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A General Recommended Way of Sitting Meditation by Dogen Zenji
UPAYA ZEN CENTER WINTER ANGO DOGEN READER ON SHIKANTAZA LED BY ROSHI JOAN HALIFAX EIHEI DOGEN “POINT OF ZAZEN” “A GENERAL RECOMMENDED WAY OF SITTING” “BENDOWA” “KING OF SAMADHIS” From: Kazuaki Tanahashi The Point of Zazen Yaoshan, Great Master Hongdao, was sitting. A monk asked him, “In steadfast sitting, what do you think?” Yaoshan said, “Think not thinking.” “How do you think not thinking?” Yaoshan replied, “Beyond thinking.” Realizing these words of Yaoshan, you should investigate and receive the authentic transmission of steadfast sitting. This is the thorough study of steadfast sitting transmitted in the buddha way. Yaoshan is not the only one who spoke of thinking in steadfast sitting. His words, however, were extraordinary. Think not thinking is the skin, flesh, bones, and marrow of thinking and the skin, flesh, bones, and marrow of not thinking. The monk said, How do you think not thinking? However ancient not thinking is, still we are asked how to think it. Is there not thinking in steadfast sitting? How can going beyond steadfast sitting not be understood? One who is not shallow and foolish can ask and think about steadfast sitting. Yaoshan said, Beyond thinking. The activity of beyond thinking is crystal clear. In order to think not thinking, beyond thinking is always used. In beyond thinking, there is somebody that sustains you. Even if it is you who are sitting steadfast, you are not only thinking but are upholding steadfast sitting. When sitting steadfast, how can steadfast sitting think steadfast sitting? Thus, sitting steadfast is not buddha thought, dharma thought, enlightenment thought, or realization thought. -
Gandharan Origin of the Amida Buddha Image
Ancient Punjab – Volume 4, 2016-2017 1 GANDHARAN ORIGIN OF THE AMIDA BUDDHA IMAGE Katsumi Tanabe ABSTRACT The most famous Buddha of Mahāyāna Pure Land Buddhism is the Amida (Amitabha/Amitayus) Buddha that has been worshipped as great savior Buddha especially by Japanese Pure Land Buddhists (Jyodoshu and Jyodoshinshu schools). Quite different from other Mahāyāna celestial and non-historical Buddhas, the Amida Buddha has exceptionally two names or epithets: Amitābha alias Amitāyus. Amitābha means in Sanskrit ‘Infinite light’ while Amitāyus ‘Infinite life’. One of the problems concerning the Amida Buddha is why only this Buddha has two names or epithets. This anomaly is, as we shall see below, very important for solving the origin of the Amida Buddha. Keywords: Amida, Śākyamuni, Buddha, Mahāyāna, Buddhist, Gandhara, In Japan there remain many old paintings of the Amida Triad or Trinity: the Amida Buddha flanked by the two bodhisattvas Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta (Fig.1). The function of Avalokiteśvara is compassion while that of Mahāsthāmaprāpta is wisdom. Both of them help the Amida Buddha to save the lives of sentient beings. Therefore, most of such paintings as the Amida Triad feature their visiting a dying Buddhist and attempting to carry the soul of the dead to the AmidaParadise (Sukhāvatī) (cf. Tangut paintings of 12-13 centuries CE from Khara-khoto, The State Hermitage Museum 2008: 324-327, pls. 221-224). Thus, the Amida Buddha and the two regular attendant bodhisattvas became quite popular among Japanese Buddhists and paintings. However, the origin of this Triad and also the Amida Buddha himself is not clarified as yet in spite of many previous studies dedicated to the Amida Buddha, the Amida Triad, and the two regular attendant bodhisattvas (Higuchi 1950; Huntington 1980; Brough 1982; Quagliotti 1996; Salomon/Schopen 2002; Harrison/Lutczanits 2012; Miyaji 2008; Rhi 2003, 2006). -
UPAYA BUDDHIST CHAPLAINCY TRAINING PROGRAM 2021 Information and Application
UPAYA BUDDHIST CHAPLAINCY TRAINING PROGRAM 2021 Information and Application Thank you for your interest in the Upaya Chaplaincy Training Program. Please read all the following information carefully to ensure that your application is complete and that you understand Upaya’s policies for this training program. APPLICATION PROCESS Spaces in this training program are limited; early application is advised. Applications are considered in the order they are received, up until one month before the start of the training program or until all places have been filled. Please know that not all applicants are accepted. This is a unique training program that requires a high level of commitment, and we strive to ensure that the training program is a good match for each applicant’s aspirations, experience, and goals. We prioritize applicants who have a strong background in Buddhist practice and who have studied with a Buddhist teacher. Note: If you have never been to Upaya before and never attended a retreat or workshop with Roshi Joan Halifax, we highly recommend that you consider registering for a Upaya retreat prior to applying for the program. Please visit our website, www.upaya.org, to see program offerings. If there are ethical or other concerns that arise during the application process or while enrolled in the program, Upaya Zen Center reserves the right to terminate a candidate’s participation in the Chaplaincy Training Program. If you have further questions about the training program or the application process, please contact the Program Coordinator, [email protected]. PROGRAM COST The total cost for the two-year program is $11,200, which is paid in two annual payments of $5,600 each (see below for payment and cancellation policies). -
Avalokiteśvara and Brahmā's Entreaty
Avalokiteśvara and Brahmā’s Entreaty Akira Saito Preamble As is well known, Avalokiteśvara is a bodhisattva representative of Mahāyāna Buddhism, and beliefs in Avalokiteśvara have flourished wherever Buddhism, especially Mahāyāna Buddhism, spread in Asia. Partly because the characteristic of assuming various forms to save people in distress was attributed to Avalokiteśvara, there evolved six, seven, and thirty-three forms of Avalokiteśvara, who also amalgamated with earth goddesses such as Niangniang 娘娘, and in Japan pilgrimages to sites sacred to Avalokiteśvara have been long established among the general populace, typical of which is the pilgrimage to thirty-three temples in the Kansai region (Saigoku sanjūsansho 西國三十三所). There exists much prior research on Avalokiteśvara, who was accepted in various forms in many regions to which Buddhism spread, and on his iconography, concrete representation, and cult. But on the other hand it is also true that there remains much that is puzzling about the name “Avalokiteśvara” and its meaning, origins, and background. In the following, having first provided a critical overview of recent relevant research, I wish to reconsider the meaning and background of his original name (avalokita-īśvara, -svara, -smara, etc.) in relation to the story of Brahmā’s entreaty, a perspective that has been largely missing in past research. 1. Recent Research on Avalokiteśvara’s Original Name Among studies of Avalokiteśvara in recent years, worthy of particular note are those by Tanaka (2010),1 who discusses in detail -
Buddhist Histories
JIABS Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies Volume 25 Number 1-2 2002 Buddhist Histories Richard SALOMON and Gregory SCHOPEN On an Alleged Reference to Amitabha in a KharoÒ†hi Inscription on a Gandharian Relief .................................................................... 3 Jinhua CHEN Sarira and Scepter. Empress Wu’s Political Use of Buddhist Relics 33 Justin T. MCDANIEL Transformative History. Nihon Ryoiki and Jinakalamalipakara∞am 151 Joseph WALSER Nagarjuna and the Ratnavali. New Ways to Date an Old Philosopher................................................................................ 209 Cristina A. SCHERRER-SCHAUB Enacting Words. A Diplomatic Analysis of the Imperial Decrees (bkas bcad) and their Application in the sGra sbyor bam po gnis pa Tradition....................................................................................... 263 Notes on the Contributors................................................................. 341 ON AN ALLEGED REFERENCE TO AMITABHA IN A KHARO∑™HI INSCRIPTION ON A GANDHARAN RELIEF RICHARD SALOMON AND GREGORY SCHOPEN 1. Background: Previous study and publication of the inscription This article concerns an inscription in KharoÒ†hi script and Gandhari language on the pedestal of a Gandharan relief sculpture which has been interpreted as referring to Amitabha and Avalokitesvara, and thus as hav- ing an important bearing on the issue of the origins of the Mahayana. The sculpture in question (fig. 1) has had a rather complicated history. According to Brough (1982: 65), it was first seen in Taxila in August 1961 by Professor Charles Kieffer, from whom Brough obtained the photograph on which his edition of the inscription was based. Brough reported that “[o]n his [Kieffer’s] return to Taxila a month later, the sculpture had dis- appeared, and no information about its whereabouts was forthcoming.” Later on, however, it resurfaced as part of the collection of Dr. -
Value in Tiantai Thought
SIX Value and Anti--value in Tiantai Thought The basic principles of Tiantai philosophy-the Three Truths, the mutual inherence of provisional and ultimate truth, omnicentric holism and inter subjectivity-provide important premises for Tiantai value theory, specifically the theory of value paradox. In this chapter, I first develop the value implica tions of these concepts and then discuss the texts in which Zhiyi and Zhanran explicitly treat the question of evil (Part I). Then, I consider the value theory in Zhili's version of the Tiantai tradition (Part II). This will prepare us to at tempt to apply this theory in a summary way to some concrete questions (in the Conclusion). PART I: GOOD AND EVIL IN ZHIYI AND ZHANRAN Value paradox can be derived from the basic Buddhist value of "non attachment." This ultimate value necessarily involves a value paradox since at tachment to "non-attachment," as any direct and non-paradoxical assertion of its value would entail, turns out to be an anti-value. The same can be said of attachment to the idea expressed in the previous sentence, and so on ad infi nitum. As the following discussion shows, the Tiantai tradition is very faithful to this early Buddhist notion, with non-attachment taking the form of an in tricate dialectic for overcoming all subtle forms of bias, a dialectic embodied in the Three Truths. This freedom from bias remains the ultimate value for Tiantai, but several other distinctive Tiantai notions combine to develop and Value and Anti-value in Tiantai Thought 241 intensify the value paradoxes inherent in this ultimate value. -
Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā
Lesley University DigitalCommons@Lesley Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences Mindfulness Studies Theses (GSASS) Spring 5-6-2020 Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Meill [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Meill, Kyung Peggy, "Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā" (2020). Mindfulness Studies Theses. 29. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses/29 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences (GSASS) at DigitalCommons@Lesley. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mindfulness Studies Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Lesley. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ i Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Kim Meill Lesley University May 2020 Dr. Melissa Jean and Dr. Andrew Olendzki DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ ii Abstract A literary work provides a window into the world of a writer, revealing her most intimate and forthright perspectives, beliefs, and emotions – this within a scope of a certain time and place that shapes the milieu of her life. The Therīgāthā, an anthology of 73 poems found in the Pali canon, is an example of such an asseveration, composed by theris (women elders of wisdom or senior disciples), some of the first Buddhist nuns who lived in the time of the Buddha 2500 years ago. The gathas (songs or poems) impart significant details concerning early Buddhism and some of its integral elements of mental and spiritual development. -
The Significance of Aspiration of Samantabhadra Prayer (King of Prayers) Edited from a Dharma Lecture by Lama Choedak Rinpoche
The Significance of Aspiration of Samantabhadra Prayer (King of Prayers) Edited from a Dharma Lecture by Lama Choedak Rinpoche Sakya Monastery, Seattle, WA July 3, 2012 Lama Choedak honored and rejoiced in the activities of the founding masters of the Sakya tradition. In particular he honored His Holiness Dagchen Rinpoche’s and the late Dezhung Tulku Rinpoche's vision and the prayers of the sangha bringing forth this beautiful monastery in the United States; and he also mentioned that in Seattle the University of Washington was an important center for Tibetan Studies for many years. Then he began his talk with an invocation to Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The following is an edited version of Lama Choedak’s extensive overview on Samantabhadra’s King of Prayers. The subject matter we have at hand is a very famous prayer, King of Prayers, and we will study it going verse by verse for you to get a gist of the significance of this prayer in order to increase your enthusiasm to do it regularly in the monastery as well as whenever you do your daily prayers. Foremost among the one hundred thousand sutric prayers, this prayer is King. Just like a king is leader of subjects, this prayer is regarded as chief among prayers. Samantabhadra is one of the eight bodhisattvas and Samantabhadra is associated with making offerings and dedicating all the offerings he made to multiply its benefit for sentient beings. So every time we conclude any prayer and teaching session, two or three verses from the King of Prayers often is amongst the dedication prayers. -
The Supremacy of Danaparamita for the Buddhist Laity in Daily Life
THE SUPREMACY OF DANAPARAMITA FOR THE BUDDHIST LAITY IN DAILY LIFE Paulus Agung Wijayanto Abstrak: Budhisme mengundang setiap pengikutnya untuk ikut menghentikan kesengsaraan melalui jalan pencerahan. Dalam tradisi Budhisme pencerahan tidak dapat tercapai hanya dengan tindakan baik yang biasa. Pencerahan mengandaikan kesempurnaan tindakan baik (“Parami ” or Paramita”). Karena salah satu syaratnya adalah meninggalkan harta benda duniawi dan “menarik diri”, bagaimana kaum awam (bukan sangha) dapat memenuhi kewajiban keagamaan mereka di tengah masyarakat dan tanggungjawab hidup sehari- hari? Key Words: Cattari Ariyasaccan, Parami, awam, dana , Pencerahan 1. Introduction The center or the heart of the teaching of the Buddha is the Four Noble Truths (Cattari Ariyasaccani), namely: 1) Dukkha (all sentient beings are subject to suffering), 2) Samudaya (the arising or origin of suffering), 3) Nirodha (the cessation of suffering), 3) Magga, the way leading to cessation of suffering. All forms of suffering and the continuity of sentient beings arise from “thirst, desire, greed, and craving, which manifest themselves in various ways.1 Every faithful Buddha’s followers will try to cease the suffering, the round of birth and death, by realizing Nibbana or Enlightenment. According to Buddhist tradition, the Enlightenment cannot be realized through an ordinary meritorious act. The Enlightenment assumes “Parami ” or Paramita,” perfection of meritorious acts for attaining it.2 The condition of the Paramis is Abhinihara or the great aspiration.3 There -
Ordination of Gender-Nonconforming People in the Buddhist Vinaya
Through the Yellow Gate Ordination of Gender-Nonconforming People in the Buddhist Vinaya Ven. Vimala January 23, 2021 I dedicate this work to my parents, who have raised me to see people as people, regardless of race, nationality, sex, gender or sexuality. 2 Contents 1. Introduction 4 2. Vedic, Brahmanic and Jain Scriptures 6 2.1. Emergence of the Third Sex/Gender ..................... 6 2.2. Sex and Gender in the Jain Order ....................... 9 2.3. Jain Monastic Ordination ........................... 12 3. Liṅga and the Dispute about Women’s Ordination 13 4. The Paṇḍaka 14 4.1. The Paṇḍaka in the Pali Vinaya ........................ 14 4.2. The Five Types of Paṇḍaka .......................... 17 4.3. The Paṇḍaka in the Chinese Vinayas ..................... 20 4.4. Development of the Paṇḍaka in the Scriptures ................ 22 5. The Ubhatob yañ janaka 24 6. Itthipaṇḍaka, Animittā, Nimittamattā, Vepurisikā 30 7. Changing Gender 33 8. Conclusion 35 9. Gratitude 38 A. Sex and Gender Non-Conformity in the Chinese Vinayas of the Different Schools 39 A.1. Mahāsaṅghika Vinaya ............................. 39 A.2. Dharmaguptaka Vinaya ............................ 40 A.3. Mahīśāsaka Vinaya ............................... 41 A.4. Sarvāstivāda Vinaya .............................. 42 B. Word Frequency 44 B.1. Pali Canon and Commentaries ......................... 44 B.2. Sanskrit Buddhist and Vedic Canon and Commentaries ........... 44 C. Glossary of Definitions 45 C.1. Definitions of Pali Words ............................ 45 C.2. Modern Definitions ............................... 46 3 1. Introduction Transgender and intersex people, and at times other LGBTIQA+ people, have been ex- cluded from ordination as a Buddhist monastic in the Theravāda tradition. This exclusion is the result of what I will show is an erroneous reading of several Pali terms–paṇḍaka and ubhatob yañ janaka–in the monastic disciplinary code (Vinaya Piṭaka) of the Theravāda tradition. -
The Bodhisattva Path
THE BODHISATTVA PATH Professor Russell Kirkland Department of Religion University of Georgia A. One hears the Dharma. B. Inspired by the Dharma, one performs good deeds and accepts the grace of others (e.g., teachers, bodhisattvas), thus benefitting from their merit and building one's own merit. C. One develops the "thought of enlightenment" (bodhicitta), which 1. cancels previous bad karma 2. stimulates the development of merit 3. ensures good rebirths. D. One takes the bodhisattva vows, which become a driving force -- a personal destiny that leads one higher and higher. E. One practices the six perfections (the paramitas): 1. dana - "giving, generosity": includes self-sacrifice, transfer of one's own merit to others (just as one received from others in "B") 2. shila - "morality": avoiding ten forms of misbehavior (just as in Theravada) 3. kshanti - "patience": (1) not becoming disturbed or agitated by anyone or anything; (2) having faith in difficult doctrines (such as shunyata, "emptiness"); (3) practicing forgiveness 4. virya - "vigor": similar to "Right Effort" (in the Eighfold Path) 5. dhyana - "meditation" 6. prajna - "wisdom": having a full experiential awareness of the essential truths of reality (e.g., shunyata, "emptiness") NOTE: At this stage (Prajna-paramita, "the Perfection of Wisdom"), the bodhisattva could, if he/she chose to do so, leave samsara and enter nirvana. But out of compassion for others, he/she continues to work in this world... Stages one through six of the bodhisattva path (practicing the six paramitas, as in "E" above) constitute the practices of ordinary bodhisattvas, e.g., humans like us who are trying to perfect ourselves in hopes of nirvana. -
FUKANZAZENGI by Eihei Dogen the Way Is Basically Perfect and All
FUKANZAZENGI by Eihei Dogen The Way is basically perfect and all-pervading. How could it be contingent upon practice and realization? The Dharma-vehicle is free and untrammelled. What need is there for concentrated effort? Indeed, the whole body is far beyond the world's dust. Who could believe in a means to brush it clean? It is never apart from one, right where one is. What is the use of going off here and there to practice? And yet, if there is the slightest discrepancy, the Way is as distant as heaven from earth. If the least like or dislike arises, the Mind is lost in confusion. Suppose one gains pride of understanding and inflates one's own enlightenment, glimpsing the wisdom that runs through all things, attaining the Way and clarifying the Mind, raising an aspiration to escalade the very sky. One is making the initial, partial excursions about the frontiers but is still somewhat deficient in the vital Way of total emancipation. Need I mention the Buddha, who was possessed of inborn knowledge? The influence of his six years of upright sitting is noticeable still. Or Bodhidharma's transmission of the mind-seal?--the fame of his nine years of wall-sitting is celebrated to this day. Since this was the case with the saints of old, how can we today dispense with negotiation of the Way? You should therefore cease from practice based on intellectual understanding, pursuing words and following after speech, and learn the backward step that turns your light inwardly to illuminate your self.