2014年12月7日 星期日

Solar Term: Major Snow (大雪)


The weather gets colder as the days go by. thick jackets and scarves have come out! Although there is no snow in Taiwan, you will feel the temperature change dramatically during this time. 


Try to fine a time today to meditate! The Chan Master has said before, solar terms is a time when energy is exchange between the heavens and the earth. Energy will be stronger when you meditate today! 

2014年11月20日 星期四

【Announcement】Heart Chan Meditation Class stop on 11/21 and 11/28

The Heart Chan Meditation Experience Class will temporarily stop twice in this week(11/21) and next week(11/28), respectively due to big activities and cleaning works during these two weeks. 

We apologize for any inconvenience that made to you and look forward to seeing you again on 12/5!

With best wishes,
Heart Chan Meditation Class

2014年10月23日 星期四

10/31 Friday night 7:30~9:00 English Meditation Class




For body health, mind focusing, and spirit enhancement, 

welcome to join our first Experience (Try-out) Chan. You may have a extraordinary experiencing with Chan Meditation!

For registration, please e-mail to: EnglishMeditation@gmail.com
Please wear "loose pants" and "socks" as you join in.
We look forward to seeing you there!!^o^**

2014年9月29日 星期一

Throw away your trash.

"The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new." ~ Pema Chodron

#ThoughtfulThursday: Feed your mind as you would your stomach - often, abundantly, and with solely the best. Clear your mind's cupboards of limiting beliefs to make space for new thoughts with higher 'nutritional value.'

(Art by Kate Knapp)

Found on Facebook, thought it was worth sharing. 

2014年9月27日 星期六

[Chan Master Wu Jue Miao Tian’s Book of wisdom] Mind And Spirit Reformation

[悟覺妙天禪師開示集]心靈改革
修行印心禪法淨化心靈,就是心靈改革最直接,最迅速、最有效的方法。
每位同修從心裏淨化自己,對於社會、人與人之間多付出愛心,關懷多餘責備,讚美多於批評,與人無爭多禮讓,與世無爭多寬容,無忌妒人之心,無仇恨人之心,無報復人之心。凡事少感情用事,多理性思考;多培養慈悲心、公德心,多遵守社會秩序和法治,不因個人過度自由去侵犯別人應有的自由,時時多尊重別人,處處多接受別人的建言,萬事退後一步想海闊天空,多給人留餘地,多給人留空間。給人留餘地、空間,就是給自己留餘地、空間,這就是「心靈改革」!

文字出處:http://www.zen.org.tw/web/teachings_detail.php?id=327




Practicing Heart Chan Dharma is the most effective way in reforming our mind and spirit. Each practitioner purifies him/herself from heart by  the practice of purification in daily life; though being benevolent, respectful, and open-minded toward others and the society. Being rational rather than being emotional, praise more than criticize. No jealousy, hatred, and revenge. Being thoughtful of others as leaving more space for oneself. This is the reformation of our minds.

Content: http://www.zen.org.tw/web/teachings_detail.php?id=3276

Picture: http://www.bp123.cn/qq/QQdaima/20078558.html

2014年9月22日 星期一

2014年9月12日 星期五

Introduction to Our Master



The Eighty-Fifth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism
Chan Master Wujue Miaotian was born in 1934 in Pingtung, southern Taiwan, with the legal name of Ming-Liang Huang. 
World War II filled Chan Master's childhood with miserable memories. His mother died while he was still a child. At a very young age, Chan Master has learned about the bitterness and impermanence of the human world, which inspired his pursuit of spiritual awakening and liberation after he entered adulthood.



After Chan Master retired from the military at the age of 40, he started seeking masters and practices of different religions. His great commitment resulted in meeting the 84th Patriarch of Chan, Master Jingzai, through the guidance of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. He then started to practice Heart Imprint Dharma, which focuses on "Buddha Heart-to-Heart Transmission". Eight years later, Chan Master was transmitted with Buddha Heart Imprint by Chan Master Jingzai. He was also blessed and transformed by Shakyamuni Buddha and other Buddhas. At the age of 48, Chan Master has attained Buddhahood. He thus inherited the lineage of the Linji Order and became the 85th Chan Patriarch since Master Maha Kasyapa, the 58th Patriarch of Chinese Chan since Master Bodhidharma, and the 48th Patriarch of the Linji Order since Master Linji Yixuan.


Chan Master graduated from the National Defense University and went to the graduate school in the Political Science Department at the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Institute of Philosophy of the Toyo University in Japan in 1993. In 1999, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree by the Institute of International Education in New York.


In October 2007, Chan Master led 1,000 disciples to Shaolin Temple in China to visit the birthplace of the Chinese Chan lineage and to pay tribute to the Patriarchs of Chinese Chan. This event also initiated the return of the Chinese Chan lineage from Taiwan to China. It represented a significant milestone in the development of Buddhism in its history of 2,500 years.

Grand Dharma Assemblies




The Grand Dharma Assemblies with Thousands of Attendees Immerging in the Teaching
In the past 30 years, Chan Master has held quite a number of dharma assemblies in Taiwan, each with over 10,000 people attending. At these assemblies, Chan Master promulgated the supreme and profound teaching with an aim for practitioners to awaken the heart, to witness the true nature and Buddha, and to attain enlightenment. These events included: the "Dharma Assembly to Commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of Chan Master's Teaching" in February 1994 at Lanya Junior High School,Taipei, the "Heart Imprint Chan Presentation" in February 1995 at Siang-Shang Junior High School in Taichung, the "Assembly of Heart Imprint Chan and Attainment of Buddhahood" at Taipei International Convention Center in August 1995, the "Dharma Assembly of Heart Imprint Chan - Witness the True Nature and Attain Buddhahood" at Taoyuan Arena Stadium in December 1995, the “Dharma Assembly to Commemorate the Twelfth Anniversary of Chan Master's Teaching" at Taipei International Convention Center in March 1996, the "Dharma Assembly for Welcoming the 21st Century & World Peace" at Taoyuan Arena Stadium in December 1999, the dharma assembly "Buddhaland on Earth; Everyone Be a Buddha" at Taipei Arena in January 2012 and the "Assembly for Sharing Witnesses by Heart Chan Practitioners" in October 2012 at Taipei Arena.

1994, February - "Dharma Assembly to Commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of Chan Master's Teaching" at Lanya Junior High School,Taipei



1995, February - "Heart Imprint Chan Presentation" at the Siang-Shang Junior High School in Taichung

1995, August - "Assembly of Heart Imprint Chan and Attainment of Buddhahood" at Taipei International Convention Center  ith 6,000 attendees
1996, March - "Dharma Assembly to Commemorate the Twelfth Anniversary of Chan Master's Teaching" at Taipei International Convention Center

The Largest Religious AssembliesI. The 1995 "Assembly of Heart Imprint Chan and Attainment of Buddhahood" with over 60,000 attendees

On December 17, 1995, the "Dharma Assembly of Heart Imprint Chan - Witness the True Nature and Attain Buddhahood" was held aTaoyuan Arena Stadium with over 60,000 attendees. The event caused a great sensation in both political, economic and religious circles. Quite a few political dignitaries were present, including Chiu Chuang-huan (the President of the Examination Yuan), Chen Li-an and Wang Ching-feng (presidential and vice presidential candidates), Frank Hsieh (legislator), Huang Chu-wen (Minister of the Interior) and so on. This remarkable event was the largest religious assembly ever held in Taiwan.
On that day, highways were filled with cars.

Over 60,000 people participated in the assembly, a great sensation for the political and educational circles.
Ferrying Spirits at the Turn of the Century


II. The 1999 "Dharma Assembly for Welcoming the 21st Century & World Peace"

In December 1999, the "Dharma Assembly for Welcoming the 21st Century & World Peace" was especially held to ferry the spirits of those who died in Taiwan 921 Earthquake and in the two world wars as well as all sentient beings in the world. Over 30,000 people attended the event. The dignitaries presented were: Jonathan Taylor, special envoy of Liberia's President, Liberia's ambassador, Prince Rokuju Yukang of Japan, Dr. Brick, President of the Institute of International Education in New York from which Chan Master was awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy.

Chan Master Wujue Miaotian rang the bell of peace.

Rokuju Yukang, prince of Japan


Mr. Cummings, Liberia's ambassador




 III. The 2002-2003 "Portrait Exhibition of the Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva" with over 300,000 attendees








In 2002, Taiwan Zen Buddhist Association sponsored the "Portrait Exhibition of the Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva" at National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. The event was a huge success. Over 100,000 people attended the exhibition. In 2003 the re-exhibition at the same venue attracted over 200,000 people, which was the largest Buddhist relics exhibition ever held in Taiwan in recent years.
Reemerging of the True Teaching
      

IV. The 2012 Dharma Assembly of "Buddhaland on Earth; Everyone Be a Buddha" with over 10,000 attendees



On January 29 in 2012, the 100th anniversary of the Republicof China, Chan Master held an assembly with a determination to bring Buddhism back to its right track. Over 10,000 people attended the assembly, including monastic and lay practitioners, dignitaries, and those who had connections to the practice. In the assembly, Chan Master shared the "Wisdom in Spiritual Practice" in the realm of formless true form with the audience. He also clearly explained the path of Shakyamuni Buddha's spiritual practice, how He became enlightened as well as the Buddha's aspiration for the world to become a Buddhaland and for everyone on earth to become a Buddha. At the end of the assembly, Chan Master gave blessings to all those present. He also opened their wisdom and Buddha Gate. It was indeed a rare and extremely meaningful experience.

Honest Practice and True Witness

V. The 2012 "Assembly for Sharing Witnesses by Heart Chan Practitioners" with over 20,000 attendees

   













In 2012, many sources predicted that the world would come to an end that year, and frequent reports on both natural and man-made disasters attracted much attention. To bring tranquil and dispel people’s worries, a dharma assembly was held at Taipei Arena on October 14, 2012. Its goal was to make more spiritual practitioners realize not to be attached to rituals, such as teaching and reciting sutras, doing repentance or making pilgrimages to temples. These practices have deviated from the true teaching - "awakening the heart, witnessing the true nature and Buddha, and attaining Buddhahood" - passed down from Shakyamuni Buddha and the Chan patriarchs. Chan Master was invited to speak and transmit the true teaching. Ten disciples of the Chan Master also shared their experiences and witnesses of their practice. A charity fundraising for underprivileged groups was also held in the assembly, and a total of 5,150,000 NT dollars was raised within 5 hours. The stadium was packed with over 20,000 people, including many dignitaries from business, government and education circles, such as Wang Jin-pyng, President of the Legislative Yuan, several legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties, Chiu Chuang-huan, chairman of the KMT Central Review Committee, andEric Chu, Mayor of New Taipei City.

2014年9月8日 星期一

2014年9月1日 星期一

How is the egg broken?




Find our inner potential by "focusing on within"! 
Only though meditation can we cultivate and break our shell from an inside force! 

2014年8月27日 星期三

喜歡與愛有什麼區別?The difference between love and like


有人問了佛 Someone asked the Buddha 
喜歡”與“愛”有什麼區別呢? How to distinguish "like" from "love"

佛指了指一個孩子,只見孩子站在花前,久久不肯離開,最後孩子被花的美丽迷醉,不由的伸出手把花摘下來。
The Buddha pointed at a child. The child was standing in front of a flower. The child was memorised by the flower and stood there for a long time, unconsciously the the child held out his hand to pick the flower. 

佛說:這就是喜歡。
Buddha: This is like.

接着,佛指了指另一個孩子,只見孩子滿頭大汗的在給花澆水,担心花被烈日晒着……自己站在花前。 
Next the child pointed at another child. This child's forehead was covered with sweat. The child was watered the flower while standing in front of the flower was blocking the strong sun from shining on the flower. 

佛說:這就是爱。 Buddha: This is love.  
喜歡是為了得到 Like is to take (receive something)

而愛却是為了付出,這就是最本質的區别。Yet love is to give. 
That is the fundamental difference. 

花若盛開,蝴蝶自來!
When the flowers bloom, the butterflies will gather. 

你若精彩,天自安排!

If you have depth, the heavens will give way.

2014年8月26日 星期二

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2014年8月25日 星期一

Shot the arrow!


When a person faces countless obstacles, be grateful!  
They are what will bring you to the next level (once your lesson(s) is learned.) 

A wonderful quote found also on some facebook post! 

2014年8月24日 星期日

[Translations] Overcome Hard Times with Wisdom 用修行的智慧克服低潮


用修行的智慧克服低潮
【悟覺妙天禪師開示集】用修行的智慧克服低潮
人一生不是都很順利的,有時候,受挫折得很厲害,被人家打擊,事業失敗,感情被摧殘,如果你有修行,你可以看得開,放得下,你知道這是無常,人間本來就是這樣。
人心的這一面是黑暗的;人性的那一面是光明的。如何讓人心通達人性?能夠讓人心的黑暗接受到心性的光明,那才是真正的福報。
修行就是這樣,養成定力之後,有辨別是非的能力,過了若干年後,你會發現自己在某一方面比一般人要強很多,你的意志力,你的生命力,你的見解力,你的計劃,你的工作能力,各方面的表現,超人一等,這個力量是從智慧產生的,不受環境左右。


                                                       
English Translation:
Life is not always smooth. Sometimes, there are setbacks, defamation, failure in business or relationships, but if you have a spiritual practice, you can get over it and let go because you know everything in life is impermanent, and that’s the way life is.
One side of the human heart is dark and the other bright. How do we connect our heart to humanity? Being able to have the brightness in humanity shine on the dark side of human heart is the real blessing. 
This is the way of spiritual practice. After you have cultivated your Ding (Deep focus), you obtain the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and without a few years, you will find yourself a lot stronger than average people in some aspects; your willpower, your vitality, your perspective, your plans, your performances at work, will be comparatively superior. This power is generated from wisdom and un-wavered by ones surroundings.
~Chan Master Wu Jue Miao Tian