by Professor Li Ping-Nan
Master Chin Kung’s Dharma Teacher
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Professor Li Ping-Nan was Master Chin Kung’s Dharma Teacher. Professor Lee’s Dharma teacher was Patriarch Yin Guang.
The following article was adapted from a small book by Professor Lee titled “A Buddhist Goal that Can Be Achieved in One’s Present Life”. In this book, Professor Lee describes some of the characteristics of the Pure Land and explains how Pure Land practitioners can use the technique of Buddha recitation to achieve rebirth there.
Two important sections of this article are titled “Morning and Evening Devotions” and “The Ten Recitation Method”. These two sections explain exactly how you can practice Buddha recitation every day, at home.
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Life is difficult most of the time.
Who can avoid sickness, aging and weakness, separation from loved ones, deaths of friends and family members, loss of wealth, and hate and mistreatment from others?
The poor seek wealth, the childless want to have children, the unemployed want to find work, and on and on.
How many of these wishes can come true? Is there any way to solve these unfortunate problems?
Life is full of calamities.
Many people die in hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and fires. Many others starve due to drought or too much rain. Unexpected death is facing us every year. In a nuclear or biological war, the human race could be eliminated. Is there any way to avoid these disasters?
The revolving wheel of birth and death is painful.
And death is not the end. A living body can die, but its consciousness never dies. Upon the death of the body, consciousness leaves the body and goes to one of the six paths: heaven, the human world, the asura world, the animal world, the hungry ghost world, or hell. Heaven and the human world are the better places of these six, but the cycle of birth and death is unavoidable. Everybody has to go through the birth-and-death cycle on one of the six paths. Imagine how terrible it must be in the animal world, and how painful it must be in hell! The birth-and-death cycle through the six paths is known as the “six-path revolving wheel of Birth-and-Death”. Is there any way to escape this revolving wheel of Birth-and-Death and secure a peaceful, happy eternal life?
Overcoming Life’s Difficulties and Escaping From the Cycle of Birth and Death
Eliminate life’s difficulties and divert calamities.
Whether we have a fortunate life or an unfortunate life is determined by our own mind and our own behavior. It is a system of cause and effect.
Causes and effects involve three time periods: the past, the present, and the future. A difficult life and the occurrence of disasters are results of previous evil thoughts or bad behavior. But can divert and avoid unfortunate events by reciting Buddha’s name. The Sutras tell us that serious offenses and crimes committed aeons ago can be eliminated by sincerely reciting Buddha’s name.
The Sutras also say that there is a limitless number of Buddhas in the universe who protect those who recite, “Amitabha Buddha”. Buddha possesses infinite virtue, supreme wisdom, and boundless might. If you have Buddha’s blessing, no disaster can befall you.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Words of Wisdom - Venerable Master Chin Kung
1. Buddhism is an education, not a religion. We do not worship the Buddha, we respect him as a teacher. His teachings enable us to leave suffering and attain happiness.
2. "Buddha" means enlightenment /understanding. Complete understanding is when one realizes the truth about life and the universe. It is when one is apart from all delusions.
3. Cultivation is not something unusual, it is part of our everyday life. Whenever we recognize and correct our faults, we are cultivating.
4. To keep our mind pure and at peace is like keeping a pond clean and undisturbed. When the water is clear and still, it can reflect the sky, sun and trees just as they are, without distortion. When we are polluted by greed, hatred, ignorance and disturbed by discriminations and attachments, we distort our picture of reality and fail to see things as they are. Wrong perceptions of reality can prevent us from enjoying a clear and happy life.
5. What is purity? Purity is apart from defilement. Defilement is the greed, hatred, and stupidity present in our minds. Cultivation is cleansing these impurities from out hearts.
6. The Buddha's teachings should be introduced as an education, not a religion. Using spiritual penetrations and psychic abilities to attract people to believe in Buddhism is not the proper teachings and only serve to mislead others.
7. We should not be afraid to see our faults and mistakes because only then can be corrected. People who fail to see their own mistakes will not be able to change for the better.
8. A student of the Buddha does not just read Buddhist text, he/she studies them to reach a deeper understanding of life and the universe and puts the teachings into practice in everyday life.
9. In putting the teachings into practice, the first thing we should cultivate is the Pure Heart. The Pure Heart is a mind without discrimination or attachments. We must also develop proper understanding by listening to explanations of the Buddha's Teachings.
10. We should treat all people with respect and sincerity. We must be responsible for our actions and careful when handling other's properties. Be conservative with speech and actions to avoid harming others.
The Welfare of the Senior Citizens – A Concept for the Establishment of Garden Villas for the Elderly
Speech by Venerable Master Chin Kung
July 2007
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I left Taiwan in the 1970s, and have been traveling to various countries and regions to teach Buddhist principles based on what is taught in the Sutras. In each place I visited, I was most concerned with two things: First, the welfare of the elderly; and secondly, the rate of juvenile delinquency.
Why am I so concerned about the welfare of the elderly? The average age of the population is increasing and it is a world problem. How to take care of the livelihood of the senior citizens in a country is a major concern of most governments. To rear our children in the hope that they will look after us is wishful thinking and is not practical. Most of the members of our younger generation either failed to extend filial piety to their own parents or they lack the ability to take care of them. The home for the elderly seems to be the only solution in this situation.
When we examine the social structure of society in different countries, facilities for the elderly are hard to find. It is true that such facilities are found in some countries like the USA and Australia, especially in Australia. The Government there does look after their senior citizens. Yet, whether it was facilities provided by the Government or by private entities, the focus is on materialistic support and not support for their spiritual aspirations. The personnel involved look after the inmates like what is expected from mechanical devices. True love and compassion are seldom shown. The elderly would soon feel depressed, and abandoned. They live in solitude and would simply wait for their demise.
In such circumstances, we recently learnt from the Flower Adornment Sutra (also known as Avatamsaka Sutra). “The Four Immeasurable Compassions” concept has given us the inspiration that we have a duty to look after the aged. It is hoped that we should pull our resources together to help our senior citizens. Our senior citizens have made tremendous contribution to the society during their live time. They should have the opportunity to enjoy life in their final years. This is a way to build a selfless cordial society.
A few points for consideration:
1. Facilities and services similar to what is found in 5-star hotels should be made available. The accommodation provided should be comfortable in scenic areas. Single rooms complete with maid service should be made available. We could consider a fund raising exercise for donation or investment on a per room basis. Rooms not in use could be leased out. These could be made available to the guests of the inmates, or students who may need to make use of such facilities for study during their vacation.
July 2007
----------------------------------
I left Taiwan in the 1970s, and have been traveling to various countries and regions to teach Buddhist principles based on what is taught in the Sutras. In each place I visited, I was most concerned with two things: First, the welfare of the elderly; and secondly, the rate of juvenile delinquency.
Why am I so concerned about the welfare of the elderly? The average age of the population is increasing and it is a world problem. How to take care of the livelihood of the senior citizens in a country is a major concern of most governments. To rear our children in the hope that they will look after us is wishful thinking and is not practical. Most of the members of our younger generation either failed to extend filial piety to their own parents or they lack the ability to take care of them. The home for the elderly seems to be the only solution in this situation.
When we examine the social structure of society in different countries, facilities for the elderly are hard to find. It is true that such facilities are found in some countries like the USA and Australia, especially in Australia. The Government there does look after their senior citizens. Yet, whether it was facilities provided by the Government or by private entities, the focus is on materialistic support and not support for their spiritual aspirations. The personnel involved look after the inmates like what is expected from mechanical devices. True love and compassion are seldom shown. The elderly would soon feel depressed, and abandoned. They live in solitude and would simply wait for their demise.
In such circumstances, we recently learnt from the Flower Adornment Sutra (also known as Avatamsaka Sutra). “The Four Immeasurable Compassions” concept has given us the inspiration that we have a duty to look after the aged. It is hoped that we should pull our resources together to help our senior citizens. Our senior citizens have made tremendous contribution to the society during their live time. They should have the opportunity to enjoy life in their final years. This is a way to build a selfless cordial society.
A few points for consideration:
1. Facilities and services similar to what is found in 5-star hotels should be made available. The accommodation provided should be comfortable in scenic areas. Single rooms complete with maid service should be made available. We could consider a fund raising exercise for donation or investment on a per room basis. Rooms not in use could be leased out. These could be made available to the guests of the inmates, or students who may need to make use of such facilities for study during their vacation.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The Sutra in Forty-two Sections Spoken by the Buddha (Section 38 to 42)
Lectures by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua,
Given at Gold Mountain Monastery,
San Francisco, California, in 1974
The Sutra in Forty-two Sections Spoken by the Buddha
Section 38 to 42
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Section 38
Birth Leads to Death
The Buddha asked a Shramana, how long is the human life span? "He replied, few days. "The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way."
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "The reply was, the space of a meal. "The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way."
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "He replied, the length of a single breath. "The Buddha said, excellent. You have understood the Way."
The Buddha asked a Shramana, how long is the human life span? "The Buddha asked this question deliberately. It wasn’t that the Buddha didn’t know the answer himself and had to ask the Shramana to find out. The Buddha asked because he knew that people don’t know the length of the human life span. So he asked a Shramana, how long is a human being life? How much time does a human life last? " He replied, few days. "The first Shramana said, probably after a few days we will die. Life is not very long. " The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way. You still don understand. "
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "The reply was, he space of a meal. "The Shramana answered, n the time it takes to eat a single meal, a person life is over. " The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way. "He, too, didn understand.
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "He replied, he length of a single breath. The life span of a human being lasts for one breath. "The Buddha said, excellent. You have understood the Way." The Shramana who gave this answer understood the Way.
In India there was once a king who believed in adherents of non-Buddhist religions that cultivated many kinds of ascetic practices. Some followed the precepts of cows and some the precepts of dogs; some smeared ashes on their bodies; and some slept on beds of nails. They cultivated all sorts of ascetic practices, such as those undertaken by yogis. Meanwhile, the Bhikshus who cultivated the Buddhadharma had it comparatively easy, because they didn cultivate those kinds of ascetic practices. Now, the king of that country said to the Buddha disciples, believe that although these non-Buddhists cultivate all kinds of ascetic practices, they still cannot stop their thoughts of sexual desire. How much less are you Bhikshus, who are so casual, able to stop your afflictions and your thoughts of sexual desire. You surely cannot put a stop to them. "
One of the Dharma Masters answered the king this way, take a man from jail who has been sentenced to execution and say to him, take this bowl of oil and carry it in your hands as you walk down the street. If you spill a single drop of the oil, I’ll have you executed. If you don’t spill a single drop, I’ll release you when you return. ' Then, send some beautiful women musicians out on the street to sing and play their instruments where the sentenced man is walking with his bowl of oil. If he should spill any oil, of course you’ll execute him. If he comes back without spilling a single drop, ask him what he seen on the road, and see what he says! "
Given at Gold Mountain Monastery,
San Francisco, California, in 1974
The Sutra in Forty-two Sections Spoken by the Buddha
Section 38 to 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 38
Birth Leads to Death
The Buddha asked a Shramana, how long is the human life span? "He replied, few days. "The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way."
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "The reply was, the space of a meal. "The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way."
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "He replied, the length of a single breath. "The Buddha said, excellent. You have understood the Way."
The Buddha asked a Shramana, how long is the human life span? "The Buddha asked this question deliberately. It wasn’t that the Buddha didn’t know the answer himself and had to ask the Shramana to find out. The Buddha asked because he knew that people don’t know the length of the human life span. So he asked a Shramana, how long is a human being life? How much time does a human life last? " He replied, few days. "The first Shramana said, probably after a few days we will die. Life is not very long. " The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way. You still don understand. "
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "The reply was, he space of a meal. "The Shramana answered, n the time it takes to eat a single meal, a person life is over. " The Buddha said, you have not yet understood the Way. "He, too, didn understand.
He asked another Shramana, how long is the human life span? "He replied, he length of a single breath. The life span of a human being lasts for one breath. "The Buddha said, excellent. You have understood the Way." The Shramana who gave this answer understood the Way.
In India there was once a king who believed in adherents of non-Buddhist religions that cultivated many kinds of ascetic practices. Some followed the precepts of cows and some the precepts of dogs; some smeared ashes on their bodies; and some slept on beds of nails. They cultivated all sorts of ascetic practices, such as those undertaken by yogis. Meanwhile, the Bhikshus who cultivated the Buddhadharma had it comparatively easy, because they didn cultivate those kinds of ascetic practices. Now, the king of that country said to the Buddha disciples, believe that although these non-Buddhists cultivate all kinds of ascetic practices, they still cannot stop their thoughts of sexual desire. How much less are you Bhikshus, who are so casual, able to stop your afflictions and your thoughts of sexual desire. You surely cannot put a stop to them. "
One of the Dharma Masters answered the king this way, take a man from jail who has been sentenced to execution and say to him, take this bowl of oil and carry it in your hands as you walk down the street. If you spill a single drop of the oil, I’ll have you executed. If you don’t spill a single drop, I’ll release you when you return. ' Then, send some beautiful women musicians out on the street to sing and play their instruments where the sentenced man is walking with his bowl of oil. If he should spill any oil, of course you’ll execute him. If he comes back without spilling a single drop, ask him what he seen on the road, and see what he says! "
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Sutra in Forty-two Sections Spoken by the Buddha (Section 36 to 37)
Lectures by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua,
Given at Gold Mountain Monastery,
San Francisco, California, in 1974
The Sutra in Forty-two Sections Spoken by the Buddha
Section 36 to 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 36
The Sequence that Leads to Success
The Buddha said, it is difficult for one to leave the evil destinies and become a human being.
Even if one does become a human being, it is still difficult to become a man rather than a woman.
Even if one does become a man, it is still difficult to have the six sense organs complete and perfect.
Even if the six sense organs are complete and perfect, it is still difficult for one to be born in a central country.
Even if one is born in a central country, it is still difficult to be born at a time when there is a Buddha in the world.
Even if one is born at a time when there is a Buddha in the world, it is still difficult to encounter the Way.
Even if one does encounter the Way, it is still difficult to bring forth faith.
Even if one brings forth faith, it is still difficult to resolve one mind on Bodhi.
Even if one does resolve one mind on Bodhi, it is still difficult to be beyond cultivation and attainment."
The thirty-sixth section discusses the difficulties of obtaining a human body, being born in a central country, meeting a Good and Wise Advisor, encountering a Buddha in the world, and various other difficulties.
The Buddha said, t is difficult for one to leave the evil destinies and become a human being. "The three evil destinies are the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the realm of animals. It's very difficult to leave the three evil destinies and be reborn as a human being. When the Buddha was in the world, he once brought up a question for all the disciples to consider. The Buddha scooped up a handful of dirt and asked, all of you tell me, is there more dirt in my hand or on the whole earth? "
The Buddha disciples all answered, f course the dirt in the Buddha hand is less than the dirt on the whole earth! " Was there any need to ask about something as obvious as that?
The Buddha said, living beings who can leave the three evil destinies the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the realm of animals and become humans are like the dirt in my hand. Those who remain in the three evil destinies and cannot obtain human bodies are like the dirt on the whole earth. " This shows that for beings to leave behind the evil destinies and become human is not easy. Thus it is said that becoming a human being is difficult.
Given at Gold Mountain Monastery,
San Francisco, California, in 1974
The Sutra in Forty-two Sections Spoken by the Buddha
Section 36 to 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 36
The Sequence that Leads to Success
The Buddha said, it is difficult for one to leave the evil destinies and become a human being.
Even if one does become a human being, it is still difficult to become a man rather than a woman.
Even if one does become a man, it is still difficult to have the six sense organs complete and perfect.
Even if the six sense organs are complete and perfect, it is still difficult for one to be born in a central country.
Even if one is born in a central country, it is still difficult to be born at a time when there is a Buddha in the world.
Even if one is born at a time when there is a Buddha in the world, it is still difficult to encounter the Way.
Even if one does encounter the Way, it is still difficult to bring forth faith.
Even if one brings forth faith, it is still difficult to resolve one mind on Bodhi.
Even if one does resolve one mind on Bodhi, it is still difficult to be beyond cultivation and attainment."
The thirty-sixth section discusses the difficulties of obtaining a human body, being born in a central country, meeting a Good and Wise Advisor, encountering a Buddha in the world, and various other difficulties.
The Buddha said, t is difficult for one to leave the evil destinies and become a human being. "The three evil destinies are the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the realm of animals. It's very difficult to leave the three evil destinies and be reborn as a human being. When the Buddha was in the world, he once brought up a question for all the disciples to consider. The Buddha scooped up a handful of dirt and asked, all of you tell me, is there more dirt in my hand or on the whole earth? "
The Buddha disciples all answered, f course the dirt in the Buddha hand is less than the dirt on the whole earth! " Was there any need to ask about something as obvious as that?
The Buddha said, living beings who can leave the three evil destinies the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the realm of animals and become humans are like the dirt in my hand. Those who remain in the three evil destinies and cannot obtain human bodies are like the dirt on the whole earth. " This shows that for beings to leave behind the evil destinies and become human is not easy. Thus it is said that becoming a human being is difficult.
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