Buddhism
Buddhism: The Awakening of Compassion and Wisdom
From the teachings of
Venerable Master Chin Kung
Dedicated to All Sentient Beings in the Universe
We strive to instill a correct understanding of Buddhism
as this is important to our cultivation
and attainment of wisdom and enlightenment.
It is necessary for us to have a correct understanding before practicing Buddhism; otherwise, all the time spent in cultivation will be futile, as the most superior result will not be attained. Therefore, I would like to briefly explain the true nature of Buddhism.
Chinese history tells us that about three thousand years ago, Buddha Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism was born in Northern India. He lived seventy-nine years and dedicated forty-nine of them to teaching. In 67 AD, one thousand years after he entered Nirvana, these teachings were formally introduced into China.
Prior to acquiring a good knowledge of Buddhism, we need to understand the terms Buddha, Dharma, Buddhist Dharma and Buddhist teaching, as they are important to our cultivation. Buddha is a Sanskrit word, meaning "wisdom and enlightenment". Why was it transliterated as Buddha and not translated into wisdom and enlightenment? The meaning of "Buddha" is so profound and extensive that these two words were insufficient to cover the original meaning. Therefore, transliteration was used with further explanations.
In essence, Buddha means wisdom. In application or function, it means enlightenment. There are three levels of wisdom.
First, "General and All Knowledge Wisdom" is the correct understanding of the Noumena, or essence, of the universe. It is the wisdom of knowing the general aspect of all existences, the wisdom of Theravada sages.
Second, "Differentiation Wisdom" is the wisdom that can correctly comprehend all the infinite phenomena of the universe, the wisdom of knowing the discriminative aspect of all existences, the wisdom of Bodhisattvas. How did these phenomena arise? From where? In what way? What were their results?
Third, "Overall and Perfect Knowledge Wisdom" is the exhaustive and perfect perception and comprehension of the truth of life and the universe without the slightest doubt or error, the wisdom of Buddhas. Buddha Shakyamuni, possessing all three of these kinds of wisdom, completely understood the true reality of life and universe.
The function of wisdom is enlightenment. There are three classifications of enlightenment.
First is "self-enlightenment", a state in which one possesses no erroneous thoughts, views, speech or behavior. Arhats and Pratyekabuddhas in Theravada Buddhism have attained this level of self-enlightenment, but have not yet generated the Bodhi mind to help others achieve enlightenment.
Second is "enlightenment of self and others", a state in which one helps others to reach enlightenment after achieving his or her own. Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism have attained this level.
Third is "Perfect Complete Enlightenment", a state in which one reaches perfection in both enlightenment for self as well as helping others to reach enlightenment. This is the state of Buddhas.
The Buddha told us that this perfect wisdom and virtue are innate to all beings. The sutras, recorded teachings of the Buddha, tell us that "all sentient beings can attain Buddhahood." and "every being possess the wisdom and virtuous character of the Buddhas in nature. However, due to our discriminating and wandering thoughts and attachments, which are the root cause of all sufferings and disasters, we have temporarily lost our original Buddha nature. Thus, we continue being born into the endless cycle of birth and death.
The more we rid ourselves of these wandering thoughts and attachments, the more we will experience freedom from suffering, and the more wisdom and enlightenment we will uncover. Once we completely free ourselves from discriminating and wandering thought and attachments, our fixations to certain ideas or objects, we will regain our lost Buddhahood; our original perfect enlightened state, our self-nature Buddha.
Possessing great wisdom and enlightenment enables us to truly know all that exists and all that is infinite. This includes matters and objects as tiny as a speck of dust or the finest hair on the human body, to those as great as the infinite universe. All of these are the objects of our perception, or wisdom and enlightenment.
The Buddha used the word Dharma to symbolize all these infinite phenomena. Buddhist Dharma or Principle, is the infinite wisdom and enlightenment, the perception of all things and laws in life and the universe. Chinese people often say that Buddhist Dharma is as infinite as the object perceived is infinite and the wisdom perceivable is infinite. This wisdom is innate to our self-nature.
The Buddha said, "Our innate perception and the objects in the universe perceived are ONE not TWO." When we think about it logically, if the Buddha's words are complete and perfect, then we can believe that this wisdom and enlightenment are ultimate and perfect. However, if perceived and perceivable are opposites, then wisdom can hardly be complete and perfect, but rather it is limited.
The Buddha told us that knowable and known, perceivable and perceived are ONE not TWO. This is called the One True Dharma Realm, the most genuine, perfect and highest realm as explained to us in the Flower Adornment Sutra. The Western Pure Land of the Pure Land School also belongs to and is not separate from the One True Dharma Realm. This Western Pure Land, was created by Buddha Amitabha as an ideal place of cultivation as those who are born there are no longer subject to reincarnation within the six realms.
In 1923, a well-known Buddhist scholar, Mr. Jing-Wu Ou-Yang gave a speech at Nanjing Normal University in China, entitled "Buddhism is Neither a Religion Nor a Philosophy, but the Essential for Our Modern Time." It caused considerable sensation. His well-documented speech gave much conclusive support to the proper definition and viewpoint of Buddhism.
Restoring World Peace--Water Knows
All phenomena arise from the Mind.
Our environment changes according to our Mind.
The Buddha teachings state, "All phenomena arise from our minds; our environment can be transformed by the mind. In this video, "Restoring World Peace--Water Knows", modern scientists have demonstrated very well how our state of mind can restore world peace--the causality of our minds and the environment.
By conducting countless experiments on the water crystals, modern scientists have discovered that water can read, water can smell, water can listen and watch, and feel. Water can receive and reflect the messages of human thoughts through the shapes and contents of the water crystals. Water knows! Watch the video and see for yourself how water knows the human expression of love regardless of languages, understands the natural disasters happened on earth and the tragedies humans suffered. Water manifests the power of our mind. If we change the state of our mind, the environment will change accordingly.
The universe is indeed one living entity. All matter is conscious of sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, and thoughts. Thus, the whole universe senses even our slightest thought and we cannot hide our thoughts from anyone. Positive thoughts generate positive energy and negative thoughts generate negative energy. We must therefore try to maintain proper thoughts, words, and conduct. Only when we know to love ourselves will we truly love others, including all beings.
If all religious teachings, the teachings of causality, morality, and virtue can truly transform people from evil to good, from contaminated to pure, and from deluded to awakened. These teachings will then be the way--the only proper path--to resolve all the conflicts, disasters, and calamities, and restore harmony in our modern world. If people of all religions can cooperate and work together, follow the commandments and precepts, cultivate themselves, practice the teachings of their own faith and help others, learn from and respect and care for one another, then a harmonious society and peaceful world can be perfectly realized.
Today's world should emphasize on multiculturalism. We are one living entity. All religions are part of a bigger family. Restore world peace by cultivating our minds with positive thoughts, words and conduct, embrace multiculturalism, and emphasize on religious teachings as the urgent imperative for all human beings. A harmonious world will no doubt be coming in the near future. More on multiculturalism.
Living in a Grateful World
Be grateful to those who have hurt or harmed you,
for they have reinforced your determination.
Be grateful to those who have deceived you,
for they have deepened your insight.
Be grateful to those who have hit you,
for they have reduced your karmic obstacles.
Be grateful to those who have abandoned you,
for they have taught you to be independent.
Be grateful to those who have made you stumble,
for they have strengthened your ability.
Be grateful to those who have denounced you,
for they have increased your wisdom and concentration.
Be grateful to those who have made you
Firm & Resolute
and Helped in your Achievement.
~ From the Teachings of Ven. Master Chin Kung ~
Wherever the Buddha's teachings
have flourished, either in cities or countrysides,
people would gain inconceivable benefits...
The land and people would be enveloped
in peace. The sun and moon would shine clear
and bright. Wind and rain would appear
accordingly and there would be no disasters.
Nations would be prosperous and there
would be no use for soldiers or weapons.
People would abide by morality and accord
with laws.
They would be courteous and
humble, and everyone would be content
without injustices. There would be no
thefts or violence.
The strong would not
dominate the weak and everyone
would get their fair share.
~ The Buddha Speaks of The Infinite Life Sutra of Adornment, Purity, Equality and Enlightenment of the Mahayana School ~
BUDDHA-NAME CHANTING
THE TEN-RECITATION METHOD
This simple, convenient, and effective way to practice Buddha Recitation is especially suitable for those who find that they have little time for cultivation. It helps us to be mindful of Buddha Amitabha. It brings us quiet joy.
We begin when we wake up. Sit up straight and clearly recite "Amituofo" ten times with a calm and focused mind, aloud or silently. We repeat this process eight more times, each time doing one round of ten recitations.
Recite nine times daily at these times:
Upon waking up
Before breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Before and after our morning's work
Before and after our afternoon's work
Upon retiring
The key is regularity; disruption of this practice will reduce its effectiveness. When we recite consistently without interruption, we will soon feel an increase in our purity of mind, wisdom, and serenity. Diligent practice of this method, together with unwavering belief and vows, can ensure fulfillment of our wish to be reborn in the Western Pure Land.
N A M O A M I T A B H A
The Teachings of Great Master Yin Guang
Whether one is a layperson or has left the home life, one should respect elders and be harmonious to those surrounding him.
One should endure what others cannot, and practice what others cannot achieve. One should take others' difficulties unto oneself and help them succeed in their undertakings.
While sitting quietly, one should often reflect upon one's own faults, and what chatting with friends, one should not discuss the rights and wrongs of others.
In every action one makes, whether dressing or eating, from dawn to dusk and dusk till dawn, one should not cease to recite the AMITABHA Buddha's name.
Aside from Buddha recitation, whether reciting quietly or silently, one should not give rise to other improper thoughts. If wandering thoughts appear, one should immediately dismiss them.
Constantly maintain a humble and repentful heart; even if one has upheld true cultivation, one should still feel one's practice is shallow and not the business of others.
Only look after the good examples of others instead of bad ones. One should see oneself as mundane and everyone else as Bodhisattvas. If one cultivate according to these teachings, one is sure to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Homage to Amitabha! Amitabha!