Hongaku – Original Enlightenment Original Enlightenment, although related to Buddhanature (Tathagata-garbha) is a different teaching. Original Enlightenment (also innate enlightenment) is the view that Enlightenment is not something to be gained, but rather we are already enlightened, we just need to realise it. The reason we can’t see this is […]
Buddhism
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10 Famous Temples of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, also known as Guan Yin in Chinese or Kannon in Japanese, is the most renowned bodhisattva of boundless compassion in Mahayana Buddhism. In Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha urged his disciples to practice constant mindfulness of Guan Yin for […]
Understanding Hua Yen Sect (Part 3/4) ‘Li’ and ‘Shih’ In Hua-yen’s doctrine, it is used to interpret all Dharmas in two different aspects: one is ‘Li’ [理] and the other is ‘Shih’ [事], which are two important words in the vocabulary of this sect. ‘Li’ is transliterated from a Chinese word, which means […]
Jataka Tales: The Monkey’s Heart Once upon a time, while Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life at the foot of the Himalayas as a monkey. He grew strong and sturdy, big of frame, well to do, and lived by a curve of the river Ganges in […]
Understanding Hua Yen Sect (Part 2/4) Five Divisions and Ten Schools Hua-yen sect formulated a complete doctrine embracing all the aspects of Buddhist teachings, and can be classified into Five Divisions and Ten Schools [¤±Ð¤Q©v]. Five Divisions The Teaching of Sravakas (Sound-hearers) [¤p¼±Ð]– This is the Hinayana found in the Agama Sutras, […]
Dhammapada: The Story of Two Friends Dhammapada Verse 19: Though he recites much the Sacred Texts (Tipitaka), but is negligent and does not practise according to the Dhamma, like a cowherd who counts the cattle of others, he has no share in the benefits of the life of a bhikkhu […]
Deciphering the Lotus Sutra: Commentary by Master Hsuan Hua (Chapter 2) Lotus Sutra: At that time the World Honored One arose serenely from samadhi and told Shariputra, “The wisdom of all the Buddhas is extremely profound and unlimited. The gateway to this wisdom is difficult to understand and difficult […]
The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra: A Spiritual Solution to Purify, Heal, and Protect You and Your Loved Ones from the Coronavirus (Covid 19) In December 2019, a lethal coronavirus appeared mysteriously in Wuhan and spread like wild fire throughout the world. Many people suffer from pain, fear, and grief […]
Mangala Sutta: 38 Blessings (Part 2/3) At this stage, material development is no longer of priority. The objectives of life have changed. This is the level of serious spiritual practice directed at attaining the Supreme Blessings of the Path, and Fruits of the Path, to Nibbana. Part 5: The […]
Understanding Hua Yen Sect (Part 1/4) Name Hua-yen [華嚴] is the pronunciation of Flower Adornment, which is translated from the Sanskrit word Avatamsaka, the name of one of the most famous sutra in Buddhism. This sect takes its name from the Avatamsaka Sutra, which is the principal text of the sect. Literally, […]
