分類: Experience and Benefits Sharing

發表於 Experience and Benefits Sharing，英文文章

While Learning from the Buddha I Found My Life Companion

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

while-learning-from-the-buddha-i-found-my-life-companion-learning-the-buddha-dharma-of-h.h.-dorje-chang-buddha-iii

While Learning from the Buddha I Found My Life Companion

 

 

During my childhood, I always heard my elder-generation relatives saying, “We had better not to marry our daughters out. Otherwise, they may have a bad fate.”

 

I was always puzzled by their saying so. As I grew up in life, I saw the way of life between husband and wife among my elder-generation relatives. Their life is busy at home and busy with their children every day. After getting married, the husband and wife lack common interests and their relationship gradually turns into a relation like two parallel lines within the family. All day long they turn around and are occupied by the necessities of daily life. I gradually understood why the elder relatives would say so. Upon stepping into society, I cautiously remembered the advices from my elder relatives and even feared leading such a life.

 

I first met my companion during a social occasion. We did not immediately establish a contact after that. Sometime later, we connected again. I was just in a period of feeling lost in my life, having worked in society for two to three years. Because of lack of care to myself, warning signs appeared in my health. Seeing my classmates at school stepping into family life, I admire them very much. However, I also recalled the words spoken by my elder relatives about caution against a bad fate through marriage. I retreated again.

 

One day, an elder relative told me that everything is due to causality. Our getting ill is also due to causality. My mind was shaken by the words. It seemed that I found the answers to the puzzle I had toward my own life and to the warning signs in my health. While thinking of how to solve these issues, I went to the gate of a famous temple and stayed there for about five minutes. During this brief period of time, I recalled my experience from childhood when I was led by my elder relatives to come and chant sutras. I was told that if I follow the crowd to pay homage, I will be blessed. That experience did not leave me with a good impression. I did not feel that doing so could solve my issues of causality. So, I turned around and left.

 

Six months later, I met my companion again. That day, he invited me to go to the Buddha hall to respectfully listen to the recorded Dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The Dharma discourse we listened to is “Do You Clearly Believe in the Law of Cause and Effect?”  What I heard was like a round of loud thunder. I finally found the answer. Everything I have today is due to the causes I planted in the past. Although I did not have a complete understanding yet, I no longer had fear and felt lost. I also gradually knew what I should do through respectfully reading “What Is Cultivation?” expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The following passages from this Dharma expounded by His Holiness the Buddha caused me to benefit deeply, “Cultivation is cultivating the increase of good karma and cultivating the avoidance of bad karma. It is increasing good karmic conditions, planting good causes, and reaping good effects. It is avoiding the increase of bad karmic conditions, not planting bad causes, and avoiding the reaping of bad effects.” “The Law of Cause and Effect does not err. It cannot be eliminated. To say that it can is to take a nihilistic point of view. Hence, we can only build a wall of good karma, which is like building a retaining wall. This wall of good karma has the effect of blocking us from our evil karma. Thus, only through learning from the Buddha, cultivating the conduct of the Buddha, and ultimately becoming a Buddha can we thoroughly liberate ourselves from the karma (cause and effect) that binds us to the cycles of reincarnations. “

In 2014 we decided to get married and have our honeymoon in the United States to attend Buddhist events. We became husband and wife under such karmic conditions. Because we are respectfully listening to the recorded Dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III together, we have the same idea on many things and mutually have a lot of accommodations and understandings. Such an outcome completely broke the prophecy of having a bad fate from a marriage that I heard in my childhood.

I am grateful to the compassionate blessing from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. That enabled me to find my life companion. On the other hand, my companion caused me to establish my karmic connection with the true Dharma of Tathagatas.

I am grateful to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III!

Buddhist Disciple:  Duanfama, in prostration

 

I prostrate to  Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III!

Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III!

Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III!

 

While Learning from the Buddha I Found My Life Companion (Learning the Buddha Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III)

 

Link: https://greatprajna.org/2019/09/22/while-learning-from-the-buddha-i-found-my-life-companion/

#HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddha  #MasterWanKoYee #MasterYiYunGao 

發表於 Experience and Benefits Sharing，英文文章

INCONCEIVABLE TRUE EXAMPLES OF CAUSALITY —KILLING ANIMALS

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

INCONCEIVABLE TRUE EXAMPLES OF CAUSALITY —KILLING ANIMALS

 

INCONCEIVABLE TRUE EXAMPLES OF CAUSALITY —KILLING ANIMALS

 

My family name is Chen. I live in Chiayi, Taiwan. Recently, I have heard about some stories of people cruelly killing animals and then encountering horrible retributions. I have no way to forget them from my memory. Therefore, I wanted very much to put these incidents into writing, to cause people in the world to raise their vigilance.
The first one was told recently by a friend of mine living in Sihu. It was about a deceased old farmer who was his next-door neighbor. While he was alive and making living from farming in the past, he often spread his harvested grains in his yard to dry under the sun. Sometimes, chickens and ducks of his neighbors came to eat the grains. This farmer was very furious to see that and immediately used a bamboo stick to expel them. However, the chickens and ducks still came to steal the food when he was not around. Due to his anger, this neighbor used a big fishing net to catch the chickens and ducks which stole food. Whenever he caught any of them, this farmer would break one leg of each of them by brutal force. Thus, those chickens and ducks would be in a miserable state of unable to walk. Since he was using such cruel means, many people tried to persuade him not to crucify animals in this way. However, he was still stubbornly indifferent and continued his acts. No one could have imagined that a few years later, this farmer was suddenly no longer able to walk. His two feet started to swell and then the muscles began to putrefy. The tremendous pain that he was experiencing often caused him to scream miserably. Although he looked for treatment everywhere and even tried to seek help from divination and other alternatives of spiritual power, there seemed to be no effect from any of these. He suffered in such torment for six years or more before he passed away.
According to many neighbors, during the last several months of his life, the farmer often shouted while on his sickbed, “Shoo! Shoo!” Meanwhile, his hands were also making the movement of pushing animals away. When people asked what he was doing, he said that he “saw” a group of chickens and ducks with broken legs coming and surrounding him. Moreover, each of them used its sharp and hard beak to hit and bite his legs, causing the skin and muscle on his legs to break and bleed and bringing him tremendous pain. That was why he had to often wave his hands and shout loudly to try to get rid of them. Unfortunately, such efforts were all futile and useless. Not long after, this farmer ended his miserable life under the torment of such pain and suffering.
發表於 Experience and Benefits Sharing，英文文章

Inconceivable True Examples of Causality—-Telling Lies

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

inconceivable-true-examples-of-causalitye

 

Editor’s Note:

This article describes a small matter which occurred several decades ago among average people. It can cause people to ponder deeply. It gives a serious caution to people in the world.

 

Inconceivable True Examples of Causality—-Telling Lies

Thirty years ago, the life of average people in Taiwan was still very poor and hard. Many people who were doing business had to go door to door to sell their goods.

 

Once, a merchant selling fabrics brought his goods to a place and showed them to a group of women. After making comments and appraisals, none of them wanted to buy. The merchant had to take the goods back. After counting, he found that one roll of fabrics was missing. Every one of the women present said that she had not taken it. Among them, one not only said that she had not taken it, but also swore, “Had I taken it, I would be hit and killed by an automobile.”

 

No one could have imagined that after this woman had returned to Kinmen, she was killed in a strange and peculiar auto accident, validating her oath that carried a fatal consequence.

 

What happened that day was when she was at her home. She was hit and killed by a big truck that broke through the front wall and crashed into the living room due to the malfunction of the steering wheel.

 

After the news was spread, many people talked about it and gave their opinions. They felt that such occurrence of causal retribution is truly inconceivable.

 

     This woman’s tragic death gives people a shocking awakening. The retribution of telling lies is very horrible. I advise everyone to take this understanding as a precept, not to speak falsely, not to give rise to greed and coveting, and actively do good deeds to accumulate merit. Only then can one have good health, happiness, joy, and auspiciousness!

 

      The above content is only the understanding and views of the writer as a result of learning Buddhism. We should, however, rely on the Dharma expounded by the Buddha as the standard.

 

May all living beings in the world believe in Causality.

Practice compassion and commit to no killing.

May they experience health, peace, and happiness!

 

Inconceivable True Examples of Causality—-Telling Lies

 

Link: https://greatprajna.org/2019/06/20/inconceivable-true-examples-of-causality-telling-lies/

 

#Causality #peace #Lie #greed

發表於 Experience and Benefits Sharing

Homage to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III— At the moment When I Was on my Kneels toward My Mother

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

at-the-moment-when-i-was-on-my-kneels-toward-my-mother-

Today, I kneeled down to my mother after I was back home. I have many words that I am not able to speak out.

 

Since I began to learn Buddha-dharma, I have been thinking about kneeling down to my mother to express my gratitude to her for giving birth to and raising me. I also want to repent to her what I did wrong during these years. But I did not have the courage to do so. Actually, the real reason was that I did not truly recognize my mistakes.

 

To tell the truth, I had a lot of dissatisfaction toward my mother.

 

Since I got married, my mother pushed my younger brother to me as my responsibility. The brother was not admitted by a university after graduating from high school. He was sent to me and I had to make arrangement for him to study in a hospital. It was good that the brother lived up to our expectation and passed the examination for adult-education to be admitted to the medical school of Suzhou University. He attended the school full-time for five years. I paid for all his living expenses during this period. After graduation, he did not look for a job and chose to take the examination for graduate study instead. During the first year, he was not admitted due to his English score. Mother began to complain that I did not help my brother to find a job. Although I did not say much verbally, I felt mistreated.

 

Next year, my brother passed the examination to be admitted to the graduate school of Xuzhou Medical University and then spent three years in the graduate study. That basically costed everything our family had. Mother was always complaining that the brother spent a lot of money and thought about that he should get married at his age. She was always hoping him to get married and have a child. I was rather angry at the time and had a verbal argument with my mother. I could not understand why my mother was so selfish and only saw the near-term benefits. She did not see the value of the opportunity of learning that we obtained after a lot of hard work and effect. I felt mistreated.

 

Being urged by my mother all the time, my brother got married during the third year of his graduate study before graduation. He did not have a job and I had to pay for his expenses. My mother was again complaining about our family’s financial situation. After graduation, my brother was working at the tumor department of No. 3 Hospital of Xuzhou City. Since he could not afford to rent, he lived at my home. I felt that I had given so much without getting any kind words from my mother. I felt mistreated.

 

Later, within the first six months after my brother started working, he suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage while on the job. He was hospitalized for 35 days. I had to run between home and the hospital every day. My mother could not provide any help and was only sad. I had to console my mother after returning from the hospital every day. Actually, my heart was tormented every day. For anything that I did not do to her full satisfaction, my mother would give rise to anxiety. I felt mistreated.

 

Last year, my father got ill and was diagnosed to have a terminal-stage stomach cancer. When I saw my weak father on the sick bed, I regretted that I did not go to my parents’ home often enough to see them and give them enough care. I was also a little bitter to my mother for not taking good care of my father. After leaving the hospital, I took my father to my home to care for him. My mother was still complaining all day long, saying that my father did not listen to her and worked all the time. My father kept silent and did not say anything. Seeing the situation, I felt bad.

 

My father was a very kind person. He was not good at talking and received a lot of sufferings and mistreatment in his life. He supported me and my brother while we attended colleges. After my father left, I regretted very much that I did not fulfill my filial duty well. I always thought that my parents would have a long time to live and I could do that when I have time and my situation improves. Only after I began to learn the true dharma of the Tathagata and listen to the recorded dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, did I know that impermanence is with us all the time and there is no time for me to wait.

 

At the moment of kneeling down before my mother, I realized that my parents’ kindness of giving birth to me and raising me is as great as the sky. Had not my parents bring me to this world, how could I have the opportunity to learn Buddha-dharma and cultivate myself earnestly? I now understand that everything is due to causality. I have no reason to feel being mistreated. While my parents are still in the world, I should introduce and guide them to learn Buddha-dharma and understand the truth of karmic retribution, so that they can accumulate good karma and stay far away from malicious karma.

 

My mother is currently not in good health. She still has dissatisfaction toward me every day. She says that the food I cook is not very tasteful, I restrict her, I want her to take nutritional supplements every day, and I remind her every day to chant the Buddha’s name. Had this occurred in the past, I would certainly feel being mistreated. However, now I feel this is a way of my mother communicating with me. I do not feel mistreatment and have no bitterness in mind.

 

I am grateful that my mother gave me an opportunity to fulfill my filial duty and repent myself. I tell myself, “Let go of all feeling of mistreatment and dissatisfaction. Do not be attached to some small matters. Do not let the mind turn after external states. Cultivate earnestly.”

 

Hao Congmei

August 6, 2018

Homage to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III—At the moment When I Was on my Kneels toward My Mother

 

Link: https://greatprajna.org/2019/04/13/homage-to-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-at-the-moment-when-i-was-on-my-kneels-toward-my-mother/

 

#HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddha 

發表於 Experience and Benefits Sharing

A True Story: 100,000 Prostrations by a One-Armed Person who Learns and Practices the True Dharma of the Tathagata from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

TrueStory- 100000 Prostration

A True Story: 100,000 Prostrations by a One-Armed Person who Learns and Practices the True Dharma of the Tathagata from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

I was a factory worker in the past. In 1993, a co-worker had to go home to help plant his family’s wheat crop. His leave request was not approved by the shift leader. So, I went to cover him.

When looking at his work in the past, I thought I should be able to do it. In reality, it was not that simple. I was not skillful in operating the machine. The machine pulled my right hand in. When I dragged the arm out, I had no flesh in my hand and arm, only a long, bare bone left.

The doctor at the hospital took a look and told me that I must have amputation. The upper arm bone was fractured; however, he could reconnect it back.

When I slowly woke up from the surgery, I saw that my entire right arm…, my right arm was like, so short , only 5, 6 cm long.

Actually, the doctor had told me very clearly before the surgery that the amputation would only be limited to my hand. This is just not fair at all. I was furious. How could he be a doctor? What medical ethics did he have?

I cried my heart out at that time. I got very upset. I did not even want to go out of my room. I got a room from the company. I didn’t go out at all and felt that it would be embarrassed to go out and see people. Why do I get such bad luck?

一個獨臂者的十萬個大禮拜-1

I was depressed all day long and also could not get along with my wife. I would smash bowls or chopsticks whenever things didn’t go my way. That happened a lot. When I popped open a bottle of white wine, I would have a big, long gulp. In one morning, I could almost finish a bottle with only a few drops left. I buried myself in the alcohol at home. Once I am drunk, I lose my temper. I almost had a mental breakdown and lost confidence in my life.

It started out from doing a favor, to help out my co-worker. How did it make me to become a handicapped person? How could such a thing happen to me? Even the hospital mistreated me in that way. The whole society did not treat me fairly. I also didn’t see justice from the Heavenly God…….

One day, my daughter told me: “Father, I will take you to a Buddhist center. Go learn Buddhism. Buddhism will be good for you, and for our family. Chant “Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III!”

一個獨臂者的十萬個大禮拜-2

“What did you tell me to chant?”I said, “I have only heard about Amitabha Buddha. Why didn’t I know about H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III?”

Starting from that day,I would head to the Buddhist center and then listened to the Dharma discourses every day.I started to learn Buddhism at the Buddhist center. I listened to the discourse on the Law of Cause and Effect. I listened to many pre-recorded dharma discourses, such as The Dharma to Cut Off the Twenty Worldly Emotions, etc.

Eventually I understood that everything is a result of the Law of Cause and Effect.

I listened to The Dharma to Cut Off the Twenty Worldly Emotions a few more times. I also listened more times to the discourse on the Law of Cause and Effect.

I gradually realized that the loss of my right arm was not without a cause. Whether in my past lifetimes or in this lifetime, I have harmed so many living beings. This bit of suffering is what I deserve. When I took the lives of other living beings in the past, I caused them sufferings.

Through the learning, I slowly understood the truth about the Law of Cause and Effect. The hatred in my mind also gradually vanished.

Every day I did prostrations and listened to the dharma at the Buddhist center. I then made a resolve.

一個獨臂者的十萬個大禮拜-3

Since I have learned and understood the truth of the Law of Cause and Effect, I will now repent to all the living beings I have killed or harmed. I will repent to them. With the utmost respect, in front of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I will repent with my most pious heart.

I will do 100,000 prostrations for repentance. In less than four months, I completed 100,000 prostrations. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III told us, only cultivation can transform the Law of Cause and Effect.

一個獨臂者的十萬個大禮拜

The retribution I am receiving right now is caused by what I have done in many lifetimes and eons ago. From now on, I will follow and learn from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and cultivate myself.

As long as I plant good causes. I will definitely get good fruition in the future. I am determined to follow and learn from the Buddha and cultivate myself until I attain accomplishment.

 

A True Story: 100,000 Prostrations by a One-Armed Person who Learns and Practices the True Dharma of the Tathagata from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

 

Get more info at https://greatprajna.org/2018/12/11/a-true-story-100000-prostrations-by-a-one-armed-person-who-learns-and-practices-the-true-dharma-of-the-tathagata-from-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

 

Link: https://youtu.be/MzpD5u_zBh4

 

#HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddha #Buddha #Prostration #OneArmedMan #Dharma

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Dharma Assembly of Empowerment by Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva’s Mind of Great Compassion ——Note Written Afterwards to Describe the Most Magnificent Scene at the Site

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

Dharma-Assembly-of-Empowerment-by-Guan-Shi-Yin-Bodhisattva_s-Mind-of-Great-Compassion-——Note-Written-Afterwards-to-Describe-the-Most-Magnificent-Scene-at-the-Site-678x381

Dharma Assembly of Empowerment by Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva’s Mind of Great Compassion

——Note Written Afterwards to Describe the Most Magnificent Scene at the Site

 (Report No. 8)

 

 

In September this year, I had the good fortune to attend the Dharma Assembly of Empowerment by Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva’s Great Compassion and received great empowerment from Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva. The effect was very magnificent. I take this opportunity to share my experience and feelings at that time with my fellow cultivators.

 

 

At the beginning of the dharma assembly, I was a little nervous. I closed my eyes and raised my arms to the horizontal position. I bent my legs slightly. A short while later, I heard the hearty laughter from some people. I wanted very much to know who received the empowerment from Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva so quickly, but I dared not open my eyes.

 

 

I firmly remembered what the presiding master told us and did my best to keep my mind calm and focused. Suddenly, a strong heat flow went from my right shoulder to the left shoulder. My hands then began waving spontaneously to the left and right. I felt heat emitting from my body. Next, I opened my voice to cry and shout. My hand-waving and crying lasted for a while and then gradually came to a stop. At this time, my body felt hot and sweated. I felt rather tired and so sat down on the ground.

 

 

After resting for a while, I stood up with my eyes still closed. I raised my arms again. At this time, I heard someone singing. The voice of singing came closer from far away and in a short while was behind me. Ah, I heard clearly that the song was the Six Character Great Bright Mantra. The ear-pleasing singing changed from the solo singing at the beginning to a chorus with many people. Eventually I heard that the wonderfully pleasant singing also came from the space. I felt that the Bodhisattva was empowering us from the space. I naturally joined the singing. Tears unintentionally flew down from my eyes. That was my gratitude to the kindness received! Meanwhile, my legs started to tremble and my hands were waving again. However, the movement this time was somewhat different from what I did earlier and was like dancing along with the pleasant singing. At that time, my mood was joyful and delighted and my body was very relaxed. In this manner, my hands were waving continuously until the dharma master announced, “Stop.”

 

 

After the dharma assembly concluded perfectly, the relaxed and pleasant feeling remained in my mind. I am extremely grateful!

 

 

After the dharma assembly, I have two beneficial effects from the empowerment. The first is that my shoulder pain has completely disappeared! Shoulder pain was an old illness that plagued me for many years. The second is that I am now much more energetic than before! In the past, when I was practicing the dharma or reading respectfully Buddhist books, I would feel sleepy after half an hour. I am now much more energetic and will not dose off even after two hours.

 

 

I am extremely grateful to the good fortune of attending such a magnificent dharma assembly this time!

 

 

I prostrate to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III!

I prostrate to the greatly loving and greatly compassionate Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva!

 

 

Humble Disciple: Hua Yan (Chen, Shuyan)

 

 

 

Dharma Assembly of Empowerment by Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva’s Mind of Great Compassion ——Note Written Afterwards to Describe the Most Magnificent Scene at the Site

 

Link: http://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/dharma-assembly-empowerment-guan-shi-yin-bodhisattvas-mind-great-compassion-note-written-afterwards-describe-magnificent-scene-site/

 

#HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddha #Buddha #Bodhisattva #Dharma  #Buddhism #Empowerment #Tathagatha #KuanShiYinBodhisattva #HuaZangSi #Chanting #Mantra #pain

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Homage to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III – Giving Rise to Correct Thoughts and Do Buddhist Work Seriously

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

Homage to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Giving Rise to Correct Thoughts and Do Buddhist Work Seriously

 I am not sure whether you have had such experience in your daily life or not, “Well, this is clearly what he should do, but he does not do it and always let me clean up the mess. I am not going to do that either. This is his thing from the beginning.” Or, when people are working together, one may be “in hiding” and cannot be found. One may also use reasons such as having health issues as excuses.
 

 

        Also, when doing Buddhist work, one may only do the things that one regards as having great merit. When releasing living beings from captivity, those who have such mentality want to select the pregnant fish or shrimps to release or pick big ones or scoop more. They think that only doing so will have great merit. When doing things, they measure what they do using the magnitude of merit as the standard.
 

 

        Here, I would like to share a real experience of mine to you all. Because a fellow-sister had to go to another dharma center, her original work assignment was given to me to do for a while. Since her original work assignment was cleaning and sweeping the dining room when I first took it over, I complained while moping the floor, “This floor is so dirty. Hey, it is so disgusting!” Having such thought made things miserable. I became more and more afflicted and upset as I was sweeping. I did not even move the chairs in the right manner. Rather, I just moped across carelessly, making loud noises as the chairs were hit.
 

 

        About a year ago, I began to feel a small swollen lump near my armpit. At first, there was not much feeling from it, with only a little bulging pain near the monthly period. However, six months later, the bulging pain could be felt at normal times and my entire left arm felt the swelling. Therefore, additional afflictions were generated when sweeping the floor.
 

 

        Later, I spoke to a fellow-sister about this small swollen lump near my armpit. She said, “Why don’t you practice the Buddha Speaks of the Sutra on Healing Hemorrhoids and Illnesses?” Hearing what she said, I felt like a “bang” in my mind. “Right, why didn’t I think about that?”
 

 

      Alas, my karmic forces were so severe, and I was completely obstructed. Since then, I continuously practiced according to the Buddha Speaks of the Sutra on Healing Hemorrhoids and Illnesses and at the same time gave rise to correct thoughts. I no longer held the attitude of regarding Buddhist work as having nothing to do with me. Think about that, how great good fortune it is to work at the temple. Isn’t doing the things for myself? Isn’t doing this to remove my negative karma? Hey, I didn’t even have such opportunity before. I am really a big fool. No wonder I am plagued by karmic hindrances!
 

 

        From then on, I was always doing things happily regardless of what I was doing. If something could be done right away, I would just go ahead and do it, without thinking about whether it belonged to me or someone else. Suddenly, one day I found that the swollen lump near my armpit no longer painful. My arm had no swollen feeling either. Wow, that was amazing! I gratefully thank the empowerment from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
 

 

        This incident also strengthens my determination of giving rise to correct thoughts and doing Buddhist work seriously!

 

Amitabha!

 

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Listening to the Buddha Dharma by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has helped me to cultivate as a true Buddhist disciple

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

Listening to the Buddha Dharma by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has helped me to cultivate as a true Buddhist disciple

 

Listening to the Buddha Dharma

by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III  has helped me

to cultivate as a true Buddhist disciple

 

 

Time passed so fast! It has been 7 years since I first came to Hua Zang Si.

 

I am greatly humbled by what I have learned so far. I feel I can do a lot more and grow a lot faster spiritually. When I look back at the time before I came to Hua Zang Si, I did not know much about Buddhism and cultivation. I had wasted a lot of time in housework, watching TV and going to restaurants. Decades past, now I am in my 70s and wonder how many decades there are for me to live. I know the impermanence soon will come, so I remind myself about the urgency to cultivate myself and do the right things.

 

When I reached retirement, I was lucky to get to live in a government senior housing project on 21st Street in San Francisco. I lived there for several years without knowing I was right behind Hua Zang Si and had to travel to faraway City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to pray. In 2009, when my neighbor asked me to go with her to a temple to worship and eat a vegetarian meal, I thought we were going to travel far away, but my neighbor said it was that temple with pointed roofs on 22nd street! How come I never knew it was this close!

 

Then I realized that it must be Guanyin Bodhisattva who had come to lead me, because, that year, I somehow started to chant silently Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name whenever I was walking, driving, or by myself. I did not know anything about Buddhism. I just chanted like others. I would even talk to myself and be very grateful to Guanyin Bodhisattva for being able to live in government housing and have everything I need. I started to look for Buddhist followers. Finally, my neighbor brought me to Hua Zang Si.

 

The first time I came to Hua Zang Si with my husband, there was a Dharma Assembly. The statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas at Hua Zang Si are so solemn and majestic. My husband said he felt very peaceful and comfortable there. So I said to him, ” From now on let’s come here to learn Buddhism. It is close and convenient.” At home, I have a chanting player, which was gifted by a friend. I usually leave it on all day, but I can never understand what is chanted. However, after the first visit to Hua Zang Si, strangely, I can understand clearly if it is chanting the holy names of Guanyin Bodhisattva, Amitabha, or other holy names, From then on, we both go to Hua Zang Si every Sunday for the group cultivations and I also started to listen to the recorded Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

 

Hua Zang Si is like a family to me. There is no separation between you and me. We help and care about each other. It is at Hua Zang Si where I learn to have a pure selfless heart and do everything to benefit all living beings. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has bestowed on me rich and boundless knowledge. To me learning Buddhism and cultivation is like attending a high-end college There are so many things to learn. I have realized how ignorant and lack of understanding I was before I came to Hua Zang Si. Now I feel very happy, even happier than any other people. Hua Zang Si is an orthodox temple of correct Dharma of the Buddha. Therefore, at Hua Zang Si, I am able to learn the correct Dharma of the Tathagata of the Buddha. In addition, Hua Zang Si is so close that I feel like Buddha is right next to me all the time. This kind of happiness cannot be obtained with money and I want to treasure it and protect it.

 

I remember in the early days when I was at Hua Zang Si, I did not do much because of lack of Buddhist knowledge. When I was asked if I was “doing my homework”, I did not know what it meant. Later when I read the book written by Pamu, I finally understood the ultimate goal of Buddhism, and why I must cultivate my behavior and practice the Buddha Dharma at the same time and all these must be built on the correct Buddhist views and understanding. Therefore, I have been devoting my spare time to listening to the recorded Buddha Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III at Hua Zang Si or other Dharma-Listening centers.

 

In the beginning, because I did not know much Buddhist knowledge and I speak mainly Cantonese, I had a hard time understanding the Buddha’s accent, I could not understand many of the words, but I persisted. After three months, slowly and miraculously, I could easily understand the recordings. I felt so good that I almost listened to the recorded Dharma every day for about 2 hours. Even when I was done, I was reluctant to leave. I thought to myself, “If I can listen to it the whole day, that will be great.”

 

After listening to the recorded Dharma, I gain a lot of Buddhist knowledge and understand the principles of the Buddha Dharma, which are correct and meaningful. I gradually understand the true goal of leaning with the Buddha and cultivation. I deeply feel the Bodhicitta and great compassion and kindness of the Buddha. The Buddha is so patient and skillful in teaching us. All he wants is to liberate all living beings. On the other hand, I also feel so sorry for those who are ignorant of Buddha Dharma. They are always so deeply indulged in greed, anger, infatuation, affection, joy, resentment, sorrow, and happiness. They tumble in the colorful lives of theirs, and cannot be awakened. I feel so sorry and anxious that they are still subject to the impermanence and the in the cycles of birth and death. I feel so powerless. Therefore, I must first focus on my practice and sincerely dedicate the merits of my practice and cultivation to all living beings who have karmic affinities with me. May they have a chance to encounter the correct Buddha Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and get onto the holy Bodhi road to liberation and accomplishment.

 

After all these years of learning Buddhism, there is one thing that I believe deeply with no doubt: if we study and cultivate according to the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, we will definitely rid ourselves off all our sins and hindrances, ignorance and confusion, greed, selfishness, and pettiness; we will become a good person with wisdom, compassion, and a pure mind, a true Buddhist disciple who has correct views and understanding and will not wander away on a wrong path, a nobleman who is devoted to helping, benefitting and serving all living beings.

 

Amitabha !

 

 

Humble Buddhist disciple:

Shaomei Huang

 

Listening to the Buddha Dharma by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III  has helped me to cultivate as a true Buddhist disciple

 

Link: http://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/listening-to-the-buddha-dharma-by-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-has-helped-me-to-cultivate-as-a-true-buddhist-disciple/

 

#DorjeChangBuddha #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #MasterWanKoYee #Buddha #Buddhism #HuaZangSi #Cultivation #Buddhist

發表於 Experience and Benefits Sharing

My Journey of Zen Meditation

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

我的參禪之旅

 

My Journey of Zen Meditation

A few years ago, I went to a renown Zen Dojo to practice as a lay Buddhist and began my journey of Zen Meditation. Besides the daily onerous farming chores, at times, I took part in meditation which turned out to be a sleepy session. Other times, I listened to the CD of an old monk. I thought that was all about Zen meditation and I was disappointed. Subsequently, I noticed a few Buddhist nuns acting oddly. I was then told that it was due to various problems occurred during meditation. These nuns remained mentally deranged as they did not have any correct guidance and cure to help them. I was horrified whenever I thought of these side effects of meditation. I was worried that I would become one of these nuns considering the way I practiced my meditation which was full of sleepiness and did not know really what was going on. Seeing these nuns every day while I practiced my meditation, I felt immense pressure – what had gone wrong for these nuns? How could Zen meditation lead them to this state of life? I was completely puzzled…

I remember well, once, during a seven-day retreat, the lead master of the session was grumbling that when the old master at the temple became critically ill, he should not have been rushed to the hospital for emergency rescue, instead he should have stayed and chanted the Buddha’s name beseeching to gain rebirth in the Western Paradise. The lead master questioned why to let him linger on his last breath? Wasn’t it painful? Many people who were present at that time agreed with the lead master that the death of the old master was not to be regretted and he should not have been sent for emergency rescue. I was stunned and found it hard to accept. There was something wrong in that statement. Although I am a lay Buddhist, I raise this question to myself that when one is in a deep state of coma, totally unconscious, can one still gain rebirth in the Pure Land? Can one still do just like what The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra says, to chant 10 times Amitabha wholeheartedly? It is impossible! Logically, it is not feasible.

Later on, I learned that there was a monk who made a wish to perform a three-year retreat Zen meditation and vowed that if he did not realize his true nature after the retreat, he will return to secular household life. Three years flew quickly and the result was… truly heartbreaking.

After being bashed down by these series of events, as a lay Buddhist, I lost my enthusiasm. I felt like I had entered a dead end. I felt lost. I did not know where I was supposed to go.  I asked myself what the meaning of becoming a nun was when one does not have a meaningful purpose in mind. Unwillingly, I was about to give up and return home. At this crucial moment, I came to listen to the dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. It was like a beam of strong light striking through the dark. All my disappointment disappeared into thin air. At that moment I was determined to renounce myself, and without much longer my wish was fulfilled.

These are just my worldly personal experiences, perhaps I have not even embarked on the Zen meditation journey, but my experiences did reflect some problems faced by some Buddhists during their meditation practice, cultivation, or Buddhist learning. I was fortunate to read The Concentration and Visualization – Essential to Attaining the Path written by Pamu and The Great Dharma Of Zen which was posted over the internet and was transmitted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. I have finally received a complete teaching which helps me to realize what Zen meditation actually is. Moreover, for example, by reading page 216 of Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, I realized the problems of those mentally deranged nuns. It was caused by their attachments to the illusions emerged from the Manas consciousness which made them believe that the illusions were true. They did not understand that “Everything with form is illusory and false.” and eventually they entered a diabolic state of mind. The grumbles from the lead master during the seven-day retreat did not make sense at all. As stated in the article,  The Buddhist Disciple Yu-Sheng Zhao Received a Dharma Transmission Which is True and Not False. If one can perform the dharma as H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III did so that the Yidam, Amitabha Buddha will appear on site and fetch the deceased to the Western Paradise of the Ultimate Bliss, of course, then, the emergency rescue will be unnecessary. However, did the lead master have the required level of power?  In addition, the pitiful monastic who had returned to household life did not know that there is the ultimately holiest Buddha Dharma which can open one’s crown in two hours. The opening is as wide and deep as an egg. The consciousness is free to enter and exit the body. One also can practice outside of the body in complete freedom. Realising one’s true nature is in a near future.

On recollection, what a pitiful group of nuns  I had met. They longed for true dharma and liberation, but because they didn’t come to know the true dharma, because of incorrect guidance and teachings they had received, because of their own attachments, and many other reasons, they cannot attain accomplishment and reach liberation. These kinds of tragedies are still happening, which is heartbreaking. The best dharma is from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, but many living beings are not able to hear it. We have seen some fortunate ones who had the opportunity to come across the true dharma but because of their karmic hindrances and various pressures, they are not able to listen to the true dharma. Therefore, they lost their opportunities to reach liberation from the cycle of birth and death. For this,  I can only deeply sigh as I strongly feel that the correct dharma of the Tathagata is truly rare and difficult to encounter even in hundreds and thousands of millions of kalpas. I am glad that I have the fortune to respectfully listen to and learn the dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

 

A humble disciple－－WanEr LingXi

August 2017

 

My Journey of Zen Meditation

Link: https://greatprajna.org/2017/10/28/my-journey-of-zen-meditation/

 

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發表於 Experience and Benefits Sharing

Listening to the Correct Dharma of H.H.Dorje Chang Buddha III will Prevent Blind & Futile Practice

發表於 由greatprajna撰寫

Listening to the Correct Dharma of H.H.Dorje Chang Buddha III

Listening to the Correct Dharma of H.H.Dorje Chang Buddha III

will Prevent Blind & Futile Practice

Hua Zang Si Holy Dharma Guang Wen Dharma-Listening Center

 

My first refuge taking ceremony took place at Hongfa Temple in Shenzhen on the 8th day of the 4th month of the Lunar Calendar in 2000 A.D. My dharma master was Great Monk Ben Huan. A few months later, following the recommendation of a fellow sister, I took refuge with H.E. Dulmo Choje Rinpoche who recently arrived from Qinghai. H. E. Dulmo Choje Rinpoche was praised as an accomplished cultivator. In May of 2002 at a friend’s house I met Baer Qing Rinpoche and took refuge once again with him. At that time I believed the more masters I had, the more Buddha dharma I could learn as well as to receive more empowerment. However, Master soon left. His only instruction was to recite the Four Limitless States of Mind and the Hundred Syllable Mantra.

 

In June of 2002, upon learning that Lhabum Rinpoche planned on staying in Shenzhen for an extended period of time, I took refuge with Lhabum Rinpoche. I reasoned that if I had a master whom I could visit frequently; my good fortune would surely increase. Indeed, I did attend many dharma assemblies, captive animal release rituals and the Eight Precept Retreat conducted by Lhabum Rinpoche. In addition, I did morning and evening chants at home. Sometimes I even practiced the Eight Precept Retreat on my own at home. Although I was busy every day, I only felt joy and never relented. At that time, I single mindedly wished only for good fortune and good luck. My only wish was that my master could transform my ill fortune into prosperity. To achieve this, I took additional refuges with Mozha Dharma King of Kathog Monastery and Wengzha Rinpoche from Tibet the following year.

 

Three years later, a friend asked me, “Why is it that you have been so devout, yet your life is still full of difficulties? “ I was saddened by this remark. Why is it that my study of Buddhism did not derive any actual benefit? Where did I go wrong? I really couldn’t figure out and felt mentally exhausted and depleted. No longer did I want to visit any master, rinpoche or master. I thought I could just study on my own. But, how? I often asked myself what the correct path was. How could I practice to obtain real result? In reality, I simply couldn’t find the answer.

 

In March of 2009, my migraine resurfaced. While I was resting at home, fellow sister Zhou called me and invited me to her house to listen to the Dharma. I turned down her invitation stating I just wanted to rest peacefully at home because of the migraine. She said, “Come, this is the authentic Buddha dharma that is difficult to encounter in thousands of eons. You must come. Come and you will understand. I will be waiting for you.” So many people have invited me to meet masters and rinpoches. They were all supposedly to be great cultivators and rare to come upon. But, in the end, there was nothing special about all of them. My minds seethed with conflicting emotions. Finally, I told myself that if what I was about to see or hear was auspicious, it would reduce or completely eliminate my migraine. However, if what I was about to encounter made me feel uncomfortable or induce my migraine intolerable, I would just leave. After making my final decision, I hurriedly left for sister Zhou’s house. When I arrived, they had just started watching “Buddha-Bestowed nectar”. It was truly miraculous and unbelievable! It was a manifestation of authentic dharma power that I have never seen before. I completely forgot about my headache that whole day. The next day, I couldn’t wait to return to sister Zhou‘s house to listen to the Dharma. Its title was “Unparalleled Auspicious Buddha Dharma”. Tears streamed down my face as I listened. The Dharma was describing Buddhist disciples just like me. I was finally awakened by the Dharma realizing the mistakes of my past years. How could I regard myself studying Buddhism and cultivating myself? I spent all my past years studying blindly and futilely. Selfishly, I had only hoped for my own personal good fortune. I took refuge with every rinpoche and dharma king whom I have met. I did not understand the purpose of studying Buddhism and cultivation. I did not really cultivate myself or put my study into practice. That was why I had never achieved any substantial result.

 

Through listening to the Dharma, I developed correct views and understanding. I understood the reasons for studying Buddhism and self-cultivation. I developed a mindset to leave the world of impermanence, and to achieve liberation and realization. In addition, I vowed to obtain enlightenment and help others to do the same and to bravely carry on the mission of the Tathagata. From that day forward, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly into Dharma listening. On August 1, 2009, I took and passed the test to become a Master of Dharma-Listening Sessions. I am determined to introduce authentic Buddha dharma to everyone and anyone whom I have karma affinity with.

 

I have once been unemployed for many years and struggled economically. After listening to the Dharma for a period of time, one day, a friend of mine recommended me to an interview at a company. I was hired as section director. Even more amazingly I was promoted to the position of manager the next day! During the three months period from October of 2009 to December of 2009, both my personal as well as my group performances were ranked number one.

 

My American visa was approved in early June of 2010. Everything became very smooth. I believe all these events are attributed to the merits accumulated from listening to the Dharma and practicing according to the Dharma. It has increased my good karma and transformed the karmic consequences. In the past two years in America, I have persistently listened to the dharma. In addition, I organized dharma-listening sessions for those whom I have karma affinity with. I have obtained profound benefit from the Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. To me, it is a strong karmic condition to be able to be born in the same life time as the Buddha is present with us. Moreover, I can listen to the Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III with my own ears which is indeed difficult to encounter in hundreds and thousands of eons. It is an absolutely auspicious and rare opportunity.

 

I often wonder if we cannot achieve enlightenment when a Buddha is here, still cannot break free from the chains of cause and effect and still trapped in the cycle of birth and death for hundreds of thousands of years reaping the karmic results of our past doing until we have the opportunity to be reborn as human beings, will we still have the opportunity to meet up with H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III again? Will we still have the opportunity to listen to the Buddha’s Dharma? Where can we seek the path which will lead to liberation? The more I contemplate on it, the more frightened I become. I was horrified by the thought: If I cannot obtain enlightenment this life time, which other life time will it be?

 

Often I beseech the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to empower me to plant the seeds of positive karmic affinity with living beings, to have the ability and wisdom to be of assistance to those whom I have karmic affinity with to study Buddha dharma, to listen and understand the Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and to put the teachings of the Dharma into action. Resolutely and diligently we should study Buddhism and really cultivate ourselves so that we can achieve enlightenment before long! Amitabha!

 

Author: Yilin Chen

 

Listening to the Correct Dharma of H.H.Dorje Chang Buddha III will Prevent Blind & Futile Practice

 

Link: http://hzsmails.org/2016/08/%E9%A0%82%E7%A6%AE%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89%E4%B8%96%E5%A4%9A%E6%9D%B0%E7%BE%8C%E4%BD%9Blistening-to-the-correct-dhama-of-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-will-prevent-blind-futile-practice/

 

#HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddha#Buddhism