Why didn't we save ourselves when we had the chance?
"Think 'Inconvenient Truth' but with a personality" - Los Angeles Times
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Age of Stupid screening at SBZM
"Think 'Inconvenient Truth' but with a personality" - Los Angeles Times
Thursday, February 10, 2011
行无取事利众生 - 生平
这是一篇有关嵩山禅师生平的文章。愿大家阅读愉快。
An article about the Biodata of Zen Mater Seung Sahn. Hope you enjoy reading it.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
How To Find A Good Spiritual Teacher
Ten Principal Qualities of a Spiritual Teacher
From a Dharma Talk by H.H. The Dalai Lama & "Great Treasury of Merit", Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
1. Having a mind that is controlled by the practice of moral discipline, that is, a disciplined mind – having an ethical discipline.
2. Possessing a mind that has become peaceful and undistracted through the practice of concentration – a calmed mind that is the result of having mastered the higher training in meditation and concentration.
3. Reduced self grasping through the practice of wisdom, that is, totally calmed – having mastered the training in wisdom (of non-self).
4. Possesing a greater knowledge than the disciple. Teacher must have knowledge that exceeds that of the student.
5. Having a vigour and enthusiasm in teaching the Dharma.
6. Having a wealth of scriptural knowledge.
7. Possessing a deep and stable realization of emptiness – or at least a deep commitment to the practice of compassion.
8. Being eloquent and skillful in explaining or presenting the Dharma.
9. Having a deep compassion and love for the student – probably the most important quality.
10. Possessing the quality of resilience for teaching the Dharma, being free from discouragement or laziness, no matter how many times he or she has to repeat the teachings.
It is particularly important for a Spiritual Guide to have greater knowledge and higher realizations than his disciples. Ashvagosha said that if we follow a Spiritual Guide who has lesser qualities it may cause our own good qualities to degenerate. Disciples naturally follow their Teacher's example, so a Teacher must be authentic, not pretending to have qualities and realizations he does not possess. For example, if a Teacher pretends to have realizations but in reality indulges in drinking alcohol, sexual misconduct, or other negative actions, this will cause his disciples' behaviour to degenerate.
Experiencing Korean Zen and Temples 2011
Su Bong Zen Monastery is organizing a trip to Korea from 18 to 24 April 2011. The trip will include a 3 day retreat at Mu Sang Sa followed by 2 days visiting beautiful Korean mountain temples.
Malaysian and Singaporean Zen students are also welcome to join this trip.
For more information, contact SBZM: info@subong.org.hk or +852-28919315.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Teachings of Zen Master Man Gong
Mang Gong (1872-1946) is as towering a figure in modem Korean Zen as his teacher, Kyong Ho. Indeed there are those who believe that in some areas his contributions outstrip those of Kyong Ho. This most charismatic and brilliant of Zen Master Kyong Ho's disciples was born in 1872 and became a novice-monk as a young boy.
Read his full story: Zen Master Man Gong's Story
In 2009, The Teachings of Zen Master Man Gong was translated into English as a dedication to the memory of Zen Master Seung Sahn and is a gift for all beings.
Excerpts from the book:
"Every human being wants something good out of life but nobody understands that this 'wanting' is the source of suffering."
"Sentient beings only know how to know, they do not know how to 'don't know'.
If you know this 'don't know', then you truly know. The way of truly knowing is knowing how to not know. This is your true nature. "
If you know this 'don't know', then you truly know. The way of truly knowing is knowing how to not know. This is your true nature. "
"A person of the Way should not be a 'person of the Way'. You must attain the point before name and form appears. Don't idolize people of the Way and don't be hindered by your precepts and practice. Instead, become a completely independent person. If you do this, you can come and go freely in the six realms of existence and escape suffering."
"A stormy life is necessary before and after enlightenment."
"A stormy life is necessary before and after enlightenment."
"When you feel that your practice is going well, it has already gone wrong. Rather than worry about how well you are practicing, you should instead be building up strong faith."
"The meanest thing that you can do is to blame others for your mistake."
Important Update! Whole World is A Single Flower 2011 India
The Whole World is a Single Flower Conference in India is approaching quickly! If you want to come and have not signed up, now is the time! Registration will close on March 31, 2011. After that it will be difficult to find hotel rooms!
URGENT NEWS and CHANGES:
Your WWSF team is negotiating with the hotel rooms at the moment! Unexpectedly we have been given a much earlier deadline to make deposits for the hotel rooms. We had set other deadlines for prepayments but are now facing an immediate deposit for the hotel.
We are asking those who have registered to:
1. Send 30% of the total price by February 1, 2011 if at all possible.
2. Send 20% of the remaining price by March 31, 2011.
3. Send the final 50 % at the latest by August 1, 2011.
If you have not yet registered by February 1st and wish to attend, then please send 50 % of the total price by March 31,2011 and the remaining 50% latest by August 31, 2011.
We are sorry about any inconvenience, but the hotels are quite small, and October is peak season in India because of the good weather at that time. Great numbers of visitors follow the Buddha path and therefore hotels are filled very quickly. Make sure to secure your place as soon as possible for this great adventure!
Please understand that your deposit is non-refundable. You can however assign your place to someone else, or ask us to find a replacement for you if in case you cannot attend.
Thank you for your prompt action!
For information and registration for the conference: http://www.singleflower2011.org/
If you have any questions please contact your WWSF organizers:
George Hazlbauer, Europe: wwsf2011europe@gmail.com
Carlos Montero, North America: wwsf2011@gmail.com
Grace Tam, Hong Kong and Australia: wwsf2011asia@gmail.com
URGENT NEWS and CHANGES:
Your WWSF team is negotiating with the hotel rooms at the moment! Unexpectedly we have been given a much earlier deadline to make deposits for the hotel rooms. We had set other deadlines for prepayments but are now facing an immediate deposit for the hotel.
We are asking those who have registered to:
1. Send 30% of the total price by February 1, 2011 if at all possible.
2. Send 20% of the remaining price by March 31, 2011.
3. Send the final 50 % at the latest by August 1, 2011.
If you have not yet registered by February 1st and wish to attend, then please send 50 % of the total price by March 31,2011 and the remaining 50% latest by August 31, 2011.
We are sorry about any inconvenience, but the hotels are quite small, and October is peak season in India because of the good weather at that time. Great numbers of visitors follow the Buddha path and therefore hotels are filled very quickly. Make sure to secure your place as soon as possible for this great adventure!
Please understand that your deposit is non-refundable. You can however assign your place to someone else, or ask us to find a replacement for you if in case you cannot attend.
Thank you for your prompt action!
For information and registration for the conference: http://www.singleflower2011.org/
If you have any questions please contact your WWSF organizers:
George Hazlbauer, Europe: wwsf2011europe@gmail.com
Carlos Montero, North America: wwsf2011@gmail.com
Grace Tam, Hong Kong and Australia: wwsf2011asia@gmail.com
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