mat black

Nice piece Stig, nice, thanks for sharing your sincere motives. On the topic of practice/cultivation........ Yep. This is why there is a need /purpose for cultivation, until there is no longer a trace of ignorance/affliction/defilement within us. Then virtue becomes a spontaneous expression......actually, maybe we could say spontaneous 'emanation' from within our inherent nature toward all without discrimination. In the mean time, any act of kindness or such that comes from our effort, can and will resonate with and awaken the 'natural' virtue within us. So in this regard, effort is very good. (my take on it anyway ) Respect.

Pleasure mate. Yeah, the sutra really is a wonderous text & the commentary is very 'user friendly' easy to read - illuminating and illustrating. I think we are lucky to have access to it especially in today's world. I save the files and then take them to officeworks and have them printed (double sided) and bound there. It's the cheapest and eaisest way. (is there an officeworks in Townsville?)

If you want to end birth & death (reincarnation) the Shurangama Sutra is a comprehensive guide. It is really amazing. "Every dharma is found within the Shurangama Sutra, so there are no potentials it fails to attract. It is the essential Dharma for all generations: It is the right seal for becoming a Buddha or a Patriarch. The Great Master Han Shan (Silly Mountain) once said: "Unless you read the Lotus Sutra, you won't know of the pains the Thus Come One took to save the world. Unless you read the Shurangama Sutra, you won't know the key to cultivating the mind and awakening from confusion." This says it exactly right, because every dharma that exists is found within the Shurangama Sutra, so there are no potentials it fails to attract. It is the essential Dharma for all generations In the past, the rulers of India considered the Shurangama Sutra a national treasure and forbade its being carried out of India. Travelers were stopped at the borders and thoroughly searched, out of fear that the Sutra would circulate. Sangha members who were leaving the country were especially subject to the scrutiny of the border guards." This site has the Shurangama Sutra with wonderful and very clear explanation by Master Hsuan Hua. It is available in pdf for free http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/Shur.../Shurangama.htm

>>nods and nods<< What ever is happening in the world, the extent that we are bothered by it depends on how much we cultivate. The more we can calm our mind, drop habits, & become peaceful, the less we will be subjected to the social manipulations of business and politics. And the more peace we might bring. It's important not to get angry no matter how gnarly things become in the world.

With all respect, it is one thing to have read something ("According to what I've read"), and another to actually know something. People read and write all sorts of things, even in books, not all of it should be trusted. To suggest that any male can "ejaculate as much as he wants until about the age of thirty / thirty-five" is very misleading and potentially harmful advice. Generalisations of this nature cannot be relied apon as males have varying degrees of 'credit in the bank'. Some people have abundant yuen qi, others comparitively little. On the physical level, though some people recover sooner than others post ejaculation, the fact remains that it is a loss - the essential substance of which cannot be retrieved or restored, only partially and incompletely substituted. That is just to touch on the physical side. So much of what we call natural is just deep habit. The sooner/younger one can understand that ejaculation is the result of a deeply ingrained habit of projection & desire over many lives, the better. Outflows, of which ejaculation is one of the most depleting, (like a bucket with holes in it) are one of the impediments to true understanding, wisdom and attainment of the way. If the essential substance that is lost through ejaculation can be refined by purity of mind, then it can help us become wiser by nourishing the body and brain. Im not saying there's anything 'wrong' about ejaculation, it just needs to be understood in terms of it's actual causes and origination. If one can see this, then this precious substance which forms the bases of this bodily vessle will be respected and not wasted on old habits - however 'natural' they seem.

This is a talk by Master Hsuan Hua about how Avalokiteshvara reversed the sense faculties to find the source. In particular, it pertains to listening within to the source of hearing, and the emptiness of concepts of past & future. Very similar to the topic on Ramanas 40 verses on reality http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?showtopic=5270&st=0 Turn the Light Around and Contemplate at Ease "When Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara was practicing the profound Prajna Paramita, he illuminated the five skandhas and saw that they are all empty, and he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty." This line from the Heart Sutra speaks of Guanshiyin (whose name in Sanskrit is Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva, who realized perfect penetration by means of the faculty of hearing. He "turned the hearing back to listen to his own nature, so his nature attained the unsurpassed Way." To turn the hearing back means to "turn the light around and reflect within," and to "investigate." If you investigate, you will discover an inconceivable state. I cannot describe this state to you; if you want to taste its flavor, you have to work at your own practice. Turning the light around means to reflect, to investigate, to illuminate. You have to truly practice if you want to experience that inconceivable state. You turn the light around and reflect within, using your Prajna wisdom to illuminate it and dispel all the darkness. This is also known as turning the hearing back to listen to your own nature. Your inherent nature is pure and undefiled, but your mind--not the true mind, but the human mind which exploits for selfish benefit--is defiled. That mind is very unreliable, like a monkey that bounces up and down all day long. Turning the hearing back to listen to the nature means watching over the mind until the mind returns to the nature. The mind moves, but the nature is still and unmoving. When the stillness reaches an extreme, the light becomes penetrating. When you are still to the utmost point, the light appears and your nature attains to the unsurpassed Way. This is the method that Guanshiyin Bodhisattva cultivated. Reflecting within means seeking inside yourself, listening to your nature to see if you have thoughts of greed, anger, or stupidity. If the three poisons are not present, then you have the three nonoutflow studies: precepts, concentration, and wisdom. This is the general meaning of turning the hearing around to listen to the nature. Because he turned the hearing back to listen to his own nature, he was able to contemplate at ease. Being at ease is a state of being without others, self, living beings, or a life span. "At what level is one at ease?" you ask. One is at ease at the level of sagehood. Ordinary people are not at ease. Sages have no mark of others, self, living beings, or life span, so they can be at ease. Ordinary people are attached to these four marks, so they are never at ease. People study the Buddhadharma but cannot see the four marks as empty, so they cannot obtain ease. To be at ease, you must sweep away the three minds and annul the four marks. "The mind of the past cannot be got at," because it has already passed. "The mind of the present cannot be got at. "You may say "this" is the present, but by then it has already become the past. There is no such thing as "the present"; it is false. "The mind of the future cannot be got at," because it is not here yet. Since the future hasn't arrived, why think about it? If you know that the three minds cannot be obtained and the four marks are empty, then you are the Bodhisattva Who Contemplates at Ease". - Hsuan Hua The full article, which includes the wonderful practice and nature of Guan Shr Yin's compassion can be found here: http://cttbusa.org/dharmatalks/guanyin2.htm Namo Guan Shr Yin Pusa

"Right now our thousand-handed, thousand-eyed image of Guanyin Bodhisattva constantly emits unobstructed light which reaches all living beings with affinities throughout the entire Three Thousand Great Thousand World Realm; How, then, should I be in my daily bowing and recollection of Guanyin Bodhisattva? Should I continue to have a huge temper? Should I still retain my old faults and not change them?" If you are that way, you could bow to the exhaustion of the boundaries of the future, but you would never see Guanyin Bodhisattva. If you can change from evil and go towards the good, and truly rid yourself of your faults and bad habits -- doing your best to reform and become a new person -- Guanyin Bodhisattva is certain to come to your aid. That is why some people cultivate a good many years without opening the least bit of wisdom, while others cultivate and, without being aware of it, open their wisdom and acquire unobstructed eloquence" - Hsuan Hua

Different body types have different energetic manifestations in terms of hot/cool/cold etc. That considered, one of the other causes of the heat that can be associated with retention may be due to lust. The energy itself in the body can be harmonious and smooth. But just one lustful thought can 'heat' it up. If there is heat, massage not just Hui Yin, but also very important to massage the coxyx. Fundamentally though, it all originates from the mind. Lust, desire etc is an outward projection, the mind wanting something out there (a beautiful woman etc). So the body simply follows the mind's directive and builds up pressure in order to project towards that object of desire. The body can then carry a momentum of past thoughts & habits of this pattern, so seminal emissions can still occur for a while during celibacy. Patience is important. It might not be easy or quick, but the more we can eliminate lustful thoughts of sex, the happier & peaceful one becomes, and the easier retention will be. With the lessening of lust & desire, there will be no re-tension, just refinement & purification. Actually, in that case it won't even be called retetion, because the energy will naturally reside and circulte through the body accordingly. Mater Hsuan Hua: "The Shurangama Sutra says, "If one doesn't cut off lust, one won't be able to leave the dust. The Shurangama Sutra also says, "Trying to cultivate samadhi without cutting off lust is like cooking sand trying to obtain rice. It can't be done." If we contemplate the truth of this, we will know where the Treasury of the Proper Dharma Eye lies" In regard to aneros, it may lead to qi leakage if it's use causes the prostate to contract repetitively.

Hi Adam. It can be done sitting standing lying down. The most important element of the practice consists of reciting a certain sound or sounds depending on the level being practiced. The sounds are based on universal frequencies prior to form ie - dark matter (wuji) Othersounds follow the 60 year universal yearly cycle which will depend on birthday & gender. All of this is according to ancient feng shui principles that are not well known about these days. Reciting the sounds is meditation, qigong & alchemy all at once. It is like a realignment with the universal intelligence - very harmonising and clarifying. The testimonials on his site are real. I've heard many firsthand that have astounded their own doctors. Many types of healing occur from this practice, it's common, and not surprising once you understand the prnciples behind it. ie - harmonising, shedding layers of conditioning etc. I don't talk about personal specific experiences on a forum, and never have done. Im just a bit private in that regard. In 2 years that i've been practicing, i've had many things happen on many levels including great physical improvements. And yet, one thing i that i will say is that the practice has helped open up greater layers of stillness, peace & compassion. For more info, you can email Master Feng. He's teaching at the moment, so he might not reply for a few weeks. Hope this helps. All the best Adam

Do you mean Brisbane Australia? Master Feng is comming there soon. I've been learning/practicing Taidao from Master Feng for 2 years. Highly highly recomended. http://www.taidow.com/about-taidow.html

I've been away for the weekend meditating, it's nice to come home, & see you've noticed this Sutra. I wish you all the blessings from it.

It has always been a treat to read your posts. Your sincerity has very much been appreciated. All the best with your cultivation.

The textual reference in terms of the sutras' origins that i found is here http://www.geocities.com/usnisa_vijaya/web/eng/english.htm I'm not sure what you mean by 'wrong view'

Create good karma? By being kind, and eleiminating that within us which is contrary to kindness. (greed, anger etc) Also, to eleviate negative/heavy karma, you might want to check this out: http://usnisa.net/ Audio of the Dharani plays automatically after a couple of seconds on this page http://www.geocities.com/usnisa_vijaya/web/eng/english.htm

that's amazing choreography James My teacher once told me about the 1000 hands with an eye on each are to observe and assist living beings who call to the great Bodhisattva. It was great to hear it with such conviction and sincerity. Another thing he spoke about is Guan Yin's capacity to appear in multiple places & multiple worlds simultaneously. And yes, it happens. Here's a similar description: "According to the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra: Eons ago, the Thousand Lights King Peace Buddha taught the Great Compassion Mantra to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva . Instantly, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva advanced from first to ninth level Bodhisattva (ten levels total). Delighted, the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva sworn: If I can assisted all beings to achieve enlightenment in the future, endow me with Thousand Eyes and Thousand Hands. Then, the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva became Thousand eyes and Thousand arms Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva In each of his hand, there is an eye (wisdom) in the center of the palm (skills) which symbolizes the union of wisdoms and skills" from http://www.geocities.com/directx_user/gall...okiteshvara.htm

Interesting link Max. The attempts to deny any causal link between phone towers/cell phine use and negative impacts on health appears to be happening both in the US and here in Aust. Take this incident for example: "There are two mobile phone base stations that are owned by Telstra on top of the 17-storey building that are used to route mobile phone calls. A Telstra spokeswoman claimed that the company's equipment complied with strict health and safety standards, and was regularly tested. " .............and yet 7 staff have brain tumours. - see below. Building Top Floors Closed After Brain Tumor Alert By Lisa Macnamara The Australian - UK 5-13-6 The top floors of a Melbourne office building were closed down yesterday and 100 people evacuated after a seventh worker in as many years was diagnosed with a brain tumour. But Telstra insisted the mobile phone towers on the roof of the 17-storey RMIT University building were not linked to the cancer cluster. Five academics - who worked on the top floor - and two general staff have suffered brain tumours since 1999. Six of the seven staff had worked at the Bourke Street premises for more than a decade. Two of the cases were malignant. "We have briefed the staff and suspect further cases will be brought to our attention," RMIT vice-president of resources Steve Somogyi said yesterday. The academics' union has demanded that RMIT pay for medical examinations of all staff working in the building after learning of a number of suspected new cases late yesterday. "We're starting to get anecdotal reports of one or two other people who have passed away who have worked in the building," said Matthew McGowan, Victorian branch president of the National Tertiary Education Union. RMIT recently called in a Melbourne doctor to assess information from the staff diagnosed with the tumours but he found no obvious link with "any specific environmental hazard", a university statement said. Telstra, which along with Optus reportedly has mobile phone equipment on top of the building, said yesterday it would co-operate with the university's investigation. "This equipment complies with strict health and safety standards, and is regularly tested to ensure ongoing compliance," the phone company said. While staff were "anxious and concerned", the university was initially reluctant to close the top floors, Mr McGowan said. "They were reluctant at first because they didn't want to create a panic." The university has started notifying students at the building, many of whom are from overseas. However, serious concerns were not held for the students. RMIT investigated radio frequency and air quality after the first two cases emerged in 1999 and 2001, but all the results were well below the recommended Australian standards, a university spokeswoman said. "It was thoroughly tested," she said. Yesterday's action was prompted after a third case was reported by the institution's occupational health and safety unit a month ago, when it emerged that other academics had also fallen ill. "We're looking at everything around the area," the spokeswoman said. But Mr McGowan said the university must be accountable for health and safety checks "across the board" after the initial testing in 2001 was not followed up. "These cases have only coincidentally come to people's attention rather than through some systematic monitoring process," he said. The results of the RMIT investigation are expected in two weeks. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20 867,19108088 -23289,00.html

there are certain daoyin forms that specifically focus on exercising the pancreas, stomach and kidney, but it's a bit difficult to demonstrate on the computer. Maybe look and see if there is anyone teaching daoyin in your area? The good old morning walk is very valuable too. In terms of food/ herbs. It depends very much on his individual make up. In TCM terms, i think some diabetes can be 'hot', other diabetes can be 'cold' according to body type. For the hot types, bitter melon is used with apparently good results. http://living.oneindia.in/health/wellbeing...ent-310308.html http://www.abc.net.au/ra/innovations/stories/s2241639.htm http://www.naturalnews.com/023143.html

Me too, exactly like that. A good teacher/s and a non partial attitude on the students part help us to see that Taoism and Buddhism can be and are complimentary, not mutually exclusive. Always take virtue as the foundation and harmony will be there. Most people born today are too heavy in scattered & unharmonious thoughts which makes the directions/guidelines of virtue from Buddhism essential - they promote a re-alignment, creating a resonance with ones' authentic heart. Guidlines on virtue are in taoist teachings as well, just not as popular in the mainstream these days it seems. .

Here's a taoist principle: undiscriminating virtue i dunno, it's strange that it appears to be a very much overlooked element of taoist teaching, and yet to me, it seems to be the most important. "If you wish to gain merit and become one with the divine, then develop your virtue and extend it to the world. Let go of all conflict and strife. Practice unswerving kindness and unending patience. Avoid following impulses and pursuing ambitions which destroy the wholness of your mind. Neither become obsessed with circumstances, nor forego awareness of them. To manage the mind, know that there is nothing, and relinquish all attchment." "the first practice is the practice of undiscriminating virtue (being kind to everyone without partiality), just as high awareness of the subtle truth is gained through virtuous conduct and sustaining disciplines, so also is it maintained through these things" "live a quiet and simple life feree of ideas and concepts. find contentment in undiscriminating virtue - the only true power. giving to others selflessly and anonymously, radiating light in all directions." Wouldn't such a person be a man/woman of Tao?

The experiences of paralysis that people have discussed here can have meanings that most of us may not be conciously aware of. We have karma, and part of the effects of past karma may manifest in such ways as sleep paralysis. That's why i suggested to recite Namo Guan Shr Yin Pusa. Also, for a reliable explanation of the possible causes of sleep paralysis and the wonderful help that is available, this set of audio discourses by Master Hsuan Hua is good to listen to. Highly recomended http://www.drba.org/online/audio/sutra.asp@CatalogID=13.html

The reason i originaly cautioned against OBE's & lucid dreamingis that they do have potential dangers. The perceived monotony of awareness practice might be the conditioned mind simply seeking further and habitual stimulus. The body breathes & if you observe as to where this originates - amazing. Mindfulness is more than enough.

Before you go to sleep, you can mindfully and sincerly recite 'Namo Guan Shr Yin Pusa'. In terms of attempting lucid dreaming, it's best not to unless you have the at least guidance and the OK from an accomplished and virtuous master.

i have learned with/from: http://www.daoyintherapy.com.au/introduction.htm excellent http://www.taidow.com/about-us.html excellent http://www.professorwang.com.au/ excellent they are all very very good

(this toipc deserves a thread of it's own, it's too important) I have to wait years for my apple tree to bear fruit. If the tree produces flowers & small fruit in the developmental years, i remove them, otherwise, if i allow the fruit to grow when the tree is young, it will weaken the tree's overall integrity. A novice gardener might leave the fruit on a young tree thinking 'this is great, it's fruiting so early' But an experienced farmer will tell you, not to let young tree fruit. Likewise, as a general rule for people to follow, kids shouldn't do healing at such young ages. It can draw on their yuan qi reserves which can make them physically weak. Some children also have their 3rd eye open and use it. However, when young, the 'roots' of their tree aren't deep enough yet - they don't have sufficient jing/qi reserves, in which case, it's better to have the 3rd eye closed because using it when young can weaken the body. People need to careful and well informed about teaching and allowing children to practice anything that involves manipulation of energy. Keep things safe and gentle - particularly when young. Daoyin is ideal.