Month: March 2024

The Reluctance of the Bodhisattvas

steve1658Leave a comment

The Reluctance of the Bodhisattvas

The Buddha’s instructions echoed through the assembly, compelling Bodhisattva Maitreya to undertake the task of visiting Vimalakirti. Despite his revered status, Maitreya hesitated, vividly recalling his previous discourse with the enigmatic Licchavi. Vimalakirti’s words had pierced through the fabric of conventional understanding, challenging Maitreya to contemplate the timeless nature of enlightenment. The memory of that encounter lingered like an unanswerable riddle, leaving Maitreya reluctant to approach Vimalakirti once more.

As the Buddha turned to Licchavi Prabhavyuha, anticipation hung heavy in the air. Yet, Prabhavyuha’s reluctance mirrored Maitreya’s, as he recounted an encounter where Vimalakirti’s teachings had illuminated the path of enlightenment for heavenly maidens. Vimalakirti’s words had stirred something profound within Prabhavyuha, stirring the depths of his soul and leaving an indelible mark of reverence and awe.

The bodhisattva Jagatimdhara’s recollection added another layer to the tapestry of hesitation. His memory transported him back to a moment when Vimalakirti had effortlessly exposed Mara’s deception, unraveling the illusions that clouded Jagatimdhara’s perception. Witnessing Vimalakirti’s mastery over Mara’s machinations had instilled both fear and admiration, making Jagatimdhara apprehensive about facing him once again.

The narrative then shifted to Sudatta, the merchant’s son, whose reluctance stemmed from an encounter that had challenged his understanding of sacrifice and generosity. Vimalakirti’s teachings had shattered Sudatta’s preconceived notions, revealing the true essence of a Dharma-sacrifice. Sudatta’s memory of Vimalakirti’s miraculous acts and profound teachings left him feeling humbled and unworthy of facing him again.

Each bodhisattva’s story unfolded like a thread in the rich tapestry of Vimalakirti’s influence, weaving together moments of revelation, awe, and transformation. The reluctance they expressed was not merely a reluctance to inquire about Vimalakirti’s illness but a profound hesitation born out of reverence, humility, and an acute awareness of their own limitations in the presence of such spiritual magnificence.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2024/03/28/the-reluctance-of-the-bodhisattvas/

The Disciples’ Reluctance to Visit Vimalakirti

steve1658Leave a comment

The Disciples’ Reluctance to Visit Vimalakirti

The Licchavi Vimalakirti lay sick on his bed, pondering deeply. “Though I suffer here, the Tathágata, the saintly Buddha, shows no concern for me,” he thought. “No one comes to inquire about my illness.”

Aware of Vimalakirti’s thoughts, the Buddha turned to venerable Shariputra. “Shariputra, go inquire after Licchavi Vimalakirti’s health,” he instructed.

Shariputra hesitated. “Lord, I recall a time when Vimalakirti challenged my understanding of contemplation,” he explained, recounting their encounter under a tree.

The Buddha then asked venerable Maha-Maudgalyayana to visit Vimalakirti. Maudgalyayana, too, hesitated, recalling Vimalakirti’s teachings in the city square.

Turning to venerable Maha-Kasyapa, the Buddha urged him to go. But Maha-Kasyapa hesitated as well, remembering Vimalakirti’s guidance on seeking alms.

One by one, the Buddha directed his disciples to visit Vimalakirti, but they all hesitated, recounting their encounters where Vimalakirti had challenged their understanding and broadened their perspectives.

Finally, the Buddha instructed venerable Subhuti to visit Vimalakirti. Subhuti, too, hesitated, recalling Vimalakirti’s teachings on the nature of reality.

The Buddha continued, instructing each disciple in turn to visit Vimalakirti, but they all hesitated, recounting their encounters where Vimalakirti had challenged their understanding and broadened their perspectives.

The Buddha then turned to venerable Rahula, urging him to visit Vimalakirti. But even Rahula hesitated, remembering how Vimalakirti had guided some young Licchavi gentlemen.

One after another, the disciples expressed their reluctance to visit Vimalakirti, recalling the profound teachings they had received from him.

And so, despite the Buddha’s instructions, none of his disciples felt worthy to inquire about Vimalakirti’s illness, for they all remembered the wisdom he had imparted and the challenges he had posed to their understanding.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2024/03/21/the-disciples-reluctance-to-visit-vimalakirti/

Inconceivable Skill in Liberative Technique

steve1658Leave a comment

Inconceivable Skill in Liberative Technique

In the bustling city of Vaisali, there resided a notable Licchavi by the name of Vimalakirti. He had diligently served the ancient Buddhas, honoring them and making offerings, thereby cultivating virtues. Vimalakirti had attained eloquence and patience, and he possessed great mastery over profound knowledge. He had acquired the power of incantations and fearlessness, triumphing over demons and adversaries alike. Through profound understanding of the Dharma, he attained liberation through wisdom.

With skillful application of his realization, he expertly discerned the thoughts and actions of beings, tailoring his teachings appropriately. Engaging fervently in the Mahayana path, he accomplished tasks with finesse, resembling the demeanor of a Buddha. His intellect was vast, earning admiration from all Buddhas and reverence from celestial beings like Indra and Brahma.

Vimalakirti’s wealth was boundless, dedicated to supporting the needy. He upheld pure morality to guide the immoral and exercised tolerance to reconcile those consumed by anger and cruelty. His energy inspired the lazy, while his mindfulness nurtured the troubled minds. His decisive wisdom illuminated the path for the ignorant.

Though outwardly living as a layman in white garments, he maintained the discipline of a devout follower. Despite having a family and attendants, he practiced continence and solitude. While appearing adorned with ornaments, his true adornments were the auspicious signs within. He frequented social gatherings and establishments, yet his purpose was always to guide and uplift those ensnared by worldly distractions.

Vimalakirti was hailed as exemplary among various societal roles, embodying the essence of the Dharma. He associated with people from all walks of life, yet his words always resonated with Dharma’s wisdom. Engaging in worldly affairs without attachment to profit, he aimed to train and protect living beings. He traversed various settings to disseminate the Mahayana teachings, aiming to elevate all beings towards enlightenment.

In this manner, Vimalakirti lived in Vaisali, endowed with profound knowledge of liberative techniques.

During a particular time, Vimalakirti feigned illness, prompting a multitude of beings to visit and inquire about his health. Seizing the opportunity, he delivered a discourse on the impermanence and unreliability of the physical body, urging them to aspire toward the enlightenment embodied in the Tathagata’s body. Through his teachings, many attained the spirit of unexcelled, perfect enlightenment.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2024/03/14/inconceivable-skill-in-liberative-technique-2/

Posted in Uncategorized

Mr. Ling-Ze Wang, China

steve1658Leave a comment

Mr. Ling-Ze Wang, China

By Zhaxi Zhuoma 

Taken from an article that appeared in the Asian Journal analyzing what happened at the Ultimate Form of Bathing the Buddha Dharma Assembly: 

If the only disciple of H.H. Great Dharma King who became accomplished in the dharma were Wang-Cheng E Fen, perhaps it would be coincidental. But something mysterious happened. Layman Wang Ling-Ze, the husband of laywoman E Fen, also practiced the dharma according to the teachings of H.H. Great Dharma King. Throughout his entire life, he did not discuss the Buddha-dharma. One afternoon in 1992 on February 15th of the lunar calendar, he suddenly took a bench and placed it on the roadside in the Laodong Village of Xindu. He then openly began urging people to be kind and good. He explained the wonders of the Pure Land. He praised H.H. Great Dharma King, saying that his dharma is the authentic Buddha-dharma of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Someone asked Wang Ling-Ze, “I like Guan Yin Dharma, but I don’t know which Guan Yin Dharma is the best.” The elder layman Wang answered, “No matter if your teacher is a Great Dharma Teacher or a Great Rinpoche, you must be very careful. You absolutely must not learn false Buddha-dharma. For example, Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s ‘pure vase realization’ is great. Let’s look toward ourselves. How is your master? If he doesn’t have the ability and state of realization to ‘obtain water,’ transmit Dharma, and conduct initiations, if he does not follow the precepts well, then he just understands the common dharma written in books. Rather than learn from such a person, you would accumulate more merit if you intoned ‘Homage to Guan Yin Bodhisattva.’ True Guan Yin Dharma involves ‘obtaining water’ either in a gentle way or a forceful way. Obtaining water in a forceful way involves one or two persons lifting a lotus tub weighing over 5,500 pounds and pouring out the water from it. This is the true Buddha-dharma. Obtaining water in a gentle way involves the following. You secretly prepare a bowl outside the presence of the master. You fill it with water and take it out. The master immediately practices the dharma in front of you. Water instantly flows through the bowl toward you. It is like the holy water in the pure vase of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. No containers in this world can hold the holy water in that pure vase. That holy water will penetrate through and flow out of any such worldly container. When used in initiations and Dharma transmissions, holy water that has flowed through a bowl can wash away your karmic hindrances accumulated over many past lifetimes. This is true Guan Yin Dharma. I have learned this true Buddha-dharma transmitted to me by H.H. Great Dharma King Yangwo Wan Ko Yisinubu. Water penetrated through the bowl. Therefore, I am about to go to the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss.”

When the elder layman Wang finished expounding the dharma, he pushed the bench to one side and sat down in the cross-legged posture in front of his house near the road. He instantly passed away. He illustrates the magnificence of the Buddha-dharma transmitted by H.H. Great Dharma King, which leads to control over one’s own birth and death. According to the rules of Buddhism, after the elder layman passed away, his body could not be touched for seven days. Therefore, he sat solemnly in the cross-legged posture at that very spot near the public street for seven days and seven nights. His back remained completely upright.

After his cremation at the Bao Guang Temple in Xindu, thirteen firm shariras (relics) were left behind. I went to the Bao Guang Temple in Xindu and paid twelve yuan to buy a photograph openly sold by the temple showing the sharira and sharira flowers left behind by laywoman Wang Cheng E-Fen after her cremation. I learned from a documentary video as well as other sources that disciples of H.H. Great Dharma King include world-class outstanding monks and nuns, first-class elder monks in Taiwan, first-class elder monks and Great Rinpoches in mainland China and Hong Kong, and first-class Great Rinpoches in the United States. Furthermore, many disciples of H.H. Great Dharma King include husband and wife couples who obtained control over their own births and deaths. Some of his disciples passed away while they sat in the cross-legged posture, chanted the name of Amitabha Buddha, and held their hands in a special mudra. The bodies of some disciples emitted dazzling light after they passed away. The corpses of some disciples do not rot after their passing, thereby becoming a “body sharira.” However, the most amazing thing of all is that H.H. Great Dharma King often tells his disciples beforehand when a certain person will pass away, thus enabling the Dharma Teacher disciples to make their way to that person quickly so that they can help him or her by reciting passages or mantras for the deceased. When those Dharma Teachers are informed of this, the person is still alive. When they arrive at the person’s location, he or she has already passed away. What is the significance of this? This shows that such magnificent Buddha-dharma truly exists.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2024/03/07/mr-ling-ze-wang-china/