社会万象幻影 [Social multiple images' reflections] - A reflection on a report of a claimed 'god doctor' (神医)

Today, 2013/10/23, Lunar calendar is Sept, 19, the Mahayana School of Buddhism commemorating the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara's Enlightenment Day (农历9月19日，观世音菩萨成道日/出家日?). It is a day for practitioners to reflect on the embodiment of the Enlightened Buddha's virtue of 'Boundless Compassion' - the manifestation of Perfect Virtue on the spiritual path to Enlightenment.

But incidentally,with aching heart, i read of:
someone shared a piece of news(from China) at chinese microblog of a university architecture student who was very interested in Chinese Medicine died of suspected poisoning while participating in a 'closed door chinese medicine workshop'. Based on the web sources, this named leader, so-called 'god doctor', in the 70an, and then 90an., had histories of being jailed twice (or thrice?), the second time was that being found guilty of 'intentionally killed someone and given unlimited jail term', yet he was released after 15 years! Somehow while he was in the jail, he started 'practicing medicine in the jail community- The diagnostic method used was reported 自然运动疗法[my personal translation: natural exercise diagnosis - qigong?], later he was barred from treatment practice by the authority after they reportedly found him causing death to 13 people!  (paraphrased and summarized from source:
http://www.jkzgr.net/yishiweijian/498.html (accessed: 2013/10/23)

In my opinion: apparently, the jail wall did not 'educate his heart to appreciate human lives or managed to revert or change his perverted mind' but may be merely 'restricted his movement in guarded compound with some given works?'. I could only provide the link pages after i did a search of this reported name of  'god doctor' (神医). Not surprising, the online chinese 'Baidu' (like encyclopedia) had published and updated the information (with a picture on the right pane):

Baidu site -
http://baike.baidu.com/view/437728.htm (updated today, 2013/10/23, shown site statisticsof more than 165658 times accessed by visitors)
News -
http://news.sohu.com/20131023/n388713266.shtml
http://news.163.com/13/1023/03/9BRF4DGK0001124J.html
http://news.qq.com/a/20131023/001396.htm

By browsing through the search hit results, an online medical resources site had earlier reported the interview Q & A form, including questioned his techniques of illness treatment and livelihood, and reader could access earlier published related articles at the end of the interview. Interestingly, the anonymous writer had even written a question of this claimed 'god doctor' whereabout (before the reported tragedy?)?, weblink page:
http://www.jkzgr.net/yishiweijian/498.html (accessed 2013/10/23)

Further down of the search hit pages - Oh dear, in 2010, a blogger had initially driven by curiosity, had done some observation through searches on web resources, and later conducted personal 'research' of verification via 3 published books, and then written an article via investigative analyses, even posted some critical questions of this vice-verse controversial 'god doctor' and invited readers for discussion, posted at a free forum community (天涯社区):
http://bbs.tianya.cn/post-free-1999175-1.shtml (accessed 2013/10/23)

While feeling very sorry and sad for the deceased victim's living parent, as a learning Buddhist, once again, it prompted me to contemplate on the Buddha's words: 'Education is the Highest Miracle'!  More than 2500 years ago, why did the prince Siddhartha left the luxurious life as a future king, and searching for the Truth of life through all learned and spiritual masters available in the middle land? - The Four Noble Truth expounded by the historically Enlightened Gautama Buddha and compassionately teaching for 45 years comprises many methods to human physical and mental wellness...The Four Noble Truth presented: the Phenomenon (sufferings), the Cause (of suffering), the Cease (or end, of suffering), and the Path Leading to the Cease (of Suffering), but it is we ourselves need to walk the path, no one else could walk for us....

Om Mane Padme Hung (Hum), 108x
May the deceased rest in peace. May all mother sentient beings be peaceful...Tashi delek. 但愿众生离苦得安乐，发无量菩提心，共同证悟佛性！扎西德勒

笑看风云？(2) [Laughing while seeing the flittering moments?]

edited on 5.12.2013
This is the source of reference:
http://news.ifeng.com/shendu/fhzk/detail_2013_10/15/30348511_0.shtml
(accessed again on 5.12.2013)

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May be this is more difficult for me to understand with my limited knowledge of our 'Mind'?

- Last 2 weeks, while reading an article by a magazine from China reporting of someone who personified as a 'buddhist monk' (not sure his square-shoulder-length hair style signifying another 'new age' attraction, or planted a wig? outfit: wearing a shining yellow one-piece long-sleeves cloak or robe(?) with black embroidery at front collar?) was finally being arrested by the authority for his 'intelligently conning multitude money' from businessmen, public and through his 'healthcare products'!(after more than a decade of 'hard works' by the authority, apparently it was reported he left the country to the USA in the early nineties in initial effort of the authority's investigation). That article was allow accessed free online based on the reason of its social responsibility to the public by the publisher.

Reading that article, being a Buddhist student, as i was laughing over it, i felt also the responsibility to share the information.  Here are some translated paraphrased and summarized tips being reported :

1) he claimed himself the third reincarnation of an 'unknown' name sounding like Tibetan (xx dorjee), and he was the lineage of 'Buddha of the Light' (Dipankara Buddha), even 'Gautama Buddha' was his student? - yet many so called 'buddhists' believed this 'claimed spiritual greatness'??

2) he made visual-aid (VCD?) showing his great 'physic power', shown and convinced a very rich businessman to take 'refuge' under him to give huge offering (huge capital for his business investment), subsequent demand of loan or gift was being feared of his 'psychic power'...Later a business woman's husband had some medical problem & feared for his 'black luck', she was also being trapped...

3) he created his 'multilevel' 'followers recruitment', and to reach the fourth level 'master', using 10 digit as the unit in multiplying from unit head to group leader status (???. the highest level before that man, the only 'true buddha'?)

4) his 'business' was expanded widely through network strategies and 'well-designed system', using the WWW...

Over these years, after a few Q&A sessions with my present Buddhist Master who graduated as 'Khenpo' of Vajrayana School (similar to a PhD?), i understand that:

1) Those well-trained and learned Buddhist Teachers/Rinpoche graduated from any established and known Buddhist College/University (of Vajrayana School, depending on the tradition, it takes 12-20 years of learning of the required scriptures and texts of teachings which had been handed down over a thousand to two thousand years, with bounty of commentaries along the growth over time, after completion the study, they were required to teach at least 3 years in the monastery college, and  going through a 3-years-3 months-3 days solitary retreat for certain traditions in Vajrayana ;

2) For Buddhist Monks (Lamas) or Rinpoches of any tradition, it is the 'vinaya' (discipline) rule that forbidden them to declare or state to anyone their spiritual attainment of possessing 'Psychic power' even though through cultivation/practice one may accomplished such ability;

May be many people are not keen to 'touch the base' of the name of religion they used to complete an application form?? For some, may be the 'Noble Eight-fold Path' could be boring truth?

May our compassion and wisdom growth with right effort and right understanding

Buddha Vajrasattva 金刚萨垛

posted by sonam yeshi

Personally I Like this animate image of Buddha Vajrasattva! One good e.g. of using internet & web to benefit others!(accessed on 10 Feb. 2012). It happens I have been quite slow with my preliminary four foundation practices since last year, these few days im trying to recite 30-100x daily.

善用网络来弘扬佛法仪轨：金刚萨垛法网，金刚萨垛相令我境在不言中，法音随喜！：http://www.jgsdf.com/lf.php

嗡班扎尔萨朵哄！！ON BENZA SATTVA HUM!

In Tibetan Buddhism, it is said that during the new year (Losar) first 15 days(神变月), whatever good deeds or bad deeds one does, it will multiply by billions!

"To Do Good, To Avoid Evils, To Purify the Mind,This is the Teachings of the Buddha"

新年安康，吉祥如意！

Tashi delek

 

Chats with Kunde Rinpoche (1) - Crystal or Coted Plastic?

18 August 2012

posted by sonam yeshi

Chat with H.E. Kunde Rinpoche - Sonam Yeshi. Transcribed in Q&A format (herein address as Tulku) in August 2012.

Q= sonam yeshi, A=Kunde Rinpoche, Bracket ( ) - notes added for clarity, [ ] – expression 

Lately, many friends who were new to Vajrayana School in Buddhism asked me of the title (?) H.E. (His Eminence) in addressing a Vajrayana Master / Teacher.  Reading the media news on Vajrayana Buddhism activities actively circulating among email groups, sometimes we may even confused by this title. I thought  It was time I asked Kunde Rinpoche as he has this ‘title’ though most time he asked us not to bother if we addressed it or not in formal writing (as a form of external respect to a recognized Teacher). 

Q:  Tulku la, lately I had many friends who were new to Vajrayana School asked me what is H.E. (His Eminence). May we know what is/are the criteria to be ‘awarded’ this title H.E. (His Eminence)?

A: [Traditionally,] H.E. (His Eminence) is addressed to the Abbot (Head) of a Monastery in Vajrayana Tradition.

Q: Can we say all the Heads of every Monastery would automatically be addressed H.E. in front of the Abbot’s dharma name of all the Vajrayana monasteries?

A: By tradition, those monasteries listed in the Map which could be found in Dharamsala Office in India, the Abbot(s) are thus be addressed H.E.

Q: What is/are the criterion/ criteria to be listed? Is the Horthang Tashi Monastery being listed in the Map?

A: It is based on its historical significance. Those monasteries have been ancient in Tibet, more than 100 years old (?). Yes,  Horthang Tashi Monastery  is one of them.

Q: How old is Horthang Tashi Monastery (where Tulku la belongs)?

A:  it is 199 years old!

Q: 2 days ago a friend called from Penang to verify a circulated information of a 3-countries (Qinghai, Nepal & Malaysia) Buddhist Chang Chog Puja (to be presided?) with a name of H.E. Tulku …Rinpoche (sorry, forgotten the name of the Rinpoche), she said the info mentioned his brother , another H.E. Tulku...Rinpoche (sorry, also forgotten the name of the Rinpoche) is at Nepal  (presiding?) the Puja thus sent him here. Do you know is this monastery mentioned, was it listed in the Map (there were some  were concerned) ?

A: [laughter] I don’t know!

Q: May we know how many H.E. could be awarded to one monastery of those listed? In other words, maximum how many Abbots in one monastery?

A: (Traditionally) Maximum is Three.

Q: Can I use Horthang Tashi Monastery as an example? Besides Tulku la, who else we should address H.E.?

A: [laughter] of course.  Tulku Karde is the other Abbot (Karde Rinpoche).

Q: Can we address Tulku Bigar H.E. (i.e. H.E. Bigar Rinpoche?) as his practice i heard has been such amazing (a well known Rinpoche  in Qinghai?) who does not has a mobile phone or a automobile in his monastery, wandering around most time, difficult to be located to request for blessings)?

A: His monastery is about 50 years old, presently there are about less than 30 Rinpoches & Lamas under his guidance. Though he is born on his tongue with the syllable 'Ah' white in color! i regarded him as a very exceptional Tulku due to his detachment towards worldly gains, and he is full of Joy, never show a sign of anger or unhappiness thus far i know him!

Q: Thank you very much, Tulku la for the clarification. Also for sharing so many amazing real life stories practitioners (of yoginis) still found in the special land (outskirts?).  I like to record down our conversation mainly for education purposes. Also, with due respect,  we don’t want simply address you wrongly or give the impression of  ‘publicity title only’ [laughter].

A: Tashi Delek

Thus have i heard... posted by sonam yeshi in 2012
(Note: Transcribed by Sonam Yeshi. Any mistakes herein were the ignorant of the translator and transcriber, kindly feedback and notify at sonamyeshi09@gmail.com - posted by sonam yeshi).

Vajrayana Last Rites Rituals - An Experience

Last Friday, i drove Kunde Rinpoche & a Lama to visit a long time friend's house as her mother had departed on last Thursday, aged 90+3 (may be this is the chinese way of calculating age for the departed).  She called to say that she informed me the news because i had visited her late mom with Kunde Rinpoche 2 years ago when she had a colon surgery.  Having personal affinity with her mum, i had to put aside my lag behind study due to personal commitment in assisting in the coming two Buddhist Puja that would assist in the funding for the new Library of Dzogchen Monastery India.

After a tele-conversation with this Buddhist friend, i requested Kunde Rinpoche last Thursday late night if he could help to perform some last rites rituals to assist this friend's family, though they have a local lay Buddhist group to do Amitabha chantings in the evening. Rinpoche la asked me would they be offering a burned animal (like some Chinese families he had seen) and commented 'no killing' involved is the best merits.  My friend commented her late mum had mentioned merits of the Buddhist full-time practitioners are not comparable, and confirmed the ritual ceremony would be only vegetarian.

When we arrived that state which is about 250KM away, it was about 5.30P.M. As the lay Buddhist Amitabha group would be doing the evening chant from 8pm-9.30pm(?), Kunde Rinpoche la humbly adjusted to their needs. We waited till that chanting session completed. Rinpoche la & Lama performed a Buddhist Prayers (my little knowledge only know Vajrasattva 100-Syllable & Mantra)& Smoke Puja (烟供), later Kunde Rinpoche performed a short 'Phowa'. That family also requested him to bless one of the daughters who has been sick & not well (i did not follow to see his blessing for that daughter).

The next day morning, Rinpoche initiated a 100-Buddha ritual after a long series of Blessing Chantings (some Chantings i could recognized with my little experience in Vajrayana Prayers), including Three Refuges, Bodhicitta, Chenrezig, Amitabha Puja & Mantra Chants etc.  We were impressed that Rinpoche could innovatively just drew the Vajrayana Prayer Plate with a lotus, put a picture of the deceased on top of the lotus before the Prayer started .

After the Prayer, another long-time friend who started practising Vajrayana Buddhism in 1997 (?) presented an offering to Rinpoche la & Lama. Her kindness & generosity reminded us of the impotance of making connection with whatever little offering to the recognized Buddhist Practitioners.

That evening after the lay Buddhist Amitabha chanting, Kunde Rinpoche performed Guru Rinpoche's Empowerment to the deceased & the living siblings & relatives. Before the ceremony started, i suggested to make connection with Kunde Rinpoche & the Lama with a minimal offering. They did, for the sake of the highest love and respect to their beloved mum though i was informed that for some of the children, this is the first time they prostrated to Buddhist full-time practitioners.  I was very moved by their kindness & heartful towards their late mum.  Rinpoche la also explained liberated from the Six Realms of Existence entering the Amitabha Pure Land does not meant attainment of Buddhahood, thus we continue to do Buddhist Prayers for this reason.  I was happy to see that daughter was recovered to join this prayer session and later one.

The next day, we were rejoicing to see sign of liberation at the head of the deceased!  With rejoice, Kunde Rinpoche la & Lama performed the Buddhist Prayers with Transference of Merits long text, also blessing the to-be-used porcelain cremation urn upon request. Later Rinpoche la informed me he did the Gelukpa tradition Transference of Merits chant as the Lama is familiar with this instead of the Nyingma Transference of Merits text.  I saluted Rinpoche la's understanding & compassion to make a connection as the Lama who came with him was trained in Sera Buddhist College of Gelukpa tradition.  May be the full-time Vajrayana Practitioners are much open in performing any recognized traditions' rituals with the right conditions.

As Rinpoche la had well-planned to do the necessary prayers for three days, we departed on Sunday, leaving the cremation ceremony for the arranged organization to perform it on Monday. 

It was indeed a special experience for me and i believe the Buddhist rituals ceremony bring psychological well beings for the departed living family members. On the way back while driving, i was contemplating on the local Buddhist Chinese who had spent enormously for the deceased relative, sometimes may be lack of information or knowledge and even could be due to inherited superstition?

May the Merits generated from these 3 days extensive Buddhist Prayers be transferred to All Sentient Beings For Liberation & Peace...Amitofo. 南无阿弥陀佛
OM AH ME DEWA SHER (108x).......

Zen 禅 - A reflection

This is a beautiful modern Zen classics:

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."  - Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind / Suzuki Roshi
Reference:
http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Shunryu-Suzuki/dp/1590308492/ref=pd_sim_b_1/179-3144804-4631810#reader_1590308492
When i was in high school, i appreciate poetry/poems, especially related to 'chan' 禅. later i found reading classic Chinese literature, the aesthetics in the poems by poets who were influenced by Zen Buddhism 禅宗 gave me peaceful feeling when reading it - i was facinated by the let-go of eight worldly conditions of these practitioners.  When i was interested in Buddhism, besides Jataka Stories, the Zen stories made me laugh, but the meanings could be as deep as the ocean - that was my impressions. 

I thought this is a beautiful Zen Center and i added into my favourite website of  this blogroll:
San Francisco Zen Center - Tassajara
http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/

Kobun Chino Otogawa - Zen Master/Teacher
Much has been broadcast of the technologgy icon, the late Steve Jobs whose great contribution to ICT and human innovations in technology.  I remember while i was returning from India last November, in the airflight, i read a local newspapers reported how the simple minded local folks was somewhat believed in a local medium of praying for the late Steve Jobs shift reincarnation, the participants had to bite an apple (and thrown to the ocean?) and also paid RM50.00 for this ritual - it sounded amusing of our ignorant towards this Tech Icon, i thought...

Incidentally, i came across this insightful article in PLoS BLOG, written by Steve Siberman (Thanks for this meaningful post):
"What Kind of Buddhist was Steve Jobs, Really?"
http://blogs.plos.org/neurotribes/2011/10/28/what-kind-of-buddhist-was-steve-jobs-really/
(accessed 9 March 2012)
I like the picture of this Zen Master posted in this site, i felt he is a great Buddhist Master, having changed the lives of  many people who had affinity with him....
May be it is wiser to start learning Meditation (any tradition) rather than paying RM50?

Read this heart moving commencement address at Stanford University by Steve Jobs in 2005:
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

Personally, i felt that he is a great man not merely of his artistic innovations in information communication technology, but also the spiritual quest he had spent in his life, the greatest moment was when he was at his business height, he accepted 'death' is inevitable for every one... - that may had made his life such meaningful and fulfilled besides trusting his heart and intuition?...