Month: December 2021

Random Thoughts From Watching Van Gogh immerse

linda chang1 Comment

Random Thoughts From watching Van Gogh Immerse

This Christmas break, I went to see the Van Gogh Immersive exhibit in downtown San Francisco. It was a unique, moving, delightful and expansive experience It was my first time to see the artworks of Van Gogh, and the show was a great window on the artists work, creatively put together and nicely presented.

The show inspired me to find out more information and artworks by him. I found that Van Gogh was generally considered one of the greatest of the Post-Impressionists. The striking color, emphatic brushwork, and contoured forms of his work powerfully influenced the current style of Expressionism in modern art. Van Gogh was a pioneer in the movement of impressionism by applying a mix of brilliantly colorful, vigorous brushstrokes. I like his sunflower paintings. Van Gogh’s paintings of Sunflowers are among his most famous. Those sunflower paintings felt so bright and warm, and they had a special significance for Van Gogh: they communicated ‘gratitude’. 

From the internet, I also found a very interesting article that compared Van Gogh’s sunflowers with other artists, titled Vincent van Gogh, Qi Baishi, and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Compared. Whose Artwork is the Best? Written by Jiguang Lin.

I was really impressed by the comparison conclusion :

“When those art critics carried out the detailed research of the Sunflowers by Van Gogh and Qi Baishi as well as H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, the critics tried to copy the artworks by all three artists. After copying the works by Van Gogh and Qi Baishi, they felt deeply that through hands-on practice, they indeed gained more understanding of their works. It would not be easy but not so difficult either for one to really reach their artistic level. As for the Sunflowers by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, they found it rather difficult to copy.  Even though they tried many times, they had a hard time just copying the form, let alone the spirit.

The author concluded, “The Sunflowers by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III clearly showed the artist’s solid foundation and prolific skills in the Eastern and Western painting traditions. They comprise the essences in both traditions and display a brushwork, sentiment and colors that are one of a kind. The color tones and brushstrokes are rich, dense, soothing and elegant. Lively brushwork paints an animated charm that is whole, evincing a miraculous and expansive spirit and aura as well as a strong vitality. As for the Sunflowers oil painting in which H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III depicted some flowers inside a vase, the artistry is extraordinary and full of variations; the composition is simple yet abstruse. The flowers are natural and gracious, such that they give an impression of unpredictability, reaching a state of oneness with the universe and emanating a sharp animated spirit.

The ink-wash painting Sunflowers by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has an uninhibited, natural, and spontaneous brushwork that is dense, bold, and robust, but also elegant and agile. It exhibits a charm that is like stone and bronze inscriptions. Overall, the whole painting manifests a harmonious and moving imagery, naturally emanating a lively vivaciousness and a carefree, spirited aura”.

By Van Gogh
By H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

The author of the article Mr. Lin mentioned he purposely visit the International Art Museum of American in San Francisco, which has a great deal of collection of the art works by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The very next day I visited the museum, which was also free admission. I was profoundly impressed by the grand and beautiful art works in the museum. There are various artworks that are created with different kinds of material. Some are bold and forthright, some are charmingly meticulous and astounding. The oeuvre is not made up of just one single style. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has independently originated sixteen unique schools of painting. Many famous painters spent their entire lives focusing on one kind of artistic subject or theme in order to establish their own school of that one style. Besides the different kinds of paintings, there are some other art works in the museum such as carvings, Chinese calligraphy, painted tiles, splendid jade, and unique art frame has the color and texture of tree root, they are all created by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as well. These truly are the manifestation of Buddha’s supreme wisdom.

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Van Gogh have different perspective of the Creation of Art, the motivation of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s creation comes from the desire to make the most perfect artistic treasure to the world. Van Gogh’s quote: “Art is to console those who are broken by life”.

Random Thoughts From watching Van Gogh Immerse

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2021/12/31/random-thoughts-from-watching-van-gogh-immerse/

#VanGogh#Sunflower#Painting#Art#Artist#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII

ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF H.H. DORJE CHANG BUDDHA III

linda chang1 Comment


ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF H.H. DORJE CHANG BUDDHA III

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

The accomplishments and contributions of H.H.  Dorje Chang Buddha IIIare extremely comprehensive. The book entitled H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III published in 2008 shows some of the accomplishments of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in thirty different main categories. Within the one category of painting and calligraphic artistry alone, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III  has created Chinese paintings, oil paintings, different styles of calligraphy, etc. In addition to being able to paint in the styles of the currently existing schools of painting, such as the Realism School, the Abstract School, the Line School, the Impressionist School, and other schools, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has independently originated sixteen unique schools of painting. They are called: 1) the Chaoshi School; 2) the Chouxiang Yunwei School; 3) the Wenfeng School; 4) the Fangfa School; 5) the Menglong School; 6) the Xiangtong School; 7) the Fanjuan School; 8) the Puomo Xiantiao Xiezhen School; 9) the Weiyin School; 10) the Fanpu School; 11) the Miaoxie School; 12) the Puomo Weiyun School; 13) the Kuangxi School; 14) the Yousi School; 15) the Banqi School; and 16) the Houdui Sekuai School (Thickly Piled Patches of Color School).

Many famous painters spent their entire lives focusing on one kind of artistic subject or theme in order to establish their own school of that one style. However, not only did H.H.  Dorje Chang Buddha III found sixteen schools of painting, He also developed the style of each school to a state of perfect artistry. This has naturally resulted in the distinct school of painting called “The H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III School of Multiple Styles,” which no painter in history can match!

At the fourth session of the World Poets and Culture Conference held in Hungary in 1994, more than 5,600 experts and scholars representing 48 countries and regions unanimously approved conferring upon H.H.  Dorje Chang Buddha III the title “Distinguished International Master,” which has an honorific status comparable to a head of state. The certificate was signed by Sir Juan Antonio Samaranch, the then President of the International Olympic Committee.

On February 10, 2004 the Royal Academy of Arts of the United Kingdom conferred upon H.H.  Dorje Chang Buddha III the title of “Fellow,” a title never before conferred in the history of that academy. The Royal Academy of Arts in the United Kingdom was founded in 1768 by the then King of Britain, George III. That academy has received the patronage and support of the royal family up to this day. Professor Phillip King, President of the Royal Academy, awarded the Certificate of Fellow to H.H.  Dorje Chang Buddha III at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. The cultural counselor of the embassy attended the award ceremony in person. Professor Phillip King said, “This is the first artist to receive this title in the more than 200-year history of the Royal Academy of Arts in the United Kingdom.”

Since the year 2000, paintings by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III  have repeatedly broken price records in art markets, selling for the highest prices for paintings by any living artist. The market price has now reached more than US$1,000,000 per square foot. Moreover, market prices recorded at international art auctions and evidence of sales prove that limited release copies of paintings by H.H.  Dorje Chang Buddha III are sold at the world’s highest prices, reaching over US$380,000 each, thus surpassing copies of paintings by Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and other extremely famous painters in the world.

Many works of art by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III are exhibited at the International Art Museum of America, which is a non-profit public-benefit art museum located in downtown San Francisco in the United States. Furthermore, the International Art Museum of America is offering to buy paintings by H.H.  Dorje Chang Buddha III in the style of the Thickly Piled Patches of Color School at a price of over US$1,000,000 per square foot. However, it is still very hard to find any such paintings offered for sale.

ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF H.H. DORJE CHANG BUDDHA III

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2021/12/29/artistic-accomplishments-of-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

#MasterWanKoYee #DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII

Journey to find the True Original Buddha Dharma

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Journey to find the True Original Buddha Dharma

(Part One continued: Awakened by True Stories of A Holy Monk )

I was truly astounded by the sacred events surrounding Dharma King Dorje Losang, which are recorded in the book True Stories of a Holy Monk.  It struck me that though he was such an eminent person, he never uses this as a reason for being proud, nor does he spread the news of such sacred events to others.  He always considers himself to be a humble practitioner.  He does not seek fame or gain. He had cut off his ties to the world. He lived in seclusion cultivating himself and it was therefore difficult to pay him a visit. However, Dharma King Dorje Losang did give us Buddhists an utmost guidance. He told an eminent monk who had conveyed his desire to follow him, that “…. if you truly want to cultivate yourself, you should study the books written by Great Dharma King Yangwo Yisinubu1 and Ah Wang Nuo Bu Pa Mu. If you do so, it will not be difficult for you to end the cycle of birth and death!”. He also said, “This Buddha Master (Great Dharma King Yangwo Yisinubu1) and Buddha Mother Master (Ah Wang Nuo Bu Pa Mu) are truly the ones who I revere most of all. In today’s world, no other Dharma King can be comoared with them. Of course, this is based upon what I have seen, heard, realized and understood”.

Ah Wang Nuo Bu Pa Mu is truly a Vajravarahi returned to the human realm from the Tusita Heaven.

Photo by Krivec Ales on Pexels.com

Many years ago, Vajravarahi prophesied the Holy Monk’s Birth: When Elder Dharma King Dorje Losang was born, he had a full mouth of snow-white teeth. What was even more amazing is that he had a pinch of black hair in between his eyebrows which had grown more than a foot long. This hair was entangled with his umbilical cord in the form of a Vajra knot. The mother was at a loss what to do about this. The baby, however, stretched out his tiny, quivering hands, grasped the umbilical cord and pulled it. The baby pulled out from his body the umbilical cord along with the black hair in between his eyebrows.

Following the sound of the tingling of jades, Vajravarahi, standing in red light, said, “That which grew in between your eyebrows was Vajra hair. My child, how could you pull it out?  Ay!  This is also a case of the law of cause and effect never erring.  Do not mind about this. You will have to wait until you are ninety years old when it will then again grow.  From now on there will be a big, black mole in between your eyebrows. At the time you are ninety, your Master, a supreme Dharma King, will empower you.  I will also empower your beard and your state of realization. At that time, you will attain immeasurable spiritual achievement and will save countless living beings.”  After speaking, Vajravarahi floated away in the red light.

Elder Dharma King Dorje Losang was ninety years old on the birthday of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, which was February 29, 1997 of the lunar calendar. Dorje Losang’s supreme Master, Great Dharma King Yangwo Yisinubu1, was performing an Atiyoga Seven Day Accomplishment and Initiation Dharma Assembly. That day he told Dorje Losang, “The big black mole in between your eyebrows will immediately open up. Vajra hair will sprout out anew. Furthermore, it will grow three to five inches a year.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the scar on the crown of Dorje Losang’s head suddenly emitted a white light which shined continuously for about one minute until it then weakened and penetrated into the crown of his head.  At that moment, the black mole in between his eyebrows suddenly opened up with a very loud sound.  One could then see the Vajra hair slowly growing to about one centimeter.  The Vajra hair emitted a golden dazzling light which brightened up the entire room.

Later, Great Dharma King Master Yangwo Yisinubu1 performed an empowerment for Dorje Losang in which the Buddha of Long Life is invited to bestow nectar.  (It was recorded live on videotape.)

The empowerment from nectar is truly amazing. From the night the Elder Dharma King tasted this nectar, his meditative power enabled him to thoroughly enter into the supreme samadhi. He then removed his bed and kept only his rush cushion. 

Later in the same year, Ah Wang Nuo Bu Pa Mu bestow the dharma water to Elder Dharma King Dorje Losang. This water empowered the beard of Dorje Losang and his state of realization. His beard can grew two to three inches per year, and would grow as long as his entire body. This verifies the Seven Branch Decision Dharma regarding the rebirth of Vajravarahi as laid out in Know the True Doctrines.

I was so grateful that the Holy Monk Dharma King Dorje Losang shared with our disciples those Dorje Losangamazing Buddhist Dharma phenomena. How I wish I could be a disciple of the Great Dharma Kings. What I could do, though, was take Elder Holy Monk’s utmost advice, and read the books written by the Great Dharma Kings. In the last page of the book, I found the contact information of a Bodhi Monastery in San Jose, who enthusiastically agreed to help me mail six Dharma books written by Ah WangNuoBuPaMu.

Note 1: Great Dharma King Yangwo Yisinubu in year 2008 had been recognized by the world’s leaders, regent dharma kings, and great rinpoches of Buddhism through official documents as the third incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, who is the primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha of the universe.

Written by Peace Lily

Journey to find the True Original Buddha Dharma

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2021/12/24/journey-to-find-the-true-original-buddha-dharma-2/

#MasterWanKoYee #DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII#DharmaKingYangwoYisinnubu#DorjeLosang#AhWangNuoBuPaMu#BodhiMonastery

The Mustard Seed

linda chang3 Comments

The Mustard Seed

From Kindness <A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom For Children and Parents>

By Sarah Conover

Unlike the Buddha, Kisa Gotami grew up very poor. Her family had little food to spare. She often felt weary, hungry, and weak and so was called Kisa-meaning”frail”-Gotami. When Kisa Gotami married, she moved into the house of her husband’s family: the custom in India at the time. But because she came from a humble background, her new family treated her harshly until the day she gave birth to a child. She was respected now, with her new baby boy. Kisa felt proud and happy. Her new son was the light of her life. She cherished everything about him-his delightful laughter, his eager brown eyes, his toothless smiles. But one terrible, tragic day, the boy was taken by a sudden illness. His death overwhelmed poor Kisa. She bundled him in warm blankets and held him tightly to her chest. Crazed with grief, she stumbled from house to house, begging for medicine that would bring him back to life. But instead of helping, people mocked her madness. “Crazy woman!” they jeered. “How can a person be brought back to life!” Hours later, Kisa Gotami stood in the street, wretched and disheartened.As she wept over her child,a kind man passing by studied her.To himself he said,  ”This poor woman has lost her mind from sorrow. I think I know how to get her the medicine she seeks.” He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders.”Dear woman, please let me help you.The wisest of men, a man named the Buddha, resides at a monastery nearby. I will take you to him and you can ask his advice. If anyone has medicine for your child, it is he.”

He led her to the monastery where she found the Buddha teaching, at the front of a large group of monks and nuns. From the edge of the crowd she shouted,”Teacher, teacher! My name is Kisa Gotami. I am desperate! Please, my son needs your medicine!”

The crowd made way for Kisa to reach the Buddha. As she stood before him, he observed the child’s lifeless face.”You did well in coming here for medicine, Gotamit the Buddha comforted her.”Here you will find the help you need. But first, before l can save your child, you must do something for me.You·must return to the city from which you just came. There, find me a single mustard seed and bring it back.”

Kisa Gotami’s face lit up, for she thought this a simple task in exchange for her son’s life.”Most important of all,”said the Buddha,”the mustard seed must be from a family in which no one has died. Go now, make the rounds of the city and·ask at every home. Bring me back just one mustard seed from such a family.”

“Thank you good sir!”said Kisa happily. She turned and hurried back to the city.At the very first house she stopped and knocked at the door.An old woman answered. She easily gave Kisa Gotami a mustard seed-all India used them in cooking. But just as the seed was placed -in Kisa’s palm, she remembered the Buddha’s further instructions. ”Oh, pardon me. Before I take this, I must ask you, has anyone died in this family recently?” The old woman’s head lowered. She fell silent. When she raised her face, there were pooled tears in her eyes.I’m sorry to say the answer is yes,” replied the old woman. “ My dear husband died six months ago.”

“I am so sorry; said Kisa Gotami.”Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot take this seed.”

A few minutes later she knocked at the door of a house with children running in and out of the entrance,chasing each other in play.A young woman saw Kisa standing in the doorway, and came to greet her. Some of the children stood behind the young woman’s skirt to hear what the stranger wanted. “Can I help you?” she asked Kisa Gotami.

“I have been sent here to find special medicine for my son. I am looking for a single mustard seed from a household in which no one has died;’ said Kisa.

“We cannot help you. l am sorry. We lost our mother two years ago;’ stated the young woman quietly. “For many months I was so unhappy I didn’t know how to go on” One of the boys reached up to hold her hand. She clasped his little fingers and continued,”But I knew I had to help my father take care of my brothers and sisters. That’s what my mother would have wanted. I’m sorry we have no such special mustard seed for you:’

And so Kisa Gotami continued to the next house, and then to another, asking for the single mustard seed. But always, someone had lost a beloved-a brother or a sister, a grandparent, an aunt or cousin, a mother or father. The list grew longer and longer. After a time, nightfall came. People snuffed out their oil lamps for the evening. Kisa Gotami sat down, resting against a tree. She gazed down at her son in her arms.

Studying him closely, she felt a gradual change in herself. Not a single household she had visited today lived untouched by death’s sad hand. Many suffered just as she did now. She was not alone. And somehow, with these thoughts, her grief lightened just a bit, and she returned home. The next day, at first light, Kisa Gotami readied her son for his funeral. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she wrapped him in clean cloth and said farewell. After the funeral, Kisa Gotami went back to the monastery to speak with the Buddha.The Buddha dearly saw in her face that she had come back to her senses. He asked,”Gotami, did you bring me a tiny grain of mustard?” 

“ No, teacher. I am done looking for the mustard seed. I know that in the whole city, in the whole world, there is not one family, not one person, free from the certainty of death. It is the way of all living things-we must at some time leave one another.” 

”And where is your child, dear woman?” 

”At last I have said good-bye to him. I felt terribly alone in my grief, but now I know there are many others who have lost what they most cherished. We must help each other, as you have helped me.”

Kisa Gotami, brought back to her right mind from her search for the mustard seed, became a very wise and compassionate woman. It is said that she never left the Buddha after her return to the monastery. And that from her experience, she was able to comfort many, many others in her lifetime.

The moral is : All fear death, all hold life dear. Feel for others as you do for yourself. Remember this and cause no harm.

Title: The Mustard Seed

Link：https://peacelilysite.com/2021/12/23/the-mustard-seed/

#Buddhiststories#Buddhism#Monastery#Death#Buddha#Kindness#BuddhaWisdom

7 Reasons To Make Time For Jogging

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Written by Amber Petty on March 18, 2020

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

It’s good for mental health

Depression and anxiety are growing health concerns in the United States. About 7 percent of adults will likely experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime. Since it’s an election year, that number might go up to 259 percent (this isn’t based on science, just on the looks of our Facebook feeds).

Jogging certainly isn’t a cure for depression or anxiety, but there’s growing evidence that it helps ease the symptoms. A 2004 review of studies about exercise and depression found that working out lifted people’s moods.

In a 1999 study mentioned in the review, a 16-week walking or jogging regimen (30 minutes, three times a week) was as effective at reducing depression symptoms as taking medication for the same length of time. (Of course, we don’t recommend you ditch therapy or toss your Lexapro prescription just because you put on your running shoes.)

And you don’t have to be a marathoner or a super-fast sprinter to see results from jogging. A small 1998 study found that jogging improved participants’ moods regardless of whether they exercised at low, moderate, or high intensity.

It reduces stress

If you’ve never felt stressed, we’d love to pull a “Freaky Friday” and swap bodies with you. But if you’re one of the 40 million adults who have an anxiety disorder, jogging could help reduce your stress level.

In a 2018 review of studies, researchers concluded that aerobic exercise is helpful for people who experience increased anxiety. Not too shabby!

It helps you sleep better

The benefits of a jog don’t end after your cooldown stretch. They can improve your entire day… and night!

A 2017 review noted that scientists aren’t 100 percent sure why exercise and sleep are connected, but they definitely are. Overall, study participants who performed cardiovascular exercise like jogging had improved sleep.

Moderate aerobic exercise can also help with chronic insomnia, according to a 2012 review of studies. Fewer hours lying awake, tossing and turning? Sign us up!

It strengthens your immune system

Your body’s ability to fight off disease is super important, so anything you can do to bolster it is probably a good idea.

A 2018 review found that people who exercised regularly were less likely to get bacterial and viral infections. It didn’t address jogging specifically but found that any physical activity can provide an immunity boost.

It decreases insulin resistance

If you’re insulin-resistant, it means your body doesn’t respond to insulin properly. That can lead to high blood sugar and possibly diabetes. In other words, insulin resistance = bad.

Thankfully, regular jogging has been shown to decrease insulin resistance. A 2015 review found that exercise decreased insulin resistance, overall cholesterol, and risk of heart disease in most patients.

If you’re at risk for diabetes, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to find out whether you could benefit from changing your diet in addition to getting your jog on. Even if you don’t have any blood sugar issues, jogging could help improve your overall blood work results.

It increases lifespan

“I’m gonna live forever” is not how everyone feels after a long jog. But truly, jogging may help you live longer.

In a 2017 review that included data from more than 55,000 people, researchers found that jogging could reduce the risk of dying from heart attack or stroke by 45 percent. Plus, it could reduce the chance of dying from any cause by 30 percent.

Obviously, this doesn’t factor in car crashes or freak accidents involving falling air conditioners. But a 30 percent decreased risk of death by disease is pretty incredible!

Photo by Dianne on Pexels.com

It makes your wallet happy

OK, this isn’t a health benefit, per se. But if you’re on a budget, not worrying about paying gym fees will definitely lead to less stress. Jogging is cheap! Technically, you don’t need anything to jog except a pair of sneakers, which you probably already own.

Since you can jog almost any time and any place, it’s easy to fit into a busy schedule. And you never have to deal with weird gym bros.

Link:https://wisdomtea.org/2021/12/22/7-reasons-to-make-time-for-jogging/

(Video) Disciple of H H Dorje Chang Buddha III–Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding

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Disciple of H H Dorje Chang Buddha III----Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding

(Video) Disciple of H H Dorje Chang Buddha III—

Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding

Disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III -- Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding
Disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III — Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding
Dharma Master Qing Ding acknowledged H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as his master and beseeched for Buddha-dharma.
Dharma Master Qing Ding acknowledged H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as his master and beseeched for Buddha-dharma.

Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding was the successor to the dharma lineage of H.E. Dharma Master Neng Hai of the Geluk sect. He had over one million disciples and was a famous monk in China. He was a greatly virtuous Han-Chinese dharma teacher of the Geluk sect. He became accomplished through practicing the Yamantaka Vajra dharma. The venerable dharma teacher was one of the disciples of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III who received an inner-tantric initiation. Above is a photograph of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III performing an initiation for Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding the day His Holiness accepted him as a disciple.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/fcXaloRjVC8

(Video) Disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III—Venerable Dharma Teacher Qing Ding

Link: https://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/video-disciple-of-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-venerable-dharma-teacher-qing-ding/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddha 
#MasterWanKoYee  #DharmaMasterQingDing #VenerableDharmaTeacherQingDing

10. THE HAPPY MONK [JOYS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE]

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10. THE HAPPY MONK [JOYS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE]

Buddhist Tales for Young and Old, volume 1, Prince Goodspeaker, Stories 1-50

Once upon a time, there was a high class rich man. As he became older, he realized that the suffering of old age was about the same for rich and poor alike. So he gave up his wealth and class position, and went into the forest to live as a poor monk. He practiced meditation, and developed his mind. He freed himself from unwholesome thoughts, and became contented and happy. His peacefulness and friendliness gradually drew 500 followers to his side.

At that time, long ago, most monks usually looked pretty serious. But there was one monk who, even though he was quite dignified, always wore at least a little smile. No matter what happened, he never lost this glimmer of inner happiness. And on happy occasions, he had the broadest smile, and the warmest laughter of all.

Sometimes monks, as well as others, would ask him why he was so happy that he always wore a smile. He chuckled and said, “If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me! And if you thought I spoke a lie, it would be a dishonor to my master.” The wise old master knew the source of the happiness that could not be wiped from his face. He made this happiest monk his number one assistant.

One year, after the rainy season, the old monk and his 500 followers went to the city. The king permitted them to live in his pleasure garden for the springtime.

This king was a good man, who took his responsibilities as ruler seriously. He tried to protect the people from danger, and to increase their prosperity and welfare. He always had to worry about neighbouring kings, some of whom were unfriendly and threatening. He often had to make peace between his own rival ministers of state.

Sometimes his wives fought for his attention, and for the advancement of their sons. Occasionally, a dissatisfied subject even threatened the life of the king himself! And, of course, he had to worry constantly about the finances of the kingdom. In fact, he had so much to worry about, that he never had time to be happy!

As summer approached, he learned that the monks were preparing to return to the forest. Considering the health and welfare of the old leader, the king went to him and said, “Your reverence, you are now very old and weak. What good does it do to go back to the forest? You can send your followers back, while you remain here.”

Photo by David Bartus on Pexels.com

The chief monk then called his number one assistant to him and said, “You are now to be the leader of the other monks, while you all live in the forest. As I am too old and weak. I will remain here as offered by the king.” So the 500 returned to the forest and the old one remained.

The number one assistant continued practicing meditation in the forest. He gained so much wisdom and peace that he became even happier than before. He missed the master, and wanted to share his happiness with him. So he returned to the city for a visit.

When he arrived, he sat on a rug at the feet of the old monk. They didn’t speak very much, but every so often the number one assistant would say, “What happiness! Oh what happiness!”

Then the king came to visit. He paid his respects to the chief monk. However, the one from the forest just kept saying, “What happiness! Oh what happiness!” He did not even stop to greet the king and show proper respect. This disturbed him, and he thought, “With all my worries, as busy as I am looking after the kingdom, I take time out for a visit and this monk does not respect me enough to even recognize me. “How insulting!” He said to the senior of the two monks, “Venerable sir, this monk must be stupid from overeating. That must be why he is so full of happiness. Does he lie around here so lazy all the time?”

The head monk replied, “Oh king, have patience and I will tell you the source of his happiness. Not many know it. He was once a king, just as rich and mighty as you! Then he was ordained a monk and gave up his kingly life. Now he thinks his old happiness was nothing compared to his present joy!”

He used to be surrounded by armed men, who guarded and protected him. Now, sitting alone in the forest with nothing to fear, he has no need for armed guards. He has given up the burden of worrying about wealth that has to be protected. Instead, free of the worry of wealth and the fear of power, his wisdom protects himself and others. He advances in meditation to such inner peace, that he cannot keep from saying, “What happiness! Oh what happiness!”

The king understood at once. Hearing the story of the happy monk made him feel at peace. He stayed for a while and received advice from both of them. Then he honoured them, and returned to the palace.

Later the happy monk, who once had been a king, paid his respects to his master and returned to the lovely forest. The old chief monk lived out the remainder of his life, died, and was reborn in a high heaven world.

The moral is: Unattached to wealth and power, happiness increases.

10. The Happy Monk [Joys of the Spiritual Life]

Link: https://hhdorjechangbuddhaiiiinfo.com/2021/12/21/10-the-happy-monk-joys-of-the-spiritual-life/

INTERPRETER’S INTRODUCTION – BUDDHIST TALES FOR YOUNG AND OLD, VOLUME 1, STORIES 1-50

#Buddhisttalesforyoungandold #Buddhiststories #storiesforkids #moralstories #Buddha #Jatakastories #PansiyaPanasJataka

Journey to find the True Original Buddha Dharma

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Journey to find the True Original Buddha Dharma

(Part One Awaken by True Story of A Holy Monk)

About twenty years ago, I worked at the research triangle park area in North Carolina. I got married and had children. We bought a brand-new single family house in a newly built community. The community was built in a large forest. It had well-equipped facilities, a lake, a swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, children’s playground, etc. On top of that, it was less than a ten minute drive to the company where I worked. It seemed to be a perfect place to live for a long time. However, when I wandered along the forest trails in the community, I often felt somewhat empty and unsettled in my heart. This place was not where I wanted to settle down, but I didn’t know the reason why.

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At that time, I had read some books about Buddhism and set up an altar at home. There were many statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I thought I would enshrine as many as possible. At the time though, I still stayed at the level of superstition and didn’t really understand what Buddhism was and how to learn Buddhism. I was very fond of the Zen patriarch’s narratives about emptiness. The transcendent realm and the beautiful poems made me intoxicated, but the actual practice is too difficult. From the books I read, the patriarchs lived in a cave and meditated for decades. That was impossible for me, so I felt that I had no hope of enlightenment in this life. I also listened to a lot of recordings of a Chinese master who preached the Pure Land Sect, and read books written by him. I thought the Pure Land Sect is very good and simple. I just focus on chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha, and when my physical body dies, the Buddha and Bodhisattva will come and lead me to the Paradise of Bliss – I was really looking forward to that scene.

One day I got a free book about a holy monk <<The True Story of a Holy Monk>>. The Dharma introduced in the book was totally different from I had known. For example, the “nectar” from Buddha Kingdom — I never heard of that before. I was full of envy for the various real holy relics recorded in the book. This is something I had never seen before. What I had heard was that Buddhist does not talk about miraculous and supernatural powers… At that time, I was very confused. How can the Buddha save me without supernatural powers? Reading this book made me understand that although Buddhism does not focus on magical powers, the phenomena of magical powers are the byproducts in Buddha Dharma practice process. Practitioners cannot attach to supernatural powers, as that is not the gaol of Buddhist cultivation.

The book introduced, “After the blessing of the longevity nectar from the Buddha Kingdom, Vajra vellus hair grew from the eyebrows of the old Pharaoh Dorje Luosang, and grew one foot long later. If buddhists are predestined to take a bite, the blessings and wisdom will be immeasurable. “ It was such an extraordinary fact, and I was very longing for it in my heart.

A passage from Dorje Luosang Pharaoh on the rebirth of the Buddha Pure Land in the book totally awakened me. It read, ”…… do you know what it will be like when you die? …..How many people are suffering in dying, struggling and groaning. If the world is unpleasant, it is called death. Of course, his mind will be Chaos. I have seen many people who have lost their minds at the end of their lives, ….. after reciting Buddha’s name throughout their lives, when they finally die, they “Oh! Help!” or struggling. You told him, “Recite the Buddha’s name! Bring up righteous thoughts!” But what you then heard was his groaning and tragic screams, and the voice of being overwhelmed. In fact, he has long been confused. This chaos is not something you can remove just by mentioning righteous thoughts. It takes time to settle down! It takes immense concentration, which comes from our daily practice and commandments. If you lose your daily practice, there will be no concentration. Seven kinds of disciples, listen! If you can just recite Amitabha Buddha without any confusion, the Buddha wouldn’t say eighty-four thousand methods, and the Buddha will not tell you the Six paramitas and Ten Thousand Actions! The Buddha will not torture sentient beings. He taught us, we need to practice the six paramitas and ten thousand actions and go through the three great asamkhyeyas of eons before you can achieve it…” .

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I think this statement is so very true because we usually feel very uncomfortable when we are sick. I remembered how the heart-piercing pain during childbirth made me unable to think about any other things. I finally realized that I have many wrong opinions and preconceived notions about Buddhism cultivation. I pondered to myself, how do I recite the Buddha’s name with undivided attention? When I did my chanting practice in my altar without any outside disturbances, I couldn’t recite Amitabha Buddha single-mindedly for 10 times straight, for all kinds of thoughts kept coming up. I didn’t know how to control my mind and center on the Buddha’s name. For me, the most I can was attempt my practice a half hour daily. How could I be able to recite Amitabha Buddha without chaos? Those monks recite the Buddha’s name every day, but very few can go to the Pure Land when they die. In the book old Pharaoh Dorje Luosang gave me a light there is a better way to achieve the goal of re-birth into the pure land. I decided to follow that light to find the true Buddha Dharma, so I can reach the liberation in this life time.

Journey to find the True Original Buddha Dharma

Link： https://peacelilysite.com/2021/12/17/journey-to-find-the-true-original-buddha-dharma/

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Report of Miracle by a disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

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Report of Miracle

BY KENT WILSON LONG

(a disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III)

In the first week in October I noticed some kind of growth inside my left nostril. It looked like a pink skin tag that is about one eighth inch long. About two weeks later I noticed the growth had grown and was hanging out of my nostril. Not only was it unattractive, but I didn’t know what it was. Cancer runs in my family and I started worrying that it was a malignant growth. Since I didn’t have insurance I started to look for a low cost clinic to go to. I didn’t have much luck finding a clinic, or doctor that was cost effective and trust worthy.

I talked to Ningbu Rinpoche (The Abbess of Hua Zang Si–Great Dharma Master Ruo Hui) about my dilemma. In our conversation she told me about the mediation class the Sunday before, which I missed because I was working overtime. She told me about the story that Qupei Rinpoche (The Abbess of Hua Zang Si–Great Dharma Master Ruo Hui) related in class about a man chanting the six syllable heart mantra, which had a powerful effect on me. Here is a summation of the story Qupei Rinpoche told.

Reciting the sixth syllable heart mantra brings great merit. You don’t have to be a Buddhist to receive the empowerment of Quan Yin Bodhisattva. Many people chant it and gain good results from it. Today I will tell you about a story of an ordinary man. This man was working with a friend who was a Buddhist. His friend told him about the sixth syllable heart mantra and how beneficial it is to chant. He began reciting it 1000 times a day. He experienced tranquility and a great joy in his heart. Since he liked doing it so much he began to increase chanting the mantra ten thousand times a day.

Guan Yin Bodhisattva

One day he was invited to a diligent practice event. When he went to the retreat he increased chanting the six syllable mantra to thirty thousand times a day. Several days after the retreat began he saw Quan Yin Bodhisattva appear before him. Quan Yin Bodhisattva’s appearance was very solemn and she was imposingly large and tall. Since he saw Quan Yin Bodhisattva appear before him, he decided to increase his chanting to sixty thousand times a day.

After half a month Quan Yin appeared before him again. This time she took him to the Western Paradise where he saw his own white lotus flower that was the size of a car wheel. The white lotus flower looked very beautiful and pure. It dawned on him that reciting Amithaba Buddha’s name, or the six syllable heart mantra, will help one be reborn in the Western Paradise. Seeing the Western Paradise state strengthened his faith and he now began to recite the six syllable heart mantra seventy thousand times a day. After a period of time he had another visitation of Quan Yin Bodhisattva. She again took him to see his lotus flower. Now he can see the center of the flower. Right in the middle of it is a seat he can sit upon. After this experience he chants even more diligently.

As the retreat is about to conclude he now sees Amitabha Buddha appear before him. The Buddha was as tall as a skyscraper and emitted a bright golden light. Amitabha Buddha was very solemn as he descended from the sky and stood on his lotus flower to speak dharma. The man looked up at the sky and saw Quan Yin Bodhisattva and Mahashamaprapta Bodhisattva standing together. Their image is identical to a picture he had seen depicting them. They were both several dozen floors tall.

Amitabha Buddha began to speak to him. He told him that he would be born in the Western Paradise in the future. Now I will transmit you a high dharma. You must focus on this practice. This will guarantee your rebirth in the Western Paradise. When it is time in the future I will personally come to retrieve you. The Buddha told him to write down all his experiences to help strengthen Buddhist cultivator’s faith and encourage them to practice better. He wrote down his story and that is why we can listen to it today.

After I heard the story it motivated me to sit down to do some serious chanting that night. Before I went to bed I chanted the six syllable heart mantra over seven hundred times. I went to sleep and woke up at around 1:30 AM. I couldn’t get back to sleep so I decided to do meditation for about 45 minutes, which helped increase my energy. Then, ironically, my body was too energized to get back to sleep, so I decided to take a walk in the neighborhood. This was at around 2 AM in the morning. When I got back I decided to chant the one hundred syllable bright mantra. When I chanted this about one hundred and sixty times I felt something wet around my nose. I dabbed my nose with a tissue and found blood on it. I was able to stop the bleeding in a short time. I went into the bathroom to check on it. When I looked at the reflection of my left nostril in the mirror, I discovered that the growth had disappeared. At the place where the growth had been now had fresh healthy looking skin covering the area. I was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to report this to Master. To me this is concrete proof that the dharma is real and beneficial for our life. It has motivated me to put more energy into my practice and when I get spare time I utilize the time to chant.

Link: https://goo.gl/TWi3BE

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddha #Buddha #Miracle #Buddhism #Buddhist #Chanting #Cultivation #empowerment

How to Get the Biggest Benefits of Walking

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How to Get the Biggest Benefits of Walking

Lose weight, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress when you walk this way

By Sally WadykaUpdated

May 2, 202

Getting exercise through walking is as easy as lacing up your sneakers and hitting the pavement or trail. Doing so is a safe way to get a workout without needing a gym, and it can boost your mental and physical health in several important ways.

“Walking is the most studied form of exercise, and multiple studies have proven that it’s the best thing we can do to improve our overall health, and increase our longevity and functional years,” says Robert Sallis, MD, a family physician and sports medicine doctor with Kaiser Permanente.

In its 2018 scientific report to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee noted that walking is the most popular aerobic activity and has one of the lowest injury rates of any form of exercise.

And a 2019 study of more than 44,000 Canadians found that people living in more walkable neighborhoods had a lower overall risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s a reason to advocate for local infrastructure that makes walking easier, says lead author Nicholas Howell, PhD, of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Still, in the short term, “even in less walkable neighborhoods, there are ways to be active in your daily routines,” Howell says. He suggests running errands on foot, parking farther from your destination, or getting off the bus a stop early. Those small adjustments “can help fit in a few extra steps each day,” Howell says. “And they all add up.”

Here, we explain what walking can do for you—and how to maximize its many benefits.

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Benefits of Walking

1. Lower body mass index (BMI): A study from the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, published in 2017 in the International Journal of Obesity confirms that those who walk more and sit less have lower BMIs, which is one indicator of obesity. In the study, those who took 15,000 or more steps per day tended to have BMIs in the normal, healthy range.

2. Lower blood pressure and cholesterol: The National Walkers’ Health study found that regular walking was linked to a 7 percent reduced risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

3. Lower fasting blood sugar (glucose): Higher blood glucose levels are a risk factor for diabetes, and the National Walkers’ Health Study also found that walkers had a 12 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

4. Better memory and cognitive function: A 2021 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that when adults 55 or older with mild cognitive impairment were assigned to either stretching and toning exercises or to aerobic training—mostly walking—both groups showed some improvement on cognitive tests. But when compared with the stretching and toning group, the group that walked for fitness improved aerobic fitness more, had decreased stiffness in neck arteries, and showed increased blood flow to the brain in ways that researchers think could provide more cognitive benefits in the long term.

A clinical trial of older adults in Japan published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2015 found that after 12 weeks, men and women in a prescribed daily walking exercise group had significantly greater improvements in memory and executive function (the ability to pay focused attention, to switch among various tasks, and to hold multiple items in working memory) compared with those in a control group who were told just to carry on with their usual daily routine.

And a study of 299 adults, published in the journal Neurology in 2010, found that walking was associated with a greater volume of gray matter in the brain, a measure of brain health.

5. Lower stress and improved mood: Like other types of aerobic exercise, walking—especially out in nature—stimulates the production of neurotransmitters in the brain (such as endorphins) that help improve your mental state.

6. Longer life: In a review of studies published in 2014 in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, researchers found that walking for roughly 3 hours a week was associated with an 11 percent reduced risk of premature death compared with those who did little or no activity.

And it’s never too late to reap the benefits of walking: A small 2013 study in the journal Maturitas found that seniors with an average age of 80 who walked just four times a week were much less likely to die over the study’s 10-year follow-up period than those who walked less.

Link:https://wisdomtea.org/2021/12/15/how-to-get-the-biggest-benefits-of-walking/