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GuangMingDigest GuangMingTempleWelcomesYou Whatatumultuousyear,atimeofconfusion,anger,fear,pain,division…..atimeof uncertainty for our personal and our country’s future. Our temple serves as a refuge fromtheoutsideworld.Yet,Buddhismteachesusthatwemustengageintheworld, findingpurpose,confidencejoyandhope.Evenduringuncertaintimes,ifwebelievein ourfellowman,ifwelettheBuddha’steachingsguideourthoughtsandactions,wecan experience an inner peace that in turn allows us to be strong in adversity, lead with compassion,andtherebybeapositiveforceintheuniverse. WebeginthisnewyearwithmanyopportunitiestobuildourGuangMingfamily,to learn, and to serve. This issue of the Digest introduces you to the happenings for the firstquarterof2017. Winter2017 January–March AQuarterlyPublicationofGuangMingBuddhistTempleandCenterforHumanisticBuddhism inOrlando,Florida GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page1 GuangMingDigest–Winter2017 InthisIssue IntroducingtheVenerableMaster WhatisHumanisticBuddhism? BuddhistCeremonialHappenings ThisQuarter RingintheNewYear “RisingDawnofSuccess” NewClassesforEnglish-Speakers NewMeditationClassSeries VenerableHueiKaiLecture LayDharmaLecturersCertified RememberingaManofPeace HappyYearoftheRooster BLIALotusSub-ChapterNews OldDogsDon’tNeedtoLearnNew Tricks WelcometoGuangMing! AboutGuangMingDigest andGuangMingTemple The Guang Ming Digest is an English publication of Guang Ming Temple, a branch of Fo Guang Shan, whichisChineseforBuddha’sLightMountain,which islocatedat6555HoffnerRoadinOrlando,Florida. Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order, headquartered in Taiwan, was established in 1967 by Venerable MasterHsingYun.FoGuangShanhasevolvedfroma small monastery atop a mountain of bamboo forest to become the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. UnderVenerableMaster’sleadershipFoGuangShan has flourished and now includes over 200 temples worldwide as well as colleges, hospitals and other social serving organizations. He has inspired the selflessdevotionofover1.000ordaineddisciplesas well as gained the ardent support of many lay devotees to assist him in bringing faith, happiness, hope and convenience to others. Serving others through the objectives of Fo Guang Shan is the hallmarkofHumanisticBuddhism. ThefourobjectivesofFoGuangShanare: 1. To propagate Buddhist teachings through cultural activities; 2) To foster talent through education; 3) To benefit society through charitable programs; 4) To purify human hearts and minds throughBuddhistpractice. Everyone is invited to participate in the many devotional, educational and cultural activities that occurthroughouttheyearatGuangMingTemple. GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page2 IntroducingTheVenerableMaster IfyouarenewtoGuangMingTemple, or even if you have been here for sometime,youmightnotknowabout HsingYun,ahumblemonkwhoisour founderandleader. VenerableMasterHsingYun,hasmade numerous contributions in the field of Buddhism although he began as the sonofasimple,middleclassfamilyina smallChinesevillage. Venerable Master Hsing Yun was born inChiangsu,Chinain1927andentered a monastery near Nanjing at age twelve after his father went missing, presumedkilledinanuprisingwhenhe wenttopurchasesuppliesforhissmallincensebusiness.Buddhismhasmanysects,orschools, allbelievingthesameteachingsbutpracticingabitdifferently.TheVenerableMasterwasfully ordainedin1941,andisthe48thpatriarchoftheLinchiCh'anschool. In1949,amidtheturbulenceofcivilwar,theVenerableMasteraccompaniedmanymainland ChineseastheyleftthemainlandChinaforTaiwan.Hefirstservedthemaspartofthemedical corps. In Taiwan, the Venerable Master began fulfilling his long-held vow of promoting Humanistic Buddhism, which takes to heart spiritual practice in daily life. He teaches us that Humanistic Buddhism is actually true to the original teaching of the Buddha – to be compassionate and servehumanity.Foroverahalfcentury,VenerableMasterHsingYunhasdevotedhiseffortsto transformingthisworldthroughthepracticeofHumanisticBuddhism. With an emphasis on not needing to "go some place else" to find enlightenment, he tells us thatwecanrealizeourtruenatureinthehereandnow,withinthisprecioushumanbirthand this world. When we actualize altruism, joyfulness, and universality, we are practicing the fundamentalconceptsofHumanisticBuddhism.Whenwegivefaith,hope,joy,andservice, wearehelpingallbeings,aswellasourselves. VenerableMasterHsingYunisthefounderoftheFoGuangShanInternationalBuddhistOrder, headquarteredinTaiwan.ThroughhisleadershipFGShasfoundedtemplesandsocialservice organizationsworldwide.TheOrderemphasizeseducationandserviceandmaintainspublic GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page3 universities,Buddhistcolleges,libraries,publishinghouses,Buddhistartgalleriesandtearooms, freemobilemedicalclinics,achildren'shome,aretirementhome,highschools,andatelevision station–BLTV,broadcastingfromthemonasteryinKaohsiung,Taiwan.TheOrder'slayservice organization, Buddha's Light International Association, also has active chapters worldwide. Venerable Master Hsing Yun is an outspoken proponent of equality among all people and religious traditions. The Order has the largest number of female monastics of any Buddhist order today. By providing and supporting educational and leadership opportunities, he has workedtoimprovethestatusofwomeninTaiwan.Hehasheldfullordinationceremoniesfor womenoftheMahayana,Theravada,andVajrayanatraditions.Inaddition,MasterHsingYun annuallyorganizesconferencestobringtogetherthevariousBuddhistschoolsandtopromote dialogue between Buddhists and other major religious groups. In fact, a good friend until his deathwasCardinalPaulShanKuo-hsiofKaohsiung.TheVenerableMasteratonepointtoldthe Cardinal,“IhopeinournextlivesyoucomebackasapriestandI,amonk.” MasterHsingYunisaprolificwriterandhasauthoredoveronehundredbooksinChinese.His writings have been translated into English and many other languages. In our library here at Guang Ming Temple, you can find his writings in Vietnamese, Spanish and French, to name a few. His works of the Life of Sakyamuni Buddha and the sixteen-volume Fo Guang Buddhist DictionaryhavebothwonTaiwan'shighesthumanitarianawards.HisbiographyHandingDown the Light, Hsing Yun's Ch'an Talks, The Lion's Roar, The Hundred Sayings Series, and The HumanisticBuddhismSeriesarepublishedinTaiwanandareinEnglish.BeingGood:AGuideto BuddhistEthics,OnlyaGreatRain,LotusinaStream,WhereisYourBuddhaNature:Storiesto InstructandInspireareinEnglishasareanumberofhislectures. BasedinTaiwan,VenerableMasterHsingYunhastraveledextensively.Hisinsightful,engaging, andwittylectureshaveunfailinglyendearhimtoaudiences.Now90yearsold,hespendshis timeatFoGuangShanMonasteryandtravelswithinAsia. VenerableMasterHsingYun,inhisspeeches,writingsandhowheliveshislife,remindsusthat to transform our world, we must be actively engaged in it. "Community transcends the individual,"hesays,"andindoingso,fulfillstheindividualinthemostcompletewaypossible." Heisanencouragingvoice,imploringpeopletouniteboththelocalandglobalcommunityinto aworldofcompleteequality,joyfulness,andperfectpeace. AfewwordsfromtheVenerableMaster: Experiencejoythroughmodesty. Cultivatevirtuethroughtolerance. Overcomedesiresthroughself-control. Calmbodyandmindthroughpeace. GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page4 Whatis“HumanisticBuddhism?” The word “humanistic” reminds us that the Buddha was a human being, not a god, and thereforesomeonewecanemulateinourlives. HumanisticBuddhismiswhattheBuddhaconveyedtothehumanworldwiththeoriginalintent toteach,instruct,benefitandbringjoyandtoattaintheBuddhainsight.Itiscloselyrelatedto society and individuals, evident in the Buddha’s declaration of equality. All sentient beings possess the Buddhanature, fitting the modern mentality of freedom, democracy and equality. The essence of Humanistic Buddhism is negating superstition and blind faith, in its inspirationofwisdomand clarity.Itemphasizesselfawareness, self-enlightenment, and selfimprovement by offering insights into ultimate truth,peaceandstability. One is free from the fear and sorrows caused by birth and death, and ultimately achieves perfect-ionoflife. Humanistic Buddhism is Buddhism as needed by humanity, so we put it forth as the original intents of the Buddha so that his teachings can be seeninanewlight.DenyingbiasednotionsandcomingtogetherinHumanisticBuddhism,we allowtheBuddha’scompassionandwisdomtoshinealightofhopeonhumanity. The Venerable Master’s latest book traces the history of Buddhism to our modern age and givesusdirectiononhowtoapply2500yearoldthoughttoourdailylives. GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page5 BuddhistCeremonialHappeningsThisQuarter Dharma services are conducted every Sunday, usually from 11:00 to 12:30. Some special services might begin earlier, others will be continued into the afternoon. Some of the ceremonies in the Buddhist calendar and some of Guang Ming Temple’s cultural celebrations arelistedbelow.However,itisnotnecessarilyacompletelist.Comebythetempleandcheck thebulletinboardforthelatest! NoknowledgeofChinese?Noproblem!YoudonothavetobeaBuddhist,ortoknowChinese to participate in the chanting ceremony. A booklet with Chinese, phonetic translation and Englishtranslationisavailable.Andifyoufeelmorecomfortablesittingandobserving,thatis finetoo.Justletthesoundsofthechantingbringpeaceandcomforttoyourmindandheart. EnglishChantingService,Sunday,February26h,March26th,2017: 11:00AM–12:30PM On the last Sunday of every month, , Venerable Chuehfan, Venerable Chueh Miaw and VenerableChuehYenconductanEnglishChantingCeremony.Thistradition,initiatedovertwo yearsago,meetstheneedsofthegrowingwesternandEnglish-speakingattendees.Joinusto learn and worship together. And stay for a vegetarian lunch, served at the conclusion of the ceremony. LightCompletionDharmaService Sunday,January22nd,10:00AM-12:00 InBuddhisttraditions,thelightofacandleoranoillamprepresents thelightofwisdomilluminatingthedarknessofignorance.Justasthe lightofacandleorlampdispelsdarkness,offeringlightfromacandle orlamprepresentsremovingthedarknessofignoranceinorderto attainBuddha'sluminousultimatewisdom. GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page6 Whenweofferlight,wewishfortherealizationofbrightultimatewisdominthislife,the clarificationofcloggedmind,thedispersalofconfusion,andtheincreaseofwisdomineach lifetimeuntilwehavereachedenlightenment.Todayisthecompletionof2016 ChineseNewYearDharmaService Sunday,January29th,10:00AM–12:30PM Join family and friends in this celebration and a time to dedicate ourselves to following the Buddha’s teachings. See the announcement later in the Digest that lists all celebrations throughoutthemonth. (AvalokitesvaraBodhisattva)GuanYin’sBirthday andGreatRepentanceService Sunday,March19,10:00–12:30 ThebasisoftheGreatCompassionRepentanceCeremony is the Great Compassion Mantra. The full name of the Mantra is “Thousand-arms and Thousand-eyes Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s All-embracing Great CompassionDharani.”ItisverypopularinChineseculture andwidelyrecitedamongdevotees.Someofthebenefits often associated with chanting the Mantra are: rebirth into higher realms, gaining the opportunity to meet beneficial acquaintances, possession of competent sense organs, bountiful food and money, and gaining opportunities to learn Buddhist teachings. Moreover, those who recite this mantra will not suffer death of starvation, disease, poison, flood or fire. Water that has been blessed with the Great Compassion Mantra is taken by devotees for its spiritually cleansing qualities. By participating in the ceremony, devotees further benefit from the strength of the compassionate vows of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to find peace within themselves. They learn to treat others with respect and humility and to bring harmony to their families and the society. We invite everyone to take the opportunity to plant the seeds of beneficial causes and conditions that willleadtoultimatewisdom. GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page7 RingintheNewYearatGuangMingTemple Every year Guang Ming Temple members and the community at large look forward to welcoming the New Year in grand style and splendor. Thepreparationbeginswithageneralcleaningoftheentiretemple. People bring their power washers, mops, buckets and “elbow grease” to the task, assembling after Sunday morning chanting service and lunch. Everythingisscrubbedandshined. After the cleaning, Lanterns are hung insideandout,thelargegongisplaced at the temple entrance and the Main Shrine is festooned with a golden tree where our wishes for the New Year can be Thisyear’sChoreDayis January15th,1:00until placed. everythingshineslikenew! New Year is a special event throughout China. Offices areclosed,schoolisout,andfamiliesscurrytothetrain stationstomakeithomeforthecelebrations. Specialfoodsarepreparedandchildrenlookforwardto presents and the little red envelopes of money gifts. The Lantern Festival is Guang Ming’s way of sharing Chineseculturewiththecommunity. Seethenextpageforthescheduleofthemanycultural anddevotionalevents.Comeenjoythecelebrations! GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page8 GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page9 Rising Dawn of Success” for the Year 2017 reputation. Just as said in a Tang poem, “The rooster crows the sound of success,” may your year be filled with soaring aspirations and good GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page10 VenerableMasterHsingYuncreatesaone-strokecalligraphytocelebrateeach NewYear.Togiveusconfidenceinourabilitiesandremindusofour responisbilityhehaschosenthismessagefor 2017. NewClassesforEnglish- SpeakersBeginningJanuary1 Many English-speakers, especially you who are new to Buddhism, have asked for a greater understanding of Buddhist procedures. “What does ‘Taking Refuge’ mean?” “What is the purpose of chanting and what does it mean?” “Who is Medicine Buddha?” and many other qeustions about Buddist practices. Weheardyou!.....Andhereistheresult: Beginning in January Venerable Chuehfan, Director of Guang Ming Temple, will offer many classes on Sundays prior to the Chanting Service. They will cover procedures and explanations of the sutras (DharmateachingsoftheBuddha)astheyarepracticedthroughout theyear. Thefirsttwoclasseswillexplain “TakingRefugeintheTripleGem” VenerableChuehfan and “The Five Precepts Ceremony.” It is timely because some people from Orlando are traveling to the Miami temple for the “Tasking Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony” on Sunday, January 15, 2017. The ceremony willbeconductedbyVenerableHueiKai,DeputyAbbotof FoGuangShanMonastery. If you are interested in taking refuge, or if you are simply wantingtoincreaseyourknowledgeofBuddhistpractices, pleasejoinus.Theclasseswillbeheldonthe2ndfloor. VenerableHueiKai Markyourcalendar! Sunday, January 1, 2017, 9:30 – 10:45 AM: “Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem Explained” Sunday, January 8, 2017, 9:30 – 10:45: “ Taking Refuge and the Five Precepts CeremonyExplained” NEWMEDITATIONCLASSBEGINSJANUARY4 GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page11 Haveyouwantedan opportunitytogrow inyourmeditation practice? BeginninginJanuary, VenerableChueh Miawwillconducta progressive meditationclassthat willmeetweekly. Thereisacostand youmustpreregister. (Ifyouareinterested inmeditationonyour own,youmayvisit thetempleMain Shrineonyourown, Tuesdaythrough Sunday,10:00AM- 5:00PMandon Thursdayat7:00, priortotheevening class.) GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page12 VenerableDrHueiKaiVisitsGuangMingTemple foraLecture,January17 DrHueiKaiholdsa Ph.D.fromTemple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,USA, 1997.Hehasbeenthe Professor,Department ofLifeandDeath StudiesatNanHua University,Taiwan, since1997.In2011he becametheDeanof theCollegeofBuddhist StudiesatFoGuang University.DrHueiKai hasextensive experiencein teaching”Historyof IndianandChinese Buddhism”and “MahayanaSchools”, andhassupervisedMA researchstudents. Joinusforhislecture withrefreshmentsto follow. FindingFaith InaDenton GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page13 Human beings are seekers. We seek pleasure, we seek fellowship, we seek success, we seek knowledge.Weareforeveronaquesttogetmore, knowmore,experiencemore.Yetallofthisseeking seems to leave a void. Some try to fill this void by acquiring “stuff,” by self-medicating with alcohol, drugs,food,bychasingafterthenewest,brightest object.Andyet, “WHEREVERYOUGO,THEREYOUARE” JonKabat-Zinn,amolecularbiologist,proponentof mindfulmeditationandauthorwrotethebookon stressreductionandusedthetitle,“whereveryougo,thereyouare,”toremindusthatifwe donotchangeourmind,ourvalues,waysofthinking,wewillcontinuetofeeldiscontent.His phraseissoresonantthatithasbecomepartofourvernacular.Perhapsthemissingpartofour life equation is having a belief that transcends the mundane worldly cares ….. something to groundus,tobeour….. GUIDINGLIGHT InthequestfordirectionoutofdarknessofconfusionanddiscontentcomesBuddhismwithan ageold,yetcontemporarypathtowardillumination.ThelightSakyamuniBuddhagaveusisa threewaybulb,threelevelsoflearning. WebeginwiththebrightlightoftheBuddhahimself.Bornanordinary(ifyouconsideraprince tobeordinary)man,heventuredouttodeterminewhatcausesmantosufferso.Andhefound theanswer-wewantwhatwedon’thave,don’twantwhatwedohave,andharborgreedand hatredinourheart….allbecausewedon’tunderstandtheworkingsoftheworld,ourplacein it,andofourverymind. He then illuminated our world with many teachings – how the world is ever-changing, how everythingdependsuponprioractions,thatnothingjustshowsuporhappensindependentlyof everythingelse,howouractions,independentlyandcollectively,setinmotionfuturepainor pleasureforourselves,allmankindandthenaturalworld.Theteachingsofferedaroadmap,if youwill,forgreaterserenityandjoy. Tohelpus“switchon”ourinternalbulbs,heprovidesuswithknowledgeable,wisemonastics- rolemodelswhomwecanemulateforamorejoyfullife. THREEJEWELSINONESETTING Acontemporaryengagementoranniversaryringhasthreediamonds,honoringfriendship,love andfidelity,alsothepast,presentandfuture.Buddhismhasanevenmoreenduringtrio–that GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page14 of The Triple Gem. Lasting beyond a generation, not to be lost in the sand at the beach or tossedtothesideasarelationshipfades,theTripleGemofBuddhismispreciousforever. TheTripleGemisagiftwithouta“returnby”date,itisnotdependentuponothers,onlyupon one’s personal decision and devotion. The Triple Gem becomes yours at one time in one ceremonyandlastsaslongasyouhavefaith. THETRIPLEGEMISMYSANCTUARY Anotherwordfor“sanctuary”isrefuge–aplaceofsafety,ashelterorprotectionfromdanger ordistress.SuchistheTripleGemofBuddhism.TheTripleGem,understandably,hasthreefoci offaiththatarethecenterofdefinitionasaBuddhist.Whenwe“takerefuge”wehavefaithin TheBuddha-TheDharma-TheSangha VenerableMasterHsingYunexplainstheTripleGeminabeautifullypoeticmanner: The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha are considered the noble wealth that transcends all worldly forms. The Buddha is like sunlight that can mature and perfect livingbeings,fortheBuddhaistheteacherofthisworld;theDharmaislikewaterthat cannurturelivingbeings,fortheDharmaisthetruthoflife;andtheSanghaislikeafield that can cultivate the Dharma wealth of merit for the believer, for the Sangha is the community of spiritual friends who sustain the Dharma. The importance of the Triple Gemiscomparabletosunlight,water,andsoil,fornoneofthesecanbelacking.Thelife of wisdom is planted through taking refuge in the Triple Gem. Undertaking the Triple Gem Refuge allows us to elevate the spiritual world of our mind and transcend the confinesofmundanelife. Wow! What a trip! Better than crossing worldly oceans, better than rings for our fingers! Identifying with Buddhism gives me a peace of mind, a direction, a moral code, a way to cultivatemymindandheart.Itsustainsmethroughthefactsofworldlychangeandloss.The Buddha is inspiration. If he endured human pain, why can’t I? if he found acceptance and peace,whyshouldn’tIattempttodothesame?Ifhetookthetimetoteach,whyshouldn’tI taketimetolistenandlearn?Ifthecommunityoflike-mindedpeoplewhoaregoodandkind areavailabletome,whywouldInotidentifywiththemandshareintheirfellowship? The brilliance of the Triple Gem is illuminating and sustaining – longer lasting than the latest LEDorHalogenbulbonHomeDepot’sshelves.Iknowthis,forthelightbeganover2500years agoandstillshinesbrightlyintheheartsandmindsofmany…..inmyheartandmind. (YoucanlearnmoretheTripleGembyattendingVenerableChuehfan’sclassesJanuary1and8. Seepage11.) GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page15 LayDharmaLecturers Certified DearFriendsandGuangMingFamily, It is with great Dharma joy that I announce the certification of two of our members as Lay Dharma Lecturers. The honor was conferred upon them at the BLIA Conference in October 2016 at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan. BLIA states that “The BLIA Lay Dharma Lecturers' System is a demonstration of equality between monastic and laity, VenerableTzuJungpresentsInaandHoward thereby uniting the strength of both withLayDharmaLecturercertificatesatBLIA conference categoriesofBuddhistsinthehopeoffulfillingthegoaltoletBuddha'slightshineuniversally, andDharmastreamflowacrossthefivecontinents.LayDharmalecturershavedemonstrateda knowledgeofHumanisticBuddhismandhaveputitintodocumentedpracticeforanumberof years through modeling precepts, teaching the Dharma and serving members of the temple communityandbeyond.” InaDentonbeganattendingGuangMingTemplein2008.Inashortperiodoftimeshewasable to grasp the Buddha’s teachings and teach how to apply them to contemporary situations. Thosewhoattendherpresentationsandworkshopsarechallengedtothinkmoredeeplyabout lifeissues,learn,andhavefunintheprocess.Inaalsotrainsotherstobecomemoreproficientin their facilitation and teaching techniques. The greatest joy she has is helping our Chinese monasticsbecomemorecomfortableinEnglish.Youcanseetheresultsofherendeavorsasthey gainconfidenceincommunicatingwithourmanyEnglish-speakingvisitors. Howard Yeh grew up in a Buddhist home however he says it took him a while to connect to Buddhist teaching. But when he did, there has been no stopping him! For the past 10 years Howard has taught classes, conducted tours and been a big brother to many people new to Buddhism.EverySunday,andmanyweekdaysafteralongworkday,Howardisatthetemple, welcoming,guiding,sharingtheDharmawithpeopleofallwalksoflifewhoenterthetemple doors.Areadyhandshake,awillingness(anddelight)tositwiththesenewfriends,hemakesa personalconnectionthathelpsnewcomersandoldfriendsfeelliketheyare“family.” InaandHowardareagoodteamastheyworktogethertostrengthentheeducationalprogram atthetemple,consultwithtemplesbeyondOrlando,andbringjoyandcomforttoothers.Iam pleased that they have been recognized and look forward to their continued service to our templeandtheentireFoGuangShanfamily. Chuehfan Director GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page16 RememberingaManofPeace EverythirdMondayofJanuarywerememberamanwhomarched,preachedandprayedforpeace,MartinLuther King,Jr.HewasaBaptistministerandheldaPhDfromBostonUniversity.In1964hereceivedtheNobelPeace Prize.Gunneddownbyanassassin’sbulletatage39,hestilllivesintheheartsofpeacelovingpeopleworldwide. Aninspirationalspeakerappealingforworldpeaceandracialjustice,heisbestknownforhis“Ihaveadream” speech.ButdidyouknowhewasalsoastudentofBuddhism?Followingareexcerptsfromapaperhewrotein 1950asarequirementforaHistoryofLivingReligioncourse.(HereceivedanAonthepaper,aB+forthecourse.) Theentirepaperwithfootnotesandattributescanbereadatwww.kinginstitute.stanford.edu.GuangMing TemplepracticesMahayanaBuddhismwhichfocusesgreatlyoncompassiontowardothers,thusthispaperis relevanttoourunderstandingofBuddhismandhisviews. THECHIEFCHARACTERISTICSANDDOCTRINESOFMAHAYANABUDDHISM(EXCERPTS) K ING , M ARTIN L UTHER , J R . MahayanaBuddhismgivesuspositiveideasoftheultimateissuesoflife.TheMahayana,or GreatVessel,offerstoallbeingssalvation,byfaithandloveaswellasbyknowledge…..the burdenoftheMahayanaislight,anddoesnotrequireonetototallyrenouncetheworldand hisaffectionsforhumanity. TheMahayanaMetaphysics The metaphysics of Mahayana is monistic in character. All that exist in the world is of one reality. The nature of this reality is beyond description."Things in their fundamental nature cannotbenamedorexplained.Theycannotbeadequatelyexpressedinanyformorlanguage. They are beyond the range of perception, and have no distinctive features. They possess absolutesameness,andaresubjectneithertotransformationnortodestruction. [Thinkhereof ourrecitationoftheHeartSutra.Ed.] TheMahayanaBuddhistsseetheworldofexperienceasphenomenalandnotreal.Theyliken it to a maya, mirage, flash of lightning or froth. This may be illustrated by a simple jar. Its quintessenceistheearth,itsattributeistheformofthejar,anditsactivityistokeepwater. Theattributeandactivityarebynaturemutable,subjecttothelawofbirthanddeath.Onthe otherhandthequintessenceisindestructible.12Thewholeuniversehasitsunchangedaspect GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page17 as well as its changeable one. [This is the ultimate cosmic principle or the unchangeable aspectoftheuniverse.] TheMahayanaReligion FromadoctrinalpointthereisnounityintheMahayanareligion.Itischaracterizedbyagreat degreeofdiversity.ThislackofdoctrinalunityinMahayanaBuddhismmaybeattributedto itsamazingamountoftolerance…..WhereverMahayanaBuddhismprevailedtheindigenous religionsweretolerated,whileittookcaretoteachthemanewrespectforlife,kindnessto animalsandresignation.Solongastheyfollowedcertainethicalrules,thenewconvertswere notforcedtogiveuptheirnumeroussuperstitions.Anygodcouldbebelievedinsolongas one was ethical. This protean character of Mahayana Buddhism is another example of that universalhistoricallaw,“thatculturewhichconquersisinturnconquered."Thisuniversallaw is especially true of religion. It was true when Christianity proved victorious in the Roman empireanditwastruewhenMahayanaBuddhismwonconvertsfromtheregionsofChina, Korea,Siam,BurmaandJapan."Themorecrusadingareligionis,themoreitabsorbs."The amazingamountoftoleranceofMahayanaBuddhismisinconsonancewithitsmetaphysical views. It is asserted that all religions are revelation of the sameDharmakaya[absolutebasisof reality.Ed.]andbringoutsomeaspectsoftruth. ….. there is more than one Buddha. There are a number of Buddhas endowed with the highestintelligenceandlove.Theytooareworkingconstantlytosavetheworld.Therehave beenaninfinitenumberoftheseBuddhasinthepast,andtherewillbeaninfinitenumberin thefuture. TheEthicsofMahayana The ethical ideal of the Mahayana is the Bodhisattva. Etymologically the term Bodhisattva meanssimplyonewhosebeingconsistsofinsight.Buthistoricallyitmeans"onewhoisonthe waytotheattainmentofperfectknowledge,afutureBuddha."Thetermwasfirstappliedto Gautamaduringhispreviousbirthsandthroughouttheearlieryearsofhishistoricallifeupto the time of his enlightenment. It therefore came to mean a man destined to become a Buddhainthisorinsomefuturelife. To understand this ideal it is necessary to go back to the teaching and life of the founder [SakyamuniBuddha.Ed.]. His own example was quite free from selfishness and narrowness. He taughtthateachmanshouldavoidgivingpledgestoFortuneandshouldseekthedesireless and sorrow-free life. But beyond this his own heart was so full of love for every form of suffering creature that he long postponedParinivanafor their sake. It was this point of the Buddha's teaching and example that the Mahayanist seized upon and it was upon this that theybasedtheirmoralideal…..theidealoftheearnestseekerafterthewelfareofothers, who in unselfish devotion to his fellow creatures accumulates great stores of merit and dedicatesitnottohisownsalvationbuttothatofallsufferingbeings.Meritisthoughtbythe Mahayanaasbeingtransferable.ThereisalsotheelementofvicarioussufferinginMahayana religion.TheBodhisattvaisabletopresenthismerittoaneedyworld,andforitssakeheis willingtobeameritlesssinner.[IthinkhereofKsitigarbhaBodhisattvawhomweseeintheMemorialHall GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page18 andhisvowtoremainuntilhellisemptied.Ed}Itisinterestingatthispointtonotethesimilaritiesof thisconceptionofvicarioussufferingandthetransferenceofmerittomanyofthetheoriesof atonementthathaveappearedinthehistoryofChristianthought. Justbeforehisdeath,Buddhahadsaidtohisfollowers,"Workoutyourownsalvationwith diligence."TheMahayanaacceptsthiscommandandurgesthenecessityofindividualeffort inthesalvationprocess.Buttheydonotstophere.Thehelpofasaviorisnecessary.The MahayanawouldrewordtheBuddha'ssentenceandcrywithSt.Paul:"Workoutyourown salvationwithfearandtrembling,foritisGodwhoworkethinyou,bothtowillandtodoof hisgoodpleasure."Bible:Philippians2:12.[TheMahayanawouldsay]ItistheBuddhanature withinusthatunitesitselfwithourwillsinthestruggleforsalvation.Withoutthismorethan humanaid,salvationfromignoranceanddesirewouldbeimpossible. The Mahayana insists on the turning over of ethical merit to the advantage of others. They insistthatnomanlivestohimselfalone.Thegoodorevilofoneaffectsthewhole.Whether the metaphysical truth that nothing on earth is real, can be reconciled with the ethical law that we should work and suffer for our neighbor, is apparently a problem which the Mahayanist never solved.He would still insist that he must save the world. When the question of nirvana is brought forth the Mahayanists are anxious to make out that it is not annihilation.Itisrealfreedomwhereignoranceisovercome.35Itistheunionwiththegreat souloftheuniverse.TobecomeaBuddhaistobecomeoneinessencewiththeinfinite.Thus Buddhismbecameareligionforthelaymenaswellasforthemonk.Theemphasisonfleeing fromtheworldwasreplacedbyadesiretoliveintheworld,whileyetbeingnotoftheworld. “In this world Hate never yet dispelled hate. Only love dispels hate. This is the law, Ancient and inexhaustible.” ~ Buddha “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ MLK Cock-a-doodle-doo! HappyYearoftheRooster The Rooster is tenth in the Chinese zodiac. Each lunaryearisrelatedtoananimalsignaccordingto theChineseZodiac.The12animalsfollowa12year cycle. GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page19 ItisalwaysfuntoreadabouttheChineseZodiacfolklore,andthisyearisthesame.Following theGoatYear,andbeforetheDogyear,wehavetheyearofaboisterousfowl!Yearsofthe Roosterinclude1921,1933,1945,1957,1969,1981,1993,2005,2017.Chinahighlights.com,a travelwebsite,tellsusaboutthecharacteristicsofourbarnyardfriend: PeopleborninayearoftheRoosterareveryobservant,hardworking,resourceful,courageous andtalented,Roostersareveryconfidentaboutthemselves. “Roosters are always active, amusing and popular among the crowd. Roosters are talkative, outspoken,frank,open,honest,andloyalindividuals.Theyliketobethecenterofattentionand always appear attractive and beautiful. Roosters are happiest when they are surrounded by others, whether at a party or just a social gathering. They enjoy the spotlight and will exhibit theircharmatanyoccasion. “Roostersexpectotherstolistentothemwhiletheyspeak,andcanbecomeagitatedifothers don't. Vain and boastful, Roosters like to brag about themselves and their accomplishments. Their continually seeking the unwavering attention of others annoys people around them at times. “GoodHealthfor"Roosters"PeopleborninayearoftheRoosteraretypicallyhealthypeople. Theyareactiveandenjoysportssuchashikingandswimming.Roostersdon'tgetsickveryoften becausetheytendtofightillnesswell.Evenwhentheydobecomeill,theyfeelbetterquickly. Roostersarealittlesensitive,andtheyfeelstressedandmoodyattimes. LuckyColors:gold,brown,yellowLuckyNumbers:5,7,and8 LuckyFlowers:gladiola,cockscomb If you are a Rooster, be aware of behaving like a “cock of the walk” (an old English idiom defined as a man who acts as if he is more fashionable or important than other people .) Confidence is good,butalittlehumilitydoesn’thurt.Youwanttokeepgoodfriends! OldDogsDon’tNeedtoLearnNewTricks GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page20 Whenattemptingsomethingnewoftenwesay,“Well,youcan’tteacholddogsnewtricks.” Dowereallyneedtolearnhowtousethelatestgadget,becomeproficientin“DarkSoulsIII” videogame,singalongwithAxlRose?Sometimesthenewisawasteoftime.Andhereisproof: “Apuppyandanolddoglivedtogether.Oneday,havingheardthatadog’shappinessisonits tail,thepuppykeptrunningincircleschasingitstailtofindhappiness. “Theolddoglaughedandsaid,‘Ifindhappinessbywalkingforward,withoutanyregretsabout the past, without any fears about the present, and without any worries about the future. As longasItakeastepforward,thehappinessonmytailfollowsme’.” Now,that’sawiseolddog!Whatcreatedsuchwisdom?Readon…….. Where is happiness? Suspicion distances us from happiness. Doubt deafens us to the calls of happiness.Jealouslyconfusesustowhathappinesstrulyis.Delusioncausesustopushawaythe welcoming arms of happiness. Why keep praying to the divine for happiness or begging the Buddhaforawaytofindhappiness?Happinesshasalwaysbeeninourhearts. Ahha!Igetit!Happinessisinthismomentwithoutregretsorfears.Happinessisexperienced whenweliveinthe“now.”Happinessdwellsinside.Wejustneedtoletitcometothesurface, unfetteredbynegativeemotions–regrets,worriesoranger. Happinessforushumanscanbelearnedfromourolddogs.Whentheygreetusexcitedlyat thedoor,theydon’tharboragrudgethatweweregonefartoolong,orthinkabout tomorrowwhenweleavefortheofficeyetagain.Theyappreciatethe moment.Theirhearts,minds,and,yes,tails,arefilledwithjoy.....Gottago now,Ihearabark.It’sthemomentforacookie! (StorycomplimentsofTheStairwayofLifeastoldbyVenerableMasterHsingYunin365Days,abookofstories, poemsandessaysfoundoneverytableintheWaterdropTeahouse. BLIA*OrlandoLotus (English-Speaking)Sub-Chapter Members of the Guang Ming Temple community whose primaryormostcomfortablelanguageisEnglishwelcomeyou to join us as we follow the Buddha’s teachings andenjoyoneanother’sfriendship,supportandlovingkindness. We have Dharma study meetings, lead the GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page21 Sunday morning and Thursday evening discussion groups, take our turn on “kitchen duty” andparticipateintempleactivitiesandcommunityevents. Ournextthreepotluckdinnersanddiscussionwillbe Thursday,January5andFebruary2andMarch2–6:00-8:30PM atGuangMingTemple. DiscussionwillbeledbyRosalbaandMaria,focusingon“RaceandEthnicity,” andhowtheVenerableMastersuggestsweapproachproblemsinour community. Whencontributingtothepotluckdinner,pleaseremember:Vegetarianonly, noonionsandnogarlic! Liketosing?Joinourchorus!TheBLIAchorusperformsattemple functionsandvisitscommunityfunctionsandnursinghomes,bringing enjoymenttoresidents.CometoJanuaryrehearsals,the10th and24th!7:00PM totheGuangMingFamily! These are the regular events at Guang Ming Temple. Special visits by Buddhist teachers, lectures, workshopsandothereventsarehappeningallofthetime.CheckourwebsiteorFacebook,ordropby thetempletoseewhat’snew. Meditation–MeditationClassinEnglish,forbeginnersandthosewithexperience,isheldinthe mainShrineeveryWednesday.SeeannouncementinthisDigest.Independentmeditationis availableanytimeinthetempleisopenaswellasSundaymorningbeforetheChantingCeremony (timesvary);ThursdayeveningbeforetheEnglishBuddhismclassat7p.m. GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page22 BuddhismClassesinEnglishandSpanish–Times:IntroductiontoBuddhism,Thursdayeveningat 7:30 p.m.; Buddhism Tours and Discussion Groups, Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. (1 ½ hr. class); Buddhism 101 in Spanish, Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. will resume in February or March, dependingupontheinstructor’savailability.Comeat7:00forpeacefulMeditation. ChantingCeremoniesinChinese–EachSunday.SeetheexplanationsintheDigest. English Dharma Chanting Service – Last Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m. unless there is a specialservicethatbeginsat10:00. Children’sSundaySchool–Childrenages6andupenjoyartsandcraftsandlessons,supervisedby YADmembers;onthe2ndfloor.Times:SundaymorningduringtheChantingCeremony. Learning Chinese– Currentsemesterinprogress.Checkbulletinboardfornextsemesterdates. Sundays,1:30–3:30p.m. MeditationandTeaasOneExhibitionandTeaCeremony –LastSunday,2:00p.m.,onthe3rd floor.Byappointmentonly.Pleasecalltoregister. Yoga-Bring your own mat for this practice of exercise and meditation. Times: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. Fees are determinedbyInstructor. Sunday Lunch – Healthy vegetarian meals are served in the Dining Hall after the Chanting CeremonyandBuddhismDiscussionGroup.Donationsaregratefullyaccepted.BYOB:Pleasebring yourownbowl! GuidedTours– Sundaysat10:30AM.Alsoprovidedforindividualsandgroupsofanysize.Please callofficetoschedule. The Venerables at Guang Ming Temple are also available to you and your loved ones for spiritual guidance and counseling and to help you plan special commemorations. Call the officeforanappointment.407-281-8482. SpecialDatesthisQuarter- MarkYourCalendar!Seeinsidefortheparticulars! January1and8–Ven.ChuehfanteachestheTripleGemandFivePrecepts GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page23 January4–WeeklyMeditationClassbegins January15–ChoreDay January17–VenerableHueiKailecture January22nd–LightCompletionDharmaServiceandLanternFestival January27–NewYear’sEveevents January28–FirstofYearIncenseOffering January29th–ChineseNewYearDharmaService February26th–EnglishChantingService March19th-GuanYinBirthday March26th–EnglishChantingService Happy New Year! InternationalBuddhistProgressSociety GuangMingTemple 6555HoffnerAvenue,OrlandoFL32822 Tel:(407)281-8482 Email:[email protected] GuangMingDigestWinter2017–Issue27 Page24