"To behold with the eyes of the Heart; to listen with the ears of the Heart to the roar of the world; to peer into the future with the comprehension of the Heart; to remember the cumulations of the past through the Heart; thus one must impetuously advance upon the path of ascent.  

Creativeness encompasses the fiery potentiality, and is impregnated with the Sacred Fire of the Heart.  Therefore, upon the path to the Hierarchy, upon the path of the Great Service, upon the path of Communion, synthesis is the one luminous path of the Heart.  

Verily only through the Heart.  Thus, the arcs of consciousness are being fused by the flame of the Heart.

Thus, we shall keep in memory the beauteous attraction of the magnet of the Heart, which links all manifestations.  Verily, the silver thread  which links the Teacher with the disciple is the great magnet of the Heart.  The union between Teacher and disciple affirms the essence of all evolutions.

 ~Helena Roerich, Heart, p. 7, p. 8    

 Author, Agni Yoga Series. Signs of Agni Yoga

SHAMBHALA  

A rarely known and considered a very mysterious place because of the resounding atmospheric blissfulness through stillness, and feelings of an instilled Almighty Will, with a joyful even giddiness of Heart and peace profound where wisdom abounds within the sound of silence; as 'That,' essential 'fulcrum or the central axis,' of  'Be-ness' or 'That,  Infinite Light, manifesting gloriously resplendent, so such embodied, is enlightenment, a rarefied state, circumambulating, The Source of All,' in association(s).   i.e., Self-Regeneration of Divine Sparks of Light is for Acceleration in Involution for the Evolution of Consciousness of a Planet and its People.  

And by His Sacred Name will you attain.  

Be ye 'Aflame,' such is Our Decree. ennobled by your action's degree,  

Hence forth anointed 'adept,' aspirants proceed pass the port of 'Call!'  

Unto thee We grant the 'sacred passport;' as thus,  'U Rae Us.'  

                             ~~Hierarchy                                                                                           

Shambhala is mentioned in the Puranas, whence, it is prophesied, 'The Kalki Avatar (Maitreya) will appear.'

Shambhala is the indispensable site where the spiritual world unites with the material one. As in a magnet there exists the point of utmost attraction, so the gates of the spiritual world open into the Mountain Dwelling. The manifested height of Guarisankar helps the magnetic current. Jacob’s Ladder is the symbol of Our Abode. 

Leaves of Morya’s Garden II, Helena Roerich, LMG II, p 32

Jacobs’s Ladder – The Symbol of the Hierarchy of Light found in the Bible.
The Ladder of Jacob is a great Reality and the foundation of the whole Cosmos.
Letters of Helena Roerich, Volume I, LHR 1, p.175, p.236 

What are the signs of the time of Shambhala?  The signs of the age of truth and cooperation. 

New Era Community, Helena Roerich, COM, 242 

"Who didst call me on the path of labor; accept my fitness and my desire.

Accept my labor, O Lord, because by day and by night Thou beholdest me.

Manifest Thy Miraculous Hand, O Lord, because great is the darkness.  I follow Thee!"

The Call to Shambhala (AY,104)

Those who work with Shambhala, the initiates and messengers of Shambhala, do not sit in seclusion—they travel everywhere. Very often people do not recognize them and sometimes they do not even recognize each other. But they perform their works, not for themselves, but for the great Shambhala; and all of them know the great symbol of anonymity. They sometimes seem wealthy, yet they are without possessions. Everything is for them, but they take nothing for themselves. Thus, when you dedicate yourselves to Shambhala, everything is taken and everything is given to you.  If you...give joyously, you are enriched. Essentially, the Teaching of Shambhala lies in this—that we do not speak of something distant and secreted. Therefore, if you know that Shambhala is here on earth; if you know that everything may be achieved here on earth, then everything must be rewarded here on earth. You have heard that the reward of Shambhala is verily here and that it is manifold in its returns. This is not because the Teaching of Shambhala is unique from others, but because the Teaching of Shambhala is vital, is given for earthly incarnations and can be applied under all human conditions. 

In what way can we study how to work? How to be ready for all manner of attainments; how to be open and all-accepting? Only in the practical study of Shambhala. 

Shambhala, Nicholas Roerich, S, p 30

Lords of Shambhala– The Cosmological Governing Body (termed, Intergalactical, International, Invisible, Indivisible Government) mentioned in the books is the Great Hierarchy of Light; and for 'those of whom are' Christians, who take  religious terminology from the Judaic Teaching, it is of course Jacob’s Ladder, which is mentioned precisely in the second book of Leaves of Morya’s Garden.

Leaves of Morya’s Garden. Letters of Helena Roerich, Volume I, LHR I, p 295

Lords of Fire – The Sons of Reason who were and are the Lords of Shambhala. (LHR I, p 401)

In the Tibetan language, "Rigden" is a part of the title of the Lord of Shambhala. (LHR I, p 401)

Agni Yoga Glossary-A Treasury of Terms and Thoughts from the Agni Yoga Teachings

Acknowledged Inquieres from the Public:

Subject: Kalachakra Mantra Question
To: agniyoga-ay.com

Hi. I've been searching for the Sanskrit symbols written out for "om ah hum ho" that begins the kalachakra mantra.  I'm having a very difficult time finding the answer.

What are the 4 sanskrit symbols written out for "om ah hum ho" that begins the kalachakra mantra??

Thank you for your help!!

Sincerely,
Lisa Rubin

Answer: review website: Kalachakra Mantra Lyrics, Meanings and Benefits.

The HoH not written, is awe, revered silence.

As you are aware asking does not always issue forth an answer immediately, yet the answer is revealed in its appointed time. The spiraling and circling of heart-mind, in body to soul, evokes the highest in Man to seek and reach beyond, the confines of whimsy and greed, lust and power of possession rendering control, to proceed. 

Circumambulate Our Bosom to where there is no need or care, imbued abundance is here, all-knowing is everywhere revealed by the natural flow of observation and insightful awareness as wisdom reigns.  

Within Our Heart you are clear to see all before you, genuflexed, honoring thee as Our  Beloved.  The answer is always given before asked, in plain view.  We hide Nothing, All-Knowing, life unfolds and matures in season for Good Reason. 

We are ever Watchful.  What appears to be the beginning is also the end, until there is All or Nothing, like Our Love.
 ~~Hierarchy

Complete in itself......Unification is key!
HoH not written, is awe, revered silence.

  ~

Subject: Praxis of Agni Yoga
To: agniyoga.cc

Hi, my name is Günter and I am writing from Germany. If you allow, I want to ask you some questions:

Is there a special Agni-Meditation or is Agni only or also the result (final state: kosmik fire or electric fire) of a meditation ?

If there is a special Agni-Meditation, could you please explain it to me ?

And: Do you know a german homepage or Agni-Yoga Center ?

Thank you for your help and advice.

Best wishes.

Answer: website auf Deutsche
http://emrism.agni-age.net/german.htm

As all serious students are aware, respect and solemnity are quintessential to mobility of spirit for transmission and ease of exchange; that is for spirit to matter.  Whether it matters or not, it is best to humbly appeal to Our Heart- We leave no one wanting. 

Of course you get back what you give and you must be careful for what you ask, for surely you get back in full measure of the law of what and how you send, all in its appointed time.

The clear mind with a pure heart is Our abiding pray-er.  This pray-er We perfect, is mono-mental, disciplined, valorous and knows where and how to direct the arrows, how to split atom's apple of the eye (I) which reveals the psychologically bruised, the mis-aligned, even the rotten-to-the-core.

A waste of precious or pernicious unction for the ego of discontent to dissent.  There is hope, for it springs eternal upon the re-quest, the re-verse in the spiral, the rejoicing in Our Brotherhood. 

Release obsession.  Let Us Speak for the Heart Aflame!  Proclaim ye the Yoga of Hierarchy, of the Subtle and Fiery.  Fight the fight when the dawn is attacked, again and again.  Be ye re-newed and reclaimed by a yearning and burning heart, Aflame!
We the Hierarchy, compassionately await your full re-turn indeed.
We Abide in Agni Yoga (Sacred Cosmic HeartFire).
~~Hierarchy
 

 ~

EndNote: Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi
                      The Journey

Come, seek, for search is the foundation of fortune:
every success depends upon focusing the heart.
Unconcerned with the business of the world,
keep saying with all your soul, "Ku, ku," like the dove.
Consider this well, o you whom worldliness veils,
God has tied "invocation" to "I will answer."
When weakness is cleared from your heart,
your prayer will reach the glorious Lord.
[III, 2302-5]

Even though you're not equipped,
keep searching:
equipment isn't necessary on the way to the Lord.
Whoever you see engaged in search,
become her friend and cast your head in front of her,
for choosing to be a neighbor of seekers,
you become one yourself;
protected by conquerors,
you will yourself learn to conquer.
If an ant seeks the rank of Solomon,
don't smile contemptuously upon its quest.
Everything you possess of skill, and wealth and handicraft,
wasn't it first merely a thought and a quest?
[III, 1445-49]

O God, You who know all that is hidden
You who speak with compassion,
don't hide from us the errors of our wrong pursuits;
nor reveal to us the lack within the good we try to do,
lest we become disgusted and lose the heart
to journey on this Path.
[IV, 1348-54]

On Resurrection Day God will ask,
"During this reprieve I gave you,
what have you produced for Me?
Through what work have you reached your life's end?
Your food and your strength, for what have they been
consumed?
Where have you dimmed the luster of your eye?
Where have you dissipated your five senses?
You have expended eyes and ears and intellect
and the pure celestial substances;
what have you purchased from the earth?
I gave you hands and feet as spade and mattock
for tilling the soil of good works;
when did they by themselves become existent?
[III, 2147-2153]

~

Pearls of Wisdom

Go and die, go and die,
For this love go and die,
When in this love you die
You will let spirits fly.

Go and die, go and die,
Fear no death, don’t be shy
When in this dust you lie
Your spirit will soar up high.

Go and die, go and die,
Let this existence pass by
This existence is your tie
And prisoners you and I.

With an axe cut the tie
And this, your prison, defy
When your chains you untie
With Kings, identify.

Go and die, go and die,
The handsome King satisfy
For the Lord when you die
Your glories multiply.

Go and die, go and die,
Like the tearful clouds, cry
When the cloud has run dry
You are the light of the eye.

Silence try, silence try
As close as you get to die
All your life, you apply
Your sigh and silence deny.

-SHAMS-i TABRIZ

 ~

  ~

Subject: Question on Energy
To: Agni Yoga (Sacred Cosmic HeartFire)

Yes, my question is....   Energy patterns and Yoga.   How does one keep this energy safe within themselves???

Thank  you.    Great Blessings      Bo

Answer: Thank you for your inquiry.

"If you love the sacred and despise the ordinary, you are still bobbing in the ocean of delusion."
--Lin-Ji, founder of Lin-Ji House of Chinese Zen

 "Just remember, when you are in union, you don't have to fear that you'll be drained."
~Feeling The Shoulder Of The Lion, Mathnawi V3195-3219 of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

"Rise beyond the ebb & flow,"  ~Vivekananda

The "how to" in proceeding toward union requires an open heart with an elevated mind, that 'rises beyond the ebb and flow.'  Elevation of the mind must be a committed intention of the heart, otherwise its practical application is devoid of meaning and efforts fail to ever gain momentum to bridge failure to success, which builds confidence to proceed further, or in a greater or higher degree.  In essence, it is evolution not revolution, incrementally proceeding with the commitment of heart for the goal/gold of refinement and its unveiling, culture and liberation.  

Mind is not only in your brain, do not think the insane.  It is in every cell and atom of being and non-being. The very heart of being and non-being is pure love and empath, clarity and the enliven consciousness receiving, serving and abiding in Me.

Meditate.

           ~-- Hierarchy

exercise  1)  
you can begin by focusing on the heart and visualizing a flame burning therein; bring the flame of consciousnes to the base of the feet and feel its stimulating heat; then move the fiery consciousness to the ankles, allowing it to stay there for a minute or two; similarly sequentially for each section of the body, residing approximately a few minutes; i.e., move this consciousness to the calves, knees, thighs, hips, internal organs, chest/back, arms, neck, face; now proceed to send the fiery consciousness specific to each cheek, inside the mouth, each eye, each ear, and then the overall scalp, starting from the nape of the neck to the crown..........Repeat 7 times.

exercise  2) 

listen to some chanting music using the Deva & Miten website or by an image link on the meditation page; or click on some of the underlined text within http://www.agniyoga.cc site and learn a few basic chants; or take just a few mantras and intone them individually, in your own tonality, i.e. om, ra, ma, hum, aim, tho......

exercise  3)
visualize your self surrounded by light, light within, light without; in the form of an elliptical egg, minimally extending  8 feet as aura, above, from each side, and below the form.

exercise  4)
nourishment, including food intake should be based on how to eat to live, not on how to live to eat, thus: increase the spiritual intake of positive affirmations, thinking and reading materials; scheduling or spontaneously take more quiet moments to engage the heart in silent retreats; eating too is a meditation, so gradually limiting the amount of spicy foods, even spicy, ghoulish and disheartening entertainment; common prattle and overall excessive viscera intake.

exercise  5)
the chanting and positive thinking will increase the joy in your life and you will understand more profoundly the incept shared by Jesus, the Christ on the Summit of the Mount, as the "BE ATTITUDE."  Your very approach to life is important.  You must be for the concept of giving to all, and forgiving all.........receiving exchanges within relationships and challenging situations light-heartedly, partaking joyously, having fun, loving laughter, making a 'light' intoxicant out of lemon-like situations.  Wow!  What a kick!   Focus on what is great fun!. Live a wholesome high life and have a lifetime of avant-garde living.

exercise  6)
physical exercise, i.e., yoga, walking, biking, swimming....any activity moderate to vigorous vs.nil to sudden aggressive. 

exercise  7)
establishing a cache of light by daily meditating, even meditating throughout the day, in every instance, until your life is a meditation; this fulfills the promise of heir apparent to the Kingdom, the Power and of the Glorious Radiance.  Until such time you can fully live the meditative life, remember: whenever you feel depleted return to the source of cosmic energy by retreating into meditative silence; therein silencing your inner conversations, focusing initially on the breaths' flow, until you can let go of all engaging thought and be free of all bodily considerations and professed needs....clear of cares that manifest!

exercise  8)
Simply take a Breath Break!       

This approach to life is the best beginning and you will find your energy will profoundly increase and you will have more than enough energy to share, and not be so concerned about keeping it safely within.

  ~

GREAT SERVICE  

"Those who enter the path of Great Service sometimes fear that they may not have sufficient spiritual reserve for constant bestowal. Truly, they know that the giving hand does not become impoverished, but it is difficult for them to apply this in its spiritual implication. But the same is also said of the birds of the heavens who have ample food for the morrow. Verily, in cooperation with Hierarchy, the spiritual store will not be exhausted. The heart that cherishes the Image of the Lord will not become silent. Thus, one need not fear consuming the spiritual store--it is inexhaustible. One can pour out these treasures--only hold tightly to the silver thread." Heart, 52

  ~

• websites of interest re: celibacy:

http://www.keithdowman.net/vajralove/passion.htm

http://www.berzinarchives.com/kalachakra/question_hh_initiation_4.html 

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  Islamic Calligraphy

• other subjects in question to muse:

I have decided to include the ten oxherding pictures, a well-known Zen representation of training of the mind, so basic that it could be considered fundamental to all schools of Buddhism. A deeper way of looking at it is in terms of spiritual development from Shravakayana to Maha Ati. In the Tibetan tradition there is an analogy of elephant herding but it refers largely only to the practice of shamatha. The symbolism does not go beyond the riding of the elephant. In the oxherding pictures the evolutionary process of taming the bull is very close to the Vajrayana view of the transmutation of energy. Particularly returning to the world as the expression of the compassion of the Nirmanakaya shows that the final realization of Zen automatically leads to the wisdom of Maha Ati.

*SEE THE PDF, OX HERDING, AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS WEB PAGE

The Search for the Bull

The inspiration for this first step, which is searching for the bull, is feeling that things are not wholesome, something is lacking. That feeling of loss produces pain. You are looking for whatever it is that will make the situation right. You discover that ego's attempt to create an ideal environment is unsatisfactory.

  ~~ Chögyam Trungpa 

Next Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's commentary on the Oxherding (10 Bulls) pictures was first published in Mudra by Shambhala Publications in 1972, pp. 73-93 (now back in print).

Text is © copyright 1972 by Chögyam Trungpa, used with permission of Diana J. Mukpo and of Shambhala Publications (All Rights Reserved). 

The Oxherding illustrations, by Tomikichiro Tokuriki, are used with permission of Charles Tuttle & Co., who published them in Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, by Paul Reps. The book is available in hardcover from Tuttle for $16.95 (ISBN 0-8048-0644-6) - call toll-free at 1-800-526-2778 to order.

More on Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: The Tibetan Buddhist Path and Shamballa

~
 

GRADUAL CULTIVATION AND SUDDEN ENLIGHTENMENT

Excerpt taken from Buddha Gate Monastery. This talk was given by Grand Master Wei Chueh on December 22, 2001. It was translated orally by Ven. Jian Hu, then transcribed and edited into its present form.

DIFFERENT PATHS TO BUDDHAHOOD   

What does gradual cultivation mean? It means gradual practice and attainment, going through the various stages of cultivation from a mortal all the way to becoming a Buddha. Just like going to school, we start from elementary school, go on to high school, college, eventually earning a doctorate degree. Climbing step by step, we ultimately perfect all virtues and merits and reach Buddhahood—this is called gradual cultivation.

What is sudden enlightenment? Being enlightened means that we are awakened to this present mind, this awareness, this bodhi mind that is originally pure. When enlightened, this mind is Buddha, this mind is the Way. Once awakened, we still need to maintain this enlightened understanding and practice until we achieve perfection. This means that whether we are in stillness or in motion, whether it is day or night, the mind is always free from clinging and delusion; it is always clear, mindful, and in command. Maintaining this enlightened state until perfection, until Buddhahood is reached, is the practice of sudden enlightenment. So, sudden enlightenment is to realize that if this present ordinary mind is free from any effort or pretension, then this very mind is wisdom, true suchness, the profound bodhi mind of the Tathagata (Buddha). When we are enlightened, then we realize that everyone possesses Buddha nature, that everyone can become a bodhisattva. We then realize how precious and real we are and that all human beings in this world are endowed with infinite hope and infinite life.

Gradual cultivation means to realize the "fundamental principle" by way of (perfecting our) actions. Sudden enlightenment means to realize the fundamental principle first and then perfect our actions. If we don’t have the chance or causal conditions to practice sudden enlightenment then we can practice gradual cultivation. It may seem that gradual cultivation and sudden enlightenment are very different methods, but in fact they are compatible and not conflictive.

RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE TRUTHS  

Buddhism is the truth of our life. There is only one ultimate truth. But there are also various conventional truths. For example, family ethics, school regulations, and social order are all different kinds of conventional truth. There are many conventional truths, but they change with time and space. However, the Buddha Dharma does not change with time and space. The Buddha Dharma is the truest of all truths. The principle of gradual cultivation and sudden enlightenment is the truest of all truths in Buddhism. 

Worldly laws or truths change with time and space because they are relative truths. For example, what is considered good and correct in the United States may not be the case in Mainland China or Taiwan. This is because in the United States, in China, and in Taiwan, lifestyles, cultures, and histories are different. In some places, such as Afghanistan and some tribes in China, a husband can have several wives, while most other countries believe in monogamy. Who is right? Who is wrong? It is not easy to determine. This is because with different times and in different places, the nature of this kind of ethics, culture, or history changes. This is called relative truth.

The truth that we want to discuss today doesn’t change with time and space; it is the same in the past as it is in the present day. This truth is that everyone has this mind, this sentient mind, regardless of race, age or gender. Everywhere in the world, everyone in the past, present or future has this mind. This is a fact. It is the Absolute. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch states that, "In terms of space, there are east, west, north, and south; in terms of people, there are rich, poor, noble, and common; but this mind that everyone has is neither in the east, west, north nor south; neither rich, poor, noble nor common; neither male, female, old nor young." So this is an absolute truth. We say that everyone has life; everyone wants to stay alive and is afraid of death. We all want to be happy and to avoid suffering. In this respect everyone is the same. So the sutras tell us that everyone can be a bodhisattva or a Buddha since everyone has this mind, this awareness. Because of this, we should cherish and take care of ourselves, and we also should respect and care for the lives of others.

Even though we all have this mind or awareness, the level of wisdom and compassion that emanates from each being is different. Why are there such differences? If some people are wiser than others, it doesn’t mean that they have more awareness than others; it just means that their minds are clearer. They are less discriminative, and have less vexations and delusions. When people don’t have a high level of wisdom, they have more deviant views and more attachments that delude the mind. So we should understand that everyone is equal in their inherent awareness, but we have varying degrees of ignorance and vexations that determine how wise we are, how rich or poor we are, how happy or unhappy we are. It can even affect our life span. If we wish to reach the highest state, we need to practice Buddhism diligently.

THE FOUR STAGES OF ACHIEVEMENT  

There are four different levels of achievement leading to the highest state. The first level is that of the arhat. The arhat’s wisdom and awakening are much higher than those of the ordinary being. The second level is called the pratyekabuddha. The pratyekabuddha’s wisdom and mind surpass those of the arhat. The third level is called the bodhisattva. The bodhisattvas wisdom surpasses that of the pratyekabuddhas if they can remove the "ignorance of Dharmas" (lacking in insight and knowledge of different Dharma paths) so they can liberate all beings. Finally, the fourth level is that of the Tathagata or the Buddha. The Buddha has eradicated all the three different kinds of ignorance (the ignorance of erroneous views and habits, the ignorance of Dharmas, and the ignorance of beginningless delusion) and has reached perfection. Arhat, pratyekabuddha, bodhisattva, and Buddha are the four kinds of saints in Buddhism, each one having achieved a higher level of enlightenment. Only the Buddha’s enlightenment is the most complete. What does it mean to be a saint, a holy one? It means that if the mind, this very mind that is listening to the lecture now, can purify its afflictions and eradicate its attachments, then this mind is exactly the same as the mind of the Buddha. How do we reach the state of the Tathagata or Buddhahood? There are two paths: the first is gradual cultivation and the second is sudden enlightenment.

THE PATH OF GRADUAL CULTIVATION  

The path of gradual cultivation is to practice the six paramitas—charity, moral conduct, tolerance, diligence, meditation, and prajna wisdom. These are the vows and conducts of the bodhisattva. By perfecting these six paramitas, one will reach Buddhahood. One must achieve perfection both in terms of time and in terms of merit. In terms of time, it is like going to school; it takes so many years to complete elementary school, high school, college, and so on. Besides the time it takes, one also needs to finish the required courses; this is equivalent to perfecting the merit. In terms of time, it takes a bodhisattva three asamkheya kalpas (eons) to reach perfection. In terms of merit, the six paramitas need to be completed.

What are three asamkheya kalpas? A kalpa is a measurement of time much longer than a million or even a billion years. There are three different kinds of kalpas: the small, middle and large kalpas. What is a small kalpa? Originally, the life span of a human being is 84,000 years. On average, every one hundred years, human life span decreases by one year until the average life span is only ten years. Then, every hundred years it will increase by one year until it reaches 84,000 years again. This whole span is called one small kalpa. A middle kalpa is equal to twenty small kalpas. Four middle kalpas complete the four stages of the life of the universe: creation, duration, deterioration, and emptiness. A large kalpa is equal to four middle kalpas, which is one cycle of the universe. It takes countless large kalpas to make one "asamkheya" kalpa and it takes three asamkheya kalpas to complete the path of a bodhisattva. It takes that long for a bodhisattva to perfect the six paramitas.

CHARITY PARAMITA 

How does one perfect the charity paramita? Contrary to what some may think, donating a million or even a billion dollars doesn’t constitute the perfection of charity. Aside from the giving of money and property, we need to be willing to give up everything we own, even our life, in order to perfect the charity paramita. In his previous lives, charity was the first thing that Sakyamuni Buddha practiced. In order to save a dove, he cut off his own flesh to feed an eagle; he fed himself to hungry tigers so they wouldn’t starve to death. These are examples of giving up one’s life for others.

In a previous lifetime, when the Buddha was a prince, there was a drought in the country and people were starving. He gave all the treasures and food in the palace to the people. His father, the king, became worried and told his son, "If you continue giving this way, there’ll be nothing left in the palace and our reign will come to an end!" So the king expelled the prince from the palace. Even though he was exiled and owned nothing, the prince still wanted to help the people. He remembered that the dragon king of the ocean had a Mani pearl, which can fulfill all of one’s wishes. He tried many ways to obtain the Mani pearl from the dragon king but failed. In desperation, he set forth to empty the ocean water. Drawing the water with buckets day after day, he exhausted himself and finally fainted. His sincerity deeply moved the four heavenly kings who then proceeded to help him; with their powers they emptied half of the ocean in half an hour. The dragon king, startled and moved by the sincerity of the prince, voluntarily gave the Mani pearl to the prince. This is an example of trying to perfect the charity paramita. Every other paramita needs to be perfected, and this takes three asamkheya kalpas. In addition, another hundred small kalpas are needed to perfect the thirty-two physical marks and eighty fine characteristics of the Buddha.

The sutras describe the thirty-two marks of the Buddha. An example is brahma-sound, which means that when he speaks, people of all different dialects are able to understand him; Chinese-, Japanese-, English-speaking people and even animals are able to understand his words without any translation. Another mark of the Buddha is that anything he eats always tastes excellent. In contrast, we have to season our food for it to taste good to us. 

Within each of the thirty-two marks, there are eighty fine features and it takes great merits to accomplish each of these marks. What does it take to accomplish the merits for one mark of the Buddha? We consider deeds such as building a temple or saving a life to be of great merit, but these are very far from the merits of the Buddha. The scripture says that if everyone in the world were sick and dying, and you cured them all with your medicine, that is an example of the merits needed to attain one of these marks of the Buddha. We can see that it is not easy to do these great deeds, to complete the six paramitas, to cultivate for three asamkheya kalpas, and to become a Buddha.

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THE METHOD OF SUDDEN ENLIGHTENMENT  

The Buddha knew that many people would think that this was a long and difficult path, so he taught us another method—sudden enlightenment of the true mind and directly realizing Buddhahood, which doesn’t take three asamkheya kalpas. This is the method of sudden enlightenment. An analogy is education--normally one starts from elementary school and gradually reaches college. But some smart students can skip grades in high school and go directly to college.

I believe that after having heard of gradual cultivation and sudden enlightenment, **all of you will probably want to practice the sudden enlightenment method. Sakyamuni Buddha had to go through three asamkheya kalpas and he doesn’t want us to suffer the same way unnecessarily. That is exactly what we will be teachin... You will learn how to realize the true nature of the mind and become a Buddha. **

THE FOUR STAGES OF THOUGHT  

Sudden enlightenment is to understand, as the sutra says, "A mind free from mundane defilement is the way to supreme enlightenment." That is, the ordinary mind is the Buddha mind. Everyone has a mind, but with all the thoughts in your mind, which mind is the Buddha? For example, when you are thirsty, the thought of wanting to drink water arises. When you see a cup of water, the thought of picking up the cup arises, and when you take a sip, the thought of picking up the cup has ceased and it is the thought of drinking that is in your mind. When you first take a sip, the thought, "This is great!" arises. When you take the second sip, the feeling becomes less enjoyable, and when you take the third sip, the water tastes plain and you don’t want to drink it anymore. By this time the thought of drinking the water has ceased. Then you see a cookie in front of you so another thought arises, "I want to eat the cookie." In every single thought there are four stages--arising, staying, changing, and ceasing.

Each day of our lives so many thoughts arise. Our mind is always going somewhere; we either have good thoughts or bad thoughts, random thoughts or delusive thoughts; they are like the waves of the ocean, like bubbles on the waves that come and go so quickly. All day long our mind never rests; even at night, it dreams and doesn’t rest. Dreaming means our mind is clinging. The sutra says that each day and night 840 million thoughts go by. In fact, each thought that comes and goes is like a dream. When we say life is like a dream it is not a mere allegory; we are literally living in dreams. Every day we dream about new cars or dancing or playing mahjong; we dream about money, lust or power. These are our dreams when we are awake. Because we are always dreaming during the day, when we are supposed to rest at night, we continue to dream about the events of the day. When the mind is not dreaming then it is asleep. So we can see that half of our life is spent on sleeping and the other half is spent on dreaming—these are attachments and delusions, two big afflictions in Buddhism.

Observe the four stages of thought. When we want to drink water, the thought of drinking water arises; when we pick up the cup, the thought of drinking is staying; when we take one and then two sips and our feelings start to change, that is changing; finally we decide we don’t want to drink anymore and the thought goes away. Because every thought goes through these four stages, because our thoughts have births and deaths, that is why in our lives we go through the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death. That is also why this world comes into being, persists for some time, but eventually deteriorates and becomes empty. This earth is in the "staying" stage now, but it is always changing; many other planets and stars are also aging, and one day this universe will perish. All humans, animals, and plants go through these four stages. 

In order to become free from the agony of endless cycles of living, growing old, getting sick, and dying, the mind must be free from arising, staying, changing, and ceasing. To accomplish that we need to realize the bodhi mind, the original nature. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch states, "Without realizing the original mind, all Dharma learning is in vain." If we don’t realize the bodhi mind, the profound, lucid, true mind, then all of our practice merely brings blessings that, although pleasant, are nevertheless impermanent. This will not help us much in attaining enlightenment. So, what is enlightenment? It means to understand the mind. Where is this mind, the very mind that is listening to the lecture now?

FUNCTIOINS OF THE MIND 

We can understand this mind from three different perspectives: from its function, from its characteristics, and from its essence. How big is our mind? Everything in the past, present, and future is contained in this mind. The world in all directions, north, south, east, and west, above and below, all space and time are within our mind. The mind is infinite; it has no boundaries. There is a well-known Chinese saying that the mind knows no distance. The mind can function regardless of distance, whether far or near. For example, with the war on terrorism that is going on right now, the United States and other countries have sent troops to Afghanistan. Families of the soldiers back home may be very worried. One night the wife may dream that her husband is sick. She calls and finds out that the soldier is indeed sick. Why is this? It is because the mind knows no distance. No matter how far, whether separated by mountains or oceans, the mind can still function. When the mind is constantly thinking about something, we reach a certain level of concentration that can be powerful enough to overcome physical boundaries. We sleep in a small bed but the mind can dream of mountains and oceans and vast space. Sometimes you have good dreams where you are very happy and when you wake up it all vanishes. When you have a nightmare, the fear you have is very real. Your dreams seem so real but in fact they are really intangible. These are all the functions of the mind. A blind person can walk using a walking stick. There are blind artists who can create sculptures. This is what the mind can do when it is very concentrated. This mind is very profound and subtle. People are used to using their eyes to look outward and their ears to listen to outside sounds. If we can learn to look inward and listen within, we will be able to reach tranquility and peace very quickly.

There once was a Chinese man who had severe arthritis and had been bedridden for over eight years. One day the house suddenly caught fire and everyone in his family grabbed their precious belongings and escaped outside. After the house burned down, they suddenly remembered that the sick man was still inside the house. Surely he was killed! Everyone felt very sorry and mourned for him. Suddenly, they heard the man yelling from a hill asking them to carry him down. Surprised, they asked him how he got up there in the first place. He said that when he saw the fire, he forgot about his arthritis and ran up the hill! They said, "If you could run up, you can come down the same way." He said, "But my arthritis hurts so badly that I cannot move!" The mind is very powerful if we can learn to focus it.

Practicing the Dharma and meditation teaches us how to focus and use our mind. To use this mind properly we need to awaken the mind. Once awakened, we can purify the mind. Then we can return to the original source. That is why we have a saying, " To enlighten the mind is to realize the true nature; to realize the true nature is to become a Buddha." Once enlightened, one is the Buddha; unenlightened, one is a mortal. If the mind has vexations and creates bad karmas then one falls into the suffering realms; if the mind has evil views then one becomes the devil.

PURITY OF THE MIND  

I think that everyone wants to realize the true nature of the mind. Where is this mind? In fact, this mind is right here, all of it is ever-present. The great Zen master Bodhidharma has said, "In your eyes, it is called seeing; in your ears, it is called hearing; in your nose, you can smell the fragrance; in your tongue, you can detect the sweetness, sourness, and all the flavors; in your hands you can grab things, and in your feet it is the walking." These are all functions of the mind. So if everyone already has this mind, why can’t we all become Buddhas? It is because of our delusions and attachments. If we can get rid of these two problems, our mind will be like still water or like a clear mirror; our mind can radiate light and move the earth. People use their eyes to look at the outside world; when we see the good and the bad then we start to discriminate and mental afflictions arise. When our ears hear others praising us, we are overjoyed, and when others criticize us, we become angry. So, afflictions and prejudice often arise from  the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and consciousness. In this way our mind is like a pool of muddy water, unable to produce great power, unable to function wisely. It is important for us to reflect and examine ourselves. When our eyes see things we should not cling to them; when receiving praise we should not be overjoyed; when slandered we should not be upset. At all times the mind remains calm and peaceful. This is what the Diamond Sutra says, "Let the mind function without abiding." When our six sense organs (eyes, ears, …consciousness) are in contact with the six "dusts" (form, sound, … dharmas), we will know what is right or wrong; we will know what is bad or good and yet the mind is not polluted. We are fully aware yet we do not crave or cling to things. In this way our senses revert to purity.

A Zen master once said that Zen practice is to "Walk through a flower field / without a single leaf clinging on you." What does that mean? It means that everywhere we go and in everything we do, the mind is free from attachment and delusions. We are aware but we do not cling. This is how we purify the mind and our sense organs. This is called "sitting on the platform of white lotuses". The lotus blossom comes out of dirty muddy water but it is very pristine and pure. Our mind should be like that, rising from impurities but free from contamination. 

A BIRD'S BUDDHA NATURE  

Another story will help you realize that this awareness is the Buddha nature. Do not have a single trace of doubt, because if you do, it will be difficult to attain enlightenment. There was devout Buddhist whose name was Pei Du; he was a great benefactor and studied Buddhism in depth. One day he was in the great Xiang Guo Monastery, and saw that a sparrow landed on top of the Buddha statue’s head, left his droppings and flew away. Pei Du was very disturbed by this scene and thought, "The scriptures say that every sentient being, which certainly includes the sparrow, has Buddha nature, so how can this bird leave its droppings on the Buddha’s head?" So Pei Du asked the abbot of the temple for an explanation. The abbot replied that certainly the sparrow has Buddha nature. Indeed it is very intelligent; it knows that Buddha is very compassionate, that is why it left its droppings on the head of the Buddha instead of leaving it on the head of a hawk! The fact that the sparrow knows where it is safe and where it is not, this "knowing" is its Buddha nature. Don’t think that Buddha nature is something too remote or too profound to understand; it is just this mind which knows and which is aware. Everyone has this mind that can distinguish good from evil, right from wrong; it is just that this mind is often deluded and beset with afflictions, thus generating karma that makes us suffer and lose our calm and peace. This is the mind of an ordinary person. If you are absolutely sure that you have this Buddha nature then you are enlightened.

MAINTAINING THE ENLIGHTENED MIND  

Once enlightened, we need to maintain this Buddha nature so that it will always manifest. We can practice in two ways—in stillness and in motion. "We cultivate it in stillness, and fortify it in motion." To practice stillness the Zen-7 retreat gives us the best opportunity. Throughout the seven days, we try to keep this awareness clear, unscattered, and in control for 3 minutes, 5 minutes and longer; practicing this way, we will definitely make immense progress. In the Shurangama Sutra it states, "Enlightenment is simply when the deluded mind rests." The word "rest" is very important. Our mind is always "going," so in sitting meditation we let the mind rest and remain unmoved; we do not think about the past, the present or the future. When we think about the past, we cling to the past; when we think about the present and the future, we cling to the present and the future. The Diamond Sutra states, "The past mind is intangible, the present mind is intangible, the future mind is intangible." The past is already past, there is no way that we can get it back; therefore, it is useless to reminisce about the past. If the past was pleasant, thinking about it makes us sad. If the past was sad, thinking about it just adds to our suffering. There is no need to think about the present, it is so fleeting; and speculating about the future is just dreaming.

So where should the mind be? It should "function without abiding." The past is intangible, so do not dwell in the past; the present is intangible, so do not dwell on the fleeting moment; the future is intangible, so do not speculate about the future. Thus this mind is clear and without deception; it is the profound mind of the Tathagata; it is the original mind, our original nature. If you can maintain this enlightened state of mind for one minute, for three minutes or for ten minutes then you are a Buddha for one minute, three minutes or ten minutes. This is called "maintaining the holy womb." If you can practice this way then you are truly on the Path.

Many people want to practice bu