Dharma in Africa

UNDER RE-CONSTRUCTION ;-)

2010-11-30T09:04:00.001+02:00

Precious Jewel under the beggar's hearth

2009-07-27T16:27:00.022+02:00

Namo Amitofo!

Homage and deep respect to Venerable Master Hui Re

Such a precious Master right in one's midst in the unusual surroundings of a place like Africa!?! How much merit must each one of us collected over countless lifetimes? To share such a special bond and connection to a being so wise and compassionate.He bides his time in a land mostly bereft of Dharma where most beings don't even notice the precious jewel of dharma wisdom under our very noses...
Staying and living where no other masters have been willing to stay and teaching even if there are only a few willing to listen and learn.

Every opportunity is the teaching.

The dharma he teaches is profound and at times cuts like a knife.

The very way to wake one from the stupor we have long found so much comfort in. Patiently he grinds away our obscurations and tempers our rigid minds.

Sitting back and just watching...observing him is a teaching.

He is like a smooth flowing stream confidently navigating its course, never dissuaded by floating debris or times of drought.

Open minded, kind, loving and wise.

Persevering and standing his ground firmly when he has heartfelt trust that an action will yield a specific long term result. Who knows what he envisions or what he might see when he looks into the eyes of a child or a lost being?

Respecting all Dharma, knowing it liberates. Shifu is by no means just an ordinary fellow seeker but a master who has been treading the path and following his dharma heart with all his heart.

If we patiently watch, listen and learn we will open our own hearts and minds just as a master does.

Blessed indeed! May all his pure intentions bear fruit and no being ever go hungry for dharma again.

On Reciting the Name of the Buddha by Master Kuang-ch'in

2009-07-27T16:27:00.011+02:00

Practice reciting the name of the Buddha to the extent that "flowers flourish and the Buddha comes into view."

We all have a Buddha immanent in our minds. When we practice recitation to the extent that our minds are pure and free of vexations, we will meet the buddha within ourselves. Therefore, only by the extinction of all vexations can we attain the stage where "flowers flourish and the Buddha comes into view."

We should practice compassion and forbearance in our daily lives while avoiding impulsiveness and petulance and controlling our temper. Be adroit and harmonious when dealing with people and handle everything with the help of reason.

Seek not the faults of others and do not be vexed by the rights or wrongs we perceive. Be gentle and kind to others, though not for the sake of building up connections. Treat everyone, be he/she moral or immoral, with equality and impartiality.

Do not turn others away with an icy face. With every move intended for the benefit of others and done with sympathetic compassion, not only will we foster good affinity with others but our minds will be purified and ourselves free of all vexations.

We are thereby attaining the stage where "flowers flourish and the Buddha comes into view."

~ The Analects of Master Kuang-ch'in

2009-03-27T14:02:00.002+02:00

Excerpt of a talk on Amitabha and the Pureland of Dewachen (Sukhavati)
by
H.H.the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
(look it up)

Q: "Is there any way in which one can be in the Pureland, aside from literally at the end of existence? On the other hand, is this something that can be reached in this present existence? Can the Pureland be accessed in this life?"

Rinpoche: "Yes, when the last breath has been exhaled, before the next breath is inhaled. At that moment, there is a death and a rebirth. You can experience the Pureland there in the interval between breaths."

Q: "Rinpoche, you say that you can experience the Pureland in that interval, in that case, what is the Pureland?"

Rinpoche: "What is the Pureland really? The Pureland is one's own stainless primordial awareness. If, from moment to moment, you regain and retain your own primordial enlightened nature: that is the Pureland. Everything comes from your own mind. Understand that, remain there: that is the Pureland."

It is very interesting to read about Tantric Pureland practice.
It would be interesting to get your ideas about the above excerpt with the 'nembutsu'/'nienfo' practice in mind.

Can I risk the statement that there are possibly two 'nembutsu'/'nienfo' resultants:
Similar to Shakyamuni Buddha's Nirvana and Parinirvana, there is 'this-moment-Pureland' and there is 'death-moment-Pureland'.
Both are really the same except the relinquishig of the mortal body.
Everytime we recite 'Namo Amitabha/Namo Amitofo/Namu Amida Bu' we are not just present in our own enlightened nature (illuminated by Amitabha) but our Amitabha-enlightend-minds are also and more so being illuminted from no specific designation but simply from sheer 'Namo Amitabha/Namo Amitofo/Namu Amida Bu'.

It is further interesting to see that the importance of breath-retention in yogic practices is the key to actualising the yogic goal - manifesting light body or moksha.
If you try become mindful of the breath and at the moment of breath retention (all while reciting 'nienfo'/'nembutsu' of course ~:)) you notice that you are between birth and death, or being between living and not living, or being neither between living nor not living at all, where are you then?

Mmm...where else but 'Namo Amitabha/Namo Amitofo/Namu Amida Bu'.

Any comments?
~:)

OJO Retreat

2009-03-15T18:43:00.002+02:00

There is to be a Pureland Retreat led by Dharmavidya and sponsored by Amida Trust 19-29 March. You can do the practices at home and follow along by joining OJO Retreat

Namo Omito Fo.

When I Say... (guess)

2008-11-11T22:14:00.003+02:00

I step outside, Ah!

When I say: Namo Amita
The road becomes soft, it becomes level
Easy to walk on, smooth to the move.

When I say: Namo Amita
The falling leaves are constant raining Mandarava flowers
Weeds blossom beautiful crysantheums
Revealing their true potential.

When I say: Namo Amita
Dogs bark: Awake! Aware! Take Care!
Pigeons become Peacocks and
Hadidas, Garudas.

Yes, Amitabha is the Buddha of Discriminating Wisdom
All effects are seen uniquely
All within is known from the perfect eye on Universal Truth
All things and processes reveal their empty-buddha nature blissfully.

When I say: Namo Amita
I stand at the Western Gate of the Mandala
The Sun is Ever-Never Setting
I knock on my heart:
"Home Sweet Home".

2008-10-28T12:50:00.004+02:00

I see trees of jewels........ great lotuses too
I see em bloom..... with a seat for me and you
And a thought beyond self, saying.... Namo Amitabha.

I see skies of light..... clouds of violet
Bright blessed days.... dark sacred nights
And a clear crystal smile, saying..... Namo Amitabha.

The colors of rainbow bodies..... so pretty ..in the sky
Emanating from the faces..... of saints ..and yogi
I see friends sharing half-bows..... sayin.. O-MI-TO-FO
They're really sayin...... A-MI-DA-BU (i love you).

I hear peacocks cry...... watch them go
They teach much more..... now that I know
And a moment of AH! saying..... Namo Amitabha.

The color of infinite light..... so lovely.. in the sky
Radiates from the dharmakaya..... of Perfect-Bliss .. Amita
He sees beings letting-go..... when sayin.. O-MI-TO-FO
They're really sayin... OM AH HUM(I...offer...life).

I hear heavenly music play...... Bodhisattvas pray
"May all beings be free - for all eternity"
And being here right now..... Namo Amitabha
Yes be here right now....... NAMO AMITA - BHA!

AUMMM...yeah!

the PureLand rendition of Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World'

sitting

2008-10-26T10:34:00.000+02:00

Offering Incense

2008-10-24T05:51:00.002+02:00

Early morning meditation,
Lighting an incense coil,
Immediately,
Releasing an elegant curl of smoke,
Indistinct time and space.
Words pour forth from the heart,
Devoutly well up.
Fragrant petals of the heart,
A sincere and pious offering.
Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors and all living beings.
Buddha is the self nature,
Bodhisattvas are the self nature
All living beings are the self nature,
An endless offering.
Space is limited
But this offering is boundless without end.

Tea Ch’an

2008-10-14T06:02:00.002+02:00

With the first rays of the morning sun,

It’s time to drink tea.

Fresh tips of tea,

Purple red pot,

Blue cup,

Water.

The physical body of flesh,

And the immortal, unchanging nature of wisdom.

It’s time to play ‘Tea Ch’an.’

Peaceful and calm,

Empty and silent.

With it’s own natural order,

It seems there is tea and yet no tea.

It seems there is mind and yet no mind.

As though space and time have gone away.

Space and time are an illusion constructed by the mind,

As it created the strife of samsara.

Purity love and hate,

Eliminate this mind,

Transcend space and time,

No people and no self,

Leave only true love for humanity.

--MASTER HUI RE

It's possible

2008-10-14T05:48:00.002+02:00

Is it possible that humanity never again kill, steal, rape and lie?

Can humanity never again fight for political causes?

Is it possible that humanity never again makes weapons and kills one another in war?

Is it possible that humanity never again mistreats and kills animals?

Can humanity never again pollute the rivers and oceans?

Can humanity never again fell the forests and destroy the environment?

Can humanity never again fall into materialistic thinking?

… Can humanity never again…

It is impossible for humanity.
I see human kind is insignificant and powerless.
But although this is so,
Humanity still has hope,
Because the original nature of human kind is pure.

As long as we abide in peace
And let our hearts be at peace,
Love will arise,
To transform the human race,
Slowly returning it to its bright original nature.

And then,
Everything will become possible.

--MASTER HUI RE

Wounded Heart

2008-09-26T17:59:00.005+02:00

A wounded heart
Fragile
Crying the whole day through.
Eyes black from weeping
Eyes red from tears
Heart full of sorrow.
My heart full of sorrow,
Buddha’s heart full of sorrow,
World’s heart full of sorrow.

Boundless pity
Because he has been our
Brother and sister for many lives and ages
Foolish people, concealing your wisdom from yourselves
I beseech you please,
I beseech you: Please
Stop harming, hurting others
Stop harming others.
How can you not know,
That hurting others
Is hurting yourself?

Master Hui Re

Buddha nature manifests in myriad forms

2008-09-24T20:15:00.003+02:00

May all beings be at ease.

What is Pure Land?

2008-09-20T13:52:00.003+02:00

The goal of all Buddhist practice is to achieve Enlightenment and transcend the cycle of birth and death: that is, to attain Buddhahood. It is said that the Buddha taught 84,000 different methods to reach enlightenment. Most of these methods depend upon one’s own power. These are called self-power methods. Progress along the path to enlightenment is achieved through intense and sustained personal effort. Most ordinary people, struggling to make a living in difficult circumstances, with continual distractions and diversions do not have the external conditions or mental and physical ability to necessary to achieve enlightenment on this path. The path of other-power relies not upon one’s own power but upon the power of the Buddha Amitabha. Over 10 aeons ago the monk Dharmakara (who later became the Buddha Amitabha) made 48 powerful vows to enable those with genuine, sincere faith to be reborn in his Pure Land, Sukhavati, the Land of Ultimate Bliss. In that idyllic environment, free of the accumulation of new negative karma, anyone can attain nirvana in one lifetime.

Pure Land Buddhism is a religion of faith, of faith in Amitabha Buddha and in one’s capacity to achieve Buddhahood. The immediate goal of Pure Land Buddhists is to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land. There, in more favourable surroundings, in the presence of Amitabha, beings will eventually attain complete enlightenment. The essence of Pure Land practice consists of the recitation or remembrance of the name of Amitabha Buddha. Beginning practitioners also read the Pure Land Sutras, and make vows to be reborn in the Pure Land for their own benefit and for the benefit of all beings.

Pure Land Buddhism belongs to the Mahayana tradition in that one seeks liberation not only for oneself but for the sake of all beings.

Master Hui Re Biography

2008-09-20T12:52:00.004+02:00

Venerable Hui Re comes from the Peng-hu County, Taiwan ROC. He became a disciple of Grand Master Hsing Yun in 1986 and left home to become a monk at the Fo Guang Shan Order main Monastery in Gao-Xiung, Taiwan. From 1987 to 1989, after graduating from the Taiwan Fo Guang Shan Buddhist College he worked at the Fo Guang Shan Male College as Director of Education then as Director of Student Affairs and later as the Director of the Fo Guang Shan Sramanera (novice monk) Seminary.

In 1994, after running the seminary for many years he requested to do a solitary retreat to deepen his meditation, but was asked to first build a Ch'an meditation Center on Fo Guang Mountain. Upon completion of the Meditation Center he was asked to run the center which he did for six years. Everyday he led students, monastics and the public in meditation. He hosted over 200 seven day Ch'an (Zen) retreats and was also an active member of the Fo Guang Shan Religious Affairs Committee. Finally, in 1999, he was granted permission to enter a three-year solitary meditation retreat at the secluded Fo Guang Shan Bei-Hai, North Taiwan, mountain monastery in Taiwan. After only one year causes and conditions changed and he had to leave his retreat and come back to work.

Much to the benefit of budding African Buddhism, Master Hui Re came to South Africa for a short visit and stayed. He has now been in South Africa for over seven years. At first he lectured at the African Buddhist Seminary and taught Buddhism and meditation at Nan Hua Temple. In 2003 he started rebuilding a small farmhouse about a kilometer from the Temple which became the Chan Lin (lit. Chan Forest Hermitage) Meditation Center. Master Hui Re became the resident Meditation Master, teaching seminary students meditation, guiding practitioners during the monthly beginner and intermediate meditation retreats and quarterly 7 day advanced meditation retreats for seminary students and the public.

At the beginning of 2006 Master Hui Re disentangled himself from all external responsibilities and cloistered himself at Ch'an Lin to do a three-year quiet living retreat. He did not leave the grounds of the center but still taught seminary students meditation and lead retreats at Ch'an Lin. During this time he spent seven to twelve hours a day practicing in the Meditation Hall.

Between 2004 and 2007 the master changed his practice from Chan to Pure Land. Pure Land Buddhism is the form of Buddhism most commonly practiced in the East. It relies on the infinite compassion of the Buddha Amitabha to help deeply afflicted beings escape the endless cycle of suffering. His three-year retreat was aimed at deepening his understanding and realization of the Pure Land Dharma.

In 2007, after a visit to the Amitofo Care Centre (ACC) in Malawi, that provides a home for nearly 300 children left destitute by Aids and poverty, Master Hui Re decided to join Master Hui Li, the founder of ACC. Like Master Hui Li, he vowed to devote his life to helping Africa; in his view, the most neglected and suffering continent in the world.

The masters formed the Amitofo Charity Association, (ACA) the umbrella organisation for the care centres that aims to build care centres in every country in Africa offering loving care and education to vulnerable, needy children. Master Hui Li builds the physical structures of the children's homes: Master Hui Re helps develop systems and structures to ensure their efficient and effective running.

Master Hui Re is dedicated to teaching Buddhism to all who wish to learn. Starting with the basic teachings common to all sects of Buddhism, the master will give instructions in Ch'an and Pure Land Buddhism. Ch'an, or Zen, is quite well know in the West. However, Pure Land, sometimes called the Buddhism of wisdom and faith, is the most common practice in the East and is now beginning to come West. In South Africa it is taught only at Nan Hua Buddhist Temple and ACA.

Master Hui Li and his love for Africa

2008-09-20T12:24:00.003+02:00

Called by some the Albert Schweitzer of Chinese Buddhism, Venerable Master Hui Li vowed to devote five lifetimes to alleviating the problems of Africa.

Born in Pintong county, Taiwan in 1955 to poor farming parents, Hui Li was a strong, quiet, hardworking child. From junior high onwards, he financed his education by working at night. He learned early that life is fragile and precarious. Every day he saw funerals as people were buried in the cemetery next to his school. He knew about the sadness of old age, sickness and death.

While attending a Buddhist High School away from home, he stayed at a small Buddhist Temple. He became a vegetarian. In 1987 he took refuge under Master Hsin Yun, the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. The following year he ordained as a monk. In 1992 Master Hui Li took responsibility for the construction of Fo Guang Shan Temples on other continents. In fulfillment of Master Hsin Yun’s vow to build a Fo Guang Shan Temple on every continent of the world, Master Hui Li volunteered to come to South Africa to build the first Chinese Buddhist Temple on the African continent. He became the first abbot of the magnificent Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit, near Pretoria.

Deeply concerned about the problems of Africa, Master Hui Li visited most African countries. The extreme poverty and hardship he saw awoke in him the desire to devote five lifetimes to helping Africa.

In the late nineties he survived a serious car accident in which his brother died. He also contracted malaria. In spite of these difficulties he did not falter in his determination to serve Africa. “If you don’t get malaria you have not got your passport to work in Africa”, he quipped.

In 1994 the African Buddhist College (the first Buddhist seminary in Africa) opened at Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit with the intention of teaching Buddhist scriptures and practices to young men from the continent of Africa thus giving the students tools that might be useful in alleviating Africa’s problems. Master Hui Li visited Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Liberia, Swaziland and Lesotho to recruit young men for the new College. The ultimate goal was to begin the long, difficult process of localizing Buddhism in Africa. It was hoped the young men would go back to their own countries and spread Buddhism in ways that were acceptable to the local people.

Master Hui Li began his charity work in Africa at this time, donating wheelchairs and sponsoring orphaned children. As they say in Chinese, “Master Hui Li walked into Africa”. He covered the entire Southern Africa from East to West.

When he visited Malawi in 1998 to make a donation of wheelchairs, he became aware of the terrible problem of HIV and Aids in this country. Forty percent of the population was HIV positive and over one million children had lost one or both parents to Aids. He decided that something had to be done for these children. He realized that there would be a whole generation of orphaned children, who, if they reached adulthood, would have no proper upbringing and very little education. The result of this could only be disastrous. It was from this motivation that the concept of the Amitofo Care Centres was born. He abdicated the abbotship of Nan Hua Temple in 2001 in order to dedicate himself more completely to his work in Africa.

Ven. Hui Li lost no time in activating his plan to help Malawi. Following successful negotiations with Malawi’s First Lady, a piece of land just outside Blantyre, in southern Malawi, was donated for this project. The Ground Breaking Ceremony took place on 28 November 2002. Construction of the first Amitofo Care Centre began the following year. Generous donors, mainly from Taiwan, provided financial support. By 2005 the first stage of construction was completed. One hundred and twenty, 3 to 12 year old children moved in. By 2008 the Malawi care Centre is looking after nearly 300 children.

Ch'an - the Road Back Home - Welcome!

2008-09-19T23:53:00.004+02:00

Hi everyone!
This is to welcome you to a series of teachings in 12 Chapters by Master Hui Re on Ch'an Meditation. The sections will be split into digestible bite-size chunks for your convenience and to keep things straightforward.
We welcome your enthusiastic feedback and input.
These precious teachings are mainly focused on the essence of meditation in a practical way.
May all those needing meditation guidance benefit!
May we all ever steadfast walk the path...
Amitofo!

INTRODUCTION
Part 1

The Ch'an Meditation Lineage

Eastern meditation started in the 5th Century BCE with the awakening of Sakyamuni Buddha. After this the great Indian monk Bodhidharma entered China, leaving to this day 2000 years of meditation history. The meditation propagated at Nan Hua Temple is the meditation of the Ch'an School, being the wonderful result of the effect of Chinese culture on the teaching of the Buddha. In the past, this had a deep and powerful effect on the philosophy, literature, arts, architecture, and so on, of both China and her neighbours, Japan and Korea. In the future, its effects on Europe and the Americas will be similar. Buddhism and meditation are the spiritual legacy of humankind, and it is certainly worthwhile investigating this, to extract the essentials we now require.

Principles and Concepts of Meditation:

1 The Thought of Meditation: The virtue of maintaining a balanced and even mind, putting an end to mundane thinking, and to develop the thinking of the saints.
2 The Culture of Meditation: The growth and increase of confidence, unconditioned kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.
3 The Lifestyle of Meditation: The practice of a simple, grateful and regulated life. Living contentedly and ethically.
4 The Use of Meditation: Using it joyously, to become full of life. Everywhere is the right place, as there is no limit.
5 The Spirit of Meditation: Fearlessly taking on responsibilities and putting them into practice. Knowing that this Mind is the Buddha.
6 The Goal of Meditation: Entering into the realization of wisdom, freedom and awakening. Living with wisdom, as a free human being.

Stages on the Path of Meditation:

1 Path of Preparation: Practicing toward strong personal integrity, having gratefulness and modesty.
2 Path of Faith: Sincerely taking refuge in the Triple Gem, the Buddha, Dharma, and Samgha. Actively stopping unwholesome actions, and performing wholesome actions.
3 Path of Goodness: Developing Right Knowledge and Right View, benefiting society according to circumstances.
4 Path of Precepts: Relying on and upholding the Buddha's ethical precepts, being content without seeking fame.
5 Path of Meditation: Leaving the Five Hindrances and Five Desires, which hinder our spiritual development. Being clear and alert with every thought.
6 Path of Wisdom: Correctly seeing the pure Original Nature, and purifying remaining negative karma.
7 Path of Seeing: Forever eliminating dualistic differentiation. The negative emotions of desire, anger and delusion are slight.
8 Path of Cultivation: Removing grasping at self. Developing Great Compassion that seeks to benefit the entire world.
9 Path Beyond Learning: Complete Unsurpassed Awakening, beyond views, beyond no cultivation and without anything to attain.

In learning Buddhist meditation, emphasis is placed on actual practice. Right View guides practice, so that one does not inadvertently follow a wrong path. Otherwise one's cultivation is blind. Thus, the practice is based on the Bodhisattva mind of the Mahayana, the Great Vehicle, and the clear stages, goals and practices of all schools of Buddhism. Beginners start at developing personal morals and integrity. They then learn to develop and practice the awakened mind that has love for themselves, others, and the whole world. On preparing the requisite virtue and wisdom, one can attain and confirm the highest mind of enlightenment, accomplishing the Perfect Unequalled Enlightenment.

Night Sitting

2008-09-19T23:30:00.004+02:00

On inhaling, intent and fine.
On exhaling, clear and aware.
Slowly, slowly.
Limbs relaxed,
Consciousness open and empty,
The sign less mind naturally appears.
Then:
Seeing the wondrous mind and nature
Gradually, gradually,
Mind not knowing it is mind,
Nature not knowing it is nature,
Only the silent witnessing of no self
Just meditate, seeing in the stillness.

-MASTER HUI RE

Morning Siting

2008-09-19T23:22:00.002+02:00

Sit at peace.
Body straight.
Still the spirit.
Leave behind all the ways of thought.
Peacefully watch the in breath,
The out breath.
Feeling warm,
Breath needs body, relies on body,
Inhale,
A clear cool touch.
Breath needs mind, relies on mind,
Body and mind in breath,
Universe in breath,
Natural rhythm,
Mind and breath interrelated.
In an instant:
Body knows not body.
Breath knows not breath.
Mind knows not mind.
Only awareness.
Just meditating.
Just like this.
A thousand million eons pass in a flash
Without beginning without end.

Self Nature

2008-09-19T23:08:00.003+02:00

Self Nature is me
I am the world the universe
Every blade of grass and tree in the world
Is my own manifestation
And the Buddha’s, God’s
Every saints’ true manifestation
The Buddhist Avatamsaka Sutra says:
Knowing all phenomena,
Is the Self Nature of the Mind,
Accomplishing the Wisdom Body,
Realizing by oneself.
The path is in the heart
And in the bricks and mortar too.

Wilderness - love for Africa

2008-09-19T22:37:00.003+02:00

Broad level plains of wild grass land
The beautiful scene of a winters day
With ivory trees and rocks
As embellishments tossed about
With an old thatched shack
A stack of firewood all ablaze
Surrounded by rocks
Topped by an old steel mesh
And big cans and metal buckets
Water boiling, stew a bubbling
Three or five serene black faced
White toothed construction workers
Sitting around
Saintly eyed
A friend’s simple smile
So relaxed and free
With nothing to do
Just awaiting the stew
Add a few greens and a little corn
Completing the days delicious fare
The ancient way of eating
Like a thousand years before
Longing for this simple, unadorned life
I said to myself:
I love Africa’s wild grass lands
I love the Africans’ innocent smile
I love simple, ancient ways
Because:
I am them
And they I.

Spring Heart

2008-09-19T22:16:00.002+02:00

Spring is in the heart,
It’s not a season.
Because of love,
Spring is everywhere, dancing in the tips of the trees,
Always there between you and me,
Always there in time of need.
Time moves and changes,
But spring is eternally here in the world of humankind.
When one knows the truth,
Entering into the path,
The heart lets go, there is nothing to do,
Never again desirous, attached or seeking.
Then,
One lives forever in spring,
The spring heart flowing with birth and death,
Never to be parted again.

Ch'an has no Gate

2008-09-19T21:40:00.005+02:00

Hello All Fellow Cultivators!

Yesterday, June 6th 2003, the Ten Day Ch'an-Pureland Retreat at Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple South Africa was complete. During the retreat, the Chairman of the Johannesburg Buddha Light Association fasted for seven days. He achieved a most supreme physical and spiritual peace and relief.

During the thought sharing at the end of the retreat, he was moved to tears before the assembled practitioners, moved at the rarity of attaining human birth, the difficulty in finding the Dharma, and the fortune of meeting the Sangha. During the thought sharing many participants vowed to move to the Nan Hua Meditation Centre for intense practice, and a better future. Thus they will be able to easily attain rebirth in Amitabha Buddha's Pureland.

Concluding Dharma Words:

Ch'an has no Gate,

The Pureland has a Path.

In a moment of No-mind, one instantly attains Ch'an,

In a thought of Amitabha, one surely is born in the Pureland.

Master Huei Re

7th July 2003 at South Africa Nan Hua Temple Meditation Centre, durina 10 day Retreat, transl by Ven Ben Yong

Entering into Ch'an

2008-09-19T21:12:00.002+02:00

Hello All Fellow Cultivators!

There is nothing better than cultivation, only entering into Ch'an is supreme.

If there is no means to practice together with your Dharma Friends, we invite you to join in spirit, practicing Ch'an meditation and Reciting the Buddha's Name, together realizing the Unconditioned.

Opening Dharma Words:

Everything before the eye is the way, there is no need to seek the Buddha's Path,
One originally is Buddha, there is no need to aim to become a Buddha.

With Mind, Externals and Dharma, it is only an Expedient Teaching,
With No-mind, No-externals and No-dharma, it is the Ultimate Gate.

If the Mind grasps at Externals and grasps at Dharma, one is unenlightened,
If the Mind grasps not at Externals and grasps not at Dharma,

one is the same as the Tathagata.

Just let the Mind constantly remain without abiding, with nothing to do, without corruption or deluded thought, that's it!

If one clings to that mind without abiding, with nothing to do, then that is not it!

Those unable to remain without abiding, with nothing to do, can continuously Recite the Buddha's Name and reflect back on the Self-nature.

The inconceivable state of No Mind yet Nothing Not Mind,

No External yet Nothing Not External,

No Dharma yet Nothing Not the Dharma.

Master Hui Re

7th July 2003 at South Africa Nan Hua Temple Meditation Centre, during a 10 day retreat transl by Ven Ben Yong

Life is Short

2008-09-19T19:30:00.002+02:00

We should be conscious of how difficult it is to acquire human existence...

Reflecting on this, notice how this achievement , thanks to the compassion of our teachers and the Three Jewels and due to the power of our good karma - we are in the position to achieve an objective corresponding to one of the three spiritual capacities of beings: high rebirth in samsara or definitive benefit (i.e liberation or even enlightenment). In this human state, however, death can strike at any moment, for the causes remain uncertain and there is no saying that we shall not be dead before this very evening!
The only thing keeping us alive is the in breath... and the out breath...

And if we fail to practice the sublime dharma, which is so helpful to ourselves and others, and if we simply stay as we are frittering away this human existence in distraction, rendering our freedom and advantages meaningless, how can we possibly expect to find the excellence of this human form again? We shall certainly fail. Therefore the great bodhisattva being, Shantideva warns us not to render ineffectual these freedoms and advantages - the leisure and opportunity - not to let it go to waste.
To repeat, we have at present gained a human life, endowed with freedom and advantages, we have met with a qualified spiritual master and received and read profound teachings. Now that we have happened upon this situation, s hard to find, so easy to destroy, we must reflect again and again on the tremendous chance that lies within our reach.
All the great exploits of worldly life we should should just cast aside, and we should reject outright all trivial pursuits. And while we have the light of life, we should spend our life simply practicing the dharma. We must be quick to seize the essence of our freedoms and advantages!

As the glorious Atisha Dipankara said:

This life is so short, so many things to know!
You have no notion of how long you have to live.
So like the swan that milk from water strains,
Pursue the goal that you yourself desire.

Think about it...

Using the Mind as the Basis for Bodhicitta

Shantideva uses the image of the deep darkness of a sunless night unlit by the moon, when the sky is covered by thick clouds that hide the stars, and when everything is suddenly and for a split second illuminated by a flash of lightning.
The present situation of sentient beings is indeed like such a night, for the sun of omniscient primordial wisdom does not shine...it is a state of profound obscurity.

For beings are ignorant of what they should do and what they should avoid.

(We are indeed lost, stuck, yet the medicine exists - drink it!)

The light of the Buddhas' and Bodhisattvas' pure aspirations of the past and the coming together of the merit of sentient beings wishing to turn their minds to virtue - a rare occasion.
Usually the minds of ordinary beings are overshadowed by the gloom of ignorance.
Such virtuous thoughts are simply the desire or willingness to do something good and positive. These are fleeting impulses and do not often happen (perhaps once in a hundred times or twice in a thousand). They are extremely rare.
Therefore if the state of mind of actually wanting to accomplish something good occurs to you, you should be like a blind man who has managed to catch hold of a cow's tail.
You should resolve never to lose it, but to develop it more and more.
Don't ask your father.
Don't discuss io with our mother.
Don't let others decide for you.
Just make up your own mind and be independent.
Do not give yourself over to others, but be like a yak with its nose rope tied over its own head.
Leave your enemies over to their own devices, let your fields dry up.
Practice earnestly, instead the ten innermost riches of the Kadampa masters of old.
(see below for this advice)

Tell yourself: "I will truly practice the sacred dharma"
And once this vow is taken the pledge must be fulfilled!

The three vajras (indestructible thunderbolt) of Tsangpa Gyare say:
Start with the indestructible decision of no procrastination, conclude with the indestructible decision of no need to be ashamed and take as your indestructible companion primordial wisdom.

The three fierce mantras are:
"Whatever has to happen, let it happen!"
"Whatever the situation is, it is fine!" and
"I really don't need anything!"

The Bulk extracted from Khenpo Khunpel's commentary The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech on Bodhisattvacharyavatara by Shantideva - transl. by the Padmakara Group, Asian Edition 2008

The Innermost Treasure (Jewel) of the Kadampa Masters

These are the ten innermost jewels of the Kadampas.
By merely keeping them in the heart, the fortress of delusion collapses, the ship of evil negative karma disintegrates and one will reach the very blissful ground of remedy. Therefore, if one has these ten innermost jewels, one will achieve liberation and enlightenment quickly and without hardships; and, by the way, one will attain the happiness of this life and the happiness of all future lives.

I request the possessor of the mighty one, the kind Gurus, the direct and indirect Gurus, please bless me to give up this life, as in the holy biographies of the previous holy beings.

By seeing sickness, old age and death, the unequaled son of Tsetsang (Prince Siddhartha) felt great sadness and then abandoned his reign of the kingdom. At the end of six years, having lived the austere life of an ascetic, on the banks of the great river Naranza, he became fully Enlightened. Like that, as in the life stories of the previous holy beings who reflected on impermanence and death, felt great sorrow, gave up this life, practiced in solitary places and achieved Enlightenment in one life; in this way, reflect on the nature of the uncertainty of death: Why shouldn't I give up the activities of this life-- home, field, house, relatives, food, wealth--all of which do not allow pure Dharma practice to arise?

Except for the needs for survival-the three robes, begging bowl, and so forth--, I won't keep gold or jewels or anything extra, not even one piece, for myself. What is definite to occur for me is death. At that time, wealth, family, friends (cats and dogs, too) will not benefit me. Furthermore, there is the suffering of separation from them. By reflecting in this way, I should give up seeking the means of this life.

I should entrust the depths of my attitudes to the Dharma.
I should entrust the depths of the Dharma to the beggar.
I should entrust the depths of the beggar to death.
I should entrust the depths of death to the cave.
I should proceed well with the uncaptured vajra. (By proceeding with vajra mind, not changing from renouncing this life, I practice Dharma without being captured by the beloved ones.)

I should definitely leave behind the vajra without shyness. (Leave behind worldly concern: Whatever people say about me, good or bad, I won't change my mind when I go out into the world with renunciation for this life. This mind is the vajra without shyness.)

The transcendent wisdom vajra should accompany me. (I should equalize Dharma and my life together without transgressing the commitment to renouncing this life I live in.) I should attempt to be out of line with the human beings. (I should be out of line with worldly human beings who are attached to this life.) I should keep the lowly position, wearing ragged clothes.

I should reach to the line of dogs and achieve to the line of devas. (Accept the loss of food, clothing and reputation. No matter how much hunger, thirst, hardship happens, I will bear it to practice Dharma. When one gives up all the works of the mundane world and completes one's practice in solitary places, one achieves the Supramundane Deva of the Deva, which is Enlightenment in this life.)

In short, the impermanence and death will come soon. Now is the time to give up this life. Due to the compassion of the Guru and my own virtue, may I be able to give up the work of this life.

If one recites these words verbally and reflects on their meaning, one will be able to give up quickly the works of this life completely

Colophon
This text was written by the highly attained lama, Tsokdrug Rangdrol. It was translated by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche on the 23rd day of the first month of the year of the Earth Rabbit, March 10, 1999, at Kacho Dechen Ling, Aptos, CA, USA; dictated to Ven. Lhundup Ningje. May all beings benefit . Reprinted with permission from Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

May all beings swiftly achieve the perfect state of Buddhahood!
Sarva Managalam.

In Praise of Bodhicitta

2008-09-19T15:04:00.006+02:00

"As when a flash of lightning rends the night, And in its glare shows all the dark black clouds had hid, Likewise rarely, throught the Buddha's power, Virtuous thoughts rise, brief and transient, in the world."

-SHANTIDEVA ("peaceful luminous divine one")

Bodhicitta, the heart of the enlightened mind, is the spirit, source and root of the entire spiritual path. It is, in the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the highest form of altruism and the highest form of courage, the source of all spiritual qualities and the essence of all the teachings of the Buddha.

In his 'Guide to the Bodhisattvas' Way of Life',

Shantideva wrote:

It is the supreme elixir
That overcomes the sovereignty of death.
It is the inexhaustible treasure
That eliminates poverty in the world.
It is the supreme medicine
That quells the world's disease.
It is the tree that shelters all beings
Wandering and tired on the path of conditioned existence.
It is the universal bridge
That leads to freedom from unhappy states of birth.
It is the dawning moon of the mind
That dispels the torment of disturbing conceptions.
It is the great sun that finally removes
The misty ignorance of the world.

What need is there to say more?
The childish work for their own benefit,
The buddhas work for the benefit of others.
Just look at the difference between them.

If I do not exchange my happiness
For the suffering of others,
I shall not attain the state of buddhahood
And even in samsara I shall have no real joy.

For as long as space exists
And sentient beings endure,
May I too remain,
To dispel the misery of the world.

Whoever wishes to quickly afford protection
To both himself and others
Should practice that holy secret:
The exchanging of self for others.

GENERATION OF BODHICITTA

Ho! Mesmerized by the sheer variety of perceptions, which
are like the illusory reflections of the moon in water,
Beings wander endlessly astray in samsara’s vicious cycle.
In order that they may find comfort and ease in the luminosity
and all-pervading space of the true nature of their minds,
I generate the immeasurable love, compassion, joy and equanimity
of the awakened mind, the heart of Bodhicitta. - Jigme Lingpa 18th Century Yogi

Daily Pureland Practice Schedule

2008-09-19T08:54:00.002+02:00

No practice can be successful without hard work and determination, but as beginners to the Bodhisattva Path of Sudden Attainment we are unsure of ourselves, we don’t know what to do and how much to do it. Therefore the Master has set up the following daily Assignment Schedule for any practitioners who want to follow this path. One practices according to one's level.

Everyday a Pureland Practitioner should recite the Buddha’s name five thousand to ten thousand times (5,000 – 10,000).

Everyday a Pureland Practitioner should do a Morning and Evening Service (using the basic procedure we used on retreat). If time is a problem do at least one of the two services at a set time every day, for a minimum of 30min. (one can also use the chanting CD by the Abbot of FoGuangShan, Master Hsin Pey)
Everyday a Pureland Practitioner should bow 54 to 108 times a day to Amitabha Buddha.
A Pureland Practitioner should set himself a goal of reciting the Buddha’s name a million times, and doing a hundred thousand prostrations. In this way is motivated to push himself everyday.

The most important thing is to remember the Great Vows of Amitabha Buddha, and to rely completely on the Buddha’s Power.

Namo Amitofo

Ben Le

(Written on behalf of Master Hui Re)

About Us and Some Changes

2008-09-19T08:26:00.000+02:00

This Site has been founded by Students of Venerable Master Hui Li 慧禮 and Venerable Hui Re 慧日 of the Amitofo Charity Association (ACA) 阿彌陀佛關懷協會.

Any views or opinions posted are those of the author of the specific post or comments, unless otherwise stated (for instance translations or quotes). All the Master’s teachings posted here have been translated and interpreted from Mandarin Chinese into English, therefore any mistakes or misinterpretations are commonly the fault of the translators and/or editors of the text.

The Masters rely on us to spread their teachings in English to the rest of the world through this Site and other means; therefore it is our responsibility to make sure that the Buddha Dharma is accurately expressed here for the benefit of infinite sentient beings in the ten directions (or those with internet connection in any way).

However we are all fanfu 凡夫 (non-enlightened, ignorant beings with afflicted minds), so please help us keep our information pure and accurate, if you discover mistakes, inconsistencies or any other problems with the Site or it’s contents please be so kind as to inform the Administration:
aca.benle@gmail.com

Giving Africa Love

2008-09-18T16:35:00.001+02:00

Amitofo Charity Association

The Amitofo Charity Association is a Taiwanese based Buddhist charity organization. Its primary goal is to build orphanages to care for and educate orphans in all 53 countries of Africa. Up until now it has been funded mainly by Far Eastern Buddhists and well as overseas Chinese Buddhists, it will now begin to raise funds in South Africa and other Western countries.

The three basic goals of ACA are:

To assist, care for and educate vulnerable and orphaned children and teenagers in Africa.
To promote world peace and protect the environment
To help propagate the Buddha Dharma throughout the world

In 2001 the Malawi Amitofo Care Centre was established near Blantyre. By 2008 it is providing care and education for nearly 300 children. It also provides support to more than one thousand needy children in community based organizations in the surrounding area.

ACA plans to build one orphanage every year in a different country. Each orphanage will include an administrative centre, children’s residences, teenager’s residences, kindergarten, primary school, middle school, library, health centre, play ground, sports fields, activity centre, vocational training centre and a Buddha Hall. The centres will assist local people improve and develop their villages through community based organizations.

2008/03/29

An extract from the Larger Sukhavativuyha Sutra

2008-06-30T08:58:00.004+02:00

From The Sanskrit version of the Larger Sutra

Paragraph 111: Furthermore, Ananda, there is for those living beings born in the Land of Bliss no idea of what belongs to others, no idea of what belongs to self, no idea of 'mine', no conflict, no dispute, no contradiction. Their thoughts are impartial, benevolent, friendly, tender, affectionate, pliable, serene, firm, free from hindrances, undisturbed, imperturbable. They have thoughts only for the practice of the perfection of discernment. They have obtained a presence of mind that preserves their thoughts. Their discernment makes them equal to the ocean, their presence of mind equal to Mount Sumeru. They are rich in numberless virtues. They find their pleasure in the music of the seven aspects of awakening; they are devoted to the song of the buddhas.

From: Land of Bliss: the paradise of the Buddha of Measureless Light: Sanskrit and Chinese versions of the Sukhavativyuha Sutras, translated by Luis O. Gomez, p. 99

Master Hui Re is giving beginner retreats in JHB

2008-06-25T14:34:00.003+02:00

Retreat Program for 2008

We are last getting settled in our big old house in Honeydew. We are ready and eager to start teaching the Buddha Dharma and meditation.

Master Hui Re will start beginner teachings in July 2008.

The teachings will consist of Chinese tea and a Dharma talk, Q & A, and meditation.

No previous knowledge of Buddhism or previous meditation experience is required.

To begin with Master Hui Re will teach basic Buddhist concepts and meditation so that practitioners have the necessary background to understand and practice Pure Land Buddhism. Teachings will be recorded and will be available on CD or can be downloaded from the Internet after the classes. The teachings will be progressive: you will need to come to every class (or most classes) as each class will build on and progress from the previous class. Of course, if you miss an occasional class you can listen to the CD to catch. up.

Dates of sessions: Sunday 13 July and Sunday 27 July

Times: 8h30 for 09h00 – 12h30.

Address: 249 Beyers Naude Drive opposite Garden World. Its about 17 kilometers from Cresta

Dress: Comfortable, loose, modest clothes. Make sure your shoulders, midriff and knees are covered. Wear pants as you will learn to set cross-legged.

Cost: Suggested donation: R50 per person.

We will provide a snack in the middle of the session. Unfortunately we do not yet have staff support to offer lunch.

Please RSVP by Thursday 10 July.

Office Number: 0877201215

Ben Le: cell 0824540682

email: aca.benle@gmail.com

Maxine: cell: 0823403220

email: aca.maxine@gmail.com

Namo Amitofo

Why Learn So Much?

2008-05-19T14:10:00.002+02:00

Today at lunch, just me and Master, I asked Master about studying a certain course. We started talking about how people study so much.

This is how I remember it:

Nowadays people seem to study too much. They try to learn too much. Every time something new comes out, some new trend, they jump on the bandwagon and gain more knowledge, but they don’t do anything with it. Every Rinpoche or Roshi who comes, attracts large crowds of people. They listen and learn and file away the information to make them feel that they’ve achieved something. But how much of it do they practice?

The point is to practice. Buddha taught us how to Fang Xia, how to Let Go. The rest was just method and the premises that supported this conclusion. If you spend your time and effort practicing a single method, a single Dharma, before long you will get the results thereof. If you don’t get the results it means that there is a problem with the teacher who taught it, or more likely, with the way that you practice it.

The Path (Dao) is found in only in the present moment. You won’t find it in the Buddha Hall; you will only find it when there isn’t anyone there to find anything. The moment that there is only awareness in the present, there is no space for concepts of self.

So don’t worry about learning a lot of different Dharmas, just worry about nien fo (calling on the Buddha’s name), or whatever practice it is that you are doing. Concentrate your mind on reciting, eventually you’ll discover that there’s no mind reciting, and no-one noticing it.

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Change is dependable

2008-05-09T18:25:00.004+02:00

It has been a while since I've posted anything, for which I apologize.

We have moved to Johannesburg and settled down. The new Dharma Centre is at 249 Bayers Naude Drive, Honeydew (some say the area is in fact Muldersdrift).

At present there isn't very much going on, we are still building and renovating. However there is much talk of Dharma Classes in the coming months. Master Hui Re is living here and I are living here, although Master also often flies to Malawi to work at the Amitofo Care Centre.

The place is beautiful and getting more so every day as so many people chip in and help us improve things.

Keep in touch everyone.

Amitofo

Benle
Palms Joined

AH Hymn Sang

2008-04-07T10:14:00.000+02:00

A long and prosperous wait
Life has been delicate with flowers that dance and bite

Now
On top of Meru Mountain
A bodhi-heart at the heart of the saha-mandala
Chandra to the left and Surya to the right
The four abodes of the mudra-blessing Dhyani Bhagavas'

Clenched impressions - lids on top and cheeks at bottom
Arms stretched infinitely
Meeting every sentient Buddha destiny
with care, veneration, and chocolate kisses

There!
Dear Buddha Heart
My Blessed friend from the West
at the centre of the focused enlightened gaze
and by-friends
Avalokita to the left and Vajrapani-Mahastamaprapta to the right

gritting teeth...then
wind of wind swept from within and out
a leap from the edge of the world (in circulation)
gliding and surfing the warm breeze of the deathlessness content
flying off the mountain to neither peace nor not-peace
forever free-falling...
implode in a lovely display of fresh autumn leaves in the purple array sky.

oooh....AH!

mItAAAH...Bha!

Ta Taa!

~~~~~;^)

Fangfu

2008-03-31T08:42:00.001+02:00

Looking into my heart
in the spaciousness of the monks love
I see my true motivation
Ugly
I release it with a sigh
Fangfu
I am
like you
I love you.
-------

Hui Sang Fashr
Returned
after a year
of solitary meditation
You are
utterly
free of artifice

Joy in a handful of dust

2008-03-17T11:40:00.002+02:00

It is subversive

to feel

so happy

at the prospect

of years of hard, frustrating, thankless work

and the Pure Land Dharma

When Amitabha Buddha

dances loudly

in my heart

I have to write poetry

And I want to shave my head.

The sweet humility

of the monk

offering incense

in the early morning.

Big snake

sensuous black coils

Why did he have to smash you

with a brick

spilling your fragile pink entrails

in the road?

One day

will you,

snake,

smash

this man's head?

Poetic Conversation in honour of Fanfu and the Infinite

2008-03-08T19:02:00.000+02:00

Inspired by Venerable Prasada

However difficult my sitting

when I leave the meditation room and look up

I see the stars

shine brightly in their assigned positions

assuring me of Amitabha.

_____

Can Shinjin be lost?

Cannot, by definition

If lost it was not shinjin.

Yet, battered by my passions

Other's miseries

Confused by tumultuous circumstance

Almost lost in trepidation

I cling to the name

Hardly knowing I'm reciting

Amitofo, Amitofo

Finally I hear myself.

Amitabha calling me to call

Him

Namo Amida Bu
Maxine

Faith

is the breath we take

each breath

and the ground

onto which we step

Faith

is the opening of eyes

to look for the bird which sings in the bush

and the reaching of hands

to nestle in the shining fur of the cat

Faith

is breakfasting with friends

and good conversation

and not rushing off

to answer the phone

Faith

is trusting

that faith has not gone away

even when the clouds

are covering the sun

Namo Amida Bu

Prasada

Whether we have faith or not
He smiles
and His blessing light enfolds us.

Whether we appreciate it or not
we are,
and in our being
He holds us

Whether this or that,
in our inconstancy
it is not a question
of our seeing or believing

The clouds
coming and going
are beautiful
however grey.

He loves
us
that way.

The sun cannot be looked at directly
except when it is on the point
of going away.

His love is the same,
reliable,
whether or not we pray.

It is not by the power of our conceiving
that He is coming staying or leaving,
but
enter
the Holy of Holies
when you have the opportunity
and know that you and we and all
are eternally bathed in
one wonderous light
beyond the call
of particular
Names.

Namo Amida Bu
Dharmavidya

What is African Buddhism?

2008-02-21T08:14:00.004+02:00

What is African Buddhism? more so, what is African Pureland Buddhism?

These two questions tackle a subtle subject that cannot be answered straight forwardly.

So it remains much of an open question...what we ask from the Blog viewers and participants is to give their opinion/stance/critique on:

- what African Buddhism is?
- what African Pureland is?
- is there such a thing as African Buddhism?
- should there be such a thing as African Buddhism?
- what does African Buddhism entail?
- who decides that 'this' is African Buddhism?
- where and how does the African cultural context fit in?
- more...?

It is important to keep an ethical principal in mind, Buddhism should not be propagated as a power structure but should be shared as a mutual means/guidance to help the ending of suffering.

What are your ideas on the topic? and what suggestions do you have that may encompass this large area of life, namely the bigger benefit of the African socio-spiritual-cultural continent?

Reciting the Buddha's name

2008-02-12T16:52:00.005+02:00

On reciting the Buddha's name: advice given by Master Hui Re during the July 2007 Pure Land retreat. Translated by Ben Le, edited by Maxine

Listen to the chanting coming from the speakers, listen to your mind reciting, feel your mouth moving and know your heart is reciting very sincerely. All you need to do is recite the Buddha's name very sincerely. Everything else that comes up is Mara: dreams and illusions. How does Mara enter your mind? Through greed, attachment and wanting. Even the image of the Buddha or any other holy image comes as a result of greed and attachment. You then want to see more and more of them. Whatever you see, smell, or hear is Mara. Do not give it any attention. Ignore it completely. Simply recite the Buddha's name, very accurately, with focused concentration.

In the Avatamsaka Sutra the Buddha says one should not interpret ones imaginings as holy or spiritual. Do not make them special. Do not think that a spiritual image means you have attained an advanced level of practice. Whatever your mind presents, always go back to your practice. Do not make a big show out of anything.

In this Dharma ending age, the most powerful practice is simply to recite the Buddha's name. Keep the Buddha's name on your tongue. Do not try and visualize anything. Keep it as simple as you can. Just recite the Buddha's name. It is easy to evoke greed and desire if you practice visualisations. Recitation of the Buddha's name is what will get you reborn in the Pure Land. There is no other cause for going to the Pure Land. Visualisations will not take you to the Pure Land. Only reciting the Buddha's name will do so.

There is a very powerful Ch'an saying, "If you see the Buddha, kill him. If you see Mara, kill him." This means we should not become attached to any appearances we see in our minds. Let them go. Mara will then not be able to obstruct us.

Vegetarian ? vegashmarian!

2008-02-02T08:07:00.001+02:00

More Reasons To Be A Vegetarian

Topic: Vegetarianism | Books about Vegetarianism | Print E-Mail
This page has been viewed 21289 times

Reprinted from The New York Times, June 20, 1989
All figures from the 1980's

World Hunger

Number of people worldwide who will die of starvation this year: 60 million
Number of people who could be adequately fed with the grain saved if Americans reduced their intake of meat by 10%: 60 million
Human beings in America: 243 million
Number of people who could be fed with grain and soybeans now eaten by U.S. livestock: 1.3 billion
Percentage of corn grown in the U.S. eaten by people: 20
Percentage of corn grown in the U.S. eaten by livestock: 80
Percentage of oats grown in the U.S. eaten by livestock: 95
Percentage of protein wasted by cycling grain through livestock: 99
How frequently a child starves to death: every 2 seconds
Pounds of potatoes that can be grown on an acre: 20,000
Pounds of beef produced on an acre: 165
Percentage of U.S. farmland devoted to beef production: 56
Pounds of grain and soybeans needed to produce a pound of beef: 16

Environment

Cause of global warming: greenhouse effect
Primary cause of greenhouse effect: carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels
Fossil fuels needed to produce a meat-centered diet vs. a meat free diet: 50 times more.
Percentage of U.S. topsoil lost to date: 75
Percentage of U.S. topsoil loss directly related to livestock raising: 85
Number of acres of U.S. forest cleared for cropland to produce meat-centered diet: 260 million
Amount of meat U.S. imports annually from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama: 200 million pounds.
Average per capita meat consumption in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama: less than eaten by average U.S. house cat.
Area of tropical rainforest consumed in every quarter-pound hamburger: 55 sq ft.
Current rate of species extinction due to destruction of tropical rainforests for meat grazing and other uses: 1,000 per year.
Also cattle contribute to global warming by being one of the biggest sources of carbon dioxide and methane gases.

Cancer

Increased risk of breast cancer for women who eat meat 4 times a week vs. less than once a week: 4 times.
For women who eat eggs daily vs. less than once a week: 3 times
Increased risk of fatal ovarian cancer for women who eat eggs 3 or more times a week vs. less than once a week: 3 times.
Increased risk of fatal prostate cancer for men who eat meat daily vs. sparingly or not at all: 3.6 times.

Natural Resources

Use of more than half of all water used for all purposes in the U.S.: Livestock portion
Amount of water used in production of the average steer: sufficient to float a destroyer.
Gallons to produce a pound of wheat: 25
Gallons to produce a pound of meat: 2,500
Cost of common hamburger if water used by meat industry not subsidized by the U.S. taxpayer: $35 a pound.
Current cost of pound of protein from beefsteak if water was no longer subsidized: $89
Years the world's known oil reserves would last if every human ate a meat-centered diet: 13
Years they would last if human beings no longer ate meat: 260.
Barrels of oil imported into the U.S. daily: 6.8 million.
Percentage of fossil fuel returned as food energy by most efficient factory farming of meat: 34.5
Percentage from least efficient plant food: 32.8
Percentage of raw materials consumed by U.S. to produce present meat-centered diet: 33

Cholesterol

Number of U.S. medical schools: 125
Number requiring a course in nutrition: 30
Nutrition training received by average U.S. physician during four years in medical school: 25 hours
Most common cause of death in U.S.: heart attack
How frequently a heart attack kills in U.S.: every 45 seconds.
Average U.S. man's risk of death from heart attack: 50%
Risk for average U.S. man who avoids the meat-centered diet: 15%
Meat industry claims you should not be concerned about your blood cholesterol if it is: "normal"
Your risk of dying of a disease caused by clogged arteries if your blood cholesterol is "normal": 50%

Antibiotics

Percentage of U.S. antibiotics fed to livestock: 55
Percentage of staphylococci infections resistant to penicillin in 1960: 13
Percentage resistant in 1988: 91
Response of European Economic Community to routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock: ban
Response of U.S. meat and pharmaceutical industries to routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock: full and complete support

Pesticides

Percentage of pesticide residues in the U.S. diet supplied by grains: 1
Percentage of pesticide residues in the U.S. diet supplied by fruits: 4
Percentage of pesticide residues in the U.S. diet supplied by dairy products: 23
Percentage of pesticide residues in the U.S. diet supplied by meat: 55
Pesticide contamination of breast milk from meat-eating mothers vs. non-meat eating: 35 times higher
What USDA tells us: meat is inspected
Percentage of slaughtered animals inspected for residues of toxins and chemicals including dioxin and DDT: less than 0.00004

Ethical

Number of animals killed for meat per hour in the U.S.: 500,000
Occupation with highest turnover rate in U.S.: slaughterhouse worker
Occupation with the highest rate of on-the-job injury in the U.S.: slaughterhouse worker
Cost to render animal unconscious with "captive bolt pistol" before slaughter: 1 cent
Reason given by meat industry for not using "captive bolt pistol": too expensive.

Survival

Athlete to win Ironman Triathlon more than twice: Dave Scott (6 time winner)
Food choices of Dave Scott: Vegetarian
Largest meat eater that ever lived: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Last sighting of T-Rex: 100,000,000 B.C.

Let me know what you think. . .

--
Ben Le 本勒師
Bernard Nel

"Infinite Light
Be my delight
Shine on me
An ordinary"

Pureland practice

2008-02-01T10:39:00.000+02:00

From: The Other Buddhism by Caroline Brazier

The experience of Pureland Buddhism is that we develop appreciation. This is not just for what others have given to us, or for the world we inhabit, though these are important. The central practices and teachings are grounded in an attitude of appreciation that goes beyond the worldly to the transcendent. The practice is deeply rooted in the sense of other-ness, an appreciation of the reality of a measureless beneficent presence beyond the limits of the self-world. This practice...centres on devotion to Amida Buddha ...It is a practice that expresses deep joy and gratitude, that reaches out in ... wistful longing ... and that gratefully allows the practitioner to rest in the knowledge that despite their imperfection, they are blessed.
...

Pureland practice is simple. The nembutsu, the act of calling on Amida Buddha, is an outpouring of the heart. This simple phrase forms a bridge between the practitioner, limited and flawed as he or she is, and the immensity of the universal love and immeasurable generosity that Amida embodies. It is an expression of gratitude, a deep cry of joy that erupts from the heart. Across the divide of separateness, it brings us into contact with the universal light.

From, Caroline Brazier, The other Buddhism: Amida comes West, 2007. Published by O Books, p. 73-74.
http://www.o-books.com/product_info.php?products_id=431

Extract from the Amida-Shu Blog, For Love

2008-01-26T08:04:00.000+02:00

Click on the title to link to their blog

For Love

Every community has at its core its discernment of the sacred.

Our community has at its heart the nembutsu, which is our expression of our love for the Buddha and, more importantly, our gratitude for his love of us. We gather round the Buddha as the bearer of light: the light of love, the light of compassion, the light of joy, the light of peace, the light that outshines sun, moon and stars, the unimpeded light, light of eternity. Buddhas discern such light, declare it, and walk their talk. In love of Buddha, therefore, we who are not particularly brave in nature work for peace, for an end to cruelty, for mutual respect, for freedom. In love of Buddha we who are not particularly generous in nature go forth for the good of the many: for the poor in India, for the sick in Africa, for those troubled in spirit in the corners of the affluent world. In love of Buddha we who are not particularly harmonious in nature try to live in goodwill together, making community, and creating the infra-structure of a better world. We whose ability to discern the light of the world is at best intermittent, nonetheless can remember the love of the awakened ones who are constantly working for the sake of all benighted beings adrift in the flood. In brief, through nembutsu, we resist oppression; through nembutsu we assist the afflicted; through nembutsu we demonstrate an alternative. Our vision is wholly religious, wholly grounded in faith, because we are not enlightened, not perfected, not so wise, not so competent as to be able to do all things by our own power. Amida-shu has at its core a particular discernment of the sacred, the measureless, the spirit that is the unconditional friend of all, Amida. Amida comes into our lives and transforms our work. We who are bombu are raised up by faith, guided by faith, equalized by faith. The world measures and grades, dividing the legitimate from the illegitimate, the good from the bad, the certificated from the uncertificated. The most that worldly charity offers is access to privilege. Amida transcends such divisions. Before Amida Nyorai we are all equal. In our discernment of the sacred, Amida accepts the bad, the excluded, the uncertificated, the displaced, even more readily than those who are already accomplished or privileged. Nyorai's grace is not limited to those who cultivate the right mind state, pass the right exam, belong to the right lineage, or jump through the right hoops. We are an outpost of Nyorai's Pure Land. We, the misfits, fit here. We are trying to live a life that is genuine - a life free from spin - while recognising that we are just ordinary, unenlightened beings. Namo Amida Bu.

(Thank you Amida Shu for reminding us of that the Light shines, no matter who we are, or what we think ourselves to be.)

Namo Amitofo
南無阿彌陀佛

Amitabha practice

2008-01-25T08:28:00.002+02:00

Dear Amitabha,

As I grow older

I become younger

Your 3-year-old child

Defenseless, ignorant, afraid

I can only

Cling to you with all my might.

Even if I prostrated

all day

every day

for the rest of my life

I could never ever

thank you

properly.

How can I not leap and dance

throw my wobbly ageing body

To the elements.

I know…

I thank you

Dearest Amitabha Buddha

That moment I ask Amitabha Buddha

to fill my heart

with his love

I have a bodhi heart.

Rennyo's letter

2008-01-24T19:27:00.002+02:00

From Caroline Brazier's book.

In silently contemplating the transient nature of human existence, nothing is more fragile and fleeting in this world than the life of a person. Thus we have not heard of a human life lasting for a thousand years. Life swiftly passes and who among people can maintain his form for even a hundred years?

Whether I go before others, or others go before me; whether it be today or it be tomorrow, who is to know? Those who leave before us are countless as drops of dew. Though in the morning we may have radiant health, in the evening we may return to white ashes. When the winds of impermanence blow, our eyes are closed forever; and when the last breath leaves us, our face loses its colour.

Though loved ones gather and lament, everything is to no avail. The body is then sent into an open field and vanishes from this world with the smoke of cremation, leaving only the white ashes. There is nothing more real than this truth of life. The fragile nature of human existence underlies both the young and the old and therefore we must, one and all, turn to the teachings of the Buddha and awaken to the ultimate source of life.

By so understanding the meaning of death, we shall come to fully appreciate the meaning of this life which is unrepeatable and thus to be treasured above all else. By virtue of true compassion let us together live with the thought of Buddha in our hearts. ("White Ashes', in Rennyo's Letters, 5.16, translation from Jodo Shinshu service book)

2008-01-23T10:46:00.001+02:00

Amitofo Charity Association

The Amitofo Charity Association is a Taiwanese based Buddhist charity organization. Our primary goal is to build orphanages to care for and educate orphans in all 53 African nations. Although we will be funded mainly by Far Eastern Buddhists and well as overseas Chinese Buddhists, we will also raise funds in South Africa and other Western countries.

Our three basic goals are:

To assist, care for and educate children and teenagers in great need – especially orphans in Africa.
To promote world peace and protect the environment
To help propagate the Buddha Dharma throughout the world

In 2001 we established the Malawi Amitofo Care Centre, near Blantyre. By 2008 it is providing care and education for nearly 300 orphans. We also provide basic necessities for more than one thousand orphans and care givers in community based organizations in the surrounding area. We have already purchased the land for a second care centre, near Lilongwe in Central Malawi, which will include a high school and a vocational training college

In Zimbabwe we have erected 15 buildings to house orphans as part of the Zimbabwe Amitofo Care Centre. This first phase will accommodate more than 200 orphans when construction is complete. The opening ceremony will be hopefully held in the Spring of 2008.

We are now building Care Centres in Lesotho and Swaziland. We hope that in the near future these centres will help many orphans and contribute to the local community.

Our provisional long term plans include building one orphanage each year. Each orphanage will include an administrative centre, children’s residences, teenager’s residences, kindergarten, primary school, middle school, library, health centre, play ground, sports fields, activity centre, vocational training centre and a Buddha Hall. We will assist local people improve and develop their villages through community based organizations. Within two years we will start constructing a Buddhist Seminary to accommodate 600 students. The first phase will provide living, recreation and study facilities for 100 students.

The headquarters of ACA is in South Africa, in Johannesburg. The HQ is primarily a Dharma Centre for teaching Pure Land Buddhism in South Africa, but will eventually house our central administration office, a training centre for staff members, and retreat centre.

2008/03/29

2008-01-22T22:02:00.001+02:00

if i were emperor

of a deserted island

it would be nice

Soseki

without my journey

and without this spring,

i would have missed this dawn

Shiki

but for their cries

the herons would be lost

amidst the morning snow.

Ciyo-ni

my gardener of chrysanthemums

you are becoming their servant

Buson

a fallen flower

flew back to it's perch

a butterfly

Moritake

even if the cherry blossoms bloom

ours is a world of suffering

Issa

for the man who says

he tires of his child

there are no flowers

Basho

Haiku

2008-01-15T17:49:00.001+02:00

the old doll
in the junk store window
sunning herself

-Issa

Honen's One Sheet Document

2008-01-06T08:15:00.001+02:00

On January 23, 1212, Honen wrote the One Sheet Document (Ichimai-Kishomon) at the request of Genchi, his close disciple...

"My O-Nembutsu is not a meditation that has been advocated by wise masters of China and Japan. My O-Nembutsu is not the meditation of Amida's name after mastering the profound meaning through studying it. My O-Nembutsu is just to recite Amida's name - Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu - without any other reason than faith that I will be received into his pure land of ultimate bliss without fail. Even the Three Minds and the Four Cultivations are all decisively enveloped in believing one will be received into his pure land by reciting Namo Amida Bu. If you hold to deeper knowledge besides the recitation of Amida Buddha's name, you will miss the compassion of the two honourable ones (Amida Nyorai and Shakyamuni Buddha) and you will be left out of the supreme vow of Amida Buddha. If you believe in my O-Nembutsu, even if you master the whole teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, just recite Amida Buddha's name with all your heart, as though you had no knowledge and no intelligence at all"
He passed away two days later on January 25, 1212 at the age of eighty.

Copied from an email from Amida_friends@amidatrust.com :

Benefits of Pure Land practice

2007-12-31T14:36:00.002+02:00

Extracts from a talk by Master Hui Re given during the Pure Land retreat of July 2007

I would like to share with you some of my experiences and accomplishments on my Pure Land Buddhist path. They are not something that I have striven for. They are just things that come without you even knowing it.

Let me tell you what I have attained from these six characters: "Na Mo A Mi To Fo." My Pure Land practice has allowed an internal eye to open. I now see how precious the Pure Land is. I understand its treasures. This genuine Dharma eye is nothing other than the 48 great vows of Amitabha Buddha. These are the 48 basic, essential vows. The essence of the Pure Land path, its Dharma, relies totally on these 48 Great Vows. If you can deeply understand and see these 48 vows very clearly your true Dharma eye will open.

The eighteenth vow is the most important of all the vows. This is the eye within the eye. It states that those who want to come to Amitabha's Pure Land, whether they are good or bad, regardless of their ordinariness, need only want to come to His Pure Land and recite His name ten times, to attain rebirth in His Pure Land. He will accept all such beings to his Pure Land. He promises that if he does not accomplish this he will not attain realisation, great enlightenment.

In the Pure Land all you do is spiritual cultivation and practice. Everyday you think only about the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. You purify all 6 roots. You work constantly, purely toward attaining Buddhahood at an extremely fast rate. So every time Amitabha Buddha accepts someone to His Pure Land, he is making him or her a Buddha. Can you think of anything more beautiful?

Thus the proper understanding with which to recite the Buddha's name is an understanding of these 48 great vows. If you do not think about the vows, if you do not believe them or understand them as you recite, your recitation will be flavourless, lifeless. But if you recite with an accurate, genuine understanding and belief in the vows then your recitations will be full of life and joy

These 48 great vows are the fountain of the pure Land. The Dharma springs from these 48 great vows like a warm water fountain. When you discover the truth about these 48 great vows, it's like discovering a fountain in your heart. All your faith, understanding and experiences will flow from this fountain in your heart. It will never stop from that moment onwards. If you have deep faith in this path, in Amitabha Buddha, you will know the method to follow to achieve your result. You will recite continuously. Thus you will gain liberation. As you recite the Buddha's name, if you have that great faith, Amitabha Buddha's vows are there, at that moment. If you achieve real faith in the Pure Land you will chant joyously all the time. You will never stop chanting because you know, you have that guarantee in your mind.

My unwavering faith and my proper practice have arisen from my understanding of these 48 great vows. Because of my faith and my practice I have achieved the benefits I was seeking. I have attained assurance on this path. Although I am still a normal sentient being, I know I will be reborn in the Pure Land. The most important practice is to rely on the original vows and to chant the Buddha's name. Rely on the vows. Keep the Buddha's name on your lips and in your heart all the time. Since I have entered these vows deeply, so that they are with me all the time, it is as if those 48 vows are my 48 vows. I am swimming in the ocean of the Buddha's vows. Even though my body is sitting here in this world, my mind swims in the ocean of vows. What are the 48 great vows? They are Amitabha's mind and heart. My mind swims in his mind, my heart in his heart.

The second thing I want to tell you is that I have accomplished the karma that will force me to be reborn in the Pure Land. I will go to the Pure Land when I die. In Buddhism it is said, "as is the cause, so is the effect". Because I have planted the karma that will send me to the Pure Land, the effect must be that I go to the Pure Land. I am guaranteed of this. I know I will go to the Pure Land. There is no obstacle, no obstruction, there is nothing that could happen that will prevent me going to the Pure Land

When you enter deeply into the 48 great vows you uncover a fountain in your heart that never stops pumping. You will never ever be able to stop it. It will never be cut off. Your heart will just open up. Your Pure Land mind will just open up. When Amitabha Buddha opens up in your heart, it is as if you have a permanent connection to the internet. You can go anywhere on the net. It's all just Amitabha Buddha wherever you go Amitabha Buddha is right there with you.

If you are connected with Amitabha Buddha you have the entire Pure Land resources at your disposal. If you have a problem, just send a thought and help will come. You will get instructions on what you must do.

You used always to be alone, even in a crowd. Now, even when you are alone, you have an infinite host of Bodhisattvas around you all the time. You have a great and powerful host always surrounding you. Always helping you. You will never be alone again.

Why is this body still sitting here? My job is not yet finished. My mission is not yet accomplished.

Translated by Ben Le, abridged and edited by Maxine

It's Namo Omito Fo

2007-12-22T10:55:00.001+02:00

“Residual karma is finite”
A storm does not blow all day
Take shelter for a while
Whether afflicted day or night
There is always one thing you can say
To make your guardian angel smile.

14 December 2007

The quote "Residual karma is finite" is from the Japanese Buddhist saint Honen in a work calledJodo-shu Ryaku-sho.

Doubts about Pureland Refuted by Master Tien Tai

2007-12-17T16:52:00.001+02:00

A great text by Master Tien Tai about eliminating doubts about Pureland practice. Hope it comes in handy.

www.purelandbuddhism.com/10Doubts.pdf

Master Hui Re's teachings

2007-12-16T10:01:00.003+02:00

You must remember this most important thing:

If you do not recite the Buddha's name, if you do not make Buddha karma, you are making worldly karma. Whether you make bad worldly karma or good worldly karma, it is still worldly karma. It is the karma to continue in this world indefinitely, over and over again, life after life after life, suffering in Samsara. Whether you are enjoying yourself in Samsara or suffering in Samsara, it is still Samsara. Over and over and over again. The only way out is to recite the Buddha's name.

Every single cause has its effect. You are constantly creating a new world for yourself.

Not reciting the Buddha's name is making karma in this world. It's just piling up shit. When its bad karma it stinks a lot more. When its good karma it does not stink as much. You are still carrying this bag of shit.

(Master Hui Re on Samsara, From the July 2007 retreat. Translated by Ben Le.)

Master Hui Re's teaching

2007-12-15T10:22:00.001+02:00

Amitabha's vows

Call my name.

I will know you

I will save you.

When you die,

my light will purify you.

You will be reborn in a lotus flower

as a saintly being.

If I fail to achieve these goals,

I will not become a Buddha.

Thus I vow.

(From the July 2007 Pure Land retreat, Master Hui Re. Translated by Ben Le, edited by Maxine)

MIAOSAN'S UPDATE FROM THAILAND

2007-12-14T19:00:00.001+02:00

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

It is the end of my second week at the International Buddhist College in Thailand. One's causes and conditions are truly astonishing, as I would NEVER have imagined this time last year that I would be in Thailand in a years ' time. Thailand was a country that for some reason was never on my agenda. I had the impression that it was hot, steamy, welcoming to monks, not to nuns. As one of my dearest friends used to say – 'Never say never!'.

I was first introduced to the college via Dr. Bong, who had been a teacher of the Abidharma at the African Buddhist Seminary at Nan Hua Temple in 2003/4. She has been involved with IBC from its earliest days and when she first came here, most of the buildings were not yet complete. The college is one of the projects of the Than Hsiang Foundation located at Than Hsiang Temple in Penang, Malaysia, whose Abbot is Venerable Wei Wu. He explained to me that during a World Buddhist Sangha Council meeting in April 1999, he and Professor Karunadasa, together with Ven. Anuruddha and Ven. Dhammajoti felt that the time had come to put into action a project that they had had in mind for some years, which was a college that would attract Buddhist students, both lay and monastic from all over the world. They had previously realized that Malaysia was a meeting place of the 3 main types of Buddhism – Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

It is now 4 years after it's inception and the college, which has been growing year by year now has approximately 50 students, about 85% of which are Theravada monks who come from countries throughout Asia. The remaining 15% are mostly made up of lay female students and our small group of Mahayana monastics. Not all the lay students board at the college – some stay in the nearby city of Hat Yai, which is the 2^nd biggest city in Thailand.

A fortnight ago on Monday I arrived at the college with Venerable Wei Wu. We traveled by car from Than Hsiang Temple in Malaysia. It took about 3 hours to get here, including going through the border. This was quite an interesting experience – I realized that I haven't driven through a border post in years. The college is situated 6 kilometers from the main road, going to Hat Yai. Thailand is much how I imagined it – very hot, tropical and steamy. Vines hang from trees and the vegetation is dense. Because it rains so much here, there are canals of water on each side of the road. Soon we reached the college, set a little back from the road. It has a pleasing aspect, looking efficient, clean and new, like a bright coin in the middle of the jungle.

Everyone was very welcoming and it was with great relief that my big black suitcase was at last unpacked in my new spacious room. This wing of the college (being the female dormitory) is brand, spanking new and what a joy it is to smell the freshness of the paint and the building. Supper was my first meal, this being only a 'medicine meal', for those who cannot go without a little food between the midday meal and breakfast. The food seemed to be the usual Chinese temple food with the addition of curry sauces and bottles of chilis.

After the meal I went to evening service, which was held in the Main Shrine Hall. This in fact is the main auditorium, with a high ceiling and large stage on which the Buddha shrine was arranged. On Mondays there is only the 1 service which is Theravada. It was very interesting hearing the chanting in Pali – all those male voices sounded like bees humming. There was also a period of meditation, which as always helped me settle my mind. After the chanting I walked outside and looked up at the black night sky. There were some stars dotted around and I recognized Orion's belt, on the other side from where I am used to it being. It would take getting used to, but I feel by now I am becoming quite adept at 'getting used to' new surroundings. Let tomorrow take care of itself – it always does, doesn't it!?

The following 2 weeks have passed swiftly. My poor, old body is adjusting, (albeit slowly) to the intense heat and the food, which tends to be spicy, even if it isn't chili. I have got to know the morning and evening Mahayana chanting services with their different 'tunes' to the same words. It is interesting how I realize that I assumed that the chanting 'tunes' were unchangeable – written in stone, so to speak. However, like everything, they are comfortably impermanent and can be changed.

What I notice here, perhaps the most, is the kindness of everyone to each other and myself. There is none of the military style abrupt coldness of manner, which I have been accustomed to. Everything is done with consideration for the reasonableness of a particular situation or person's capabilities. In other words, it certainly seems to me that the policy here is of following the Buddha's Middle Path. To be honest, I am delighted. It was how I expected a Buddhist college or institution to be.

One last point about the weather - although there are periods of intense heat, when the sun is out and the sky is clear, I am happy to report that it rains and rains and rains as well! From beautiful tropical downpours that seem controlled by a Deva's will above, to soft gentle rains that caress the earth. Sometimes it rains every hour or two for 5 to 10 minutes. As I am writing this we are having a big tropical downpour that has been going on for at least 30 minutes. You never leave the dormitory without your umbrella, as it can rain (and does rain) at any time. The jungle soaks up the rain at an astonishing rate. After even a couple of hours, most of the puddles have vanished. Being an Aquarian, I love water. I feel replenished and closer to the earth when I am wet. Perhaps my aquatic lifetimes millenia before were very happy?!

So with that whimsical thought I will end my ramblings. Next time I want to share with you more details about the classes given here and the students who come from all over Asia.

For more information about IBC, please visit: http://my.thanhsiang.org/ibc/html/introduction.html

and their own website at : http://ibc.ac.th/

Pure Land Haiku

2007-12-13T11:20:00.001+02:00

in autumn wind
trusting in the Buddha
little butterfly

-Issa

OPENING THE DOOR OF THE PURE LAND

2007-12-09T11:22:00.001+02:00

PRAISE TO AMITABHA

By Lama Tsong Khapa

NAMO SHRI-GURU-MANJUGHOSAYA!

Ruler of Sukhavati Pure Land, praised by all the Sugatas - Bhagavan Lord Amitayus, Teacher of gods and humans, king of Conquerors - You grant long life to beings.

As the cloud-free moon is reflected in clear water in all infinite kinds of vessel, so to countless fortunate beings at once, in many aspects You display your body.

In the same instant You cut every net of doubt besetting infinite disciples and open the eye of wisdom to reality with your speech, unceasingly proclaimed.

Spreading pervasive knowledge to all knowables, ruled by compassion for beings of the five streams, its' power of wisdom and love saves from fears of samsara and peace, as your mind is unstirred by signs or effort.

With your body, a heap of splendour that fills with endless masses of light all countless lands, as the sun's rays do the heaven's vault, provide a banquet for my fortunate eyes.

With your brahmic voice, of five members, just to hear which grants the highest bliss, like sweet thunder to the peacocks' heart, sprinkle drops of nectar in my ears.

With supreme calm mind, all fancy stilled by putting your awareness in emptiness, like a still cloud-mass in the sky's expanse, quell all mental focus (on) imagining.

Even if all Conquerors described for countless eons your (great) mass of virtues, to find the end would be no easy task; just so, they are more than I can tell.

Therefore, there's no other teacher like You, an inexhaustible store of qualities from whom all seeds of faults have gone forever. You alone, then, are migrators' refuge.

Through your thousand million vows, Protector, You founded well the best of Supreme Lands where even the name of suffering is not found, hence called the Pure Land, Sukhavati.

There, as soon as the light of this life fades, let me be born in a thousand-petalled lotus, rise from within the lotus without hindrance, behold your form, and drink my fill of your speech.

When, Lord, I've heard your mahayanic speech, just as Avalokita behaves to free those sinking in samsara's mire, and Mahasthama-prapta, let me too.

Brief Amitabha Aspiration Prayer

2007-12-08T18:10:00.003+02:00

EMAHO!
Wonderful
NGO TSAR SANGYÉ NANGWA TAYÉ DANG
Amitabha, magnificent Buddha of Boundless Light,

YÉ SU JOWO TUKJÉ CHENPO DANG
With the great compassionate lord Avalokiteshvara to his right,

YÖN DU SEMPA TU CHEN TOP NAM LA
And the mighty bodhisattva Vajrapani on his left,

SANGYÉ CHANG SEM PAKMÉ KHOR GYI KOR
Surrounded by an assembly of countless buddhas and bodhisattvas

DÉ KYI NGO TSAR PAK TU MÉPA YI
In the place of wonder and boundless joy and happiness—

DEWA CHEN SHYÉ JA WÉ SHYING KHAM DER
That is the heavenly realm of Sukhavati, the Blissful Paradise.

DAK NI DI NÉ TSÉ PÖ GYUR MA TAK
When the time comes for me to leave this present life,

KYEWA SHYEN GYI BAR MA CHÖ PA RU
May I go there directly, without any other birth upon the way,

DÉ RU KYÉ NÉ NANG TÉ SHYAL TONG SHOK
And being reborn there, may I see Amitabha face to face!

DÉ KÉ DAK GI MÖNLAM TABPA DI
May this, my fervent prayer of aspiration,

CHOK CHÜI SANGYÉ CHANG SEM TAMCHÉ KYI
Be blessed by all the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions

GEK MÉ DRUBPAR CHIN GYI LAP TU SOL
So that it is accomplished, without the slightest hindrance!

TEYATA PENTSIN DRIYA AWA BODHANAYÉ SOHA

When Tulku Mingyur Dorje was thirteen years old, on the 7th day of the month of Saga Dawa, Fire Bird year (1657), he had a vision of the deities of the mandala, and Buddha Amitabha spoke these words directly.

Book now for the Land of Bliss

2007-12-04T15:42:00.000+02:00

In my last life I made an appointment to be born in this Saha world.
So here I am, fulfilling my vows in this life.
Now I’m making an appointment to be born in the Pureland,
In the Land of Lotuses,
when this life ends.

I am not weary of this tainted Saha world,
but of the endlessly revolving cycle of life and death.
I joyously seek not the pure and blissful land,
but the ultimate love and wisdom Mito Rulai will give to me

My love is constant in this Saha world.
My care for all beings – all my mothers – is constantly in my heart
To attain the pure diamond body,
I will help all sentient beings
for numberless kalpas.
Practicing thus I make my appointment
for the Pure Land of ultimate bliss.

Written by Master Hui Re 慧日法師
Translated by Alice Chan
Edited by Ben Le and Maxine Fine

Sukhavati

2007-12-04T10:28:00.001+02:00

Seven years ago

you said to me,

It is time to let go of suffering.

Come.

Today you said to me,

It is time to build a Pure Land in Africa.

Come.

Six year ago I jumped off a cliff

and landed softly.

I jump again.

Amitabha, are you there?

-----

Mito Rulai

May I come to your Pure Land?

End the torment

of my searing anger

my insatiable greed

my stifling confusion

May I come to your Land of Ultimate Bliss

free from turmoil

free from anguish

free from stress.

May I come to Sukhavarti

land of tranquility

of limitless heart

May I come?

I am old now

tired

ready to drop all this.

Yet still attached

still attracted to my Master's

plans and projects

still want to be with him.

Help me

let go

even of my Master.

Advanced Pure Land Retreat. December 2007

2007-12-03T16:21:00.000+02:00

Advanced Pure Land Retreat

28 December, 2007 – 3 January, 2008

(Please Note, the dates have changed)

This is a Pure Land Buddhist retreat for advanced meditators. Applicants need to have been mediating for at least a year, and be able to sit upright, back unsupported for an hour if possible. It would be best if they were familiar with Pure Land teachings and practice and have a good knowledge of basic Buddhism.

Retreatants have the option of participating for three to eight days. The first three days will be held at Nan Hua Temple and will be a traditional Pure Land chanting retreat (Including chanting of the Amida Sutra in Chinese and other traditional Chinese practices). The next five days will be held either at the Temple or at Ch’an Lin Meditation Centre (depending on the number of participants) under the guidance of Venerable Master Hui Re, who has just completed an intensive, extended Pure Land practice retreat at Ch’an Lin.

Instruction will be in Chinese with English translation.

All retreatants begin on the first day (Friday 28 December) or the third day (30 December).

Practices include walking and sitting meditation, prostration practice, Dharma talks and morning and evening Pure Land services. All sessions are compulsory.

This is a rigorous, challenging retreat, sittings are long, and retreatants need to be in excellent mental and physical health.

We sincerely hope that causes and conditions will allow you attend.

Dates: 28 December, 2007 – 3 January, 2008

Bookings and enquiries:

Venerable Jue Kai: (013) 931 0009 ext 308, Monday to Friday, during office hours

Email: nanhuainfo@gmail.com

Maxine: (013) 931 0009 ext 282, Monday to Friday, during office hours

Email: maxine.fine@gmail.com

THE LARGER SUTRA ON AMIDA BUDDHA

2007-11-29T18:56:00.001+02:00

YouTube Broadcast Yourself

watch video

Video Description

LARGER AMIDA SUTRA delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha.In this sutra Shakyamuni is telling us the story of Dharmakara Bodhisattva who awakens aspiration to become a Buddha and to create a Pure Land accessible to all people, no matter their spiritual capacities. He made 48 Vows, among which the Eighteenth is called the Primal Vow. Shakyamuni Buddha urges all people, virtuous or not virtuous, to have faith in this teaching and Amida Buddha. Shinran Shonin, the Founder of our tradition said that The Larger Sutra is the most important and represents the true goal of Shakyamuni appearance in the world, that is to help all people attain the Supreme Buddhahood.

THE LARGER SUTRA ON AMIDA BUDDHA
THE ESSENCE OF THE LARGER SUTRA by Zuiken Inagaki Sensei http://www.nembutsu.info/largersutra.htm

Romanian readers of this blog cand find the Romanian translation of this article at http://www.shinbuddhism.ro/jodo_nou/esenta_marii_sutre.htm

Text of THE LARGER SUTRA ON AMIDA BUDDHA http://www12.canvas.ne.jp/horai/larger-sutra-1.htm

Amitofo Care Centre - Malawi

2007-11-27T17:49:00.001+02:00

The Master & I have are currently staying at the Amitofo Care Centre near Blantyre in Malawi. It is a Buddhist Orphanage started by Master Hui Li, under the auspices of the Amitofo Charity Association. I's takes care of 220 orphans and has a primary school on the grounds. Apart from the standard curriculum, they also learn basic Chinese and Buddhism. A select group of gifted boys and girls are also being trained by two teachers from the Shao Lin Temple in Chinese Marital Art. They will eventually become teachers themselves and teach other interested children.

Master Hui Re and the kids coming back from the Buddha Hall (the only one in Malawi) after Master taught them how to Nien Fo.

Master Hui Re, Shao Tao (in the front with the black shirt) and Yu Gui (In the white shirt, front row left) at one of the Outreach centers ACC supports. Giving them grains and clothing for the orphans they care for.

The Master & I visiting the Kindergarten at the orphanage. These are the youngest members of ACC, 3 and 4 years old. But they dance and sing as happily as all the other kids

These kids are materially poor by our standards, but seem so happy and contented, they play with any little thing they are given, and the grounds are scattered with these home-made playgrounds.

A Toddler, one hand in imitation of the joined palms the older children use to greet us. Every time we come across someone they place their hands together and say "Shr Fu hao, Amitofo" greeting the Master (Shr Fu) and myself.

Dharmavidya on Creativity

2007-11-19T16:46:00.001+02:00

An interview - click the link

Enlightning

2007-11-19T10:50:00.000+02:00

A human being is part of the whole, called by us 'Universe'; a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely but striving for such achievement is, in itself, a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.

Albert Einstein

Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: It transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural and spritual; and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity.

Albert Einstein

If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism.

Albert Einstein

Do not

2007-11-14T09:50:00.000+02:00

Do Not

Do not

study with

this Master

unless you are very brave

for he will expect

nothing less from you than

complete Bodhisattvahood.

He will transform

your heart

so that you will

desire nothing less than

complete Bodhisattvahood.

You will take leaps into the

unknown

that would

terrify

the bravest

warrior.

Fangfu

2007-11-13T10:45:00.001+02:00

Dearest Amitabha,

I am greedy

I want you

I want to feel you

I want my pain to go forever

I want the pain of all others to go forever

I want you all the time

I am fangfu, bombu

Stupid and ignorant

Of limited imagination

I can only think of you as an

ever present lover

I want you

unmediated by Master or books

I want you

my own

the own of all others

I yearn for you with all

the fervour of my

confused fangfu mind.

May I no longer suffer the

pain of separation

the fear of losing my

loved ones

the misery of slights.

I feel you melt

my anguished passion

soften my angry, ignorant

yearning.

Tears well.

May I know you.

-------

At the end of the day

weary

I creep to my cushion

crossed legs, back straight

an hour's sweet solace.

With deep gratitude

I take refuge in my dearest Amitabha Buddha

knowing He will

touch me.

His light will illuminate me

in ways undreamed.

In the early morning

the day's challenges and joys to come

purified by prostrations

I sit on my cushion

knowing Amitabha is shining His ineffable light on me

guiding me in each moment

I call Him.

My dearest Amitabha

There is not word for

how I love you

Mystical Clues

2007-11-02T21:12:00.000+02:00

There are clues in this life
Symbols of the splendour of Amitabha's Pureland

At the time of day when all dharmas seem to settle
An hour between designations
A moment dear to offering thanks and praise
You will notice it
When the Sun retires in the West, when
The creatures retreat for home, and
Yet there is an arising of something magical
In the aether, where myth swells and lore dwells

And very special
The clues spoken of in deepest scripture
The gentle sailing by of purple sheets in the sky
One sits still amongst the family of dharmas
Comforted by the warm glimmers of setting sun reflections
And what better to do
Than sing
The name of Amitabha
Deeply wishing for sanctity in Amitabha's heart
In his Pureland of Ultimate Bliss

Afterall, these clues are seen through the purifying power of Namo Amitofo

Relinquishing Manichaen notions of 'this' and 'that'
For replenishing differences into beyond, beyond...

Going deeply beyond - into the wind of wind, the heart beat of lucid awareness, into the powerful nurture-nature, of Amitabha - Namo Amitabha!

What’s in a name?

2007-10-29T14:56:00.001+02:00

Keeping the Buddha's Name in your heart really is keeping your own self nature in your heart. The moment your heart accepts the Buddha, you are immediately joined with the Buddha.

Just as:

When a tree absorbs nutrients form the soil, the nutrients becomes a part of the tree.

When we eat a meal, the food becomes a part of our body.

The knowledge we acquire, becomes a part of our mind.

So too, when we accept Amida Buddha into our hearts, we become a part of Him.

When you are joined with the Buddha, there is nothing else, no self (real or imaginary), there is only Amida Buddha. Returning home to the Pure Land is returning home to our pure original nature, because the Pure Land was never separate from our original nature. Therefore we always bathe in the Buddha's Light, and are always in the Buddha's Compassionate embrace, together, as one, with Amida.

So wonderful is faith in Other Power (Buddha's Power). This is the profundity of the Bodhisattva Path of Swift Attainment.

Written by Master Hui Re 2007/10/25

Interpreted by Ben Le 2007/10/26

Letting go of the goal of perfection

2007-10-26T21:34:00.001+02:00

"Pure Land [...] invites the practitioner to let go of striving for individual goals and personal perfection. Such projects are built of sand. More though, such striving traps us in that very delusion that Buddhist teaching would have us relinquish. It binds us to the cycle of self-creation. To accept our complexities and our messy natures is a great relief."

Caroline Brazier - The Other Buddhism

Car song

2007-10-25T12:20:00.001+02:00

To my Master whose kindness I can never repay. I pray that I may serve him forever

Car song

In Amitabha's embrace

I step lightly through Mara,

let slightly slip my ego,

smile when you knock me,

stroke your hunched shoulders.

Singing the dear name

in His light and nearness

I am utterly at ease and happy

Encounter

2007-10-23T09:09:00.001+02:00

Encounter

As a mother tends her sick child

Amitabha is all about me,

soft touch on my cheek

hands grasping mine

measured dose of

dearest love

poured into my heart

leading me to

tiny flashes of

direct

unmediated

encounter

Giving up Ch’an?

2007-10-22T10:34:00.002+02:00

Recently the master and I were talking about his revolutionary change from Ch'an practice to totally practising the Pureland path of Master ShanDao, unable to maintain my curiosity I blurted out"

"But don't you miss your Ch'an practice? You spent so many years and so much effort doing it, don't you regret giving it up as completely as you have?"

He looked at me sideways, with that really mischievous smile of his and said:

"You don't understand. There's nothing to give up, nothing to lose. Everything I do is Ch'an. Ch'an is all around us. Could you possible let go of the space you're sitting in now? Could you be anything but sitting here in this space? Of course not! Ch'an is in anything and everything I do. I just don't talk about it like I used to anymore. I don't sit and think about it and discuss it and teach it."

"I looked at the people in this world. I saw how much they suffer, how difficult it is for them to understand, to practice, so I started teaching about Amitabha Buddha instead. And I'm the kind of person who only teaches what he practices, so I had to start practicing Pureland, and had to practice it properly, or I wouldn't be able to teach it."

(This was a couple of weeks ago and I don't really remember the exact word, so this is more and interpretation than a translation)

-Ben Le

Self & Other

2007-10-20T07:55:00.003+02:00

"it sure is a long hard empty road we walk,

until we find

Other.

we cannot walk it by ourselves,

but we cannot admit defeat either.

we adamantly cling to our views

and understanding.

We know we are right,

and we even believe ourselves,

(sometimes).

but when we look, (usually at 3 in the morning)

we see that we are alone,

and that anyone else that we would walk with,

are alone too.

mutually clueless

and without goal.

so we seek

Other.

but Other is not to be found on this road we've walked,

Other is far beyond our limited scope.

Other is right behind

the eye that looks at the world and judges,

behind the mask.

behind the hope,

and the fear.

leaping into darkness, into faith

we land in light.

on the shoreless shore:

Other."

2007/10/19

Amitabha practice

2007-10-16T13:40:00.000+02:00

I am
disorganized
disheveled
distracted
undisciplined
undignified.
Fanfu.
Hanging by a twig
over the snake pit
threatened by tigers from above
grasping for a drop of honey.
I don’t see the lifeline
Amitabha Buddha
dangles before me.

When I loved men
They said,
Don’t throw yourself at him
Don’t be too obvious
Entice him subtly
Play the game
The anxious, heart-breaking
Game
Only to find he was
A foul, noisy sack of
Bones
Just like me.

With Amitabha Buddha,
I can throw myself at him
with joyous, obvious
abandon
expose my smelly defilements
demand his love
surrender all my
cockeyed plans
obsessive thoughts
to Him.
Rest
in His yielding strength.

Miaosan: Settling In

2007-10-08T15:52:00.000+02:00

My new life here at The Buddha House in Narborough is settling down slowly. As I expected there are aspects which I had not previously considered and aspects which I couldn't have previously imagined or prepared for. The house itself is very big, several hundred years old, I think. It requires an extensive amount of ongoing cleaning, which all residents of the house share. The people staying in the house number on average about7/9 with people staying at another 2 houses down the road joining us for all meals. The population comes and goes. Today there might be 13 people for meals, but from Saturday, a 'Psychology Block' starts will last 10 days and mean that an extra 15/6 people will be staying over.

On Sunday there was a very special event, when our Master Dharmavidya, Rev. Prasada, Gareth and myself went up to London to attend the inauguration of a Stupa erected in a very old, Victorian cemetery in London. The Stupa had been built by the Three Wheels Temple, to commemorate the deaths of 4 Japanese students, over 150 years ago. This temple is Japanese and is one of Amida Shu's Patrons. The 4 students had come to Victorian England in about 1860 in order to learn the 'modern technology' then prevailing. The idea was for them to ultimately return to Japan, bringing their new found knowledge with them, which would be used to help Japan in its efforts to 'modernise' in the western way. These students were however very poor and the combination of relentless poverty and the bitter cold proved deadly, killing 4 of them at a tender age of between 22 and 24 years old. When they fell ill however, they were taken in and cared for by a Professor Williamson and his wife until they died and then subsequently buried by the Professor in this cemetry, apparently the biggerst in the London area.

At the cemetry a service was conducted at the stupa and there was also a performance of a form of traditional Japanese music played in traditional costume at the stupa. The music was eerie - quite haunting, piped as it was in the autumn air among all the tall, drooping trees and leaning tombstones. Afterwards we were shown the graves of the 4 young men, situated not far away and finally the grave of the kind Professor Williamson and his wife. We then all returned to the Three Wheels Temple for another service, various congratulatory talks and snacks.

The Three Wheels Temple (named after the giver, the receiver and the gift) is quite small, being in fact a house in the suburb of Acton. In the back garden, they have constructed a classical Zen Garden, which is most beautiful to see, with rocks from every part of Britain carefully and strategically placed in the sea of intricately waved sand. On the journey back to Narborough, we commented on how deeply emotional the Japanese felt concerning the kindness shown to the Japanese students by Professor Williamson and his wife. I am always awed by the seeming random causes and conditions which come together and in this instance have resulted in the first Buddhist stupa being erected in a British cemetery, which is for any Buddhist who dies in the UK and would like their ashes to be placed there. If I died now, thats probably where my remains would be placed. Very peaceful indeed.

Today, Dharmavidya skillfully used this event to develop a Dharma talk around the theme that originally gathering around a stupa was the original form of Mahayana practice. It represented the next best thing to gathering around the Buddha himself, which anyone was free to do in the time that he was on earth and spreading the Dharma. Stupas now are little areas of sanctity in the ongoing flow of everyday, mundane life. Stupas traditionally have very low walls around them, not to keep people out, but rather to demarcate their sacred area.

Unlike the 'walls' that we all erect around ourselves. We all have walls of varying strengths and thicknesses that surround each one of us, as did the madwoman Patacara, who had lost all her family. She arrived at a gathering of the Buddha, disrupting the event with her wailing. The Buddha did not allow her to be shooed away, instead he stood up and went over to her. When he understood why she was so troubled, he tried to calm her, but made it clear that there was nothing that he could do to remedy the situation. She had to accept that death was part of life in Samsara. After a period of time, Patacara became a nun and ultimately after several years of processing her particular difficulties became an outstanding Dharma teacher. Thus although the metaphorical walls that surrounded her were very high initially, they became lower after some time and so she in turn could reach out to others similarly troubled and give them the benefit of her hard won wisdom.

Dharmavidya explained that 'Pureland' walls are very individual on the one hand, because of the Buddha Amida accepting us as we are. This is very wonderful and quite unique. It locks into a basic human need to love and be loved. As the Buddha reached out to Patacara, his acceptance of her was total and it enabled her to begin the process of healing that in turn led to her helping others. In many instances the Buddha exhorted his disciples to always remain 'in good company'. This is what he advises us all to do. It is essential as it is only in this way that the power of Amida Buddha can work within us. It serves to bring down our high walls, built by lifetimes of suffering, making them eventually the demarcation of a sacred place, containing our energy and mindstream, which we in turn, can use for the benefit of others.

Today, (Thursday) one of the long-standing members of the Buddha House left to return to her family, so that she may assist her sister who has now been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.We all got up relatively early to see her off and the rest of the morning was spent in preparing the available bedrooms in the 2 houses down the road for the influx of students which will begin tomorrow evening.During a conversation out in the garden, Dharmavidya and Prasada explained that in fact several of the current residents in The Buddha House had in fact begun their journey with Amida Shu by attending a 'Psychology Block', like the one beginning on Saturday. In a way like Maxine, myself, Ben Le etc who first came to Nan Hua Temple on a meditation retreat and then returned at a later stage to make it our home. As they say, big oak trees from little acorns grow. So let's see what will happen on this course.

With love to all

Namo Amida Bu

Miaosan

Bodhisattva Jesus Christ

2007-10-08T11:25:00.000+02:00

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

– Mark 4:30–2

2007-10-05T07:56:00.000+02:00

Reciting the name of the Buddha without cultivating the growth of compassion and loving kindness in ones heart is like beating a lifeless gong.

May palms in every world be joined in kindness, compassion, joy and generosity.
May all beings find security in friendship, peace and loving care.
May calm and mindful practice give rise of to deep patience and equanimity.
May we give rise to spacious hearts and humble thoughts of gratitude.

Offer others confidence
Offer others joy
Offer others hope
Offer others convenience

Spring heart

2007-10-03T09:46:00.001+02:00

Spring is not a season:
It is the heart of Mito (Amitofo / Amitabha)
Impelled by boundless love
Spring heart dances gracefully in the treetops
Wonderfully binding us
Giving us warmth in icy winter.
The succession of time is like the changing seasons.
The human world is also ruled by it’s own seasons.
Understanding this,
we understand the true appearance
of ten thousand experiences
and ten thousand thoughts:
the truth of our original nature.
Experiencing the Great Compassionate Vows

of Mito to save sentient beings,
We naturally let go of all mental activity, all worry, anxiety and difficulty
No longer desiring to play the game of attachment and love,
running around seeking, wanting.
Forever in the land of Spring Heart.
Bathing in the Buddha's light.
Together, at one with the Buddha.
Forever inseparable.

Translated by Ben Le

~;}

2007-10-02T22:22:00.000+02:00

What is it about saying: Namo Amitofo, that makes a grown child cry?
What is it about crying: Namo Amitofo! that makes the heart smile?
What is it about Amitabha's smile that enlightens the spirit from afar?
What is it about Amitabha that makes one feel a rest-assured comfort in adversity?
What is it about this kind Buddha
that our every breathe is warmed with infinite illumination?

Meditate, Aspire, Dedicate, Suplicate - Namo Amitofo!

Master Hui Re's Transfer of merits

2007-10-02T15:06:00.002+02:00

Master Hui Re's Transfer of merits

I sincerely pray that all beings may be free from natural disasters and physical or mental difficulties.

I pray their wisdom and merits may increase and that they accept Amitabha Buddha in their hearts.

I pray they all be reborn in the Pureland.

I sincerely pray that the climate in this Saha world and on this planet may be favourable,

That all humans may be at peace with one another, free from fear and that there be no conflicts in the world.

May the propagation of the Pureland Dharma proceed smoothly, rapidly and free of obstacles.

Amitofo

Translated by Ben Le

Shan-Tao

2007-10-02T11:07:00.000+02:00

Shan-tao's definition of the "Right Practices” (shogyo) is as follows:

1) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly read and recite the Meditation Sutra, the Amida Sutra, and the Sutra of Immeasurable Life;

2) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly contemplate the splendid view of Amida and the landscape in that Land;

3) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly prostrate oneself before Amida Buddha;

4) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly utter the name of Amida Buddha; and

5) when giving praises and offerings is in order, to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly praise and make offerings to Amida.

Extract from the Jodo Shu Research Centre Website

Unexpected Appearance

2007-10-01T14:52:00.000+02:00

The spirit of sublime compassion,
White, winsome, splendid, all adorned,
Appears a sudden there before me,
“Do not fear for you will be free
From the pain of things you mourned
From the taint of ancient passion.”

Awash in singing the beloved,
Calling out the fervent name,
This angel came unbidden, gifted,
Just so that my spirit lifted,
Washing off all doubt and blame,
Soothing with a love unsaid.

Red the disc that hangs before me
Vestibule to the calling land;
Dark clouds soft turn ‘fore that hue,
As soft our sins in those eyes too;
How clement comes the kindly hand
To peel the scales that we might see.

For lost am I in the pall of the past,
Torment a certain destination
Were it not for simply bowing
To the one whose timeless vowing
Raises all of humble station
And raises firstly those who are last.

ONLY IN A PURE WORLD, CAN ONE ATTAIN A PURE MIND

2007-09-28T09:55:00.000+02:00

Those who practice according to the Holy Path (Sagely Path) believe that one purifies one’s world by purifying the mind.
Those who practice according to the Pureland Path believe that one purifies one’s mind only by being born in a purified world.
Why?
Sentient beings of the Dharma Ending Age do not have Good Roots, in other words, their ability to learn and practice is dulled, and the world they inhabit is polluted and filled with many evils.
The Candragarbha-sūtra says: “Out of a hundred million people who practice in the Dharma Ending Age, it would be difficult to find even one who would attain the Path. Only by relying on reciting the Buddha's name and being born in the Pureland can one attain liberation.” The sutra validates this claim.
Therefore, for people in the Dharma Ending Age, to not seek birth into a pure Buddha-field but instead to try to find liberation through practicing the Holy Path would truly be impossible.

Footnote:
Age of Genuine Dharma: the first five hundred years after the birth of the Buddha, in which beings arise Wisdom through hearing the Buddha’s words of Dharma, thereby gaining liberation through Wisdom (Prajna).
Age of the Appearance of the Dharma: the following one thousand years, in which beings raise wisdom through meditation (Dhyana), thereby gaining liberation through meditative concentration.
Age of the Ending of the Dharma: the following ten thousand years, in which beings must rely upon the Buddha’s guidance for birth in the Pureland, thus gaining liberation through attaining enlightenment upon birth in the Pureland.

Translated by Ben Le

How all the Buddhas of the Six Directions protect the Nembutsu Practitioner

2007-09-27T10:43:00.002+02:00

From: Honen's Senchakushu. Pg 142

"... [It] is taught in the ... Amida sutra, if a man or woman single-mindedly and wholeheartedly thinks of A-mi-t'o Fo and desires birth [in the Pureland] for seven days and nights up to the whole of his or her life span, then all the buddhas of the six directions, as many as the sands of the Ganges, together will come and always protect him or her. This is why that sutra is known as the "sutra of protection." The "sutra of protection" means that [many buddhas] also prevent all devils and evil spirits from coming into contact with the practitioner; and also that they prevent sudden illness, sudden death, sudden and calamitous disasters for befalling him or her; and that they spontaneously eradicate all misfortunes and obstacles. Those whose practice is not wholehearted are excepted."

From: Honen's Senchakushu: passages on the selection of the Nembusu in the Original Vow. Translated and edited by Senchakushu English Translation Project.

Intermediate Purland Retreat in October

2007-09-21T09:27:00.000+02:00

Intermediate Pure Land Retreat: 19-21 October 2007

Master Hui Re has agreed to hold a Pure Land Retreat from Friday 19 Oct to Sunday 21 October, 2007

Who may attend? Pure Land practitioners or people interested in Pureland practice who have attended at least one other Pureland retreat at Ch’an Lin in 2007.

Cost: R300 for 3 nights.

If you wish to attend, please contact Maxine: (013) 931 0009,
email: maxine.fine@gmail.com

Intermediate Pure Land Retreat: 19-21 October 2007

Chanting up the Sun

2007-09-18T10:54:00.000+02:00

Six o clock this morning me and the Master and Maurice Barker of the Sat Chat Anand Buddhist Centre went down to the beach to chant the sun up, calling on the Buddha's Name as dolphins came to listen to dance in the swell.
Today we leave this Heaven Realm and return to our home at Chan Lin, Nan Hua Temple.

It was good to bask in the sun, it reminds me that i'm already basking in Amitabha's Light, even if i don't feel.It was good to bask in the sun, it reminds me that i'm already basking in Amitabha's Light, even if i don't feel it.

Thank you to all the bodhisattva's who called master out here to Paradise in Plettenberg Bay. May we all chant the Name in Trust.

Amitofo

2007-09-18T08:26:00.000+02:00

You,

Buddhists who would liberate Africa

Beware!

Africa is brutal

Violent

Hungry

Sick.

Africa is not grateful

has not invited you.

Raw survival

is her credo:

Me or you.

Laughing

the world

rips out her

Treasured core.

Why should she trust you?

You want to steal her riches

make her like you;

docile, complacent.

To restore Africa

Leave yourself at home

Come empty

Humble

To learn

Admire

Bow.

Come empty

Learn her songs and dances

Learn her secret ways.

Give her

what she wants

First love Africa.

Did you know?

Did you know

That in Africa

Amitabha Buddha

dons a glistening black skin,

lips opulent and generous

black eyes flashing

powerful muscles surging as she

stomps the age-old dance

She sings the songs of Africa

croons the African mother’s lullaby

eats the coarse African meal

leaps amongst the thorn trees

and throws her spear at the

African stars

Coming & Going with Buddha Karma

2007-09-16T15:36:00.000+02:00

The Karmic connections of Amitabha Buddha has led us to this beautiful spot overlooking the ocean. The photos was taken by Maurice Barker, co-founder of Sat Chit Anand Buddhist Centre, on the Robberg, a small peninsula near Plettenberg Bay where their centre serves as the only Dharma waystation for many miles around.

As master says, this place is like Heaven, like the God realms, it's surprising that anyone practices the Dharma here because it seems there is not enough suffering here. This place has everything, mountains, ocean, beaches and forests, and now it has the Buddha!

We've come with the Buddha's karma and we'll leave again soon with the Buddha's karma.

Master Overlooking the Robberg

2007-09-15T15:53:00.000+02:00

The Master and me (Ben Le) are in Plettenberg Bay for the week, we're giving teachings every evening at the Sat Chat Anand Buddhist Centre, while in the day the kind & loving Bodhisattvas who run the center take us aournd their particular corner of the South African Pureland. The Master just says: "Wherever we go is due to the causes and conditions that Amitabha Buddha arrange for us, because we are here only to teach this Dharma."

Parable of the worm

2007-09-15T13:39:00.000+02:00

Parable of the worm:

Swift Attainment versus to Gradual Attainment

Master Hui Re’s teaching as translated by Ben Le and edited by Maxine

Imagine a bamboo shoot with fifty-two segments. Inside, at the bottom, is a small worm. If this little worm wants to get out, she has to eat upwards through fifty-two segments. The bamboo represents our polluted Saha world. It includes all the realms between the hells and highest heavens of Samsara. The passage up the bamboo represents the Holy or Sagely Path in Buddhism. On this long, arduous path the aspirant has to go through all fifty-two stages of the Bodhisattva’s Path until finally attaining Buddhahood: the fifty-second level of this path. The little worm is you and I.

There are different kinds of little worms. People who have never come across the Holy Dharma are like worms that have never even thought of getting out of this bamboo. Many other little worms cannot even eat their way out of the first segment of bamboo, not to mention the other fifty-two. They represent the kind of person who cannot properly enter into the Door of the Dharma. Even if they have heard a lot of Dharma talks, their doubts are still strong.

Some worms are very lucky. They realise where they are and that there is a way out. They arise Bodhicitta (the desire to achieve enlightenment and the aspiration to help all living beings) and bravely set out on the very long journey to the top of the bamboo. They learn and practice all the Dharmas necessary to get them to Buddhahood. They keep pure precepts. They enter into deep mediation and generate genuine wisdom. (The Three Studies, precepts, meditation and wisdom are the three tools one needs to attain Buddhahood.) They eat their way up this bamboo, segment by segment. The Buddha taught that it takes three Incalculable Kalpas (eons) from the day one arises Bodhicitta till the day one reaches the fruits of Buddhahood.

Therefore those who follow this Holy Path must keep up their spiritual practice, life after life. There are endless obstacles to their practice on this journey up through the 52 segments. As soon as the aspirant worms start to make real progress in any life, they are already old and soon will die. In the next life the whole learning process must start again from the beginning. The aspirants have forgotten all the dharma they learnt in the previous life and have to learn to walk, talk and go to the loo all over again. If they have the karma to come across a good teacher, they will once again start learning and practicing the Dharma. In this world there are so many distractions, interruptions and entertainments that can lure them off the path. So many hidden dangers and pitfalls.

In this polluted, Dharma-ending age, we are not suited to following this long arduous path. We shouldn’t waste time. We should just go straight to the Buddha-field, the Pureland of Amitabha Buddha. Don’t be the worm that tries to eat his way up through all these numerous segments. You can escape sideways! You don’t even have to eat your way out. All you need to do is to have faith, and rely on the Buddha’s Great Vows. Amitabha Buddha made the vow that any being who calls on his name in faith will be accepted to his Pureland, his Buddha-field. Amitabha Buddha even drills the hole in the side of the bamboo for the aspirant to escape and helps her out. All you have to do is call on Amitabha with a deep, sincere mind, have profound faith that you are a very ordinary little worm person and that Amitabha Buddha can and will answer your call, and transfer all your merits to rebirth in the Pureland.

If there are any errors in this parable, I (Maxine) apologise.

She Knows You

2007-09-10T15:30:00.000+02:00

Africa now knows you as a mother knows her own
And as she’s always known you since you went away from home
And there you see her standing - tresses crowned with that red comb
That was given by a lover on one silver afternoon
When the sunset hardly threatened yet the sand already blown
Had brought a haze across the dunes where seed cannot be sown
And your dreams were not yet born then nor yet hatched out from your bone
But their birth pangs had fore-echoes in the redness of her moon
For her lovers they are legion and they are not alone
When they come beneath her shelter and her canopy of stone
Like a womb of light eternal from which kindnesses are grown
At the endtime whose beginning is a gong that's sounding soon.

Ben Fa's Poetry

2007-09-09T11:14:00.000+02:00

Ben Fa’s poetry:

Recitation of a name

Flowing from me

Flowing into me

Bathed in light

Amitofo, Amitofo.

Who would have thought

That no thinking

Was required.

The great master

At ease with change

The parting of ways.

---

Don’t leave the comfort of your tree

Wagtail

The wind is winning.

Pale winter sky

Soapy clothes

Thoughts of home.

---

You have all day

My feathered friend

To spread your wings

Immerse Your Broken Pot

2007-09-07T08:31:00.000+02:00

A disciple came to the master and said: Sir, I am like a leaky pot. I listen to the Dharma and it all goes in easily, but within half an hour nothing remains.
A second disciple said: Sir, I am like an up-side-down pot. I cannot let anything in.
A third disciple said: Sir, I am a dirty pot - I take it all in and keep it, but I am already corrupt and soon what has been poured in is contaminated by the greed, hate and delusion that was in there before.
The three disciples each asked: How can I make my pot perfect?
The master replied: Once there was a potter who made good pots. But in the process there were many faulty ones as well. The good pots were sold and each carried good water now and again. Each got clean and dirty many times. In the end they all got damaged one way or another and became faulty pots in their turn. The faulty pots he threw in the river beside where he worked. The pots that were in the river were always full of pure fresh water direct from the mountain. They were never thirsty. They were always clean, never contaminated, and nobody worried if they had cracks and holes any more. Sometimes customers waiting to buy new pots waited by the river and, looking down into the water, would muse, ‘How wonderful it is that this fine potter has even created here a shimmering mosaic floor.’

Calling the name

2007-09-06T09:16:00.000+02:00

Calling the Name with faith in the Great Vow,
Worldly people enter the Pure Land.
In this very life the karma ripens,
And one never regresses.

Hui Re

2007.07.22

Please join the Master at South Africa's Pureland.

2007-09-04T09:56:00.001+02:00

CHAN AND PURELAND RETREAT

Friday 14 -Sunday 16 September 2007

(Public Talk 13 September at 7pm)

Retreat with Master Hui Re

Meditation Master from Nan Hua

Chinese Buddhism is divided into two great schools: Ch'an (Japanese: Zen) and Pure-Land. Pure-Land Buddhism is the most universal Buddhist practice of China, Vietnam and Japan. Countless aeons ago, a king developed such compassion and such great desire to address the problems of the world that he devoted his considerable powers to developing a realm in which ordinary, unhappy, struggling beings could practice in excellent conditions and unfailingly attain endless peace and joy. The realm is called Sukhavati, the Pure Land, Realm of Utmost Bliss. The king became a Buddha called Amitabha, Buddha of infinite light and life. Ordinary people can attain this realm by forging a connection with Amitabha.

Pure-Land practice assures the attainment of ultimate peace and happiness, as well as bringing joy and relief immediately, in this very life. Practitioners learn to calm themselves and are better able to handle the difficulties of life. They develop love, compassion and wisdom, and experience improvements in physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Fear and anxiety fade as faith in this practice grows. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn about a spiritual path that brings relief from everyday misery, greater acceptance and understanding, and a heart that can love all beings.

Spend a weekend with the famed Taiwanese Chan and Pure-Land MASTER HUI RE, resident meditation master of Nan Hua Temple's Chan Forest Meditation Centre. MASTER HUI RE is one of the few Eastern teachers to bring this practice to the West. He teaches Pure-Land practice in conjunction with Ch'an (Zen) practice. MASTER HUI RE is soon returning to continue teaching at the main Temple in Taiwan. This is a blessed opportunity to attend one of his last retreats in this country. MASTER HUI RE will explain and teach the simple practice of connecting with Amitabha Buddha, through sitting and walking meditation, bowing and chanting (mantra recitation).

WEEKEND RETREAT SCHEDULE

Retreats commence on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. They may be attended on a residential or non-residential basis. The daily programme includes inspiring and illuminating Dharma teachings, sitting and walking meditation with instruction and guidance, space for questions, sharings and practical exercises, as well as Chi gong sessions. The schedule varies according to the specific needs of each retreat. Periods of noble silence are observed.

FRIDAY:

Evening session from 19h00 - 21h00

SATURDAY:

Daily programme 09h00 - 16h00

including tea and lunch breaks

Evening session from 19h00 - 21h00

SUNDAY:

Daily programme 09h00 - 16h00

including tea and lunch breaks

COST

RESIDENTIAL :

Price includes 2 nights shared accommodation in lovely garden cottages and delicious vegetarian meals. Dana (you decide amount) for teachers is appreciated.

Residential: R650

NON-RESIDENTIAL: Price excludes accommodation,

but includes tea and vegetarian lunches. Dana (you decide amount) for teachers is appreciated.

Non-residential: R400

Deposit of 50% is payable upon reservation of place for residential retreats, and balance payable in cash or cheque upon arrival. Deposit to be paid into bank account, details of which will be provided. If booking is cancelled, deposit is forfeited.

Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination. It is possible to come early and/or stay after the retreat. Special rates for retreatants participating in our conducted retreats, who wish to stay longer in our self-catering cottages, are R200 per cottage per night.

GENERAL

SCA is a non-smoking space. Retreatants to uphold the 5 Buddhist Precepts (see Code of Conduct). We hope you can join us on the retreat. You don't have to be a Buddhist, because anyone can benefit from the Buddha's teachings. Number of places limited, so early booking is advisable: phone (044) 533 0453 or email satchitanand@global.co.za for further enquiries and bookings.

J SAT CHIT ANAND namaste to you Buddha-to-be!

On Buddha Recitation & attachment to form

2007-09-04T07:07:00.001+02:00

It is like lighting a fire on top of ice. As the fire intensifies, the ice melts. When the ice melts, the fire is extinguished. So it is with Buddha Recitation.... In the end, the practitioner will attain the realm of No-Birth and see the fire of rebirth spontaneously disappear.

Pure Land Patriarch
Master T'ao Ch'o

Red Breeze

2007-09-03T17:27:00.000+02:00

I have never been to Africa
But I have felt its hot red wind
Like the caress of a mother
Whose wrath has been pinned
By the light of the Buddha
Round a child who has sinned

I have never seen the rise
Of the sun on the veldt
But I've been in the desert
Where the land has lost its pelt
And the footfall of prophets
On the sand can still be felt

I have never been abandoned
No I've never been alone
Since those days when I would ponder
On the meaning of a stone
Through all these days wherein to wander
With You, my Lord without a throne.

No I've never been abandoned
And I've felt Your hot red breeze
And I've known Your hand upon me
Like a voice that says, "At ease"
Or a guarantee of passage
Through a swarm of angry bees.

No I've never been to Africa
Nor sat there in that shade
That You've set up in the leeside
Of the temple that they made
Where the master sips his tea
And the debt of sin is paid.

But I send there all my loving
And I send there all my care
As we walk upon the dune ridge
With the One who's always there
And we set the bees a-sleeping
In the comfort of His hair.

After Mr Huang's retreat...

2007-09-03T08:36:00.003+02:00

Africa called

You heard and came

You fell in love with Africa

You stroked her rough grass

Planted African trees

In her dry earth

Wept at her confusion an anger

You gave Africa your heart and found

Amitabha

Africa did not expect you

Made no preparation

Did not show her

company face

sneered, ignored you

even beat you

Them as you rose to leave

Suddenly

Africa fell in love

with you

Our Amitabha

Don’t go….

- Master Hui Re

To Master Hui Re After Mr Huang's retreat.

2007-09-03T08:36:00.001+02:00

Africa called

You heard and came

You fell in love with Africa

You stroked her rough grass

Planted African trees

In her dry earth

Wept at her confusion and anger

You gave Africa your heart and found

Amitabha

Africa did not expect what you brought

Made no preparation

Did not show her

company face

sneered, ignored you

even beat you

Then as you rose to leave

Suddenly

Africa fell in love

with you

Our Amitabha

Don’t go….

Poetry

2007-08-30T16:21:00.000+02:00

Ben Le's poetry:

I, barely three years

Without hair or suite,

Have fallen in love.

It was not sudden,

But followed a graded path.

And will continue to grow.

This life, is not one I can

Express. For my horizons

Are too narrow to encompass this.

My heart,

Like a flower,

Held in his calloused, carpenter’s hands.

I watch him speaking,

Telling us sheep, that there’s more to life,

Than wool and mutton.

We sheep are enthralled,

We laugh, and chatter excitedly,

Then turn back to the grass and eat.

Like before, like we’ll do again.

And I watch his eyes,

And,

As he watches us,

He laughs as he cries.

I say I am in love,

Not because I love,

But because I know, I am loved,

He loves me, and everyone else.

I say I love,

Because it flows into me

and I thrive.

But I dare not think

That it might end.

This is bittersweet.

It cannot last,

And I cry, as I laugh

Knowing this.

Ben Fa's poetry:

Nothing to do

Nothing to say

Just sit!

It’s better that way