Documentary: Amongst the White Cloud

Documentary: Amongst the White Cloud



Chan Master Dogen, "Treasury of the True Dharma Eye"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dgen#Writings

Information above help us understand the tradition and the prorogation of Chan/Zen Buddhism. Originated in India, flourished in China and then spread out to the other Asian Countries, like Japan, Korea, Vietnam etc.

How the Dharma Support Association functions

The teachings of the Buddha (Dharma) transcend culture, language, and time boundaries. In order to make the path to awakening accessible to all sentient beings, the Sangha and the lay disciples have different roles and responsibilities. The role of the Sangha is to uphold and teach the Dharma. The role of the lay disciples is to learn, practice, and support the Sangha. With strong support, the Sangha community can grow and more people can benefit from the Dharma.

The Dharma Support Association of Buddha Mind Monastery is comprised of the lay people of Buddha Mind Monastery. Members of the Dharma Support Association provide support through their donations as well as by volunteering at the Monastery.  Members help the Monastery in many ways, such as maintaining the buildings, cultivating the gardens, working in the kitchen and reception hall, and preparing for ceremonial events.

Through service, members of the Dharma Support Association learn to work harmoniously with others, practice tolerance, patience, and compassion, (all virtues that are the core of Chan practice), thereby developing the Chan state of mind and further extending and applying it toward everyday life. Volunteers accumulate blessings, experience the profound joy of helping others, and play a part in helping the Sangha to propagate the Dharma. It is the Bodhisattva way of benefiting oneself while helping others.  If you wish to volunteer or offer your special talents at the monastery, please let us know!



Without your support, the Sangha community is not complete.
With your help and support, Buddha Mind will grow and help all sentient beings attain true wisdom and happiness.

Sweet Dew of Grand Master Wei Chueh:

“The Principle of Causality (cause and effect) in Buddhism actually teaches us to depend on our own diligent efforts. If we understand our life then we can direct our life. If you can perceive these truths clearly, then you can understand your fate and create/establish your fate.”

Sweet Dew of Grand Master Wei Chueh:

“The mind should be lucid and clear, neither thinking of the past, nor of the present, nor of the future; this present mind must always be in command and imperturbable. To abide in ‘this-mind’ is what is called ‘to live in the present’.”

Sweet Dew of Grand Master Wei Chueh:

"To practice the Bodhisattva way means that we act with a compassionate mind in every situation to benefit all sentient beings."

Sweet Dew of Grand Master Wei Chueh

"People have vexations because they are not capable of being content. If we always harbor a grateful mind, dealing with people and things around us with a mind of gratitude, we will always feel happy and content."

PBS: The Buddha

Dear Dharma friends,

Award-winning filmmaker David Grubin presents the story of the Buddha's life and teachings.

The Buddha

http://video.pbs.org/video/1437891739

Amitoufo.

Zen Poem: Song to Awaken the World

by Luodian, Ming Dynasty Scholar (who became a monk)
(Transl. from Chinese original)

With zeal and toil you seek in haste,

Warm and cold, spring fades into fall.

Work for a living day and night,

Blind and clueless we’ve turned grey.

Who’s right or wrong—can it ever end?

When will worries ever cease?

The Path ahead is clear and straight,

Yet few are those who’ll cultivate.

Zen Poem: 醒世詩 明．狀元 羅殿

急急忙忙苦苦求，寒寒暖暖度春秋，朝朝暮暮營家計，昧昧昏昏白了頭；

是是非非何日了，煩煩惱惱幾時休，明明白白一條路，萬萬千千不肯修。

Zen Poem: Rice Sprout Song

by Chan Master Gaofeng
(trans. from Chinese original)

Plant the rice field with green sprouts

Bow down and see in water the sky

To purify the six roots is the Way

To retreat is to go forward.

Zen Poem:《插秧偈》 高峰老人

手把青秧插滿田，低頭便見水中天；六根清淨方爲道，退步原來是向前。

Excerpts from The Platform Sutra of Hui-Neng

The Body is a bodhi tree,

The Mind, a standing mirror bright,

At all times polish it diligently

And let no dust alight.

~Shen-Xiu, Fifth Patriarch’s head disciple

Bodhi is no tree

Nor standing mirror bright;

There is nothing to begin with,

Where can the dust alight?

~Six Patriarch Hui-Neng

Upon realizing that "All dharmas are inseparable from the inherent nature." He exclaimed,

“How amazing that the original nature is originally pure!

How amazing that the original nature is unborn and undying!

How amazing that the original nature is inherently complete!

How amazing that the original nature neither moves nor stays!

How amazing that all dharmas come from this original nature!”

~Six Patriarch Hui-Neng

Pure Mind, Pure Land

Pure Mind, Pure Land

- Presented by Ven. Jian Hu, the abbot of Chung Tai Chan Center of Sunnyvale, at the Parliament of the World's Religions, Melbourne.

A great presentation that integrates the environmental issues

with the Buddhist practice.

http://ctzen.org/sunnyvale/enUS/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Quotes in the class

This is here because that is here. This exists because that exists. When that is gone, this is gone. When that perishes, this perishes.

-- Buddha's words on inter-dependence ~ Agama Sutra

Mind precedes all mental state, mind is the chief; they’re all mind-wrought. If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow

~ Dharmapada

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments is the scroll,

I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.

~ Invictus,William Ernest Henley