The Avatamsaka Garden

Yoga and Zen

2011-02-27T16:31:00.000-08:00

According Patanjali, "Yoga is freedom from mental disturbances." (The yoga sutras of Patanjali 1.2) Yoga is defined as union of the self with the super-self. When in union, the self is one with the universal consciousness. Hence, Yoga is a process by which a practitioner purifies the self physically, mentally and spiritually until such union is attained. In such a state of union, the consciousness is no longer fragmented, but is pure, devoid of subject and object. It is devoid of differentiation and the oneness is experienced as pure bliss.

In Zen, this state of freedom from mental disturbances is known as "the original look before father and mother were born." Other descriptions include original nature, ultimate reality, suchness, essence of reality, emptiness, and Sarvajnata. The Zen Buddhist eliminates his mental attachments, detaches the self until the "I", the meditator, and the object of meditation disappear. The most common methods of meditation are anapanasati, vipassana, and Zen, all of which pay particular attention to the control of breathing in their practice.

In the Heart Sutra, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in deep prajna meditation saw that his five skandhas were all empty and so he was freed from all suffering. This state of emptiness pervades the whole universe and is the universal consciousness, the origin of all life forms and phenomena, the Creator, or God. Avalokitesvara was thus liberated from Samsara and became super-ordinary, i.e. a saint. Such realization and union with the universal consciousness has led Saint Avalokitesvara into Moksha.

In Christianity, this universal consciousness or being is called God and the hope of all Christians is to return to Heaven to be with God through the sacrifice and deliverance of Jesus Christ the Savior. When God created Adam and Eve, He breathed into his mouth and gave him life. This is the source of life and in Yoga it is known as prana. The life span of a human being is determined by the number of breaths he has in his life time. Therefore in yoga, the yogi trains his prana and harnesses the spiritual energy he can get from each prana, which technique is known as pranayama, the fourth limb of ashtanga yoga.

In Taoism, the origin of all life forms and phenomena is nothingness. From nothingness came Taichi or One, from Taichi came Yin and Yang, the female and male principles, from Yin and Yang came the four cardinal divisions of the Blue Dragon Qinglong in the east, the White Tiger Baihu in the west, the Red Phoenix Zhuque in the south, and the Grand Turtle Yuanwu in the north, and finally from the four divisions came the eight divinatory trigrams of the Book of Changes, and thus the whole universe was formed. The Taoist practitioner practices Taichi or Qigong in order to harness his Chi or breath. He knows that as the Chi pervades the whole universe it also runs in his nadis. He has to run it through each and every energy nodes in his body. This Chi or breath in Yoga is known as prana, the source and sustenance of life. Because the number of breaths a human being has is determined, whether in Qigong, Taichi, or Yoga, the practitioner never wastes each breath.

From the above, I can safely conclude that Yoga is Zen without its Koans and Huatous, and Zen is Yoga without its asanas, pranayamas and dhautis because both share the same goal and should share the same practical methods. In China, Japan and Korea where Zen is practiced, the methods of training have been reshaped by culture such that each country has its own forms. The original need for purification of the body through Yoga is neglected and their methods tend to be metaphysical. Over time, the historical methods of Yoga have been lost and only doctrinal Yogacara remains. The Yogacara doctrines have become too difficult for modern Buddhists to understand much less to practice. Therefore, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Zen or Ch'an Buddhists must now look to India, and find a guru who can illumine them on the practical methods of Yoga, and that Great Guru, the last real Great Guru of our time, is Swami Rajarshi Muni.

In 629 defying imperial proscription by Emperor Tai-Chung 唐太宗 of the T'ang Dynasty, the famous Chinese Buddhist monk Hsuan Tsang 玄奘 secretly set out on foot on his epochal journey to the land of the Buddha from Chang'an 長安 (then capital of China) to learn Yoga and brought back to China many Yoga and other scriptures.

1381 years thereafter in 2010, once again an accomplished Chinese Buddhist monk, Master Sea Cloud 海雲繼夢法師 of the Da Huayen Monastery 大華嚴寺 (Great Floral Garland Monastery) Taiwan, came to India to learn Yoga from Sri Swami Rajarshi Muni 惹查西牟尼, Founder of the Lakulish International Fellowship's Enlightenment Mission 拉克魯希神國際覺明傳道會(LIFE Mission 生命傳道會). Like Master Hsuan Tsang the first Chinese Buddhist Yogi, he is the second Chinese Buddhist Yogi in Chinese history to humbly learn from an Indian Guru. People like Master Hsuan Tsang and Master Sea Cloud only come once in a millennium. In this age, these people are few and far between. Why Yoga?

Photo of Master Sea Cloud with Sri Swami Satyanand of LIFE Mission
Sakya M. Longyen
Huayen on Indra's Net
http://newhuayen.com

Anapanna-sati and Vipassana

2011-02-21T05:59:00.001-08:00

It should be noted that in any form of meditation, the body should be fully relaxed and not hindered. Whether full lotus, half lotus, or just crossed-legged is a matter of personal preference. A picture of Pa Auk Bhikkhu in meditative sitting posture is given here: http://www.paauk.org/images/PaAukPhotoAlbum/slides/Pa-Auk%20Sayadaw%20when%20young.html.

For example, in Myanmar sarong-clad practitioners would sit with their legs folded to their side because the sarong would hinder sitting in any lotus postures.

A picture of me training in anapanna is given here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=101913446508183&set=t.100000685852482&theater.

In Padmasan on solar eclipse 2010 over the Holy Narnada River, Asha Yogashram:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=101914353174759&set=a.101455126554015.3318.100000685852482&theater.

Further reading: A Revision of Meditation Methods by Bhante Seng is given here: http://fccheonghome.com/center/Q%20&%20A.htm.

Sakya Longyen
Huayen on Indra's Net
http://newhuayen.com

Realizing Huayen Buddhism

2011-02-20T13:24:00.001-08:00

Your original nature, the nature of the Buddha, of Tathagata, the nature of all existence, of emptiness, and of totality are just the same. When you can appreciate the beauty of a single flower, your whole life would change. At that moment, look into your own nature to see who is appreciating the wondrous beauty. Then, even the sound of a thunderclap, the flash of a lightning, the sight of a distant star, the full moon, a cup of tea, a mud puddle, the wind of a hurricane, or even landslide are no more beautiful or ugly, because they are what they are. They are both many and one, and this is holistic harmony. This is the realization of Huayen Buddhism in the Dharma Realm and in real life.

Sakya Longyen
Indra's Net

Nilankantha Dharani in Sanskrit

2010-03-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

大華嚴寺釋隆嚴持梵文大悲咒

Nilakantha Dharani in Sanskrit

Master Longyen chants the Nilakantha Dharani in Sanskrit. Commonly known as the Great Compassion Mantra, this Dharani can work miracles. Master Sea Cloud recommends that everyone chants this mantra 10,800 within 2 months.

This mantra is chanted at a moderate speed of 130 sec. If you wish to complete 10,800 within 2 months, you need to chant 60x per day or devote 130 minutes, i.e. 2 hrs 10 minutes each day. Plan your practice wisely and you will make it.

Master Sea Cloud recommends 54,000 times up to 108,000 times per year for advanced learners. I have uploaded a fast version 105 sec for the adept chanter.

Nīlakantha Dhāranī in 105 sec

नीलकण्ठ धारनी
namo ratnatrayāya namah ārya avalokiteśvarāya
नमो रत्नत्रयाय नमह् अर्य अवलोकितेश्वराय
bodhisattvāya mahāsatvāya mahākārunikāya
बोधिसत्त्वाय महासत्वाय महाकारुनिकाय
oṃ sarvarabhaya sudhanadasye namaskrtvā imam
ॐ सर्वरभय सुधनदस्ये नमस्क्र्त्वा इमम्
āryāvalokiteśvara raṃdhava namo narakindi.
आर्यावलोकितेश्वर रंधव नमो नरकिन्दि।
hrih mahāvadhasama sarva athadu śubhuṃ ajeyaṃ.
ह्रिह् महावधसम सर्व अथदु शुभुं अजेयं।
sarva satya nama, vastya namo vāka, mārga dātuh.
सर्व सत्य नम वस्त्य नमो वाक मार्ग दातुह्। tadyathā
oṃ avaloki locate karate, e hrih
ॐ अवलोकि लोचते करते ए ह्रिह्
mahābodhisattva. sarva sarva, mala mala, mahima hṛdayam,
महाबोधिसत्त्व। सर्व सर्व मल मल महिम हृदयम्
kuru kuru karmuṃ, dhuru dhuru vijayate mahāvijayate,
कुरु कुरु कर्मुं धुरु धुरु विजयते महाविजयते
dhara dhara dhirīniśvarāya, cala cala, mama vimala muktele,
धर धर धिरीनिश्वराय चल चल मम विमल मुक्तेले
ehi ehi, śina śina, āraṣaṃ pracali viṣa viṣaṃ prāśaya.
एहि एहि शिन शिन आरषं प्रचलि विष विषं प्राशय |
huru huru mara hulu hulu hrih
हुरु हुरु मर हुलु हुलु ह्रिह्
sara sara siri siri suru suru bodhiya bodhiya
सर सर सिरि सिरि सुरु सुरु बोधिय बोधिय
bodhaya bodhaya. maitriya nārakindi
बोधय बोधय । मैत्रिय नारकिन्दि
dharṣinina bhayamāna svāhā siddhāya svāhā
धर्षिनिन भयमान स्वाहा सिद्धाय स्वाहा
mahāsiddhāy svāhā siddhayogeśvarāya svāhā
महासिद्धाय् स्वाहा सिद्धयोगेश्वराय स्वाहा
narakindi svāhā māraṇara svāhā
नरकिन्दि स्वाहा मारणर स्वाहा
śira saṃha mukhāya svāhā sarva mahā asiddhāya svāhā
शिर संह मुखाय स्वाहा सर्व महा असिद्धाय स्वाहा
cakra asiddhāya svāhā padma hastrāya svāhā
चक्र असिद्धाय स्वाहा पद्म हस्त्राय स्वाहा
nārakindi vagalaya svāhā mavari śankharāya svāhā
नारकिन्दि वगलय स्वाहा मवरि शन्खराय स्वाहा
namaH ratnatrayāya namo āryavalokiteśvarāya svāhā
नमः रत्नत्रयाय नमो आर्यवलोकितेश्वराय स्वाहा
oṃ sidhayantu mantra padāya svāhā
ॐ सिधयन्तु मन्त्र पदाय स्वाहा

Tisarana and Pancasila Procedures

2009-10-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

Tisarana and Pañcasīla Procedures
Romanised Chinese by Upasika Neng Ru
Translated by Ven. Sakya Longyen
Abbot
Da-Huayen Monastery Canada

This web document can also be viewed and downloaded free from the following link:
Tisarana and Pañcasīla Procedures

Posted by: Ven. Sakya Longyen

Huayen esotericism

2009-09-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

The development of esoteric Buddhism is the fruit of uniting the philosophy of the Avatamsaka Sutra with practical methods through such means as Mahayana modes of thinking and language, and committing such fruit into writing. Ven. Haiyun is the 42nd patriarch of the Xianshou and Ci’en school based on the philosophy of the Huayen. He preaches the neo-classic Huayen Buddhism, which stresses the importance of practice in this new age. You are very special if you can listen to his dharma and learn to put the Huayen philosophy into esoteric practice.

21-day Circumscribe Practice

2009-09-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

諸師大德吉祥如意!

為海雲和上來温弘宣藥師經行法並傳戒懇求佛菩薩慈悲加持, 特此邀請各方大德開始21天, 每日恭誦藥師經一部結界工程, 回向法界眾生滅除三障, 增長色力, 圓滿菩提.

Dear Buddhist Friends,

Sarvamangalam!

The ABCBC hereby invite you to participate in a 21-day circumscribe practice during which you recite the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra each day in order that the Buddha and Bodhisattvas protect and bless the upcoming Bhaisajyaguru Dharma talk and Transference of Three Refuges and Five Precepts by Ven. Haiyun Jimeng. We ask that you transfer the merits of your sutra recitation to the dharma realm so that all sentient beings therein shall be averted from the three hindrances, improve their health and ultimately attain enlightenment.

-- With Metta,
Yours truly in the Dharma,
Avatamsaka Buddhist Community of British Columbia
卑詩省佛教華嚴学會
Ven. Sakya Long Yen
釋隆嚴
http://newabcbc.org

One True Dharma Realm

2009-01-10T22:25:00.001-08:00

The purpose of showing the worlds gradually growing in forms, structures and dimensions in the previous diagrams is to eradicate narrow-mindedness in all sentient beings. If they are able to let go of their own opinions, hang-ups and attachments, and enter the One True Dharma Realm, then the body will manifest the worlds and the world will manifest the bodies. Such is a state when bodies and worlds interpenetrate but not hinder one another, a state where large is no different from small and many is no different from few. As the saying goes, "From this One True Dharma Realm flows all forms of existence and to this One True Dharma Realm so too they return."

Seas of Worlds in the Ten Directions

2009-01-10T22:23:00.001-08:00

In the center is the Sea of Repository Adorned Worlds. In the eight directions, the zenith, and the nadir, there are seas of repository adorned worlds equal to the Sea in the center. Broadly speaking they are innumerable.

Flower-adorned Sea of Lotus Repository Seeds of All Worlds

2009-01-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

This diagram depicts 111 seed repositories of all worlds. At the centre is the one (described in the preceding post) known as the Seed Repository with Splendid Precious Light Universally Illumining the Ten Quarters. Broadly speaking, there are as many such seed repositories as there are atoms in 10 incalculable Buddha-domains, each such seed repository sitting on its own King Cintamani Flower supported by a banner of fragrant stamen and pistil of many varieties. In each seed repository there are as many worlds as there are atoms in incalculable Buddha-domains as explained in the Avatamsaka Sutra.

The inner structure formed by the 101 seed repositories is surrounded by a ring of mountains called the Garden of the Adamantine Wheel, which is in turn surrounded by the Great Adamantine Bright Lotus supported by its Fragrant Stamen and Pistil. The Universal Light Cintamani Fragrant Sea forms the outermost sea, which is enclosed by the Exquisite Air Wheel of Mighty Light Banner, which is in turn surrounded by the Wheel of Voidness.

A 20-Level Flower Repostory Seed of All Worlds

2009-01-10T22:18:00.001-08:00

Each small circle is a great chiliocosm containing as many worlds as there are atoms in one Buddha land. These chiliocosms stack up in 20 levels to form one Seed of Worlds. At the base of level one is a world called the Light Universally Illumining All Directions, which is surrounded by as many world as there are atoms in one Buddha land. Going up past as many worlds as there are atoms in two Buddha lands is level two of various wondrous fragrant lotus worlds surrounded by as many worlds as there are atoms in two Buddha lands. Similarly the next level up is further above than the level below and is surrounded by an additional Buddha land of atoms of worlds. On level thirteen is our Saha World, which is surrounded by 13 Buddha land equivalent number of atoms of worlds. At the top is the World of Wondrous Precious Flames, which is surrounded by 20 Buddha land equivalent number of atoms of worlds. A King Cintamani Flower at the base forms the repository that holds these worlds.

Surrounding this King Cintamani Flower is the Boundless Fragrant Water Sea of Sublime Flower Light, which is enclosed by the Great Ring Mountain, which in turn is enclosed by a ring of king cintamani flowers support by a banner of fragrant stamen and pistil. The Universal Light Cintamani Fragrant Sea forms the outermost sea, which is enclosed by the Exquisite Air Wheel, which is in turn surrounded by the Wheel of Voidness. There are innumerable flower repositories of all worlds as there are atoms in incalculable buddha-worlds.

Great Chiliocosm

2009-01-10T22:16:00.001-08:00

This is a cross section depicting the view of 1000 medium chiliocosms. The lower half of the circle contains 145 small circles, each representing one medium chiliocosm described in the preceding post. The upper half exemplifies the fourth region of the four dhyana heavens in the middle, and the heavens from which there is no return. Since the devas on these heavens are form devas with no sexual desires, they are all asexual. Then on top are the Four Heavens of Formless Realm of Pure Spirit. In deep meditation, if one sees the circle as a sphere, then it contains exactly 1000 medium chiliocosms, equivalent to a "great chiliocosm." One great chiliocosm is land for one Buddha to educate, transform, and deliver all sentient beings living therein from suffering to Buddha hood. You have hitherto seen from the preceding four diagrams that our known world forms only an extreme minute part of a small world in the eye of the Buddha. Only an atomic and molecular physicist or nuclear scientist may be able to comprehend this by reducing this macrocosm to microcosm for atomic and nuclear analogies.

Medium Chiliocosm

2009-01-10T22:12:00.001-08:00

This is a cross section depicting the view of 1000 small chiliocosms. The lower half of the circle contains 145 small circles, each representing one small chiliocosm described in the preceding post. The upper half exemplifies the third region of the three dhyana heavens where form devas dwell. In deep meditation, one can see the circle as a sphere, and it contains exactly 1000 small chiliocosms, equivalent to a "medium chiliocosm."

Small Chiliocosm

2009-01-10T22:06:00.001-08:00

This is a cross section depicting the view of 1000 small worlds. The lower half of the circle contains 145 small circles, each representing the small world described in the preceding post. The upper half exemplifies the second region of the three dhyana heavens where form devas dwell. In deep meditation, one can see the circle as a sphere, and it contains exactly 1000 small worlds, equivalent to a "small chiliocosm."

One Small World

2009-01-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

Model I - One small world

The minds of sentient beings are restricted by their sensory organs and cannot comprehend the nature of the Dharma realm. This diagram encompasses our universe and more. Here we see a two dimensional circle with layers at the top and bottom. Since this was drawn a millennium ago, the caption tells the readers to use their imagination. Visualise the bottom layers as circular discs one on top of the other starting with the Wheel of Wind, of Water, of Fire, and of Earth, the four elements that make up any materials or beings. Imagine them as dimensions, not just layers.

In the centre is Mount Sumeru and around it are seven seas and seven metal mountain rings, until one comes to the vast outermost salt water sea which forms most of the surface of the world, in which the known continents are merely small islands. The known world, which is located on the continent of Jambudvīpa, is directly south of Mount Sumeru.

In the zenith is a stack of 9 out of a total of 28 levels of heavens or devas. "Deva" refers both to a heaven as a dwelling place for devas and to a resident heavenly dwelling deva. Only the first nine heavens belong to a small world. As well, all devas are asexual except for those on the first Six Heavens of the Realm of Desire. The heavenly beings here crave for sight, sound, scent, taste, touch, and sex; hence both male and female sexes exist. For more detailed descriptions of how such desires are expressed at different levels of devas, consult the Surangama Sutra.

From the seventh to the ninth is the first region of the dhyana heavens. Heavenly beings there are free from cravings and desires, and are in their primary stage of dhyana practice. These three heavens are dwellings for form devas. In short, Mt. Sumeru and its seven surrounding metal mountain rings, eight seas and ring of iron mountains form one small world. Again imagine these heavens as dimensions that even today's scientists cannot measure or quantify, but can only be experienced through the practice of dhyana or deep meditation.

Avatamsaka Cosmology 101

2008-12-31T02:17:00.001-08:00

A series of eight pictures depicting the Avatamsaka Cosmos drawn by ancient Chinese painters according to the descriptions given in Book Five: The Avatamsaka Cosmos of the 80-scroll Avatamsaka Sutra will follow this initial post. On this very last day of 2008, or in the Buddhist calendar, in the Year 2552 (recognised by the World Buddhist Fellowship) or Year 3035 according to unverified Chinese historical records, as one of my year end resolutions, I shall devote my effort to make available to all visitors, subscribers, and honoured gardeners of this and other blogs under the umbrella of The Circle Without Center the benefit of understanding the basic cosmic view of the Avatamsaka World as revealed to all sentient beings some 25 to 30 centuries ago.

Bulk Sutra Recording Project

2008-12-24T03:28:00.000-08:00

The communication is a description of what I am doing and has been desensitized for public viewing. The Sutra of the Past Vows and Merits of Bhaisajyaguru-vaiduryaprabha and Book One of the Sutra of the Past Vows of the Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha read by Hui Yi in Cantonese are now available for download on ABCBC's new website at newabcbc.org. Sign up to exercise members' privileges.

In order to introduce the Huayen and other sutras to the Cantonese speaking community in Vancouver and through the Web in other regions of the world, I have started to record the 80 Huayen and have saved the first three chapters in Windows wave format. These files in uncompressed form retain their high fidelity. Another reason for not creating mp3 files is to allow the wave form to be burned as songs in CD quality so that they can be played on any conventional CD players. This is to benefit those who do not have computers, the computer illiterate, the elderly or those who cannot read but may only have access to a CD player.

The 80 Huayen Cantonese reading project is a long one and may take a long time to record, but as soon as I finish a chapter I shall need remote technical support to upload the files on the Huayen Community of North America website, which I hope that its administrator will grant us permission to use. Is Detroit generally responsible for administering all the Venerable Haiyun's audio-visual files on the Huayen Buddhist Community of North America website?

Besides uploading the files on the website, various Huayen communities may download the files as required and burn them on compact disks so that they may be played on ordinary CD players like those in personal vehicles and inexpensive small CD players. I want to avoid sophisticated and expensive iPods or other mp3 players because those are not universal, but if you have software and the need to convert them to mp3 format because you have an audience, then do go ahead.

Meanwhile, I have also completed the Sutra of the Original Vows of the Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Sutra of the Merits of the Original Vows of the Buddha Bhaisajyaguru in Cantonese Windows wave sound format. They are ready to be transferred to your audio-visual technical expert for processing either for uploading on the Huayen Buddhist Community of North America website or to be burned on CDs as soon as I listen to them for the last time. I use WinRar to pack the large files to a third of their original sizes and send them over through Windows Live Messenger as soon as we have established contact.

Our local community is in its setup work in progress and I don't have the capacity to burn and distribute the Cantonese versions of the aforesaid sutras because that involves the use of cover design and the Huayen Logo which I don't have. I would appreciate it if you or your responsible technical expert may help in designing and publishing the covers of the two sutras. The 80 Huayen varies between 45 to 60 minutes long each chapter in playing time and so a 74-minutes CD can only hold one chapter. Even an 80-minutes CD may not contain some of the longer chapters. For examples, the Kshitigarbha Sutra has to be cut up into 3 chapters in order to fit on a CD just like the hard copy of the Sutra itself.