mat black

Nice.

Have you ever learned the great Compassion Mantra?

Wow, my 2 favourite systems of medicine. Interesting.

Because to focus on psychic abilities and to say how to obtain them is just a diversion. If abilities arise or occur as an indirect result of cultivation, that might be fine, if they don't arise that's fine too. To the mind that is not seeking it makes no difference either way. Thoughts of obtaining abilities can create feelings of desire in the mind of the cultivator, and feelings of greed and desire are one of the biggest impediments. That's why it is not often spoken about.

Excellent!!! Maybe the bold type in the quote could read as follows "I had the heart not to kill the bug"

Hi Mikaelz, about putting the dog to sleep, that's a tough decision, but before anything else, this is what I would do personally: Play this song to the dog : Or if you already know it you could recite it The sutra about the Dharani is here http://bluenaturenetwork.com/DharmaMasterN...arani_Sutra.htm

http://www.drba.org/dharma/guanyin.asp

So wonderful. Bowing to that Keith _/\_

Hi Iskaral, Lin Ai Wei has a school which involves both Buddhist and Daoist cultivation. His website is here http://www.jingxinyuan.net/ Jing xin yuan also has a forum, which has articles and discussions on Buddhism and Daoism here http://www.createforum.com/dharmarealm/ind...rum=dharmarealm If you are in Australia, Master Xianglintao teachers both Buddhist and Daoist cultivation, this is his website http://www.daoyintherapy.com.au/index.html Best wishes.

If we stop at our current level of understanding and use that as a basis for explanation of the fundamental truths of the universe then we will never become wiser. If we only 'work with what we understand' then we are likely to reject that which comes from a higher level of understanding and hence remain at the level that we are. To go beyond the level of the observable may seems as though it is 'making things up', but it only apears that way to the one who is not yet not able to observe deeper and higher state, causes, truths etc. The purpose of meditation is to increase our capacity for understanding. Until we have increased that that capacity to the point of obtaining omniscience, it is best not to refute that which we have not yet realised. Yes! The sages having realised the fruition of the way combined with their great compassion have taught and directed us on the path. It is up to us to individually apply sincerity and effort in order to awaken ourselves. Best to you in your cultivation SB. To the original question: a god is a being within the six paths of cyclical existence (samsara) and hence has a lifespan (albeit a very long one) Buddha is one who has gone beyond all birth and death and realised anuttara-samyak-sambodhi . http://wanderling.tripod.com/anuttara.html http://www.cttbusa.org/shakyamuni_buddha/shakyamuni.asp Here is a sage explaning the difference between Buddhas and gods.

This site has audio commentary of the Shurangama Mantra based on Master Hsuan Hua's explanation. It also has audio chanting in Siddham and Sanskrit. There are many files, but all are very much worth listening to if you are interested in the Shurangama Mantra. http://shurangama.com/shurangama-mantra/index.htm

Almond milk is good stuff - vitamin E, calcium, amino acids. I stir in half a teaspoon of Dharthri Chyavana-Prasham to it to enhance it a bit Black tahini (made with black sesame seeds) is good for kidneys and liver. Chinese yam shan yao is good for liver kidneys and spleen too. http://www.foodsnherbs.com/new_page_49.htm

Trying Mal, still trying.

The so-called limitations are there in order to help us avoid falling into the 3 evil destinies of animal, hungry ghost or hell dweller. The Buddha dharma, far from constraining our lives, helps us to awaken wisdom and develop compassion for all beings. This can make our life and the lives of those around us richer. The teachings Buddha, - compassion, sincerity, virtue etc are not something external to us, but are a reflection of our original inherent nature.

Check the archives for "Zhan-Zhuang". Lin wrote a lot of good info about this a couple of years ago.

But he had been meditating for many lives previous. The 'sudden' is just the culmination of the gradual. When the conditions are right, past cultivation (which includes meditation) can culminate in what appears to be sudden awakening. What is not always obvious though is that much prior application and effort had been applied by that person. Elder Master Hsu Yun became enlightened when someoone dropped their drink and the glass smashed, but again, he had been meditating prior to this for a very long time. The smashing of the glass was the culmination, he had previously done the necessary meditation. Meditation can be likened to a reversal of all of the energy that is being projected out by the 5 senses and all the false identification that comes with that. To reverse this current and illume within, finding the source of the 'experiencer' and uncover our original inherent natutre is what we aim to do.

The inherent nature of Buddhahood is there in all beings as a potential. However, until one has actually realised and been certified to fruition of Buddhahood, cultivation is necessary. This includes for example the cessation of birth and death, perfection of compassion and wisdom as well as the ten perfections of a Bodhisattva among other things. For one to claim to be a Buddha prior to certification and realisation of anuttara samyak sambodhi is, as Master Hua says, the height of stupidity. Potential Buddhas we are, realised Buddhas, not yet. The difference is important, it is good not to confuse the two.

Namo Amitabha Buddha. Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Namo Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.