The Seven-part Practice From The King Of Prayers, the Prayers of Noble Conduct
Posted on 15 July 2010.
Source: Eight Verses for Training The Mind, by Geshe Sonam Rinchen and translated by Ruth Sonam
I pay homage with body, speech and mind
To all Buddhas, past, present and future,
To all those lions amongst humans, as many
As there are in the worlds of the ten directions.
Through the power of this prayer of noble conduct,
In my mind's eye I see all those Victorious Ones.
With as many bodies as there are atoms in the worlds,
I bow to them all, the Victorious Ones.
On every atom, amidst Bodhisattvas,
Are as many Buddhas are there as atoms,
And similarly I imagine the whole
Sphere of phenomena filled with Buddhas.
With an inexhaustible oceans of praise,
Through oceans of sound made with organs of speech,
I speak of the qualities of the Victorious
And praise all those who have gone to bliss.
With the finest flowers and finest garlands,
With the sweetest music, best unguents and best parasols,
With the best butter lamps and finest incense,
I make offerings to all those Victorious Ones.
With fine clothes and best fragrances,
Aromatic powders heaped high as the king of mountains,
All arranged in the most excellent fashion,
I make offerings to those Victorious Ones.
I imagine giving all the Victorious Ones
The most extensive and unsurpassable offerings.
Through the power of faith in noble conduct
I bow and make offerings to all Victorious Ones.
Whatever wrong actions I have created
With my body, my speech and with my mind,
Driven by desire, anger and confusion,
Each of these I openly acknowledge.
I rejoice in the merit of the Victorious
And of Bodhisattvas in the ten directions,
Of Solitary Realizers, trainees and the perfected
And in that of all living beings.
I urge those protectors who have just gained
Buddhahood – enlightenment without obstruction,
Who are lamps for the worlds in the ten directions,
To turn the unsurpassable wheel of the teachings.
With folded hands I request those who wish
To display the passing into parinirvana
To remain for the benefit and joy of living beings
For as many aeons as the worlds have atoms.
I dedicate the slight merit I have created
Through reverence, offerings and confession,
Through rejoicing, exhorting and through requesting,
To the attainment of highest enlightenment.
About this prayer:
Ven. Thubten Chodron's introduction to this prayer:
Whenever I read "The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra," I feel energized and optimistic. This prayer opens us up to a world of Buddhas teaching the Dharma to bodhisattvas on every atom of existence. Our view is no longer dismally bound by the 6 o'clock news, the dim prophecies of political analysts, and worries about finances and relationships, but is now expanded to include the activities of bodhisattvas who seek to alleviate the miseries of all sentient beings. Instead of seeing ourselves as limited beings, we have inklings of our Buddha nature — the potential each of us possesses to become a fully enlightened being. Our aspiration to realize this Buddha potential flowers, and our lives are renewed with meaning and purpose.
"Samantabhadra" is sometimes translated as "the universal good." What is universally good? Bodhicitta-the aspiration to become a Buddha in order to be of the greatest and most effective benefit to all beings. Who possesses bodhicitta? Bodhisattvas. This prayer of aspiration summarizes all the extraordinary activities of bodhisattvas, as well as both the profound and extensive paths. For this reason, it is called "King of Prayers."
Following the bodhisattva path entails transforming what we feel, think, say, and do so it is directed towards enlightenment. We practice this path every moment of our lives, no matter who we are, what is happening around us, or who we are with. Each present moment is the only moment we have to practice; the only moment to be happy and to spread joy to others. If we do not practice the bodhisattva deeds of generosity, ethical discipline, patience, joyous effort, meditative stabilization, and wisdom now, when will we? The past is gone; the future is yet to come. Let's do our best to act with compassion and wisdom right now, with whoever is in front of us at the moment.
This prayer of aspiration may speak of practices that are beyond our present capabilities. That's fine; we aspire to practice these in the future, as our ability to act for the welfare of all beings develops. Such heartfelt prayers of aspirations to engage in a bodhisattva's deeds enriches our mind; it gives us a vision of what we can become and shows us the causes we need to create to actualize that.
While reciting the prayer, try to have the three qualities of an excellent disciple: open-mindedness, intelligence, and sincerity. Open-mindedness is the ability to view things freshly, unhindered by preconceptions. We are not influenced by prejudice or disturbing emotions such as attachment or anger. Intelligence doesn't refer to being clever or smart in a worldly sense, but to being intelligent with regard to accomplishing our own and others' well-being; we are intelligent in our way of helping others. In addition, we examine the Buddha's teachings with discriminating wisdom, and don't just accept them on blind faith. Sincerity describes our motivation. We aren't concerned with only our own happiness, but with the happiness of all others as well. Our aspiration to change and to actualize our Buddha potential is earnest and firm.
The first twelve verses are an expanded version of the Seven Limb Prayer. Through them we purify negativities and create vast positive potential or merit. On this basis, we then aspire to engage in the practices of those on the five paths of the bodhisattva vehicle — the paths of accumulation, preparation, seeing, meditation, and no more learning. This aspiration places strong imprints on our mindstream, strengthening and awakening our disposition to accomplish the courageous deeds of bodhisattvas. Through dedicating our positive potential as the great bodhisattva Samantabhadra and Manjushri do, we protect our virtue from going to waste. Our positive potential becomes inexhaustible, so that we and all others may forever enjoy its fruits. As a result, one day Amitabha Buddha himself will prophesize our enlightenment. We will become Buddhas, with full wisdom, compassion, and skillful means to benefit all beings.
Posted in Articles, Images & Artwork, Mantra and Sutras0 Comments and 0 Reactions
How To Develop A Kind Heart
Posted on 13 July 2010.
Everyone wants happiness and health, but not everyone realises that loving-kindness is an essential ingredient for these. Why? Because loving-kindness frees us from self-centredness and self-importance which disturb our peace of mind. Self-centredness is the cause of such problems as hatred for enemies, envy for rivals and clinging-attachment to family and friends. These disturbing mental attitudes, if untreated, can even lead to physical ailments. Loving-kindness helps us to overcomes these problems and paves the way for good relations with friend and foe alike.
A kind, loving heart values people more than things. Instead of seeking happiness solely through work, knowledge, consumer goods, sex, travel, entertainment or sports, we devote more energy to the people in our lives. We spend time with them, listening when they want to talk and sharing with them our own thoughts and feelings. In these ways, our relationships grow closer and deeper. On the other hand, if we don't know how to give and receive love, we won't be truly happy, no matter how many degrees we have, how wealthy we are or how high we climb on the social ladder.
You may think, "Yes, I know all that. I want to have loving kindness, but it's so difficult." This is true. Selfishness, anger and the like arise as naturally as water flowing downhill, while being kind is as difficult as pushing a boulder uphill. But who ever said it would be easy?
Loving-kindness is difficult but not impossible. We can change ourselves. The Buddha's teachings reveal a rich array of methods – such as different types of meditation, purification practices and devotional prayer – that can be used to free ourselves of negative attitudes like anger and selfishness and develop positive ones like loving-kindness and compassion.
Some people are born with an abundance of wholesome qualities. They are kind, peaceful, respectful, considerate of others and take delight in doing good deeds. They are like this because of their familiarity with these qualities in previous lives. Actually, we all have many good qualities, but in some of us they are less developed. That is why in Buddhism, we train ourselves to think and behave in a kind and considerate way. The more we practise being kind and helpful, the more these qualities will arise naturally and spontaneously. It's like learning to play the piano: the more you practise, the better you become.
One of the best ways to develop a kind heart is through contemplating the four immeasurable thoughts: love, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
They are called "immeasurable" because they extend to all beings, who are immeasurable, and because we create immeasurable positive energy and purify immeasurable negative energy through developing them. They are also called "the four sublime states" because developing them in our minds makes us like the sublime Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and arhats who are beyond attachment and aversion.
The four immeasurable thoughts are expressed in the following prayer:
May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes;
May all sentient beings be free of suffering and its causes;
May all sentient beings not be separated from sorrowless bliss;
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger.
By reciting this prayer slowly and sincerely, one or more times each day, and reflecting on its meaning, we can develop a heart of kindness through all beings.- Awakening A Kind Heart by Sangye Khadro
Posted in Articles, Images & Artwork0 Comments and 1 Reaction
The Amitabha Buddha
Posted on 09 July 2010.
Amitabha Buddha
The figure of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion and Wisdom, appearing before human eyes, represents Truth in the universe, which is absolute and inexpressible in verbal concepts.
When standing, Amitabha is often shown with his left arm bare and extended downward with thumb and forefinger touching, with his right hand facing outward also with thumb and forefinger touching. The meaning of this mudra is that wisdom (symbolized by the raised hand) is accessible to even the lowest beings, while the outstretched hand shows that Amitabha's compassion is directed at the lowest beings, who cannot save themselves.
The standing image of Amitabha Buddha is usually depicted standing with eyes half closed to show the perfect harmony between the outer and inner life. Half of the vision is directed internally for proper self-relfection and the other half is directed externally to show concern for the world.
The rays of light behind Amitabha Buddha symbolises the light that illuminates the dark world of greed, hatred and ignorance. The Great Forty-Eight Vows of Amitabha Buddha to lead every living being away from Samsara (suffering world).
It is hoped that through the merit of this holy image, Amitabha Buddha will give all sentient beings wisdom, and lead all sentient beings to enlightenment.
Posted in Articles, Images & Artwork0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Amitabha Buddha
Posted on 21 May 2010.
Avalokiteshvara Mandala
Posted on 20 May 2010.
The Holy Lotus Feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Posted on 11 May 2010.
Save the image below via this link:
The Holy Lotus Feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The Holy Lotus Feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The Holy Lotus Feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Posted in Images & Artwork, Prints0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara Visualisation Card
Posted on 23 April 2010.
Save the image below via this link:
Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara Visualisation Card
Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara Visualisation Card
Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara
Posted in Images & Artwork, Prints0 Comments and 0 Reactions
The Universal Lord Ksitigarbha Visualisation Card
Posted on 09 April 2010.
Save the image below via this link:"Until the hells are empty,
I vow not to become a Buddha;
Only after all living beings are saved,
will I myself attain Bodhi"
- Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Earth Store Bodhisattva)
The Universal Lord Ksitigarbha
The Universal Lord Kshitigarbha
BENDICIONES
AMA A TODOS - SIRVE A TODOS - LOVE ALL - SERVE ALL
Entradas
