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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
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)
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)
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.
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)
His Holiness,
Living Buddha Lian Sheng transmits the "Uncommon Peacock
Luminous King (Maha Mayuri) Tantra"
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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."
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.
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.
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.
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)
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.