.. they are very real. However, they are also like us, revolving around the wheel of SAMSARA, so we shld take pity and have pure hearts and minds, do as much as you can so to help relieve and liberate them from their suffering as well as clearing your own karma.




Lastly, the 30th day of the 7th lunar month is also the anniversary of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Di Zang Wang PuSa: 地藏王菩薩) the Bodhisattva who is the ruler of the 6 realms, guardian of the Saha (Samsara) World. Therefore, we should be mindful, keep our precepts pure and perform as much meritorious deeds and cultivate harder so that all the merits and virtues accrued can be dedicated to the sentient beings.

Namah Samanta Buddhanam, Om Ha Ha Ha Vismaye Svaha!

Namah Arya Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya!

Om Pra Mani Dani Svaha!

It's all in your Mind....

I've been having a good chat with a fellow cultivator, Vivian and we came across a few realizations. The wonders of the human civilization, inventions and technologies all are created by the mind. The very worst aspects of human behavior, traits and the inauspiciousness we see now in our world is also caused by our very own mind. The mind it self is actually pure, But because of our views, be it positive or negative; it becomes so. When we both realized this, we had a astounded look on our face, and we both suddenly nod at each other, silently we agreed with the principles as discovered by our Master, Shakyamuni Buddha.

Our mind is the same like the mind of the Buddha, It has always been with the Buddhas of the Past and the future Tathagathas (Thus Come Ones). Since we possess the same nature and is originally pure, we also came to understand why it is tainted. Our mind becomes defiled when we have wrong views (or perceptions) of our true self (our mind) We become 'Prisoners' of our own creations, our own cages.

And as the mind is the most dynamic wonderful nature, we can create, destroy, nourish and protect all things. If we can train our minds and use it for the good cause, then this earth that we live in will be come a Utopia, a Pure land (Heaven to some) paradise to others.

We ourselves are responsible for our own destiny, our karma, our future, our very own happiness. Each of us have our 'karma' and role to play and fulfill in this and future lives, What matters most is to do what is right now.....

We both nod in silent agreement.

The Ten Dharma-Realms

The Ten Dharma-Realms
By Ch'an Master Hsuan Hua

The Ten Dharma-Realms
Are Not Beyond A Single Thought

The Ten Dharma-Realms

If there are people who wish to understand
All Buddhas of the three periods of time,
They should contemplate the nature of the Dharmarealm:
The Tathagatas are made from mind alone.

The Dharmarealm of Buddhas

Neither great nor small,
Neither gone nor come,
In world systems like motes of dust
They shine upon each others' lotus thrones.

The Dharmarealm of Bodhisattvas

Sentient beings when enlightened
Leap out of the dust.
Their six perfections and ten thousand practices
At all times are nurtured.

The Dharmarealm of Those Enlightened to Conditions

The holy sage enlightened to conditions
Doze high on mountain peaks alone.
Springtime's flowers wither in the fall
In an interconnected cycle of twelve links.

The Dharmarealm of Sound-Hearers

The Sravaka Sangha
Both men and women
Contemplate and practice the four holy truths,
Concealing the real and displaying the provisional.

The Dharmarealm of Gods

The six desire and brahma gods,
With five precepts and ten good acts,
Plant seeds that have outflows
So the turning wheel is hard to stop.

The Dharmarealm of Asuras

Asuras have a violent nature,
Laden with blessings, lacking power.
Absolutely determined to fight,
They bob along in karma's tow.

The Dharmarealm of People

The way of men is harmony,
With merit and error interspersed.
On virtuous deeds you rise, offenses make you fall,
It has nothing to do with anyone else at all.

The Dharmarealm of Animals

Eager animals feed on greed,
Never sated by a lot,
Because they make what's black white
They don't distinguish wrong from right.

The Dharmarealm of Hungry Ghosts

The ghostly crew delights in hate,
Deluded by effects, confused about cause.
Their ignorance and upsidedownness
Grows greater each day, deeper each month.

The Dharmarealm of Hells

The hell's anxiety and suffering Is devoid of doors, yet one bores right in.
Giving rise to delusion, deeds are done.
The retribution is borne in due accord.

All these ten realms a single thought,
Are not apart from your present thought.
Being able to awake to that thought,
Is climbing to stand on the other shores.

Spreading Metta and Compassion to KL!!!!

If you have not heard, Three dates that you should remember so you can clear up your schedule for those days, July 30th, 31st. and Aug 1st. Why? It is a day of great love, compassion and Metta. This is a nationwide affair and is organized by a Buddhist Foundation aimed to promote Peace, Harmony and Compassion (Karuna in Sanskrit) for not only Malaysia, but the whole world.

August 1st (Gregorian Calender) is the Anniversary of Guan Shi Yin (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva's accomplishment of Enlightenment. Therefore, it is only befitting to celebrate this auspicious event with such a power-charged and meaningful Puja and Dharma activities. This is akin to the dynamic activities of our Christian brothers and Sisters' evangelism and their spiritually charged mass services.

We honor the Great Compassionate One with such a celebration simply because He or She is always with us. The Benevolent One has never forsaken us during our trials and tribulations. We just have forgotten him/ her when we're too involved in our survival on this Samsara world.

Come and take some time and join thousands of other Buddhists throughout the city and the country to celebrate, make and dedicate merits to all beings, sentient and insentient throughout the 3 thousand world systems so we can remember, exhort ourselves and guide others in the Dharma journey so we can discover our own Buddha nature and resonate with Guan Yin...

Namo Da Bei Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa
（南無大悲觀世音菩薩）
Om Mani Pad-me Hum...

Visit www.guanyinworld.org for more details!!!!

The Heart Sutra - Wisdom beyond words and meaning.. Nod if you understand...

Prajnaparamita Hrihdaya Sutra

Aryavalokitesvara bodhisattva gambhiram prajnaparamita caryam caramano vyavalokayati
sma panca skandhas tams ca sva bhava sunyam pasyati sma . Iha Shariputra rupam sunyata va rupam rupan na prithak sunyata sunyataya na prithag rupam yad rupam sa sunyata ya sunyata sa rupam evam eva vedana samjna samskara vijnanam.

Iha Shariputra sarva dharma sunyata laksana anutpanna anruddha avmala anuna aparpurnata sariputra sunyatayam na rupam na vedana na samjna na samskara na vijnana. Na caksur srotam na ghrana jih-va kaya manasa, na rupa shabda gandha rasa spistavya dharmah na caksur dhatu ya van na mano vijnanam dhatu

na vidya na vidya na vidya ksayo va vidya ksayo ya van jaramaranam na jaramarana ksayo
na duhkha samudaya nirdoha marga jna-na jnanam na prapti na bhismaya tasmai na praptitva bodhisattva prajnaparamita asrityaviha ratya citta varano vidya ksayo na vidya ksayo yavan jaramaranam na jaramarana ksayo na duhkha samudaya nirodha marga.

Jnanam na prapti na habhi samaya tasmat na prapti tva bodhisattvanam prajnaparamita asrityaviha ratya citta avarana citta avarana siddhitvad atrasto vipa riyasa abi kranta ni stha nirvanam.

Trya dha vyava sthitah sarva buddhah prajna-paramitam asritya anuttaram samyaksambodhim abdhisambuddha.Tasmat jnata vyam prajna-paramita, maha mantra, maha vidya mantra, anuttara mantra, asama samati mantra. Sarva duhkha prasa manam sat yam amith-yatva, prajna-paramitam mukha mantra:

Tadyatha: GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SVAHA

"When the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was coursing in the Deep Prajna Paramita."
"He Perceived That All Five Skandhas Are Empty." "Thus He Overcame All Ills and Suffering."

"Oh, Sariputra, Form Does not Differ From the Void, And the Void Does Not Differ From Form. Form is Void and Void is Form; The Same is True For Feelings,
Perceptions, Volitions and Consciousness."

"Sariputra, the Characteristics of the Voidness of All Dharmas Are Non-Arising, Non-Ceasing, Non-Defiled, Non-Pure, Non-Increasing, Non-Decreasing." "Therefore, in the Void There Are No Forms, No Feelings, Perceptions, Volitions or Consciousness."

"No Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue, Body or Mind; No Form, Sound, Smell, Taste, Touch or Mind Object; No Realm of the Eye, Until We Come to No realm of Consciousness."

"No ignorance and Also No Ending of Ignorance, Until We Come to No Old Age and Death and No Ending of Old Age and Death." "Also, There is No Truth of Suffering,
Of the Cause of Suffering, Of the Cessation of Suffering, Nor of the Path."

"There is No Wisdom, and There is No Attainment Whatsoever. Because There is Nothing to Be Attained, The Bodhisattva Relying On Prajna Paramita Has No Obstruction in His Mind."

"Because There is No Obstruction, He Has no Fear, And He passes Far Beyond Confused Imagination. And Reaches Ultimate Nirvana."

"The Buddhas of the Past, Present and Future, By Relying on Prajna Paramita, Have Attained Supreme Enlightenment. Therefore, the Prajna Paramita is the Great Magic Spell, The Spell of Illumination, the Supreme Spell, Which Can Truly Protect One From All Suffering Without Fail."

"Therefore He Uttered the Spell of Prajnaparmita,
Saying Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha."

Nama Arya Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva Mahakarunakaya!

Namo Great Compassionate Avalokitheshvara Pusa! Om Mani Padme Hum!

Come August 1st (Chinese Calender: 6th Lunar Month, 19th day) , The enlightenment anniversary of Bodhisattva Mahasattva Great Compassionate Guan Shi Yin shall be celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists. The beloved Compassionate One's anniversary is celebrated 3 times a year. Chinese calender : 2nd lunar Month, 19th day, 6th lunr month, 19th day, 9th lunar month 19th day. Why is Guan Shi Yin is so popular and dear to us here within the Samsara world? It's simply because Guan Yin has affinities with us. Along with another Great Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Di Zang PuSa). Together with our Buddha Sakyamuni, the 3 Saha Sages looks after our samsara world.



As Guan Shi Yin's anniversary is coming soon. I have devoted this blog to the Great compassionate one. One with a thousand hands and eyes looking in all ten directions to respond to the cries of all sentient beings. One with 33 transformation bodies and multiple awesome spiritual powers. The Blue neck and whose 6 syllable true words resonate with your heart. One who is also a transformation of the Mother of 7 Koti Buddhas, and whose tears arose out of compassion gave birth to the Green and White goddesses.


Unworthy disciple, with 7 limbs on the ground, making 5 fold prostrations, sincerely request Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva to be ever closer to all of us, guide us and teach us so we can realize our own error and we shall not commit more karmic offenses. Guide us so we can dwell in the blissfulness of the Dharma and be in your state of mind.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THE UNIVERSAL DOOR OF GUANSHI YIN BODHISATTVA
(THE BODHISATTVA WHO CONTEMPLATES THE SOUNDS OF THE WORLD)

AT THAT TIME Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva rose from his seat, uncovered his right shoulder, placed his palms together, and facing the Buddha, said, "World Honored One, for what reason is the Bodhisattva Guanshiyin called ‘Guanshiyin’?"

The Buddha told Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva, "Good man, if any of the limitless hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of living beings who are undergoing all kinds of suffering hear of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva and recite his name single-mindedly, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva will immediately hear their voices and rescue them.

"If a person who upholds the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva enters a great fire, the fire will not burn him, all because of this Bodliisattva’s awesome spiritual power.

"If a person being tossed about in the great sea calls out the Bodhisattva’s name, he will find a shallow place.

"If the hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of beings who seek gold, silver, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, carnelian, coral, amber, pearls, and so forth enter the great sea, an evil wind may toss their boats into the territory of the rakshasa ghosts. But if among them there is even one person who calls out the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, they will all be saved from the difficulty of the rakshasas. For this reason, he is called Guanshiyin.

"Further, if a person who is about to be harmed calls out the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, the knives and staves of the attackers will break into pieces and he will be saved.

"If yakshas and rakshasas enough to fill the three thousand great thousand world system come to torment a person, if they hear him call out the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, all those evil ghosts will not even be able to stare at that person with their evil eyes, how much the less harm him.

"If a person, whether guilty or not, who has been put in stocks or bound with chains calls out the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, his fetters will break apart and he will immediately be freed.

"If bandits enough to fill the three thousand great thousand world system infest a dangerous road on which a merchant chief in charge of costly jewels is leading a group of merchants, but among the merchants there is even a single person who says, ‘Good men, do not be afraid! You should all single-mindedly recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva. This Bodhisattva bestows fearlessness upon living beings. If you recite his name, you shall surely be saved from these robbers,’ and if upon hearing that, the merchants all cry out together, ‘Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva,’ then they will immediately be saved because they recited his name.

"Inexhaustible Intention! The awesome spiritual power of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Guanshiyin is as lofty and sublime as that!

"If living beings who have much sexual desire constantly and reverently recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, they will be separated from desire.

"If those who have much hatred constantly and reverently recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, they will be separated from hatred.

"If those who are very stupid constantly and reverently recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, they will be separated from stupidity.

"Inexhaustible Intention, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva has great awesome spiritual powers such as these and confers great benefits. Therefore living beings should always be mindful of him.

"If women who seek sons bow and make offerings to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, they will give birth to blessed, virtuous, and wise sons. If they seek daughters, they will give birth to upright and handsome daughters who have planted roots of virtue in previous lives and who are regarded and respected by all.

"Inexhaustible Intention! Guanshiyin Bodhisattva has powers such as these. If there are living beings who reverently bow to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, they will be blessed and their efforts will not be in vain.

"Therefore living beings should all receive and uphold the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva.

"Inexhaustible Intention! If a person were to receive and uphold the names of Bodhisattvas in number as the grains of sand in sixty-two kotis of Ganges Rivers, and in addition were to exhaustively make offerings to them of food, drink, clothing, bedding, and medicine, what do you think—would that good man’s or good woman’s merit and virtue be great or not?"

Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva replied, "Very great, World Honored One."

The Buddha said, "If another person were to receive and uphold the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva and bow and make offerings but once, that person’s blessings would be equal to and not different from the other person’s. They could not be exhausted in hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of eons.

"Inexhaustible Intention, one who receives and upholds the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva obtains the benefit of blessings and virtues as limitless and boundless as those."

Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, how does Guanshiyin Bodhisattva roam through this Saha world? How does he speak the Dharma for living beings? How does he carry out this work with the power of expedients?"

The Buddha told Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva, "Good man, if living beings in this land must be saved by means of someone in the body of a Buddha, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva will manifest itt the body of a Buddha and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Pratyekabuddha, he will manifest in the body of a Pratyekabuddha and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Hearer, he will manifest in the body of a Hearer and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of the Brahma King, he will manifest in the body of the Brahma King and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of Shakra, he will manifest in the body of Shakra and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of the God of Sovereignty, he will manifest in the body of the God of Sovereignty and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of the Great God of Sovereignty, he will manifest in the body of the Great God of Sovereignty and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a great heavenly general, he will manifest in the body of a great heavenly general and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of Vaishravana, he will manifest in the body of Vaishravana and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a minor king, he will manifest in the body of a minor king and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of an Elder, he will manifest in the body of an Elder and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a layman, he will manifest in the body of a layman and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a minister of state, he will manifest in the body of a minister of state and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Brahman, he will manifest in the body of a Brahman and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Bhikshu, Bhikshuni, Upasaka, or Upasika, he will manifest in the body of a Bhikshu, Bhikshuni, Upasaka, or Upasika and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of the wife of an Elder, of a layman, of a minister of state, or of a Brahman, he will manifest in a wife’s body and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a pure youth or a pure maiden, he will manifest in the body of a pure youth or pure maiden and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a heavenly dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, garuda, kinnara, mahoraga, human, or nonhuman, and so forth, he will manifest in such a body and speak Dharma for them.

"If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Vajra-wielding spirit, he will manifest in the body of a Vajra-wielding spirit and speak Dharma for them.

"Inexhaustible Intention! Guanshiyin Bodhisattva has accomplished merit and virtue such as this and, in all manner of forms, roams throughout the land, saving and liberating living beings.

"Therefore you should all single-mindedly make offerings to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva. Guanshiyin Bodhisattva Mahasattva can, in the midst of fear, crisis, and hardship, bestow fearlessness. That is why in this Saha world all call him the "Bestower of Fearlessness."

Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, I shall now make an offering to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva." He then removed his necklace of pearls, its value in the hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold, and offered it to the Bodhisattva, saying, "Humane One, accept this Dharma offering, this necklace of precious pearls."

Guanshiyin Bodhisattva refused to accept it.

Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva again said to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, "Humane One, out of pity for us, accept this necklace."

The Buddha then told Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, "You should take pity on Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva and the fourfold assembly, as well as the gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and so forth, and accept this necklace."

Then, out of pity for the fourfold assembly, the gods, dragons, humans, nonhumans, and so forth, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva accepted the necklace. He divided it into two parts: one part he offered to Shakyamuni Buddha and the other to the stupa of Many Jewels Buddha.

"Inexhaustible Intention, such is the self-mastery and spiritual power of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, who roams throughout the Saha world."

At that time, Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva used verses to ask this question:

World Honored One, complete with wondrous marks,
I now ask again,
Why is this disciple of the Buddha Called Guanshiyin?

The Honored One of Perfect, Wondrous Marks,
With verses answered Inexhaustible Intention:
Listen to the practice of Guanyin,
Who skillfully responds in all places.

With vast vows, as deep as the sea,
Throughout inconceivable eons,
He has served many thousands of kotis of Buddhas,
And has made great, pure vows.

I shall now tell you in brief,
That for those who hear his name or see him,
And who are mindful of his name unceasingly,
He can extinguish the suffering of all realms of existence.

If someone is the victim of another’s harmful intent,
And is pushed into a pit of fire,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
The pit of fire will turn into a pool.
If someone is being tossed about in the great sea,
And is surrounded by the dangers of dragons, fish, and ghosts,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
The waves will not drown him.

If someone is on the peak of Mount Sumeru,
And another person tries to push him off,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
He will stand firm as the sun in space.

If someone is pursued by evil people,
Who want to throw him off a Vajra Mountain,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
Not a single hair on his body will be harmed.

If someone is surrounded by vicious bandits,
Who threaten him with knives,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
The bandits will all give rise to compassion.

If someone is in trouble with the law,
And on the verge of being executed,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
The knives will break into pieces.

If someone is imprisoned, shackled, or chained,
Or if his hands and feet are in stocks,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
His bonds will open and he will be free.

If someone is about to be harmed,
By mantras, spells, or poison,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
The harm will all return to the sender.

If someone meets with evil rakshasas,
Poisonous dragons, or ghosts,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
They will then not dare to harm him.

If someone is surrounded by vicious beasts,
With fearsome fangs and claws,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
The beasts will quickly run far away.

Poisonous snakes and scorpions,
Have blazing lethal vapors,
But if one evokes the strength of Guanyin,
At the sound of one’s voice, they will disperse.

Clouds of roaring thunder and lightning
May send down hail or great floods of rain,
But if one evokes the strength of Guanyin,
The clouds will immediately scatter.

Living beings are beset with hardships,
And oppressed by limitless sufferings.
The power of Guanyin’s wondrous wisdom
Can rescue the world from suffering.

Complete with the power of spiritual penetrations,
Vastly cultivating wisdom and expedient means,
Going throughout countries in the ten directions,
He manifests everywhere in all places.

The various evil destinies,
Those of the hells, ghosts, and animals,
And the pain of birth, old age, sickness, and death
Are all gradually wiped away.

True Contemplator, Pure Contemplator,
Contemplator with Vast, Great Wisdom,
Compassionate Contemplator, Kind Contemplator,
May we constantly behold you with reverence!

Undefiled pure light,
The sun of wisdom that breaks through the darkness
Is able to quell calamities of wind and fire
As it shines on all worlds.

Compassionate substance: the thunder of precepts.
Kind intent: a wondrous great cloud.
He rains down sweet dew and Dharma rain,
Which extinguish the flames of affliction.

In the midst of contention, when faced with lawsuits,
Or when someone is terrified on the battlefield,
If he evokes the strength of Guanyin,
All his many enemies will scatter and leave.
Wondrous your sound, Contemplator of the World’s Sounds
A pure sound, a sound like the sea tide,
A sound beyond all worldly sounds,
We shall always bear it in mind.

In thought after thought we have no doubt:
Guanshiyin is pure and sagely.
In times of suffering, agony, danger, and death,
He is our refuge and protector.

Complete with all merit and virtue,
His kind eyes watching living beings,
He is endowed with massive blessings, limitless as the sea.
Therefore we should reverently worship him.

At that time the Bodhisattva Guardian of the Earth rose from his seat and said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, if there are those who hear this chapter of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, who learn about the self-mastery of his deeds and the power of his spiritual penetrations as shown in this Universal Door, you should know that the merit and virtue of such people will not be small."

When the Buddha had spoken the "Universal Door Chapter," eighty-four thousand living beings in the assembly all brought forth the resolve for anuttarasamyaksambodhi.

Kill your negative Karma.. Do it the Great Vehicle Way

Earlier post on karmic purification is for those who have affinity with the Vajrayana Tradition, The way of the Diamond Vehicle. Today's post is using the Method of Mahayana - The Great Vehicle.

There are a few Dharma methods one can use to remove and purify your unwholesome karmic actions. The most important thing one must do is to take refuge in the Triple Gem. Who and What is the Triple Gem? They are the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

Buddha - 1st of the Triple Gem

'Buddham Saranam Gacchami'
'Dhammam Saranam Gacchami'
'Sangham Saranam Gacchami'

- The 1st verse uttered in the Theravadin Paritta Pali text. It means I seek Refuge in the Buddha. Again in the Mahayana Tradition, the verse for refuge taking is similar :

I return and rely on the Buddha, Vowing that may all sentient beings,
sincerely seek the noble path and develop the Bodhicitta.

I return and rely on the Dharma, Vowing that may all sentient beings, enter the Dharma Treasury trove, obtaining wisdom as wide as the ocean.

I return and rely on the Sangha, Vowing that mall all sentient beings, cultivate in unison with one mind and heart, returning to the other shore.

The Vajrayana Tradition verse for taking refuge in the Triple Gem is as follows :

Until I am enlightened,
I go for refuge to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Through the virtue I create by practising giving and the other perfections,
may I become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.

When one has decided to be a Buddhist, one has also realized about Karma and the potential harm it can do to one's life. The next step is to listen to the Dharma from the Venerable Dharma Masters and apply it with vigor.

In Mahayana, (which is devotional Buddhism), there a few Dharma methods to help eradicate and purify one's own unwholesome karmic action.

Dharma method of Amitabha Buddha (Buddha name recitation) NIEN FO （念佛）.
It is said that in every Chinese household, there's a GUAN YIN and every temple there is AMITABHA. Amitabha Buddha is the Buddha of the Pure Land of the West. His name is Infinite Light (无梁光. His other name is Infinite Life（无量寿）. His place is known as SUKHAVATI. There are a few Sutras in which Buddha Sakyamuni expounded the qualities of this Buddha. The Pure land Buddhists diligently recites his name. His name is like an e-mail tha you send to Amitabha to secure a place in his Pureland, so when your present life ends, you will gain the right for rebirth in Sukhavati so you can meet Amitabha Buddha along with Guan Shi Yin (Avalokiteshvara) and Da Shi Zhi (Mahastamahprapta) Bodhisattvas, together with the Bodhisattva Mahasattva assembly of the Lotus Pool. They will welcome you and together you will get to hear the Dharma and cultivate/ practice under the tutelage of Buddha Amitabha.

The Pureland and Bodhisattva Assembly of Buddha Amitabha

His famous Sutra is the 'Buddha Speaks of the Amitabha Sutra' (佛说阿弥陀经) and the Sutra of Contemplation of the Buddha of Infinite Life and Light. One can eradicate one's karmic offenses by sincerely repeating the Holy name of Buddha Amitabha, and or recite the Dharani Mantra for removing Deeply rooted karmic offenses and to obtain rebirth in the Pure Land.

Buddha Amitabha

Here is the Sanskrit version:

Namo Amitābhāya tathāgatāya.
Tadyathā: amrtod bhave, amrta siddham bhave, amrta vikrānte.
Amrta vikrānta gāmine, gagana kīrti kare, svāhā!

The Chinese Version of the Dharani:

南無阿彌多婆夜。哆他伽多夜。哆地夜他。阿彌利都婆毗。阿彌利哆。
悉耽婆毗。阿彌唎哆。毗迦蘭帝。阿彌唎哆。毗迦蘭多。
伽彌膩。伽伽那。 枳多迦利。莎婆訶。

The Vajrayana Tradition has Amitabha's mantra as

"OM AMI-DEWA- HRIH!"

May Buddha Amitabha's light of compassion shine upon you! May Amitabha blesses you with long life and may you be reborn into his Pureland when this life ends! Namo A Mi Tuo Fo!

Kill your karma! Do it the diamond way!

"OM VAJRA-SATTVA HUM!"

In my last post, I talked about karma, and by now, you'd realize that your whole karmic actions can comprised of wholesome and unwholesome. So how do you rid of your karmic actions, especially those unwholesome ones, There are a few ways taught by Sakyamuni Buddha, The Bhagavan has left us a treasure trove of Dharmas for us to select and use.

One of the Dharma methods one can use to eradicate and purify one's karmic actions is throuhg the blessings and powers of Vajrasattva. Here is the instructions on using Vajrasattva's way to purify one's karma. I hope all who has affinity with the beloved Vajrasattva may use this and help themselves and others!

May you be well and happy!
Om Ah hum!

The Vajrasattva Mantra

Vajrasattva is one of the key Buddhas in the Vajrayana pantheon. He signifies the truth of the Buddha's message that has always existed and is expressed through the Buddha's teachings. After taking refuge and engendering bodhicitta - the commitment to help all beings to enlightenment - the individual is required to practice reciting the hundred-syllable Vajrasattva mantra. However, it is also possible to use the six-syllable mantra: Om Vajrasattva Hum. The process involves visualizing Vajrasattva, reciting the mantra, offering confession and then dedicating any merit one has gained in the process to all sentient beings.

Purification

One of the key factors in this practice is that of purification. The meditation involves imagining all one's previous harmful deeds as 'soot and sludge' being expelled from one's body like 'chunks of ice' to be replaced by an elixir of light emanating from Vajrasattva, This is said to effect a a profound cleansing. By repeating this practice major misdeeds will not be repeated and minor ones will be eventually purified. The essential message of this practice is: 'Abandon all harmful deeds; perform wholesome ones'.

Vajrasattva Purification

From Ven. Thubten Chodron's Pearl of Wisdom, Book II
(used with permission)

Visualization

Visualize about four inches above your head an open white lotus upon which is a moon disc. Vajrasattva is seated upon this. He is white, translucent and adorned with beautiful ornaments and clothes of celestial silk. His two hands are crossed at his heart; the right holds a vajra, symbolic of great bliss; his left holds a bell, symbolic of the wisdom of emptiness. The vajra and bell together signify his attainment of the enlightened state, the inseparable unity of the wisdom and form bodies. At his heart is a moon disc with the seed-syllable HUM at its center and the letters of Vajrasattva's hundred-syllable mantra standing clockwise around its edge.

Refuge and Generating Bodhicitta (three times)

I take refuge in the Three Jewels.
I will liberate all sentient beings and lead them to enlightenment.
Thus, I will perfectly generate the mind dedicated to attaining
enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The Power of Regret

Recollect, with deep regret, the specific negativities you have created. Then meditate deeply on the meaning of the following:

"The negative karma I have accumulated from beginningless time is as extensive as the ocean. Although I know that each negative action leads to countless eons of suffering, it seems that I am constantly striving to create nothing but negative actions. Even though I try to avoid non-virtue and practice positive acts, day and night without respite, negativities and moral downfalls come to me like rainfall. I lack the ability to purify these faults so that no trace of them remains. With these negative imprints still in my mind, I could suddenly die and find myself falling to an unfortunate rebirth. What can I do? Please Vajrasattva, with your great compassion, guide me from such misery!"

The Power of Remedial Action

From the HUM at Vajrasattva's heart, light radiates in all directions, requesting the Buddhas to bestow their blessings. They accept the request and send white rays of light and nectar, the essence of which is the knowledge of their body, speech and mind. The light and nectar absorb into the HUM and the letters of the mantra at Vajrasattva's heart. They then fill his whole body completely, enhancing the magnificence of his appearance and increasing the brilliance of the mantra.

While reciting the mantra, visualize that white rays of light and nectar stream continuously from the HUM and mantra at Vajrasattva's heart. They flow down through the crown of your head and fill every cell of your body and mind with infinite bliss. Recite the mantra at least 21 times or more, if possible.

om vajrasattva samaya manu palaya - vajrasattva deno patita - dido may bhawa - suto kayo may bhawa - supo kayo may bhawa - anu rakto may bhawa - sarwa siddhi mepar yatsa - sarwa karma su tsa may - tsitam shriyam kuru hum - ha ha ha ha ho - bhagawan - sarwa tatagata - vajra ma may mu tsa - vajra bhawa maha samaya sattva - ah hum pey

If you have not yet memorized the long mantra, or if you are pressed for time, you may recite the short mantra at least 28 times.

om vajrasattva hum

While reciting either of the mantras, continue to visualize the flow of light and nectar and perform the following four visualizations alternately.

Purification of Body

Your disturbing attitudes and negativities in general and particularly those of the body, take the form of black ink. Sickness takes the form of pus and blood and afflictions caused by spirits appear in the form of scorpions, snakes, frogs and crabs. Flushed out by the light and nectar, they all leave your body through the lower openings, like filthy liquid flowing down a drain pipe. Feel completely empty of these problems and negativities; they no longer exist anywhere.

Purification of Speech

Your disturbing attitudes and imprints of negativities of speech take the form of liquid tar. The light and nectar fill your body as water fills a dirty glass: the negativities, like the dirt, rise to the top and flow out through the upper openings of your body: your eyes, ears, mouth, nose, etc. Feel completely empty of these problems; they no longer exist.

Purification of the Mind

Your disturbing attitudes and the imprints of mental negativities appear as darkness at your heart. When struck by the forceful stream of light and nectar, the darkness completely vanishes. It is like turning a light on in a room: the darkness does not go anywhere, it simply ceases to exist. Feel that you are completely empty of all these problems; they are non-existent.

Simultaneous Purification

Do the three above visualizations simultaneously. This sweeps away the subtle obscurations that prevent you from seeing correctly all that exists. Feel completely free of these obscurations.

The Power of the Promise

After reciting the mantra and doing the visualizations, make the following promise to Vajrasattva, specifying a period of time for which you intend to keep it:

"I shall not create these negative actions from now until ______."

Vajrasattva is extremely pleased and says, "My spiritual child of the essence, all your negativities, obscurations and degenerated vows have been completely purified."

With delight, Vajrasattva melts into light and dissolves into you. Your body, speech and mind become inseparably one with Vajrasattva's holy body, speech and mind. Concentrate on this.

Dedication

Due to this merit may I soon
Attain the enlightened state of Vajrasattva,
That I may be able to liberate
All sentient beings from their suffering.

May the precious bodhi mind
Not yet born arise and grow.
May that born have no decline,
But increase forever more.