I'm collecting English translations of essays, dharma talks, and books by my root guru Grandmaster Sheng-yen Lu.  With time, I hope to add more and more here.  Thanks for visiting!

 English Webcasts

* Default player for streaming audio (.m3u) available at www.winamp.com.  I show you how here.
Date Description Audio
2013.09.28 Treasure Vase Breathing Practice. play | download
2013.09.21 Nine Cycle Breathing Teaching by Guru. play | download
2012.03.10 Guru talks about the history behind the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra and its relationship to the Sanga.  Guru reveals the key points to practicing of vajra vase breathing to achieve mental stability and chi movement involving breath, saliva, and rectum. play | download
2010.10.17 Kalachakra Dharma teaching by Guru Master Sheng-yen Lu in Sydney, Australia.  Guru reveals additional info on cultivating the rough states of mind into finer states. This is a ".wma" file. play | download
2009.11.29 Dharma talk by Guru following the Acala Homa. Continuation on the Hevajra Dharma. On entering the Hevajra mandala one must purify oneself internally and externally, followed by invocation of our lineage guru, Hevajra, and family member. One must do so whole-heartedly and sincerely with one's best effort. play | download
2009.11.28 Learn Buddha’s wisdom rather than just praying to Buddha. As Buddhists, we can’t develop fixation. Don’t think that we don't need to learn anything, or to assimilate Tatagata's wisdom and to awaken your buddha-nature. Don’t think you can simply rely on Grand Master, or that Grand Master will save us. Such fixation should be dismissed! (summary)  play | download
2009.10.31 The True Buddha School is distinctive because of the condensing of convoluted Tantra into the sudden teaching. Many mantras are quite long and we chant the short version. We forgo the lengthy visualization for the abridged visualization. Entering samadhi is to purify everything about you. You need a sudden method. The sudden method is awakening.  play | download
2009.10.24 Dharma talks by Master Lian He and Grandmaster Lu. (summary) Below is a recording of Master Lian He's Dharma talk (photos):

play | download
2009.10.18 Grand Master Lu presides over the Maha Cundi Bodhisattva Homa and Empowerment at Rainbow Temple. audio | mp3 | video
2009.10.17 Reverend Lian Shan speaks about vows, and Master Lian Shi speaks on blessings from recitation of the Ksitigarbha sutra. Grandmaster continues the Platform Sutra, "All sutras and writings of the greater and smaller vehicles as well as the 12 canonical books have been devised because of men. If there were no people, all dharma would not exist. Therefore know all dharma exists because of people and sutras for their sake."

play | download
2009.10.10 Reverend Lian Ling from Melbourne, Australia speaks about how it's like to be a monk. Presiding Enlightened Master Lian Fu at her first group practice speaks about an important topic - faith. Grandmaster Lu continues (29:25 min)  on chapter two of the Platform Sutra, "The key point is this no dwelling outwardly or inwardly. In Buddhism, observing our own mind is inward. What is outward?  In performing spiritual cultivation for purpose of more wealth, curing diseases, family harmony, that's outward." play | download
2009.10.04 Grand Master Lu presides over the Yellow Jambhala Homa and Empowerment at Rainbow Temple. play | download
2009.10.03 Reverend Lian Chung and Master Lian Ye followed by Grandmaster Lu on the Platform Sutra. The Prajna does not differentiate between great and small; but sentient beings are differentiated by deep or shallow spiritual roots. Do not be attached to the outer spiritual practices. So if your mind is not inward, but bouncing outward, then that's superficial. That's the slow witted ones.  What is Buddhism?  To gain the wisdom of Buddha - mind of equality and unobstruction. play | download
2009.09.27 Grandmaster Lu explains on the Maha Mayuri dharma. GM also describes the altar (mandala). This deity is an embodiment of Shakymuni, Amitaba, and Mahavairocana. With this great dharma, one will be able to deliver sentient beings and win people over. One will rise to the ranks of mayors, presidents, etc.  In the very least one will find the spouse he/she wants. You can change your fate with this Maha Mayri Dharma.  

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play | download
2009.09.26 Reverend Lian Shang talks about the student-teacher relationship. Master Lian Jie quotes a cemetery sign, "For the people who passed away laying here in the cemetery; one day you'll lay there like everyone else." Grandmaster Lu (21:45 min) continues on the Platform Sutra, "The Prajna that's embodied in everyone is exactly the same in everyone. However, some upon hearing will not be enlightened. Why? Because they have erroneous views and heavy obstructions. Just like clouds covering the sun, unless blown away by the wind, light won't shine through."   (GM translated by Hanifa) play | download
2009.09.16 Reverend talks about focusing on one practice to reach inner peace. Master Lian Zhu talks about life being like a dream and using proper methods. Grandmaster Lu continues on the Platform Sutra, "Learned audience, those with light spiritual roots, upon hearing this teaching on sudden enlightenment, just like grass with shallow roots, upon great rains will be uprooted and be unable to grow" (All translated by Hanifa) play | download
2009.09.12 Reverend on gratefulness. Master Shi Lian Chuan on living with an open heart. Grandmaster Lu discourse on the Platform Sutra and equality of all beings. play | download
2009.09.06 Golden Mother of Jade Pond Homa Ceremony at Rainbow Temple on September 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.  Empowerments bestowed: (1) Seven Body Yoga Exercises, (2) Paper Body Practice (Summary) play | download
2009.09.05 His Holiness, Living Buddha Lian Sheng transmits the "Uncommon Peacock Luminous King (Maha Mayuri) Tantra"

peacock4.jpg (75564 bytes)

Maha-Mayuri-Vidya-Rajni Deity

As per Buddha-Mother Maha Mayuri Sutra in the Tibetan Buddhist Canon, "With the power of Maha Mayuri, one can do away with all kinds of poison and divert them to the earth ground. It would make me and multitude of my kin safe and secure. Be it human poison, human yet non-human poison, chemical poison, black magic poison, all known poisons, and the like will be eliminated completely. Let me and my multitude of kin be completely rid of all poisons, and be accorded with safety and security, and hence live to a hundred years old seeing a hundred autumns." (Summary)

http://padmadharma.tbtts.org/mod/resource/view.php?id=150 

http://padmadharma.tbtts.org/mod/resource/view.php?id=149 

play | download (English)

play | download (Chinese)

2009.08.22 Reverend Lian Nian about how she feels about the flooding disaster in Taiwan. Master Lian Ha speaks about Homa on 8/16 performed by Grandmaster Lu.  Chapter two of the Platform Sutra, the 6th Patriarch said, "This [Diamond] Sutra belongs to the highest School of Buddhism, and the Lord Buddha delivered it specially for the very wise and quick-witted. If the less wise and the slow-witted should hear about it they would doubt its credibility." So the highest meaning of Buddhist philosophy cannot be spoken.  play | download
2009.08.21 Informal chat with English students and Master Lian Ming over the kitchen table at E-Rooh temple.  Discussion most about various aspects cultivation. play | download
2009.08.15 Reverend Lian Zhi cultivating with happiness. Master Lian Wang on maintaining responsibilities. Grandmaster Lu on chapter 2 in the Platform Sutra: Good friends, if you want to enter the most profound realm of reality, cultivate the Prajna by reciting and studying the Diamond Sutra.  The merit for studying this Sutra is boundless. Main point is the deep profound realms of reality of the 10 realms and uniting the heart in one point.  Six realms: heaven (god), human, asura (half-god), animal, ghost, hell.  Four deeper realms: Buddhahood, Bodhisattvahood, Pratyekabuddha (realized), Sravakabuddha (learning). When you recite, you must know every form of Dharma is just like a bubble - it's impermanent with no forms or self. play | download
2009.08.08 Grandmaster expounds on this verse from chapter 2 in the Platform Sutra. When one is free from defilements, wisdom reveals itself, and will not be separated from the Essence of Mind. Those who understand this Dharma will be free from: (1) idle thoughts, (2) infatuation with one particular thought, (3) clinging to desire, (4) falsehood. To put one's own essence of Tathata into operation; to use Prajna for contemplation, and to take an attitude of neither indifference nor attachment towards all things - this is what how to realize one's own Essence of Mind to attain Buddhahood. play | download
2009.07.25 Reverend on endurance and patience. Master Lian Zhu on the six senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, touch, consciousness) but the true heart of Dharma wisdom is formless. Grandmaster on thinking about others instead of only one's self. This is bodhicitta. The topic of the self cherishing mind and dreams are covered. play | download
2009.07.18 Master Lian He on combining Zen and Tantrayana to advance on the path.  His talk was extremely inspiring for me.  He is followed by Grandmaster who speaks on precepts and three poisons (greed, hatred, delusion). Greed categorized into fortune, beauty, prestige.  I highly recommend studying this recording. 

 MasterLianHa.jpg (30512 bytes) 
(Master Lian Ha)

http://www.tbtts.org/translation_work/DS/DS.09.07.18.ENG.html

play | download
2009.07.11 Text version of the webcast here.  Audio/Video was difficult to record.  http://www.tbtts.org/translation_work/DS/DS.09.07.11.ENG.html   
2009.06.27 Reverend speaks on non-competition. Master Lian Huo speaks on misfortunes caused by earthly fortunes.  Grandmaster Lu (31:03 min) continues on Platform Sutra, Chapter 2: "You should understand this dharma, which is the Prajna dharma; and cultivate this conduct, which is the Prajna conduct. Not to cultivate is to be a common person, but in a single thought of cultivation, you are equal to the Buddhas." To depart from the arguments, you are actually departing from the stages of attachments. In reality, money is a headache, but without it, it's an even greater headache.  So Grandmaster feels every True Buddha Disciple should go out and work hard to earn money - but in an ethical way. play | download
2009.06.20 These teachings meant a lot to me by Reverend Jiu Yu on using your whole heart, Master Lian Man on the ordinary mind, and Grandmaster Lu (21:55 min) on both from the Platform Sutra, Chapter 2: "Good Knowing Advisors, deluded people recite with their mouths, but while they recite they live in falsehood and in error. When there is practice in every thought, that is the true nature." http://www.tbtts.org/news/news_09_011.html play | download
2009.06.13 Reverend speaks about bondage and freedom. Master Lian Chuan speaks about trust. Grandmaster speaks (34:20 min) on Platform Sutra: "The realm that points to the senses, objects, existence, non-existence, like the ups and downs of waves in the ocean, is called this shore. Non-attachment that is beyond existence and non-existence is call the other shore." http://www.tbtts.org/news/news_09_010.html play | download
2009.06.07 Sunday invitation to celebrate Grandmaster's 65th birthday at Lynwood Convention Center. Talk on spacious mind and open heart.  Grandmaster has never had the heart to own any place or any territories.  You need to be grateful to those who slander you. You can't just care for you own chapters. "Great Rains Strengthens the Great Earth." (summary with verse) play | download
2009.05.30 Grandmaster Lu on the Platform Sutra (starts at 20:30min). Our thoughts are very important. With one fault, there would be long suffering. Don't think that by talking about emptiness is good enough. As spiritual cultivators we use the notion of existences to practice the empty nature. Because Prajna has no form, you need to use your body, mind, speech to prove the truth. If you can comprehend between the existences and empty nature, this is the middle way. play | download
2009.04.25 Grandmaster  Lu preceded by Rev Lian May and Master Lian Wang. GM begins speaking at 23:55. GM introduces a 60 year old disciple from Holland, Lian Hua De Shuan as one who has attained the realization. Be aware of your deluded thoughts. To have exterior beauty, you must also have interior beauty. Always be grateful and happy. play | download
2009.04.18 Grandmaster  Lu preceded by Rev Lian Yeh and Master Lian Huo.  GM asks... what are you after in this life? perhaps status or money? A non-cultivator talks about wishes in life, wishes for more better job or enjoyments. A cultivator is not bound by these. His concern is instead on ridding the six poisons and practicing the six perfections play | download
2009.04.11 Historic Dharma talk by the Enlightened Master Lian Ming beginning at 11 min 18 sec.  Followed by Grandmaster and preceded by Reverend Lian Ying.  GM speaks about Lian Ming's Enlightenment and about the absolute importance of merit, stabilizing mind, and action.  One should pay special attention to today's teaching. play | download
2009.04.04 Dharma talk by Grandmaster  Lu at the Seattle Temple. If your heart is vast as the universe, encompassing the ten realms (hell, hungry ghost, human, animal, Buddha, bodhisattva, heaven, asura realms, etc.), then you will be free. While your heart is vast, everything you encounter will be clear.  play | download
2009.03.15 Ragaraja Puja by Grandmaster Lu.  We hope that all will have the quality of care. This includes entities as large as a temple or family down to the individual. We hope that everyone will have this love and respect. The fierceness of Ragaraja portrays his power of love and respect. Also followed by discourse on Hevajra. play | download
2009.03.14 Master Lian Wang on the pain of separation from close ones.  Grandmaster continuation on the Platform Sutra. Empty and non-emptiness... just let it be. When the time has come, just let it come. Same with marriage, just let it be. We must be natural by maintaining our roles and duties. play | download
2009.03.07 Reverend Lian Yau's Dharma talk (In Mandarin: play | download).  Followed by GM: Don't be attached to emptiness. This concept of emptiness in Zen influenced hippies in 1970, but this only an par of Zen. Incomplete recording lost connection in middle.  play | download
2009.03.01 Kalachakra Homa. Realm of empty space. This realm spoken by the Sixth Patriarch is not easily understood. Mandalas can be small as a drop or limitless as space. Mandalas are the altars of Buddhas. play | download
2009.02.28 Making offerings symbolize our earnestness and purity.  The dharma throne for Kalachakra to decend begins the empowerment path: space --> guru --> disciples. According to Buddhism of the highest realm you just go with the flow.
Why do we still need ethics? Unite ourselves with other people
Why do we still need rituals? Unite ourselves with the Buddhas
play | download
2009.11.22 Presiding Master Lian Ning with Reverend talk followed by Grandmaster concluding the 1st chapter of the Platform Sutra (biography of the 6th patriarch).  Grandmaster confirms Enlightenment of two True Buddha School disciples (Lian Hua Hou Ming and Lian Hua Jing Buo).  This recording's slightly incomplete.   play | download
2008.11.15 Presiding Master Lian Huo with Reverend dharma talk followed by Grandmaster on the Platform Sutra. The great monk asked Hui Neng, "What is the non-dualism of Buddhadharma?" Lian Hua Hou Ming informs Grandmaster of his decision to renunciation. Wow! Amitofo. play | download
2008.11.08 Presiding Lian Yi Fa and Shi Master Lian Zai (play | download) speaks about the ordinary mind as the Tao.  Grandmaster continues the Platform sutra. Surprised from the his answer, the great monk asked Hui Neng to come forward and asked, "I heard the 6th went southward, are you the 6th?"  When the great monk knew, he kneeled down to pay homage. http://padmadharma.tbtts.org/mod/resource/view.php?id=115  play | download
2008.11.01 Important talk by Master Lian Man on illusion of fighting for prestige (play | download).  Grandmaster continues on the Platform Sutra.  Hui Neng responded to two monks arguing what was moving the banner, "It is your mind that is moving, not the wind nor the banner." play | download
2008.10.25 Short talk by Reverend Si followed by presiding master Master Lian Shi on human illnesses and importance of daily practice.  Grandmaster on when he passes away.  If we're not yet enlightened, we need to find an enlightened teacher. The secret essence of mind can not be explained.  It must be proven.  play | download
2008.10.18 Grandmaster continues the discourse on the Platform Sutra.  Hui Neng escapes town with the lineage bowl and robe, but is found by a soldier.  Grandmaster also comments on Master Lian Seng about differentiating picking up and letting go. play | download
2008.10.04 Presiding master Master Lian Yin speaks on earthly restrictions and spiritual cultivation followed by Grandmaster on the Platform Sutra. 5th patriarch's tells the 6th patriarch to leave and go as far as he can. Everyone is fighting over the superficial and not after the ultimate truth.   play | download
2008.09.27 Good news!  Grandmaster identifies a very special person Lian Hua Hou Ming from Calgary, Canada.  Master Lian Hua De Hui speaks about his history and balancing life and cultivation.  Grandmaster on a very important point, written by Lian Hua Hou Ming on the non-abiding mind. (GM talks about this at 59:00 of this audio file)

lian hua hou ming.jpg (20912 bytes)

play | download
2008.09.20 Master Lian Huo speaks about this moment and impermanence. Disaster in Taiwan from recent Typhoon that destroyed a major bridge. Grandmaster Lu discusses why Hui Neng poem's to the 5th Patriarch "hit the spot". play | download
2008.09.13 Two new students receive their ordinations directly to masters (video of new masters). Yellow Padmakumara from Hokaido (summary), Japan and a long time student from Taiwan.  Master Lian Yin - Emptiness & non-emptiness being non-twofold.  Grandmaster Lu speaks about the ultimate realization.  Gaining or losing... at the end, win or lose it is the same when the four elements (one's life) is exhausted. play | download
2008.08.23 Reverend Sin Mei speaks about the challenge of cutting off the bondage to our karma.  Master Lian Zhu - Today's society, we must be in it, but without being affected by the circumstances.  Grandmaster Lu - Importance of balancing wisdom and compassion.  Caring for our parents before leaving them. In order to be ordained in TBS you need approval by your parents or spouse. This way we are responsible to our parents, our family, our society. Hui Neng's answer to the 5th Patriarch on the Buddha nature and people's tendency to be envious and resentful. play | download
2008.08.16 Golden Mother's birthday.  Master Lian Miao on perfection and recent Dharma ceremony.  Grandmaster Lu speaks about being ourselves and freedom from being controlled by others, self mastery, diamond sutra, 6th patriarch, the kind of enlightenment that cuts through all things. play | download
2008.02.06 Be careful not to mistakenly regard the unreal as real. What is real is easy to regard as unreal. We must use our wisdom to combat the ever present calamities around us. Cultivate with joy. This is very important.  youtube
2008.01.26 English Webcast Presiding Master: Master Shi Lian Yin This is a very special dharma talk by Master Lian Yin (with the yellow collar), because he gives us a glimpse of the true mind. On behalf of us, he also makes a very moving & heartfelt wish for grandmaster to slow his return and stay with us in the saha world to guide us. youtube 
2008.01.19 English Webcast Reverend Lian Yau's special connection with root guru Master Sheng-yen Lu, followed by Grandmaster's Dharma talk about pondering on the teachings of the Zen masters. Whether through happiness, sadness, sufferings, or hardships we should remain unobstructed. youtube 
2007.12.08 Reverend Lian Gin speaks about courage.  Master Lian Zhu speaks about a Taiwanese movie "The Sensual World".  Grandmaster Lu adds to the topic of courage.  Courage and Affinity is needed to embark on the journey of spiritual cultivation.  One needs to do bardo deliverance prior to eating and it's simple - just recite "om ah hum" (universe, primary deity, accomplishment). play | download
2007.11.17 English Webcast The teachings of emptiness and non-emptiness. Do not be attached to either! Also, the importance of practicing the Kalachakra practices is explained.  youtube 

 

 Books (list)

Note: As of 9/22/2012, books here now only have limited chapters. please see www.tbsn.org  for full book reading...

The Flying Carpet of the East
Art of Meditation
Highest Yoga Tantra and Mahamudra
Land Spirits of Your House
An Overview of Buddhadharma (in-progress)
A Complete and Detailed Exposition on the ...
The Aura of Wisdom (03-18-09)
The Dharma which Eradicates Sorcery (in-progress)
Great Spiritual Response of Tantrayana (in-progress)
Living This Moment in Purity
Voyages in Serenity (in-progress)
Enlightenment (in-progress)
Enlightenment Magazine Archives
Miscellaneous Teachings

Below are also more links to outside websites that have Grandmaster Sheng-yen Lu's English translations:

 Sutras
 Practices

When engaging in Vajrayana practices, including meditation and mantra recitation, it is crucial to include both a prayer of refuge and a dedication of merit.

Note: The teachings below require lineage empowerment by a qualified guru:

 Music & Audio

Lineage Verse

"A particular lineage master wanted me to read the verses he once wrote. I jotted them down to share with you. It has to do with achieving awakening,

Buddha nature deep as sea, 
Middle and side see differently, 
The way is between existence and void, 
Verbal interpretation trifling.

Monks with fame and riches, 
Ludicrous desire for motley of doctrines, 
Greed and temper still bound, 
Beginning and cessation never depart.

Buddhas of three ages, 
Never apart from root wisdom, 
Relinquish it to seek Bodhi, 
Who attains Bodhi-hood?

Enlightened master understands this heart, 
Relinquish all conditioned phenomena, 
I have no grasp of time, 
Disremembering the meaning of my words.

These verses are my token of appreciation for all of you who came to commemorate my birthday." 

from a talk by Master Sheng-yen Lu

 

 

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Last edited December 22, 2013