How Chan Buddhism Points Directly to Mind Nature?
Hui Neng's famous five sentences express that the nature of the mind is without inherent self-nature, while simultaneously producing all phenomena without movement. Luminosity, which lacks inherent existence, is also empty, thus demonstrating the Inseparability of Luminosity and Emptiness.
Why the Practice of Nadis, Pranas, and Bindus Is Not for Everyone?
The practice of Nadis, Pranas, and Bindus is a pathway to profound joy for those who pursue it. With diligent effort and practice, practitioners can experience an inexplicable sense of happiness and even develop extraordinary abilities beyond imagination.
Why Is Practice More Important Than Buddhist Terminology?
It's not necessary for beginners to know everything about Buddhism. We don't need to become great Buddhist educators responsible for promoting Buddhism, but we should have a good foundation of knowledge to make our teachings grounded, reasonable, and acceptable.
Why Is Buddhism Praised by Philosophers and the General Public？
Ultimately, the reasons Buddhism is praised by the world can be distilled into two qualities: wisdom and compassion. Because of wisdom, its teachings are profoundly integrated and complete; because of compassion, it is non-contentious.
Why do we compare Buddhism with other philosophies?
In any case, comparing the Buddhist philosophy we study with other religious and philosophical systems brings tremendous benefits to both our understanding of the ultimate aim and our spiritual practice.
Is it right to pursue worldly blessings?
It is acceptable to pursue worldly happiness, but we must recognize that it is not the ultimate form of happiness. If we seek ultimate happiness, we must practice Buddhadharma until we attain liberation.
Paths to Liberation for Lay Practitioners
To achieve realization, Kenpo Tsultrim Lodro, a great master in Tibetan Buddhism, identifies three ways: the practice of Madhyamaka taught in the Sutric tradition, the practice of Nadis, Pranas, and Bindus taught in the Tantric tradition, and the practice of Mahamudra or Dzogchen.
The Three Principal Aspects of the Dharma Path
The Three Principal Aspects of the Path offers a practical methodology for lay practitioners in modern times who wish to attain realization quickly without reading extensive Buddhist texts. To begin, we must cultivate Renunciation and Bodhicitta and develop a correct understanding of Emptiness. Once we have established this foundation, we can practice with diligence and devotion to achieve realization within this lifetime.
This kind of happiness is extremely deceptive
Most people obtain happiness by relying on external stimulation. This overall approach is fundamentally wrong. As a result, the range of available stimuli becomes narrower and narrower, the capacity to feel pleasure—the “faculty of sensation”—becomes weaker and weaker, and eventually happiness disappears altogether.
Buddhist Theory and Practice
Buddhist theory encompasses both teachings and practices. Teachings form the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, while practices provide the practical means to fully comprehend Buddhist theory, such as through meditation.
The Overview of Chinese Buddhism
In China, there are eight lineages of Mahayana Buddhism, each choosing their own scripture(s) from the Twelve Categories of Buddhist Scriptures for study and practice.
The Overview of Tibetan Buddhism
The Tibetan language has the most extensive collection of Buddhist scriptures, which are commonly referred to as Kanjur and Tengyur. The Kanjur comprises the teachings directly delivered by the Buddha, while the Tengyur includes commentaries on the Buddha's teachings written by Bodhisattvas and Indian masters.
Two Methods of Cognition
To understand the world around us, we rely on our worldview - how we perceive and make sense of things. This perception is influenced by both the means through which we perceive the world and the actual content of our perceptions.
What Is Your Worldview Like?
Have you ever thought about your own worldview? It's an essential question to consider because our worldview greatly influences how we behave, think, and ultimately shape our lives.
Why Practice Expressions Must Be Treated with Caution?
Since the content expressed in the language of practice is related to personal experiences and states of realization, speakers must be thorough and careful in their descriptions. They should provide detailed explanations to avoid misunderstandings and misleading their audience.
Expressions of Practice
During spiritual practice, students will habitualize themselves to corresponding views and methods, resulting in corresponding insights, experiences, and states of realization. Expressing these is what we call "expressions of practice."
One Expression, Three Meanings: View, Practice, and State
We vow to benefit all sentient beings, willing to sacrifice ourselves for them if necessary. Even thinking this way is quite noble, regardless of whether we can actually do it. At least we have the view, even if we lack the state.
From Study and Contemplation to Practice and Realization
Overall, Buddhist practice involves first establishing views through study and contemplation, then transforming these into practice through dedicated methods and techniques, and finally achieving states.
The Inconceivable Benefits of Prayer
The nature of the mind is this: whatever your mind is like, that is how you are. If the mind is joyful, you are joyful; if the mind is entangled, you are entangled. Wherever there is attachment, there is entanglement. If you wish to obtain the merit of the Dharma, your mind must be free, open, full, and joyful.
Three Major Questions in Buddhism
Buddhism is the only philosophy that posits that every sentient being possesses the Buddha nature and has the potential to attain omniscience, just like the Buddha. This statement is internally consistent within the framework of Buddhist philosophy. To understand why this is the case, it is necessary to delve into the fundamental tenets of Buddhism.