The Tathagata Zen Dharma is the highest practice of Zen in the world today. This dharma should be done once in morning or evening on a cushion, bed, chair, or stool. It does not have to be done in front of your altar. When I received these mantras, after a trip to Hong Kong, The Buddha Master gave a short discourse explaining what happened during the transmitting of the Great Dharma of Zen Practice that was given just before some of us left for Hong Kong. In essence, in addition to the previous statements, He said three things:
1-Zen is essential for all sects—you must realize your original nature,
2-Everyone must practice zen, the six paramitas, especially patience under insult, and
3-Overcoming anger in all its forms is very, very important.
Several of us who were not able to attend the mass transmission of the third mantra in San Francisco were transmitted this mantra in a private ceremony and also received the above instructions. They are quotes I recorded from memory.
I also remembered the Buddha Master’s explanation of a magical event that had happened earlier when the Tathagata Zen Dharma was transmitted in Covina. Before or maybe during the transmission we–a very large group of disciples who filled the auditorium of the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum–were reciting the Heart Sutra in the usual Chinese style of each according to his/her own speed and style–definitely not in harmony. Suddenly, some of us at least were aware that it had changed and we were all chanting together in harmony–it was beautiful and very unique. I heard later that not everyone present was aware this happened. The Buddha Master told us that because this was such a special transmission, the Bodhisattvas had joined the chanting and took charge causing us to chant in harmony instead as we normally did.
When I told this story, I was reminded of another event at a Dharma Assembly in a Sheraton Hotel in the Los Angeles area where someone, I think it was Bodhi Wentu, was reading the Heart Sutra again in Chinese and I in English. Now they are not at the same length nor sound the same, but for that event we were doing it together and ended at the same time. A miracle. I doubt if we could do that again on our own.
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