Dear Dharma friends,

I have the privilege and honour to follow His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamarpa's guidance, and became a Buddhist monk in Bodhgaya in 2007. Subsequently I was given the task to set up and run the Bodhipath Buddhist center in Taichung in 2008, the aim of the center is to spread Buddha dharma teaching, learning the bodhisattva way by adopting the Bodhisattva's attitude, develop wisdom and practice to experience a clear and unobstructed nature of mind.

I have also started producing TV programs about Dharma teaching on Taiwan Dharma TV station since 2012, the topics cover teaching of Karma Kagyu lineage, Bodhicitta and other Dharma knowledge.


In 2013 I was assigned to be responsible for Dharma practice and teaching by Karmapa and Shamarpa in our new monastery in Hualian, Taiwan; from 2014 regular puja and events will be organised in both monasteries in Hualian and Taichung, including regular Nyongye practice (thousand arm chenrezig fasting program) White Tara Retreat as well as other retreat programs in the pipeline.


With pleasure I am producing these DVDs for distribution and sharing, I would appreciate any comment or feedback you might have for future improvement. In this trouble time we are most fortunate this auspicious teaching come to light, may the precious teachings radiate and flourish, may we bring forth our full effort together to work for a better future.

You are also welcome to visit our Google Blog: http:/bodhipath07.blogspot.com


2011年2月28日 星期一

夏瑪巴開示學習去看(三)

問:大乘與金剛乘二者之間的關聯性為何?
答:你不能問大乘與金剛乘之間的關係或關聯性,因為「關係」是存在於兩個分離的事物之間,而大乘與金剛乘不可分離,他們並非不同的東西。修習金剛乘完全是奠基於大乘之上。我們可以用一些例子來闡述這一點:在金剛乘,當你對佛菩薩像作觀想的時候,祂們的形象從慈悲與空性的不二中生起。空性不僅止於像一個黑洞的概念,慈悲也有別於平常我們與他人共享的一般情緒。那空性與慈悲究竟意味著什麼?這兩個詞在大乘裡其實都有詳盡的解釋。你需要大乘的基礎來幫助你了解和正確地應用金剛乘的諸多修行方法。試想像一個象徵自然心性的字─HRIH(舍)生起,這些涵義在大乘中都有描述。如此說來,這些例子說明的是,大乘和金剛乘是彼此不可分離的。


問:這是不是說明若沒有大乘作為基礎,金剛乘就不會存在?
答:是的,他們是完全不可分離的。從大乘的見地與禪修之中,你無法獨立抽離出任何只屬於金剛乘的東西。金剛乘的諸多修行方法是奠基於大乘之上,它們比較像是加速作物生長的肥料。金剛乘確實提供了很多額外的修行手段,但它們從來就不是與大乘的見地分離的。



Kkö-info: What is the connection between Mahayana, the Great Vehicle, and Vajrayana, the Diamond Way?


Rinpoche: You cannot talk about a relationship or connection between the Mahayana and the Vajrayana, because a relationship can only exist between two separate things.

Mahayana and Vajrayana cannot be separated; they are not two different things.
The practice of Vajrayana is completely based on Mahayana.
This can be demonstrated with examples.


In the Vajrayana, if you meditate on some Buddha aspects, they arise in the visualization from the inseparability of compassion and emptiness. Emptiness is not just a black hole and compassion does not mean our normal emotional feelings we share with one another.


What then do emptiness and compassion really mean?
Both terms are precisely explained in the Mahayana.
You need the foundation of the Mahayana in order to understand and correctly apply the methods of the Vajrayana.
Suppose a letter HRIH symbolizing the true nature of mind appears; these qualities are described in the Mahayana. In that way, through examples, it becomes clear that the Mahayana and the Vajrayana are inseparable from each other.
Kkö-info: Does that mean there is no Vajrayana without the foundation of Mahayana?


Rinpoche: Yes, they are completely inseparable.
There is nothing in the Vajrayana you could extract and practice independently from the view and meditation of the Mahayana.
The methods of the Vajrayana are based on the Mahayana. They are like a fertilizer that accelerates the development.
The Vajrayana indeed offers additional tools, but it never departs from Mahayana view.

2011年2月25日 星期五

夏瑪巴開示學習去看(二)

問:要如何判斷一個老師該有怎麼樣的素質?


答:人們起先認為所有的西藏僧侶都是很有學問的,他們身上所穿的僧袍令許多西方人印象深刻。但其實大部分的僧侶並非是很有學問的。正確的學習有賴於正規的教育,穿著僧袍在西藏只是一種文化上的傳統,並不就意味著達到證悟。佛法修行者需要的是一位完成正規教育的真正具格老師,老師們不一定要是僧侶,他們也可以是博學多聞的在家修行人。為了在學習佛法的路上避免障礙,我們應該依法不依人。我們應該要做到,就算跟隨著一位不完美的老師,仍然有足夠的知識告訴自己如何去行為才是正確的。學生對於佛法的依止是有可能比老師還要如法的。這種情形會發生在當老師雖然正確地給予了一些法教,但他自己卻沒有將它們運用在生活中的時候。特別重要的是,一個值得信賴的老師應該要擁有淵博的學問以及慈悲心。在金剛乘裡,作為一個老師必須實際上先達到證悟才行。雖然在擁有這些特質的老師身上,我們會自然地湧現信心,但是透過學習佛法而生起的信心也是非常重要的。






問:檢驗老師是有可能的嗎?


答:如果你擁有對金剛乘完整的認識,就可以去檢驗你的老師。你可以審視他的教育背景和所接受到傳承,與他有多廣泛地運用這些法教。這就像是在大學裡檢驗一個教授一般。你可以試著找出那個教授在他的領域裡表現得多麼傑出,或問其他學生他的口碑以作參考。我們可以用這樣的方式去檢驗一位老師的知識。然而,只有在你自己實際練習禪修之後,你才有能力判斷老師的實際禪修狀態。總結以上,在一開始就對「法」有比較親密的了解是有必要的。




Kkö-info: How can one judge which qualities a teacher really has?


Rinpoche: People initially thought that all Tibetan monks were very learned.




Their robes impressed many westerners.




But most monks are not very learned.




To learn properly requires formal education. In Tibet, wearing a robe is a cultural tradition.




Anyone who wears a robe is not necessarily enlightened.




Dharma practitioners need real qualified teachers who have completed their education.


They don't necessarily have to be monks; they can be learned lay practitioners.


In order to avoid obstacles when learning the Dharma, one should follow the teachings instead of the teacher.



One should know enough to act correctly even with an imperfect teacher.



It is possible to follow the teachings more closely as a student than the teacher does himself.




This happens when the teacher correctly transmits the contents but does not live according to their meaning.




In particular, a teacher worthy of trust should have great knowledge and compassion.




In the Vajrayana the teacher should actually be enlightened.



Faith can therefore develop in such a teacher who possesses those qualities, but it is also very important to develop faith through study.


Kkö-info: Is it possible to check on one's teacher?


Rinpoche: If you have a thorough knowledge of Vajrayana philosophy, you can check on your teacher. You can look at his education and the transmissions he has received, and to what extent they were practiced.

It is similar to checking a professor at a university.


You can find out how good a professor is in his field; you can ask other students or teachers for references.


In this way one can check on the knowledge of a teacher.


However, the quality of a teacher's meditation can only be judged if you have developed meditation yourself.


And therefore it is necessary for you to first become intimately familiar with the Dharma.






.

2011年2月24日 星期四

夏瑪巴開示學習去看(一)

夏瑪巴開示學習去看(一)

問:對於西方的修行者而言,什麼是重要的?

答:修習佛法最重要的是要為了你們自己修習。親近佛法可以有很多不同的方式。比如說,若一位忙於事業與家庭的俗世中人欲做一些簡單的日常練習,那對於佛法有一些初步的認識就夠了。但是如果你想要廣泛而深入地修行,對於佛陀的教法則得相當熟悉才行。一旦你真正認真地研讀、分析佛陀的法教之後,必須試著將學習到的智識與實際禪修連結在一起,這些知識才得以轉化而成為真實的經驗。佛法是一片廣大而富饒的知識領域,而不僅只是宗教和信仰。正確而適當地學習佛法是會花上一段長時間的。


問:很多人沒有時間進行密集的研究及長時間的閉關修行。在日常生活中,人們要如何達到最好的學習與實修效果?
答:若以研究來說,必須先對「中觀」、「灌頂」的內涵與重要性有一個基礎的認識。若談到實際禪修,盡可能地大量練習絕對錯不了。從以前到現在一直都還有很多成功的行者並沒有進行長期閉關,但仍舊可以透過在家禪修而成就。一開始盡可能地吸收基礎的法教將有助於日後正確的實修。在西方世界,由於老年生活比較安全而有保障,如果能這樣子來著手,你們將得以在那時有更多深入修行的機會,如此所打下的基礎將會延續到下一輩子

問:為了獲得知識,我們需要依止一位能讓我們生起信心的老師,這樣的信心要如何培養?

答:信心來自於知識。如果你對這條道路沒有足夠的了解,你便不可能擁有真實的信心。信心意味著對道路的了解,並對自己所擁有的知識生起信心。如果你密集地學習,信心會自然地湧現。舉例來說,盲人會需要有一個他能夠完全信賴的嚮導,如果你情願去當那個盲人,你就永遠會需要一個嚮導,但若你不想當那個盲人,你就應該學習「如何去看」。慢慢地你才能打開你的雙眼,嘗試著信任你眼前浮現的道路,並試著走在那條道路上。需要一個老師並非意味著你們的關係必須像盲人與導盲犬一般─你完全地依賴他。



問:您舉這個例子真正想說明的意思是什麼呢?
答:我在描述一種人,在他們在接觸佛法之後,會變成激進的極端主義者或追星族。他們穿著印有「嗡瑪尼貝美吽」咒語的T恤滿街跑,到處交際。如果可以的話,他們恨不得能夠鑽進上師的皮膚。他們甚至試著去模仿他們上師的聲音與言行舉止。在佛教而言,平常心的態度是很重要的。
在西藏我們有一句話說:「一流的生意人修習佛法會成為一流的修行者」。生意人擁有務實的頭腦與清晰的思路,這同時是做為一個修行人所必須擁有的。



問:那應當如何依止老師?

答:應該尊敬,並對老師心存感恩。一旦跟隨了一位老師就要堅持。同時你也要小心,不要在接受了一些深奧的法教之後就把老師丟在一旁,這會帶來負面的結果。就好像你新學了一種語言之後,不會就對老師粗魯無禮、漠不關心,事實上,你虧欠你的老師很多。



Learning to see

Kkö-info: What is important to Dharma practitioners in the West?

Rinpoche: In order to practice Buddhism it is most important to learn for yourself.


There are different ways of approaching the Dharma.


If a worldly person who is busy with his profession or family, wants a simple daily practice, then a limited understanding of Buddhism is sufficient.


But if you want to get into it with some depth and to practice extensively, then you should become quite familiar with the teachings.


Once you have seriously studied, and analyzed Buddha's teachings, you must connect what you have learned with meditation so that it becomes a real experience.


Buddhism is a vast and rich field of knowledge. It is not just a religion or a belief. Therefore, it takes a long time to learn the Dharma properly.


Kkö-info: Many people don't have the time for intensive studies or long retreat. How can people best study and practice in normal daily life?

Rinpoche:Concerning study, one should gain a basic knowledge of the Madhyamaka, and about the empowerments and their significance.


Concerning meditation, it is always good to practice as much as possible.


There were and still are successful practitioners who meditate at home, without going into long retreat.


First learn as much as you can about the basic Dharma in order to be able to meditate properly.


If you proceed in this way, especially in the West where people tend to be more secure in your old age, you could have the opportunity to practice intensively later on in life, because you will have created the basis for it over your lifetime.


Kkö-info: In order to gain knowledge we need teachers we can have faith in. How does this faith develop?

Rinpoche: Faith comes from knowledge. If you have no knowledge of the path, it is impossible to have real faith.


Faith means knowing the way, having faith in your own knowledge.


If you study intensively, faith appears spontaneously.


For example, a blind person needs a guide whom he must trust completely. If you prefer to be blind you will always need a guide. But if you do not want to be blind, you should learn to see. Gradually you can open your eyes and learn to trust your way of seeing and walking along the path. To need a teacher does not mean that you have to hang onto him like a blind person to his seeing-eye dog.


Kkö-info: What do you really mean by this example?

Rinpoche: I am talking about people who when they meet the Dharma become extremists and turn into groupies.


They run around in tee shirts printed with OM MANI PEME HUNG mantras.


They would love to slip into the skin of their teacher. They even try to sound like their teacher, to imitate him in a certain way.


In Buddhism a natural human understanding is important.


In Tibet there is a saying for this, "A first class businessman when learning the Dharma will also be a first class practitioner." A businessman possesses practical understanding and clear thinking so necessary for Buddhist practice.


Kkö-info: How should one follow one's teacher?

Rinpoche: You should respect and feel gratitude towards your teacher. If you do follow a teacher you should be persistent.


You should also be careful that when you have gathered profound knowledge you don't leave your teacher behind.


This would bring negative results. For example, after you've learned a language, you would not be rude to your teacher and not say hello to him anymore. You actually owe a lot to that person.

2011年2月23日 星期三

43.《親近上師與付予眾生》"Building Relation with One's Spiritual Teacher and Benefiting the Others"

金剛乘中有一件事比生死之事更來的大;就是:學法最初時是依止上師,大成就之後是付予眾生。前年大寶法王在香港弘法後,記者問:「究竟有什麼方法可以脫離輪迴的枷鎖?」法王答:「目前眾生會害怕跌入輪迴的枷鎖,我反而覺得輪迴是很實在的。不妨不要著重在輪迴這邊想,反而希望各位不妨想想身邊的眾生,感受他們為生活而艱苦,然後發揮你的慈悲之心,運用菩薩道與佛法去幫助身邊的人,從而使他們獲得心靈上的解脫。」世世不離清淨上師尊,世世常行菩薩道,是大乗行者的大事。「了脫生死」原本是件大事,此時「了脫生死」卻成了一件問題的事。
 
In Vajrayana Buddhism, we have one key point that is more important than the matter of life and death which is when we initially engaged in Dharma learning, we build a relation with our spiritual teacher [Guru], after we obtained our goal of Enlightenment, we must benefit the others.



Two years ago, His Holiness Karmapa gave teachings at Hong Kong and a reporter asked,"is there any way to be liberated from the cyclic existence of Samsara?" His Holiness replied,"now, people are afraid of falling into the cyclic existence of Samsara, however, I feel that reincarnating is a practical matter. Why only focusing on the matter of our continuous involvement in Samsara; instead, we can think about the sentient beings around us and empathize with their difficulties in life? Then we can cultivate our compassion, develop ourselves on the Bodhisattvas' path and utilize Buddha Dharma to help those people around us, so that they can receive spiritual relief. "



Our responsibility as a Mahayana Buddhism practitioners is to remain by the side of a authentic spiritual teacher and practice the Bodhisattva path. From the start, "obtaining liberation from the cycle of life and death" is a quite serious matter, the ideal of "obtaining liberation from the cycle of life and death " becomes a problem at this time.


Notes:
For more information, please read "Four Ways to Authenticate a Genuine Buddhist Teacher" (http://www.bodhipath.org/genuine-teacher/)





2011年2月15日 星期二

42.《生死事大~2》 "Life and Death - Part II"

出家的目的是為了求解脫,修行人一心想了脫生死,尋求早日開悟,預期的追求心態卻又往往成了新的障道因緣。原始佛教或小乗行者的心態是未了生死如喪考妣,所以一心追求「寂滅」,小乗的極果為阿羅漢,「所作已辦,不受後有。」已經超凡入聖,但佛眼看來,雖已了脫生死,若不迴小向大,世間只是少了你一個人。

The purpose of joining any monastic order is to seek liberation from the cycle of life and death and become enlightened.  But one's expectation to pursue such a state of mind becomes a new obstacle on the path of Enlightenment.  Theravada Buddhism or Hinayana monks' mentality toward liberation is outstanding; they single-mindedly pursue "Nirvana".  The utmost attainment for Hinayana practitioners is to obtain arhathood - as said that "such an attainment prevents the influence of further obstacles".  This particular state of being already surpass our commoners' state of mind.  However, eventhough they have severed the tie to birth and death, they lack in cultivating Bodhisattva's wish to benefit all sentient beings.  Thus, just one person is saved in the eyes of Buddhas.

2011年2月10日 星期四

41.《生死事大~1》 "Life and Death - Part I"

一般人面臨危險急難時,總是立即想要保命逃生,不論你文章武功蓋世,功名赫赫皆是如此。在過去,有一天,我和一位太極拳的師傅學站樁,這位師傅花了至少三十年的光景練太極,全身是膽,充滿精氣,只要被他一撥,就會彈飛出去;正在練時,忽然地震,在台灣地震乃常事,大家不太理會,但地震愈搖愈大,我們在騎樓下,我念著佛,地震稍緩,但突然又來一下,拳師傅突然捉著我的手,像個受驚的小孩,我們迅速跑到空地,看著那棟「堅固的房子」搖來搖去,所幸沒倒,街道充滿了驚恐人們。


When most people face danger and emergency situation, they immediately want to escape in order to protect their lives regardless of their ability in composing great writings, in martial arts or in reputation. In the past, one day, I learned the standing qigong from Tai Chi Master Zhan Zhuang. This master spent at least thirty years in practicing Tai Chi. His mind is courageous, full of energy, as long as he gently pushed a person, the person would go flying out of range. When we were practicing, a earthquake started suddenly. Earthquakes are quite common occurrence in Taiwan, we do not really mind. But the shaking gradually increased, we stayed under an arcade as I chanted mantra. After some time the shaking slowed down, but suddenly a strong jolt, the Tai Chi master unexpectedly graped my hand like a frightened child, we both quickly ran to the nearest open field and witnessed a so-called "strong house" swayed from side to side. Fortunately, the house did not fall and the streets were filled with fearful people.









2011年2月2日 星期三

2010年蒙南祈福法會part09

嘎瑪巴轉世900年慶祝會

菩提嘎亞當局首長(左)與嘎瑪巴(中)夏瑪巴(右)


 
夏瑪巴(左)嘎瑪巴(中)正覺寺住持(右)

嘎瑪巴演說

夏瑪巴致詞

雪獅舞

杜松千巴塑像

法會圓滿前的獻貢

2010年蒙南祈福法會part08

夏瑪巴仁波切獻曼達給杜松千巴01

夏瑪巴仁波切獻曼達給杜松千巴02

法王頭戴黑寶冠舉行慶祝儀式


 
嘎瑪巴與夏瑪巴共同主持法會




 
夏瑪巴頭戴紅寶冠舉行慶祝儀式

法會現場01


 
法會現場02

2010年蒙南祈福法會part07

杜松千巴轉世九百年法會01

杜松千巴轉世九百年法會02

杜松千巴轉世九百年法會03

杜松千巴轉世九百年法會04

杜松千巴轉世九百年法會05

杜松千巴轉世九百年法會06

2010年蒙南祈福法會part06

慶祝嘎瑪巴法王轉世九百年法會01

慶祝嘎瑪巴法王轉世九百年法會02

壇城的多瑪01

壇城的多瑪01

2010年蒙南祈福法會part05

西藏民俗舞蹈01

西藏民俗舞蹈02

喇嘛獻曼達給法王01

喇嘛獻曼達給法王02

喇嘛獻曼達給法王03

喇嘛獻曼達給法王04

喇嘛獻曼達給法王05

2011年2月1日 星期二

點燈訊息

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                                                                                                             菩提道台中中心敬白

2010年蒙南祈福法會part04

(左)貝魯欽哲仁波切(中)隆德寺金剛上師(右)希拉仁波切




 
法王




 
興炯金剛舞01




 
興炯金剛舞02

興炯金剛舞03

興炯金剛舞04

興炯金剛舞05

2010年蒙南祈福法會part03

法會開始前


 
法會01


 
法會02

法會03

法會04

2010年蒙南祈福法會part02

迎接法王的隊伍01


 
迎接法王的隊伍02


 
迎接法王的隊伍03


 
法王登坐


 
吉米仁波切