Month: April 2025

The Last Night Before Liberation: A Tale of Dharma and Destiny

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During the time of the Buddha, King Fugasya and King Bimbisāra of Magadha were close friends. One day, King Fugasya gifted King Bimbisāra a magnificent flower crafted from seven kinds of treasures—gold, silver, and glazed tiles among them. Realizing that King Fugasya had never encountered the Buddha’s teachings, King Bimbisāra decided to offer the exquisite flower to the Buddha instead.

He said to the Buddha, “My good friend, King Fugasya, gave me this precious flower. I now offer it to the World-Honored One, wishing that the merit from this offering may help open his heart. May he let go of his attachments, come to revere the Three Jewels, and seek the Dharma. However, I am unsure what I can offer him in return.”

The Buddha replied,
“Write down the Sutra of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination and give it to him. Once he receives this sutra, he will surely begin to develop faith and understanding.”

King Bimbisāra immediately copied the sutra and sent it to King Fugasya with a message:
“You have given me a priceless flower of treasures; I now return a flower of Dharma. If you contemplate its meaning, you will understand the truth of dependent origination and karmic consequences. I hope you will recite it sincerely, and experience the taste of the Dharma.”

Upon receiving the sutra, King Fugasya read it repeatedly and deeply contemplated its meaning. The teachings resonated with him. He exclaimed,
“This Dharma is truly subtle and profound! It calms the mind and brings peace to the nation. Wealth, desire, fame, food, and sleep—these worldly pursuits are the root of suffering. For countless lifetimes I have been lost in delusion, but now I finally see the true nature of existence. There is nothing in this world worth clinging to.”

With this realization, King Fugasya gathered his ministers, announced his abdication, and passed the throne to the crown prince. Then he shaved his head, donned robes, and left the worldly life behind.

He set out on foot to seek the Buddha in Rājagṛha, determined to receive the precepts and deepen his cultivation. When he arrived at the outskirts of the city in the evening, he decided to rest overnight at a potter’s house. The next morning, he planned to go on alms-round and visit the monastery.

However, the Buddha, with His all-seeing wisdom, knew that King Fugasya’s life would end the next day—he would not live to meet the Buddha or hear the Dharma in the conventional way. Out of great compassion, the Buddha manifested as an ordinary monk and went to the potter’s house seeking shelter.

The potter said,
“There’s already a monk here tonight. He’s resting in the kiln cave—you may stay with him.”

The Buddha took some dry grass, entered the kiln cave, and sat in a corner. He gently asked the monk,
“Where are you from? Who is your teacher? What brought you to the monastic path? Have you ever seen the Buddha?”

King Fugasya replied,
“I have never seen the Buddha. I only read the Sutra of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination. It inspired me to renounce the world and seek the path. Tomorrow, I plan to go into the city for alms, then visit the monastery to meet the Buddha and request the precepts.”

The Buddha responded with heartfelt words:
“Human life is fragile—impermanence arrives without warning. This body is made of the four elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—and when death comes, they simply return to their natural state. There is no need to fear. Keep your mind clear, let go of deluded thoughts, and place your trust in the Three Jewels. Practice generosity and maintain pure precepts with sincerity. If you understand the truth of impermanence in this way, it is as if you have already seen the Buddha. Do not cling to the idea of seeing Him tomorrow, for true benefit lies in your present awareness.”

Then, the Buddha expounded the profound truths of suffering, emptiness, and impermanence. King Fugasya listened with deep concentration, entered meditative absorption, and swiftly attained the Anāgāmi (Non-returner) stage. Recognizing his realization, the Buddha revealed His true, radiant form.

Overwhelmed with joy and reverence, King Fugasya prostrated and received a final teaching:
“When impermanence comes, do not be afraid.”

He vowed to uphold the Dharma faithfully.

The next morning, while going into the city for alms, King Fugasya was fatally gored by a mother cow protecting her newborn calf. Because he had already attained realization, his rebirth was in the Anāgāmi Heaven.

The Buddha, upon hearing of his passing, instructed the disciples to cremate his body and build a stupa in his honor. He then solemnly reminded them:
“Be ever mindful, for the root of all karmic offenses lies in carelessness.”

This world of samsara is full of the inevitable sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. For those attached to fleeting worldly pleasures, this story is a powerful reminder to awaken.

By placing faith in the Dharma, recognizing our inherent pure Buddha-nature, contemplating impermanence, practicing wholesome deeds, and accumulating both merit and wisdom, we can transcend the pain of impermanence and attain lasting peace and happiness.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/04/25/the-last-night-before-liberation-a-tale-of-dharma-and-destiny/

How I Quit Smoking After 20+ Years — Thanks to the Buddha Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

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During my school days, I unknowingly picked up the bad habit of smoking. After entering the workforce as a designer, the nature of my job required prolonged thinking, which led me to smoke incessantly. Sometimes, I would smoke over 60 cigarettes a day, staining my fingers a light yellow. The smell of tobacco lingered on my hands, and even when I brought them close to my nose, I could still sense the scent. Despite knowing how harmful smoking was to my health, I simply couldn’t quit.

I always felt that smoking was a form of enjoyment. Being frugal, I would smoke cheaper cigarettes when alone and keep a better pack for social occasions. Smoking also came with a significant financial cost. In my early working years, money was tight, and I couldn’t always afford cigarettes. Often, I bought just one or two loose cigarettes. Sometimes, I would smoke a cigarette in multiple sittings—lighting it, taking a couple of puffs, extinguishing it, and repeating the process. When I had no cigarettes, I would secretly pick up discarded cigarette butts to smoke. Occasionally, I even picked up others’ cigarette butts—how miserable it was just to satisfy my smoking habit! Even now, an old classmate of mine still teases me about how, back in the day, I would visit him for a meal when I was broke. After eating, I would crave a cigarette and would blurt out, “A cigarette after a meal is better than being an immortal!” This classmate, who never smoked, still brings up this incident to mock me.

Later on, although I could afford cigarettes, I knew deep down that smoking was not a good thing. The numerous “No Smoking” signs everywhere made it clear that smoking was frowned upon. I couldn’t smoke freely in public and had to step outside no-smoking areas when I couldn’t resist the urge. Even at home, I couldn’t smoke at ease. To avoid annoying my family and exposing them to secondhand smoke, I had to hide away on the balcony to smoke. This furtive way of smoking made me feel like a thief, carrying a constant sense of guilt.

“You’re just taking a puff of smoke into your lungs and then exhaling it—what’s the point?” My wife often said this to me. She was right; there was no real meaning to it. I was spending money to harm my own health. So, I made up my mind to quit smoking!

However, quitting a habit cultivated over twenty years was no easy task. I tried every quitting method I heard of—keeping snacks in my pocket to replace cigarettes, writing a quit-smoking journal, telling people I was quitting so they could hold me accountable, and even just holding a cigarette without lighting it. I experimented with all these strategies. At best, I lasted four or five days; my longest attempt lasted three to four months. But I always ended up relapsing. Every time I finished a cigarette, I immediately regretted it and resolved to quit again. This cycle repeated endlessly—I quit, then smoked again, and then quit again. I both hated and loved smoking. I wanted to quit but just couldn’t. Quitting smoking was truly not easy.

After so many failed attempts, no one believed I could do it anymore. People would just smile knowingly when I mentioned quitting, and even I lost hope in myself. But then, due to an extraordinarily auspicious connection, I encountered the Buddha Dharma as taught by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, who is no different from Shakyamuni Buddha. This profoundly touched my heart. I realized that this bad habit was leading me toward degeneration, so I firmly resolved to quit smoking.

I started using the money I would have spent on cigarettes to buy fruits as offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, increasing my merits. Sometimes, I used it to release captive animals or to show filial respect to my parents. This time, quitting smoking felt surprisingly effortless. My wife was amazed and praised the power of Buddha Dharma, marveling at how I had truly succeeded in quitting.

Once, a Dharma brother was setting up a Buddhist shrine in his factory. A highly virtuous master traveled from afar to lead the ceremony. More than thirty of us gathered to celebrate, and everything was prepared—except that we couldn’t find a lighter to light the lamps. No one in the group smoked, so no one had a lighter. Eventually, someone had to step outside to borrow one. At that moment, I was struck by how remarkable Buddhist disciples were—out of so many people, not a single one smoked. I thought, Surely, many of them, like me, must have quit smoking. When I asked a fellow practitioner if he had a lighter, he just smiled knowingly and shook his head.

After quitting smoking, I no longer coughed or felt nauseous when brushing my teeth in the morning. I felt lighter, both physically and mentally. However, the habit formed over nearly thirty years didn’t just disappear overnight. For a long time—sometimes even one or two years later—after dinner, I would pace back and forth on the balcony, feeling like I was supposed to be doing something but not knowing what. Only after thinking for a while would I realize, Oh! It’s the old smoking habit. This proved just how difficult it is to break ingrained habits. Truly, “A leopard cannot change its spots.”

Yet, after much effort, I finally broke the long-standing smoking habit. I realized that smoking was simply a habit, and not smoking was also a habit. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III teaches: “All phenomena become natural through habit.” That is why we must be cautious not to develop bad habits, as they can easily become ingrained. Instead, we should cultivate good habits, no matter how small, and continue to practice them.

After I quit smoking, my old friends were impressed: “You have incredible willpower!” “You’re so determined!” Receiving praise naturally felt good—much better than being criticized. I would joyfully reply, “Yes, I quit! I know this was the power of Buddha Dharma.”

Indeed, life is like a puff of smoke—it quickly vanishes into thin air. No matter how enjoyable, it is nothing more than fleeting mist. Only by maintaining good health can we have a future. Now, whenever I hold a cigarette in my hand, I smile at my past ignorance and feel grateful for my present success.

Today, as I embark on a new journey, how could I ever harm myself again? I shall light an eternal lamp in my heart, illuminating the path of my Buddhist practice with the radiant light of wisdom.

Written by: Ming Xun
Edited by: Bodhi Seed & Others

How I Quit Smoking After 20+ Years — Thanks to the Buddha Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

Link: https://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/how-i-quit-smoking-after-20-years-thanks-to-the-buddha-dharma-of-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #Buddha #Dharma #BuddhaDharma #QuitSmoking #Smoking

The Weight of Words: A Story That Reminds Us to Speak Wisely

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Once upon a time in a small village, an old man spread a rumor that his neighbor was a thief. The accusation quickly circulated, and the young man was arrested. However, after a thorough investigation, the truth emerged—the young man was innocent. Though he was released, the damage had already been done. As he walked home, shame and humiliation clung to him like a heavy shadow. In pain and frustration, he took the old man to court for defamation.

In court, the old man defended himself, saying, “They were just comments. I didn’t mean any real harm.”

The judge paused and then said, “Before I pass judgment, I want you to do something. Write down everything you said about this young man on a piece of paper. Then cut the paper into small pieces, and on your way home, scatter them to the wind. Tomorrow, return for your sentence.”

The old man did as he was told. The next day, he stood before the judge once again.

“Before I deliver your sentence,” the judge said, “go out and gather every piece of paper you threw away yesterday.”

“But that’s impossible!” the old man protested. “The wind has carried them far and wide—I’ll never be able to get them all back.”

The judge nodded gravely. “Exactly. Just like those pieces of paper, your careless words have been scattered beyond recall. A few simple comments have the power to destroy a person’s honor and reputation—damage that can be nearly impossible to undo.”

The old man bowed his head in shame and asked for forgiveness.

This story speaks to a deep truth: our words, once spoken, can never be fully taken back.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Fool’s hearts are in their mouths; wise men’s mouths are in their hearts.” These timeless words caution us against speaking recklessly. A wise person thinks carefully before they speak—choosing words with care, filtering emotion through understanding, and weighing their potential impact. Such restraint not only prevents misunderstandings and harm but also reflects emotional maturity and compassion.

Think more. Speak less.

In Buddhist teachings, this idea is beautifully echoed through the precepts on right speech. Practitioners are taught to be mindful of their word karma and to avoid four kinds of harmful speech:

  1. Lying
  2. Harsh speech
  3. Divisive speech
  4. Idle chatter

Each of these can sow seeds of suffering—for others and for ourselves.

Let’s remind ourselves daily: Be the master of your mouth, so you’re not a slave to your words.

Gossip can be more damaging than theft—it steals a person’s dignity, honor, and credibility, none of which are easy, or even possible, to restore. A wise saying puts it well: “When your feet slip, you can recover your balance. But when your tongue slips, you can never recover your words.”

Let us choose silence over harm, kindness over carelessness, and wisdom over impulse. Because our words, like our actions, carry the power to build—or break—the world around us.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/04/24/the-weight-of-words-a-story-that-reminds-us-to-speak-wisely/

My Journey of Zen Meditation From Confusion to Clarity: How the Supreme Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Transformed My Spiritual Journey

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A few years ago, I visited a well-known Chan (Zen) practice center and began what I thought would be a meaningful journey into Chan meditation as a lay Buddhist disciple. Alongside the physically demanding daily farm work, I occasionally joined meditation sessions—but instead of clarity or insight, they often left me feeling drowsy and disoriented. I also listened to recordings of teachings by an elderly monk, but they felt dry and uninspiring. At the time, I thought this was all Chan practice had to offer. Disappointment quietly took root in my heart.

As I spent more time at the center, I began to notice that some of the Buddhist nuns displayed strange and unsettling behavior. I was told that their mental disturbances had arisen during meditation and, without proper guidance or support, their conditions had never improved. The idea that meditation—supposedly a path to peace—could lead to such outcomes deeply frightened me. I couldn’t help but worry: Would I end up like them? My own practice was already filled with drowsiness and confusion. Each time I sat for meditation, their presence weighed heavily on me. What had gone wrong? Why did their practice lead to such distress?

One memory remains especially vivid. During a seven-day retreat, the presiding master criticized the decision to take the temple’s elderly abbot to the hospital when he fell critically ill. The master insisted that the abbot should have remained in the temple, reciting Amitabha Buddha’s name to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land. He questioned why anyone would try to prolong life at the time of death, suggesting that doing so only prolonged suffering. Many attendees agreed, believing the abbot’s passing was natural and that emergency medical care was unnecessary. I was shocked. Something felt inherently wrong with that view. I wasn’t a monastic, just a lay practitioner, yet I couldn’t help but ask: When someone is in a coma, completely unconscious, can they still recite “Amitabha” with sincere intent? Can they truly attain rebirth in the Pure Land just by wishing so? Logically, this didn’t make sense to me.

Later, I heard of a monk who made a solemn vow to realize his true nature through three years of Chan meditation—and if he failed, he would return to lay life. Sadly, three years passed, and the result was heartbreaking. He had gained no realization.

After this string of disheartening events, I lost my passion for Buddhist practice. I felt lost, as if I’d reached a spiritual dead end. I even began questioning the purpose of monastic life: If there’s no true goal or path to liberation, what’s the point? Reluctantly, I considered giving up and returning to a mundane life.

But just when I stood at this crossroads, I encountered the Dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. It was like a brilliant light breaking through the darkness—suddenly, all the disappointment, fear, and confusion that had weighed on me vanished. At that moment, I made a resolute decision to let go of my doubts and wholeheartedly follow the path illuminated by the Buddha’s true teachings. Eventually, my wish was fulfilled.

What I shared here are just my personal experiences—perhaps not yet the true path of Chan—but they reflect challenges that many practitioners face in their spiritual pursuit. Fortunately, I came across the book Concentration and Visualization—The Essence of the Right Path by Pamu, and the profound teachings of The Supreme Dharma of Chan imparted online by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. For the first time, I received complete and correct teachings and truly understood what Chan meditation is meant to be.

Furthermore, through reading H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra (specifically page 216), I finally understood why those nuns had lost their way. Their mental disturbances stemmed from becoming attached to illusions produced by the manas consciousness, mistakenly believing those illusions were real. They had failed to comprehend the profound truth that all forms are illusory and false. Caught in delusion, they strayed into a demonic path.

The retreat master’s complaints about the abbot’s emergency care were also misguided. As stated in the article “Lay Buddhist Zhao Yusheng’s Transmission of the Dharma is Genuine, Not False”, if someone truly possesses the realization and power of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III—to the extent that the yidam Amitabha Buddha manifests and receives the deceased into the Pure Land—then yes, there would be no need for emergency treatment. But how many people have such realization? Did that master?

And what about the monk who gave up after three years? He didn’t know that there exists a supreme and ultimate Buddha Dharma—one so profound that it can open the crown chakra in just two hours. When opened, the space is vast and expansive like an eggshell, and consciousness can freely enter and exit the body, even engage in practice outside the body. With such realization, seeing one’s true nature is not a distant goal but a near certainty.

Looking back, I feel deep compassion for those nuns. They longed for true Dharma and liberation, but without authentic teachings or proper guidance, and weighed down by attachments and karmic hindrances, they couldn’t achieve realization. Tragedies like this still happen today. It’s heartbreaking.

The most authentic and supreme Buddha Dharma is that which comes from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, yet many sentient beings remain unaware of it. Even those with karmic affinity who encounter the teachings may still fail to receive them due to karmic obstacles or worldly pressures—missing their rare chance to escape the endless cycle of birth and death.

All I can do is sigh deeply and reflect: The true Dharma of the Buddha is so rare, so precious—harder to encounter than one might in millions of kalpas. I am incredibly fortunate to have this karmic opportunity to respectfully listen to and study the Dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

Psychoenergetic Science: A Second Coperican-Scale Revolution

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Dr. Tiller, a professor emeritus of materials science and engineering at Stanford University, tells us that “the term Psychoenergetics[1] was coined by the Russians in the Soviet era or 1950-1970. This was done to provide a strongly materialistic flavor to the fields of parapsychology and spiritual-related phenomena in order to make research in these areas palatable to the communist party’s worldview.” Dr. Tiller started his work to find a rigorous framework for scientifically understanding this class of phenomena during this period and until the present time.

He expanded on Einstein’s revolutionary work in this area even expanding Einstein’s famous E=mc2 to incorporate the evolutionary concept of consciousness. He even devised formulae, based upon careful experimental research, that link “subtle energies” to those of mainstream science and which expand the present-day formation of quantum mechanics. He noted that there “…was a class of truly weird phenomena that had been visible for more than a century and was somehow related to various processes associated with the application of human consciousness in our world. On the other hand, there still exists today, a very long-held, underlying assumption of conventional science that ‘No human qualities of consciousness, intention, emotion, mind or spirit can significantly influence a well-designed target experiment in physical reality.’ Something is very wrong here!”

He noted that “…the first Copernican revolution of thought lifted humanity from an earth-centric, theocratic-inspired, model of our solar system, which was largely qualitative in terms of details, to a local solar system which was sun-centered.” This, in turn, with the contribution of Galileo, Newton, and others, expanded our world-view and provided the framework for the great technological advancements of our modern era. He also provided his intuitive hypothesis on the link of our physical reality within the context of our higher [or spiritual] dimensional nature”…that this new, second Copernican-type revolution will, in terms of scale, be at least as significant for the progress of humankind as the first one!”

Not all scientists are there yet, or even close, but this beginning is hopeful. Much of what he writes is vastly beyond my capacity to absorb and, frankly, my interest. However, I believe that it is very relevant to our practice and is consistent with the teachings of the Buddha, albeit in a different language and perspective and with a different goal although Dr. Tiller holds that the underlying principle of all is “love.” You may ask how I can talk of dragons and yidams and all sorts of strange things and still be interested in science? I know a very bright young man, who was brought up as a religion-scorning communist, who thought that monks were parasites of the people and begrudged the donations his pious mother gave them. After several business failures, he took some time off to reflect on what had gone wrong in his life and started reading books by some on his favorite scientists and mathematicians. At the end of one such work, a scientist whom he admired greatly, said something after explaining an evolved scientific finding, “Of course, the Buddha told us all of this over 2,500 years ago.” He then decided to reconsider the works of the Buddha and is now a great master as well as a successful scientist. I too believe that science will eventually catch up with the Buddha or at least come closer to explaining what is now unkown and mysterious and the world will be better for it. I also believe that like unlocking the power of the atom through the work of Einstein et al came with great risks and potential for disaster, likewise our research into consciousness and our higher natures must be based in the evolution of our character. Correct Cultivation is essential on so many levels.

[1]   Psychoenergetic Science relates to the relationship between human consciousness and subtle energy.

The Farmer of the Mind: Cultivating Mastery Over Thought

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The Farmer of the Mind: Cultivating Mastery Over Thought

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying at Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapinḍika’s monastery. It was the rainy season, and the forest hummed with the soft patter of raindrops falling upon leaves. The scent of wet earth filled the air, and a gentle mist curled around the trees.

A great assembly of monks had gathered, their saffron robes glowing in the dim light of dawn. They sat in deep silence, their hands folded in reverence, awaiting the Blessed One’s words. He gazed upon them, his serene face illuminated by the morning light, and addressed them:

“Monks!”

“Yes, lord,” the monks replied in unison.

The Blessed One spoke:

“When a monk is intent on the heightened mind, there are five themes he should attend to at appropriate times. Which five?

“There is the case where evil, unskillful thoughts—connected with desire, aversion, or delusion—arise in a monk while he is referring to and attending to a particular theme. He should attend to another theme, apart from that one, connected with what is skillful. As he does so, those unskillful thoughts are abandoned and subside. With their abandoning, he steadies his mind, settles it, unifies it, and concentrates it.

“But if those thoughts persist, he should reflect on their drawbacks: ‘These thoughts lead to suffering. They darken the mind. They are thorns in the path of peace.’ Just as a traveler carrying a heavy sack realizes that dropping the burden brings relief, so too should the monk see how abandoning unwholesome thoughts brings lightness to the heart.

“If even then the thoughts persist, he should withdraw his attention—he should give them no mind. As a man walking through a marketplace ignores the clamor of voices around him and focuses only on his path, so too should the monk disregard the noise of unwholesome thoughts.

“If they still do not subside, he should attend to the relaxing of thought-fabrication, gently calming the movement of the mind. Just as a potter, shaping a vessel, slows the turning of his wheel to smooth its edges, so too does the wise monk soften the momentum of thought, guiding it toward stillness.

“And finally, should all else fail, he should take up the final method—firm and resolute. With teeth clenched and tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, he should subdue the mind with force, constraining and crushing the unwholesome impulses with clear awareness, as a strong man might subdue a wild beast.

The Parable of the Two Farmers

The Blessed One paused, then continued:

“Monks, this is like two farmers who inherited the same land.

“One farmer was negligent and careless. He did not prepare his field properly. He let weeds grow alongside the crops, believing they would not harm the harvest. When pests came, he did not chase them away, thinking they would leave on their own. When the sun was too hot, he cursed the sky but did not shade his plants. And when the rains came, he lamented his ruined field but had done nothing to build proper irrigation.

“In the end, his harvest was meager, his efforts wasted. He blamed the land, the weather, and misfortune, but never did he see that it was his own negligence that had led to his failure.

“The other farmer was diligent and wise. He knew the land required effort. He removed the weeds as soon as they sprouted, before their roots took hold. When pests arrived, he drove them away with patience and care. If the sun was too harsh, he adjusted his crops and provided shade. When the rains came, he had already prepared the channels to guide the water where it was needed.

“In the end, his harvest was abundant, his granaries full. When asked the secret to his success, he simply smiled and said, ‘I cared for my field, and in return, it cared for me.’

“Monks, the untrained mind is like the lazy farmer’s field—overrun by weeds of desire, pests of aversion, and floods of delusion. But the well-trained mind is like the diligent farmer’s field—protected, cultivated, and yielding the fruits of wisdom.

“Just as the wise farmer does not despair when weeds appear but instead removes them skillfully, so too should you train your minds.

“Do not be disheartened when unskillful thoughts arise. Attend to them wisely, knowing that a well-tended mind, like a well-tended field, leads to a bountiful harvest—peace, clarity, and liberation.

The Power of a Well-Trained Mind

The Blessed One looked over the assembly and continued:

“Monks, you may ask, ‘What is the fruit of a well-trained mind?’ I will tell you.

“It is like a still lake in the heart of the forest. The surface is clear and unmoving, reflecting the moon and the stars without distortion. When an animal approaches to drink, it sees its own reflection perfectly. In such a lake, the sky, the trees, and the mountains appear as they are, undisturbed.

“But an untrained mind is like a lake constantly churned by the wind. Its waters are muddy, and no reflection can be seen. Even if the stars shine above, they are lost in the restless movement of the waves.

“When a monk, by these five methods, steadies his mind, unifies it, and concentrates it, he becomes a master of thought sequences. He thinks only what he chooses to think, and does not think what he does not. He has broken the bonds of craving and aversion. He has seen through conceit, and with right view, has reached the end of suffering and stress.

“Monks, train yourselves well. Be like the diligent farmer. Master the field of your own mind. Be like the still lake, where truth is seen clearly. For in doing so, you will not only benefit yourselves but all beings who come into your presence.”

The Awakening of the Monks

As the Blessed One spoke, a great stillness settled over the gathering. Some monks felt their minds clear as if a veil had been lifted. Others, who had struggled with restless thoughts, felt their burdens lighten. Among them was a young monk who had long battled with doubt.

That night, he sat beneath a great tree, reflecting on the Blessed One’s words. He thought of the two farmers and saw himself in the lazy one. But now, he resolved to change. He would uproot his weeds, guard his field, and let no impurity take hold.

With renewed determination, he entered deep meditation. As the night passed, his mind grew still, and as the first light of dawn touched the horizon, insight arose within him. He saw the nature of thought, the impermanence of all things, and in that moment, a great joy filled his heart.

The next morning, when the monks gathered once more before the Blessed One, the young monk stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, “Lord, the field of my mind is now tended. The weeds are gone. The path is clear.”

The Blessed One smiled, his eyes filled with knowing. “Then, monk, walk that path with diligence. For now, you have truly begun.”

That is what the Blessed One said. Deeply inspired, the monks rejoiced in the words of the Blessed One, and many resolved then and there to train with renewed vigor, knowing that mastery over the mind was the key to liberation.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2025/04/03/the-farmer-of-the-mind-cultivating-mastery-over-thought/

Life Stories of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

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Life Stories of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

In the last post, I mentioned the treasured book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III: A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma. It is a comprehensive and extensive read, which can feel overwhelming to some. I was recently asked if there is an easier-to-read book that also provides insight into the Buddha’s life and teachings.

In fact, on page 139 of A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma, under Category 2: The Virtue of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Holy Occurrences, you’ll find inspiring stories and testimonies from disciples. Many readers may find these accounts both engaging and easy to read, making them a great starting point for those yearning to learn more. 

I sure can introduce another book that offers a glimpse into the Buddha’s daily life—Revealing the Truth. The paper copies of the book are available at Buddhist temples or can be purchased online at Amazon. It chronicles the personal experiences of a nun over 12 years (2001–2013) at the Buddha’s home base. As the cover describes, it explores moments of disappointment, sadness, pain, and ultimately, awakening.

Below please find more information from Great River Publishers.

A Buddhist Nun Tells the Extraordinary Story of Her Practice in America

Upon graduating law school, Shi Zheng Hui decided she could better penetrate and accomplish her life by entering a monastery in Taiwan as a Buddhist nun. In 2001, she was given a rare opportunity to study in America at the Temple and home base of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III where she received Buddhist training of the highest order.  Her book, Revealing the Truth tells the story of her extraordinary experiences there, including being witness to miraculous manifestations during Holy Assemblies and on other occasions.  Her story exemplifies the sometimes painful and sometimes exultant life of a deeply committed Buddhist cultivating herself through effort and self-reflection to emulate the actions, speech and thoughts of a Bodhisattva (a selfless being who lives to help others eliminate suffering and become enlightened.)  After years of cultivation and refinement, Zheng Hui proves her worthiness to receive a very great Dharma practice and is transmitted the Xian Liang Great Perfection Dharma through which she actually accomplishes the rainbow body state.

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, by virtue of His unprecedented accomplishments, has been recognized to be the incarnation of the Ancient Buddha by scores of high-level masters from Tibet and elsewhere. On September 10, 2008, the US House of Representatives confirmed these recognitions in H. Res. 1423. Prior to this recognition in 2008, His Holiness was known as the Great Dharma King Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu and also as Master Wan Ko Yee.

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is also famous in Asian Art circles for His paintings and sculptures.  A recent painting, Ink Lotus, was sold by the Gianguan Auction House on March 11, 2015 for over 16 million dollars. One of the His Holiness’s widely viewed sculptures contains a mysterious mist that miraculously occupies a cavernous carving in a sculpted boulder.  This otherworldly sculpture has been exhibited at the US Capitol’s Rayburn building in October 2003 and in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California.

Revealing the Truth is now in English translation from the original Mandarin language edition published in Taiwan in 2013.

Nectar Bestowed By Amitabha Buddha during a Holy Buddha-dharma Assembly in 2000

(Above) Genuine precious nectar bestowed by Amitabha Buddha during a Holy Buddha-dharma Assembly in California. From Revealing The Truth by Shi Zheng Hui

(Above) San Francisco June 21, 2008.  The packed crowd under this holy tree at Hua Zang Si was happily reaching for the fragrant nectar descending from empty space. From Revealing The Truth by Shi Zheng Hui.

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With its unexpected twists and turns and the author’s delightful sense of humor, this book presents personal stories that you will not find elsewhere. I am truly grateful for its existence, as it allows us to gain a more intimate understanding of a revered public figure such as the Buddha.

Pick up a copy and embark on a journey of spiritual discovery alongside Dharma Master Zheng Hui.

Life Stories of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

Link: https://hhdorjechangbuddhaiiiinfo.com/2025/04/08/life-stories-of-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

#DorjeChangBuddha #H.H.DorjeChangBuddhaIII #RevealingtheTruth #ShiZhengHui #DharmaofH.H.DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HuaZangSi #InkLotus

In Search of a Great Master to Learn from – H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

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In Search of a Great Master to Learn from – H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

California is home to numerous Buddhist temples, each offering a distinct school of teaching to inspire and guide practitioners. Among them, Hua Zang Si, a unique Buddhist temple in San Francisco, particularly captured my attention as I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hua Zang Si is dedicated to the authentic teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and provides pre-recorded oral teaching expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III for visitors to listen to. However, other than Sakyamuni Buddha—historically known as Prince Siddhartha—who is this Buddha, H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III?

Dorje Chang Buddha is, in fact, a primordial Buddha and the embodiment of the absolute truth of the universe, which itself has no form. As stated on page 17 of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III: A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma:

“In the entire universe, Dorje Chang Buddha is the first Buddha with form and is the highest Buddha. That is, the highest leader of Buddhism in the entire universe came into being in the form of Dorje Chang Buddha. It was Dorje Chang Buddha who began transmitting dharma and saving living beings in the dharmadhatu. As a result, Buddhism was born and the Buddha-dharma began spreading.”

This extensive text of book provides a detailed account of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, documenting the profound realization and supreme achievements of the true Buddha-dharma as demonstrated by the highest Buddha in the world.

Numerous awe-inspiring accounts of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, a revered Buddhist master—indeed, the highest Buddhist master—can be found in various publications and online sources. A documented example is the Buddha’s ability to predict the arrival of a flock of birds and accurately describe their actions upon arrival—an extraordinary and precise demonstration of insight.

This remarkable event, known as The Holy Feat, occurred in Mexico in 2014 and was witnessed firsthand by numerous Buddhist disciples, all of whom provided sworn testimonies under their own names, attesting to the authenticity of what they observed.

Attending a single temple, such as Hua Zang Si in San Francisco, which propagates complete Buddhism of all Buddhas will enable you to learn diverse practices, such as Zen meditation, the chanting of Buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas’ names, and Tibetan Dharma practices—these latter being transmitted only in accordance with an individual’s specific karmic affinity with the yidam and their karmic conditions at the time. Additionally, sutra chanting – a focus on Mahayana Buddhism and other Buddhist practices are available, ensuring a holistic approach to your spiritual cultivation.

How can I learn Buddhism directly from the Buddha? The monastics at Hua Zang Si recommend attending the temple or visiting Dharma-Listening Session centers worldwide to respectfully listen to the prerecorded Dharma teachings.

The temple offers additional religious services, including chanting and blessing services, group study meetings, support groups, Fish Release (field trips to release and save lives), and Buddhist storytime. The temple also hosts larger Dharma assemblies as part of its annual schedule. The Buddhist practice can be a lot of fun!

As a Buddhist disciple following the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, I have found solace in the voice and wisdom of the Buddha. Through these teachings, I have learned to seek answers, clarity, wisdom, and strength to navigate both the joys and challenges of life.

I hope you, too, will find confidence in searching for a true, holy, and virtuous Buddhist master—one whom you can rely on not only in this lifetime but all the way until you attain enlightenment and become a Buddha yourself. This attainment is guaranteed by all Buddhas as long as we diligently cultivate ourselves with sincerity and perseverance.

In Search of a Great Master to Learn from – H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

Link: https://hhdorjechangbuddhaiiiinfo.com/2025/04/01/in-search-of-a-great-buddhist-master-to-learn-from-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

#DorjeChangBuddha #H.H.DorjeChangBuddhaIII #PrinceSiddharta #DharmaofDorjeChangBuddhaIII #HolyFeat #FishRelease #TheTreasureBook #HuaZangSi

Your Yidam

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The Yidam plays a crucial role in the daily practice of Buddhist disciples, especially for practitioners of Esoteric Buddhism. This article explains how you acquire a yidam and how your relationship with your yidam can develop.

The Buddha Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, tells us that “your Yidam is the holy being presiding over the particular Dharma you decide to practice in order to attain accomplishment.” The Buddha Master also tells us we have to face our Yidam and the Dharma protectors of our Yidam. And you cannot hide from either your Yidam or the Dharma Protectors. You may wonder how you know who your Yidam is. As you advance in your practice, you may receive a particular Dharma of Selection and be told who your Yidam is. As I understand it, this is probably a being that you have already achieved some accomplishments with in past lives and you are already familiar with the Dharma associated with that Yidam. You do not practice more than one Yidam Dharma at a time. Many of us start this practice with Kuan Yin Bodhisattva as our Yidam and follow the “Vajra Yoga Perfection Dharma” that you can find in True Stories about a Holy Monk. You may be fortunate to receive other Yidam practices from authentic Dharma masters and rinpoches.  You would only do one yidam practice at a time, but you may also follow different Yidams throughout your spiritual career. I was told that if you cannot receive a Dharma of Selection, you may select the Yidam for whom you have the greatest affinity. In fact, you do not pick the Yidam, the Yidam actually picks you. You must keep your precepts and not hold any of the “128 Evil and Erroneous Views” in the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation.

Painting of Green Tara by Zhaxi Zhuoma
Painting of Green Tara by Zhaxi Zhuoma.

Do not be frustrated if something is not clear. If you are not progressing in your Yidam practice, go back and reflect on your cultivation. You should be doing this three times per day anyhow. If you are not keeping the precepts or developing your bodhichitta, you cannot progress. If your cultivation is good, your Yidam may come and teach you what you need to know. I have had that happen as have several of my students.

Once I was not clear on how to visualize a particular mantra and my Yidam showed me how to do it. I have a student who does not live near California and who is unable to visit either the Buddha Master or me very often. He is a serious, sincere, and compassionate cultivator and does, however, have a very good relationship with his Yidam. She has helped him on many matters. I recently received an email from him telling me how much he had gained from his last trip to the Holy Vajrasana Temple and being able to study Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra. Even though he was only able to study this Dharma a short time this trip, he gained realizations which he didn’t get in all the previous years he had studied here. He said, “It made a deep impact on my life and I am very grateful that I was able to read even this little bit of it. Since then I was reflecting even more on how our daily lives relate to achieving accomplishment in the Dharma, how cultivation and Dharma practice need to go together. I often compared it with breathing, like inhaling and exhaling following one another and both are necessary to keep [your] life working. This morning I received an instruction from [my Yidam] on this topic while I was doing my Dharma practice which I would like to share with you.”

He went on to explain that his Yidam told him that he should see that cultivation is like collecting firewood. Doing a Dharma practice is like igniting a fire. If we have not collected enough wood (or any at all) the fire of wisdom cannot burn. So even a kind thought is like a dry twig which will fuel the fire. So, cultivating ourselves seriously and not slipping in any moment is like piling up a huge amount of firewood which will cause the fire to burn strongly and result in accomplishments.I was delighted. He said I could share the teaching as an example of how our Yidams do teach us, but we must do the practice and cultivate our behavior. The Buddha Master tells us in Learning from Buddha that if you learn one of the Mind Essences from the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation “. . .to the point of proficiency and put it into practice, you need not worry about not being able to learn Buddha Dharma. Even if I, your Master, do not teach you, the Yidam will teach you.”

By Zhaxi Zhouma Rinpoche

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/04/03/your-yidam/

Source: https://www.zhaxizhuoma.org/your-yidam/

A Life Well-Loved: Finding Strength in Softness and Wisdom in Time

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After more than fifty years of experiencing life’s ups and downs, I have finally come to understand the profound importance of quieting down, reflecting, and learning how to truly love myself. It is only through self-love that we can genuinely love others.

“When I truly began to love myself, I started going to bed earlier and learned to enjoy exercise. I stopped getting lost in worries and anxieties. Instead, I became confident and pursued meaningful people and endeavors with passion. That was the moment my life truly began.”

Understanding another person is never easy. We must walk in their shoes, see the world through their eyes, and consider life from their perspective. Yet, this journey often brings sadness. But in that sadness, we discover clarity—we learn to focus on what truly matters.

Rather than wasting our time on trivial concerns and unfulfilling distractions, we should devote ourselves to nourishing pursuits: sleep, books, exercise, the beauty of nature, and, above all, the love we have for the world. When we consciously take control of our time, the tranquility of daily life emerges naturally, and anxiety fades away.

Kahlil Gibran once said, “If one day you stop searching for love and simply love; stop yearning for success and just do; stop pursuing empty growth and begin to cultivate your character, then your life will truly begin.” This wisdom reminds us that authentic living starts with our inner transformation.

Loving yourself means understanding that pain and emotional turmoil are often just reminders to live authentically. Unless it stems from physical illness, much of our suffering comes from misplaced values rather than objective reality. The things we cling to the most are often the very things that torment us, while those beyond our control are simply not worth our distress. True wisdom lies in knowing when to hold on and when to let go.

To be nurtured by others is a gift; to nurture others is an even greater act of cultivation.

May we have eyes that shine like stars, hearts as vast as the ocean, and lives that leave behind the fragrance of kindness wherever we go.

The Wisdom of Middle Age

Middle age teaches us the value of patience, restraint, and measured action. In our youth, we often equate eloquence with intelligence, only to later realize that true wisdom often lies in silence. As W. Somerset Maugham observed, “In a crowd, the quietest person is often the most powerful.”

In conversations, we should not rush to take center stage. Instead, we should listen more and speak less, exercising the grace of restraint. When others share, let us resist the urge to interrupt. When disagreements arise, let us not hastily refute. Instead of saying, “I think,” we can ask, “What do you think?” Instead of declaring, “You are wrong,” we can offer, “Perhaps there is another way to see this.” By replacing subjective judgment with open-minded awareness, we foster deeper understanding.

The world is not simply black and white. By speaking a beat slower and thinking a step faster, we cultivate clarity and wisdom in our lives.

In psychology, there is a concept called task separation: our emotions are our responsibility, while others’ reactions belong to them. The wisdom of softness lies in maintaining a gentle boundary between the two. It allows us to be vulnerable and to accept imperfection in ourselves and others. Harsh confrontation often leads to conflict, but a simple, “I understand your difficulties,” can resolve tensions effortlessly. As Alfred Adler wisely said, “True strength lies in the courage to expose one’s vulnerabilities.”

Try shifting from “I must win” to “We can solve this together.” Instead of “Why don’t you understand me?” consider, “Perhaps I need to express myself differently.” Softness is not weakness—it is a space that allows relationships to breathe and grow.

Kazuo Inamori once said, “What you hold in your heart is what you will encounter.” True generosity is not about calculated acts of kindness but instinctive goodwill. A small gesture—carrying a neighbor’s trash, offering a sincere compliment, or leaving a light on for a loved one—creates ripples that spread far beyond our immediate reach.

A generous heart does not tally whether kindness is repaid. As the Tao Te Ching states, “The more you give to others, the more you have yourself.” Every act of warmth we extend ultimately enriches our own lives.

As we journey through middle age, wisdom is cultivated through restraint. In youth, we may be like strong liquor—bold and fiery; with time, we become like fine tea—subtle yet deeply enriching. Speaking slowly allows us to reflect, gentleness fosters harmonious relationships, and generosity ensures lasting blessings.

These qualities of slow cultivation cannot be rushed or feigned. But with daily practice and yearly dedication, we will come to embody the depth of the old adage: “Still waters run deep.”

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/04/02/a-life-well-loved-finding-strength-in-softness-and-wisdom-in-time/