Zhaxi Zhuoma, Author at Thus Have I Seen (and Heard)

Chua Thai Son, a small temple in DaNang, Vietnam

Buddha-dharma

Can you find a good teacher at a small temple?

You should not consider the size of the temple in determining who might be an eminent monastic who would be a worthy teacher. Earlier this month we discussed who is a worthy master and realize that a good master must...

December 30, 2018

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Buddha-dharma

We must always respect the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: Erroneous View #60

No matter how enlightened one may think he or she is, one must not be disrespectful to representations of holy beings no matter what form they may take. I have noticed that some people have a tendency to be more...

December 30, 2018

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Buddha-dharma

You must not change or alter a Dharma Manual, Mudra, or Mantra

It is not permissible to alter a mudra or mantra or change the wording or arrangement of a dharma manual. This is not only to show proper respect to the dharma and the holy beings associated with the dharma, but is...

December 30, 2018

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Buddha-dharma

How should you treat your root master? Erroneous Views #29 & #62

We have already discussed how important it is in this practice to show respect to your root master in the article on “Evil View #31,” but there are two erroneous views on this matter that you must avoid as...

December 30, 2018

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Buddha-dharma

In order to experience any Beneficial Effects from your practice, you must follow a Root Master who has both holy realization and bodhichitta: Evil View #21

If you have a root master who has both holy realization and bodhichitta, you must follow that master. However, you should NOT follow a master who does not have bodhichitta and who follows any of the 128 evil or...

December 30, 2018

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Manjurshri Bodhisattva stands guard over the Chinese edition of 'Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra' on the altar in the Buddha Hall at the Holy Vajrasana Temple.

Buddha-dharma Events Retreats

Hearing “Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra”

Last week I read the first part of this amazing sutra based on the “Heart Sutra” by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to those attending our week-long retreat at the Holy Vajrasana Temple. We will continue this effort with...

December 17, 2018

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Art Buddha-dharma Events

Journey to the West

This 16th century novel Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature that provides a fictionalized account of the legendary pilgrimage of the Tang dynasty Buddhist monk...

December 17, 2018

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Buddha-dharma

Special Dharma Lessons in a Silver Box

We are on retreat this week, studying “Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra” at the Holy Vajrasana Temple, so we will not have a regular blog this or next week, but I would like to invite...

December 8, 2018

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Art Buddha-dharma

Zhiyi (Chih-I)’s Meditation Manual on Shamatha and Contemplation

At the recent retreat where we focused on the “Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation (SAUMOL),” we had considerable discussion on the meaning of certain terms, especially those relating to...

December 2, 2018

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Holy Mandala created through a stone slab.

Buddha-dharma Events Miracles

Who is a Worthy Master? Erroneous Views #40 & #46

Anyone who boasts that he or she is a virtuous or holy person and serves as a role model for others is not worthy of being a master nor are they an appropriate role model for anyone. A true guru doesn’t just speak...

December 2, 2018

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Author - Zhaxi Zhuoma