Amazing Protector

I wrote something like this in my new post before I deleted it yesterday:

"Referring to this post:

http://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2009/02/visited-by-vajrapani.html

I have recently purchased a Vajrapani statue in the aspect of the Vajra Guards from a Trocadero website. The website sells various antique items. However today I got a notice from the local Post Office to inform me that it had been withheld there for customs purpose. I might have to pay them because it required me to show them the invoices and other details before I can collect it. And if they see the value, for sure I have to pay import tax.

Dear Vajra Guardian,
If it is possible, I do not wish to pay any taxes at all. So, now you know what I want. Please do your best.

Thank you. "

In my mind, when I wrote that, I was quite upset that the statue didnot protect itself by having it sent direct to me; and not withheld by the customs. I had some wrong thoughts about the protector. That was why I wrote the above that I didnot wish to pay any taxes at all. But later, I deleted the post because I felt maybe it was a little bit too demanding. I thought to myself, how is it possible to ask the protector to do something that I know would not be possible?
Anyway, if it didnot happen, it will be like I am shooting on my own feet. Then would I believe in the protector if it didnot materialise? Anyway, I decided it was best not to request such things from the protector. If I am required to pay taxes, I will pay. I decided that cheating in anyway to procure a statue will not be good (including cheating by creating my own lower-valued invoices).

And I was told for bronze statues, the tax is as much as 30%. And the $250 is in USD, mind you. I will have to pay enormous import taxes!

Guess what? I didnot have to pay a single cent, apart from my petrol cost and 7.70 ferry toll. But that's all. When I heard they exempted my statue from taxes, immediately I knew it was the blessing from my protector. I felt "weak in my knees" and wanted to apologise profusely to the protector for making the initial unnecessary demands, which I took out later from my blog. Now I am putting it back in because the power of the Vajra Guards need to be told.

Before I went to the customs office, I had trouble thinking what to say to the officers, how much do I declare to him, what document do I show him. I didnot have any invoices, because it was purchased by internet and I only can print out my emails, at most. And the value is inclusive of shipping charges, I was debating with myself whether to take out a portion of the total cost and declare only $190 and tell him that the actual cost minus shipping charges is only $190. But if the office start to ask for proves, I wouldn't have any. So, how to prove to him? I was trying to think of ways to reduce the taxes I have to pay wihtout being a cheat. After all, it is not only about karma, if I am caught point blank cheating, then I may have to end up paying more or even go to jail. And I will end up getting a statue that has been defiled by my own cheating. I would not want that to happen. I want to get it in a clean manner. I do not want to "defile" the statue in any way.

But I found out that all my thinking and thinking about what and how much to declare prove unnecessary. The officer had always asked to show your document and compare regardless of whatever value is written by the sender. So, the actual miracle was that the customs officer didnot ask for any document from my end and accepted the value declared by the sender and just asked me if it was made of stone. I answered, "Is it?". He shot back, " I am asking you!". Then I answered, " oh...it says there it is made of metal!' Before that, I told him this statue is for making prayers since Wesak Day is coming soon.

Then right after that, he asked his colleague to come and chopped on the document of release "Exempted". My heart just stopped at that time. It was too shocking. I thought he will start calculating how much to charge me and I had brought with me a few hundred in cash just in case. Then I knew that was my protector who had read of what I wrote to him as above. So, I didnot have to lie to the customs and I obtained the statue clean in all ways. And I cannot say for sure that the sender had lied. No, perhaps that was the value to him and the rest is profits , which he didnot declare. Now I know the reason why the statue didnot protect itself from the customs, but allow it to be withheld. It was to show me its protective powers.

And what a way for the statue to reach my hands than by an auspicious and miraculous ending that I didnot expect. The reason I deleted what I wrote to the Vajra Guardian above was that I thought it will be an impossibility and I donot wish to trap myself in a ridiculous situation that will not happen. But the impossible became possible!

So... now I humble prostrate to my protector - Vajra Guard Ni'0 - with a heartfelt gratitude for making the customs officer exempt my statue from import duty and for showing me (and everyone else through this post) what you are capable of! And I would like to apologise if I had made any incorrect thoughts or commit any action that is improper in this whole episode. But why me? Do I deserve such a mighty guardian as you? Anyway, THANKS!!!

____________________________________________________
Can't stop thinking of what had happened.

I was having so many thoughts in my mind on this issue, including how do I pay as little tax as possible and what docs do I need to show them, do I need to create my own invoice as someone suggested, what do I tell the customs officer, etc.... these and many more questions were circling in my mind before I went there to collect it and settle the tax..

And I brought extra cash just in case the tax amounted to a lot. But I did tell the deity of the statue I bought that if it was possible, I do not wish to pay any taxes at all. I prayed to the deity to "do its best".. After I had made that momentary plea to the deity, I decided that it was an impossible wish to be fulfilled. I didnot want to disappoint myself.. I sort of prepared myself to pay some taxes anyway. After all, it was made of bronze and someone said the tax is as high as 30%. So, it occured to me that it was ridiculous to wish for no taxes at all. It was a miracle that could not happen, so I thought.

BUT ...

The impossible did happen. The officer looked at it, didnot even ask any document from me and exempted it. So quick. I was shocked. Seriously. I really cannot believe it.

In my mind, arises these thoughts, "What? The deity knew what I had wanted or read my mind?"

So, what I had thought to be obstacles became auspicious blessings from the deity of that statue. I must apologise to the deity, though, for being annoyed that it didnot protect itself from the customs. Now it seems more likely it was meant to prove a point to me (and indirectly to you guys too) that situations can and will change if there is blessings from the Buddhas and his "agents".

O-yes, the statue is a protector statue. Whenever I see it, I will always remember this incident. Thank you, dear Protector!

Examples of Rakshas

One Buddhist Sutra that mentions Raksha is the Lotus Sutra , Chapter 26 Chapter on Dharani. It mentions "daughters of Raksha". Rakshas (or sometimes referred to as "Raksasa" or "Rakshasa", are another type of demon, different from Yaksha. In different cultures, you have different Rakshas. In South East Asia, it is said to be Giant creatures with enormous body and magical powers. They are said to be man-eating and animal eating. In Greek culture, Gigantes and Titan are examples of Raksha. In Jack and the Beanstalk, the Giant is also an example of Raksha (refer picture, coutesy of http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksasa). Bigfoot or Yeti could be a Raksha too. In the fantasy world of Marvel comics, when you think of Raksha, think of the Incredible Hulk.

Bodhicitta: part 2

It is often said that we need to renew our refuge vows in every lifetime but there is no need to do so for bodhisattva vows. I have never had a satisfactory answer to this until I read the Lam Rim Chen Mo. Je Tsongkhapa provided a clear answer to this. He said that the basis for taking the bodhisattva vows is to train and enhance our bodhicitta, which is at first only a feeble aspiration. By training and constant habituation, in due time, our bodhicitta will be generated in a natural way, i.e. uncontrived. It does not need any forcing through reading of text/prayers for it to arise. In fact, he recommended we say the bodhicitta prayer six times a day to maintain our bodhisattva vows. By constant habituation, when we take rebirth into our next life, there would be enough imprints in our mind to enable the same uncontrived compassion to arise again whenever we see suffering. And we will continue our Buddhist path even though it is not necessarily that we call ourselves formally as “Buddhist” then. What I mean is, we do not know whether Buddhism as it is today will for sure still exist or not. Already it is in a state of decline. Moreoever, having bodhicitta, does not mean we will not be reborn into the lower realms. It is still possible as Je Tsongkhapa wrote. If you incur enough negative karma, you can still be reborn there. There’s no doubt about that. But he said further, that a person with genuine bodhicitta will not stay long in the lower realms. He will quickly get out of it. And even during the time he is at the lower realm, he will continue to train in the six perfections and may perform the bodhisattva deeds. That’s how sometimes, we read news about animals that rescue humans or other animals.

By bodhicitta prayer, he was referring to the prayer – “Sang Gye Cho Dang…” In this prayer, we reaffirm our commitment to the Three Precious Jewels as well as to the training in the six perfections. So, Lama Tsongkhapa advised that we repeat it six times a day to get it implanted into our mindstream so that whatever bodhicitta we have stays on within us. And there is also mention of constantly avoiding the “four dark practices” and practicing the “four light practices” so that “…the precious bodhicitta may arise and grow, and not diminish but increase more and more.” This will ensure our bodhicitta does not weaken and able to carry on into our future lives.

So, do read the Lam Rim Chen Mo if you have a copy. Due to Lama Tsongkhapa’s kindness, we do not have to guess anymore. All that we need to know is right there in Lam Rim Chen Mo. It’s our guide book (or “bible” if you want to borrow that word from the Christians).

Translated into Spanish

I can't believe that someone translated what I wrote here:

http://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2008/06/meditation-on-emptiness-based-on-heart.html


...into Spanish language (I think), check here:

http://www.concienciainfinita.net/mantrasdeiluminacin.htm

I wouldn't know for sure whether what was translated is accurate or not, but I trust that if he is interested enough in the teachings of the Buddha, he would not cheat the public... especially when it comes to translating the Sutras. So, good job to the translator! Spreading the dharma is good.

Here, I make my bow to the translator!

Bodhicitta: Part 1

I have been studying topics on Bodhicitta lately...that's why not much time to blog. In particular, I have been studying Lam Rim Chen Mo Vol. 2. And what an eye-opener it has been thus far. Buddhists who intent to follow the practices in the tradition of Gelugpa should study this text because it is written by our founder - Lama Tsongkhapa. You can bet I will write something about it.

Added on Monday 20/4/09

Well, for one thing it clarifies what is great compassion and what is bodhicitta. There is a difference. And how do you know when you have realised great compassion and when you have realised bodhicitta? I summarise below and provide you with the reference page so that you can check yourself, and not just believe me. It's not about doubting me, but rather checking is a way to enhance your own wisdom.

Realisation of Great Compassion
LRCM, pg.45
“When you spontaneously feel compassion which has the subjective wish to completely eliminate the sufferings of all living beings – just like a mother’s wish to remove her dear child’s unhappiness – then your compassion is complete and is therefore, called great compassion.” Here Kamalasila says that when you spontaneously feel compassion for all beings commensurate with a mother’s compassion for her very dear and small suffering child, then you have completely perfect great compassion. This is when you have generated the realization of great compassion. (in other words, it is realised when we are able to see all sentient beings as our mothers, or our dear children in distress, and want to liberate them from such distress)

Realisation of Bodhicitta
Initial generation of bodhicitta.
LRCM, pg20.
If you generate this spirit in an uncontrived manner after making much effort, you will be imbued with the spirit of enlightenment and then even giving a tiny morsel of food to a crow will be considered a bodhisattva deed. When it is actualized, in an instant you are able to easily clear away obscurations and accumulate the collections of merit and sublime wisdom.

LRCM, pg.45
Great compassion is the necessary cause for developing the aspirational spirit of enlightenment. Kamalasila says, “When you have committed yourself to being a guide for all living beings by conditioning yourself to great compassion, you effortlessly generate the spirit of enlightenment, which has the nature of aspiring to unexcelled perfect enlightenment. (in order words, Bodhicitta is realised initially when it comes about effortlessly/naturally/ sponstaneously)

LRCM, pg. 51-60
When we are able to naturally cherish others above ourselves and give up self-cherishing, (example: to the point that we are able to “…give up even the bliss of meditative stabilization, and enters the Unwavering Hells” for the liberation of other beings, pg.58), then this is the sprout of the spirit of enlightenment.

The stabilization of bodhicitta
LRCM Chap. 7 summary
After developing the initial spirit of enlightenment, you realize that this is not enough to bring about liberation for own and other beings, but must engage in the methods that will bring it about. If you want to work for others’ welfare, you must first discipline yourself. To stabilize your bodhicitta, you commit in the training of the precepts of the bodhisattva and engage in fulfilling the bodhisattva deeds even if it takes three countless eons to develop all the qualities of a Buddha.

Perfection of Bodhicitta
Geshe-la’s notes, pg. 12
Bodhicitta is fully and completely realized when Buddhahood is attained because Buddha is the Perfection of Bodhicitta.

Samantabhadra's Elephant

Samantabhadra or "Pu Xian Pu Sa" in chinese rides on a six-tusks white elephant with 7 limps (legs?) according to Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra. Many years ago, I had a dream of this elephant, but never told anyone until now. That was sometime after I had read the Sutra. In the dream it was very clear. The elephant was exactly the way the Sutra described it. I am very blessed to be granted a vision by this holy creature of this great bodhisattva. I know people must be thinking that perhaps I have wild imaginations. Perhaps, but how many persons who have read the sutra had subsequently dreamed of the elephant? This picture is supposedly taken at the Samantabhadra Temple at Mount Er Mei in China. I plan to visit it one day. I pray to Pu Xian Pu Sa that I may be blessed with the opportunity to visit it soon.

pic source:
http://bluenaturenetwork.com/DharmaMasterNanHuaichin/Samantabhadra.htm
and http://www.prometheus.med.utah.edu/

Lama Zopa's teachings on Guru Devotion

Immediately when I received the new book by Rinpoche, I checked my understanding on certain key points on guru devotion. Some of these key points have been mentioned in my previous blogs. Checking does not mean you doubt your guru, rather checking builds on a steady platform of inate wisdom. After checking through, I am glad that I have been correct in what I understood and what I wrote previously. Even in discussions, there were certain times when I maintained that it was possible to have more than one root guru. But some people do not believe me. It does not matter that they do not believe me. But now that this and other key points are written in Rinpoche's new book, I do not have to prove that I am right anymore. I have also written that we need to check against Sakyamuni Buddha's teachings, and other great texts, and ...can you believe it or not?...Rinpoche wrote almost exactly the same thing in his new book on guru devotion. The thing is, as you can read later below, I believe among the many reasons for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to emphasize the need to check the guru's advice against the Buddha's teachings is that there are many fake gurus and fake lamas around. My stand on this issue is the same as that of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. And I believe this is so especially in the dharma declining age where the dharma that passes on through the lineages deteriorates as time goes by. And that's why we need to check against the recorded original sutra and tantric teachings of the Buddha and other great pandits and yogis. If you have not got the book, you might consider buying one. It's really good.

How many gurus should we have?

It is not necessary to have just one guru, like having one boyfriend or girlfriend. Westerners sometimes think that they can’t have many gurus but should have just one…This is a mistake.

You can have many gurus or you can have just one guru and be satisfied with that. It depends on how well you are able to practice guru devotion. …if you can practice guru devotion well, you can devote yourself to everyone who gives you a teaching and have hundreds of gurus without any problems…I you find guru devotion difficult to practice, you should make Dharma connections only with teachers with whom you think you can maintain guru devotion….Basically, it depends on your own capacity, on your own mind.

But there are also advantages in having many gurus – if one guru does not have the lineage of a particular teaching or initiation that you need to benefit yourself or others, you can take it from another guru. In this way, you can receive all the teachings. It is fine to plan to have only one guru in your life but you may not be able to always be in the same place as that guru and he may not always have time to teach you. If you don’t find other gurus to study with, your understanding may not develop quickly. (my comment: Buddhists who are away from their homeland should take note of this advice highlighted in red. Find a Buddhist centre nearest to you and get involved - it does not matter whether it is Theravada, Mahayana or any other genuine lineage of Tibetan Buddhism...except of course, a cult!)

Generally, whether you have one guru or a hundred, how quickly you generate real understanding of Dharma, and realisations of the path depends on your individual skill and practice.

What about root guru?

With respect to the root guru…a common definition of the root guru is the one among all your gurus who has most benefited your mind, the one who has been the most effective in directing your mind toward Dharma. You don’t necessarily have just one root guru; you can have more than one. Among Lama Atisha’s 152 gurus, for example, he regarded five as his root guru.

Is absolute obedience required?

His Holiness the Dalai Lama always emphasizes thatw e should refer to the etachings rather than to the person. This means that we have to check the guru’s advice in relation to the reliable sources of Guru Sakyamuni Buddha’s teachings and the teachings of Nagarjuna, Asanga and the other great pandits and yogis. These authentic scriptures are more important than the guru’s advice. …If the guru’s advice isn’t mentioned in those scriptures, or contradicts them, we don’t need to follow it. Since the advice doesn’t have a pure reference, it is better to leave it in equanimity, which means that we don’t need to criticize or complain about our guru.

…Rongpu Sangye, the Nyingma lama…says that even if our guru asks us to do what looks like a non-virtuous action, we should do it immediately, without any doubt or hesitation. However, HH the Dalai Lama often advices in his teachings that it is when a special guru and a special disciple meet, as in the cases of Tilopa and Naropa and MArpa and Milarepa, that the disciple does every single thing that the guru says. …However, it is different for ordinary beings. As ordinary disciples, it is more skillful for us to devote ourselves to the virtuous friend in accordance with the teachings. While some lamas emphasize that the disciples should see every action that the guru does as pure, HH the Dalai Lama has a slightly different emphasis. I think that HH the Dalai Lama, as the holder of the whole Buddhadharma, takes many factors into account. HH emphasizes very much that we should not simply see everything the guru does as pure but that we should check the guru’s advice well to see that it accords with guru Sakyamuni Buddha’s sutra and tantra teachings before practicing it.

His Holiness is not saying that we should allow negative thoughts towards the guru to arise. However, I think His Holiness and Rongpu Sangye Rinpoche reach the same conclusion: we do what benefits our achievement of enlightenment. If our guru asks us to do something that contradicts the Buddha’s teachings and would result in our committing a heavy negative karma and we aren’t capable of transforming that action into virtue, into the path to enlightenment and bringing great benefits to sentient beings, we should skillfully and respectfully try to get the guru’s permission not to do that action. …The vinaya says that we don’t need to do anything that is against the Dharma or against our vows. Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion also explains that if our guru tells us to do something that is opposite to the Dharma or that we cannot do because of our level of mind, we can respectfully explain that we can’t do it or that we don’t have the capacity to do it. However, we should still correctly devote ourselves to that guru as explained by Guru Sakyamuni Buddha and Lama Tsongkhapa.

Can of Worms

Some people think that the moment we engage in Buddhist activities, we are supposed to be pure in our character, morally upright, etc, i.e. basically becoming a saint overnight. They think, "Why are they so involved in Buddhism and yet they are like that - selfish, arrogant, etc, probably worse than people who are not so into it".

Well, I can only say this: until you yourself are involved in the spiritual path, you will not realise the existence of your own can of worms. Your worms will not become as wild as when you were not "practising spirituality". It is said that when you start embarking on the spiritual path, this is the time when your can of worms start opening and all your bad behaviours and whatever negativities inside you will come out and "fight" for their survival. It is a natural reaction. They are fighting to remain inside you forever. They are fighting because you are trying to get rid of them. So, along the spiritual path, sometimes the good side wins and people see some positive in you. But sometimes, the negative side (the old habits) wins and people see the negative side of you.

This should not discourage anyone from embarking on the spiritual path. Let people say what they want... it is not as if they do not have their own can of worms. It is only that usually it is easier for ourselves to see other's faults than it is to see our own. Isn't this true? So, on our side, when we see someone else's fault, it could also be telling of our own impurity. After all, the Buddha said that if our mind is pure, everything we see is the Pure Land with Pure Holy Beings as inhabitants.

The other thing is, just because we see other people do not make spiritual progress, that does not give us the excuse not to embark on it ourselves. You could potentially be different and progress very fast. The thing is : not to jump to conclusions about others who may be interested in the spiritual path. DO NOT make judgements on their characters or their morality or think that they have not made any spiritual progress at all. You never know. You really, really do not know what's going on inside their minds. They are really trying their best to get rid of this can of worms which has been inside them for ages and ages. Now that they have met the Buddha's teachings, it means that they have the karma to start "get rid if this can of worms". Even a small atttempt in practising or studying Buddhism is good because it will create positive karmic imprints inside our mind that will bring fruit in the future even though we may not be successful in our practise in this life. Studying spirituality is never wasted.

So, the next time we come across Buddhists who are into Buddhism but whom we think are not real examples of what we think a Buddhist should be, we should reflect on ourselves instead. And ask: What about my can of worms? Have I got rid of them?

I am not saying this to justify the "misbehaviours" of Buddhists. Indeed, on the part of supposedly serious Buddhists, there is no excuse whatsoever that they should not be progressing even after many years of "practising". What I am saying is: it is not so easy as "non-practitioners" may think. The struggle inside to rid of this can of worms is tremendous. Only when we actually walk the path will we know.

Extra Care When Handling Donors' Offerings

I would like to share a reminder that we need to be careful when we are collecting donations. It does not matter whom we collect from, as long as something of monetary value is passed to us or an offering material, we need to exercise care to ensure it is channeled to its intended use.

For example, if the money is collected for “Auspicious lamp lighting”, make sure you have a place for devotees to light a candle and place the offering somewhere at the altar. It is not adequate to just put up their names on the board. You do want the candle (or in the case of Than Hsiang temple – a bulb) to be actually lighted and offered to the Buddha. If you promise to it for them later, make sure it is done - every single one of them. Also, it is good to be clear as to whether a partial amount or the entire donation/ sponsorship go to foot the cost of the event. In order to prevent any negative karma, it is good to state that whatever balance of the sponsorship for that particular event will go to the general funds of the temple. This is so that people are clear as to its use. Money - no matter how little is from being’s hard earned blood and sweat. Money is even more precious in the current economic bad times.

I bring up this matter with good intentions as I have read in The Nectar of Manjusri’s Speech (by Kunsang Pelden) and in various other teachings that people who handle temple money or offerings must be extra careful with them. There are stories being told inside this text and it gives me the creeps. The stories tell of the serious consequences of mishandling them. The negative karma will come, even though there are other positive ones from your service to the temple.

So, even though if someone were to repeat this advice again and again, WE DO WANT TO HEAR IT! There is no such thing as “being too careful” when it comes to sentient being’s offerings.

Sometimes, we get too carried away with fundraising until we forget our responsibility to the donors/sponsors.

This would have been my response...

Dear friend,

I do not know you, where you are from, nor your actual motivation in wanting to engage in this “talk” with me. I am not sure what made you pick me to talk with you but I am not interested to talk on religions. I am even less interested to convince you on the truth of Buddhism. If I were to do that, I will be a shame to all Buddhists. Anyway, I do not have the time for such talks which brings nothing but pride and ego. And this is the very thing that the Buddha taught to avoid. Everything is impermanent. So is human life. Very soon this fragile life will come to pass and I do not wish to regret living but not helping my fellow inhabitants of this world who are in need. And there are so many people in this world who are in need of a helping hand… or just a simple smile. I cannot look forward to be Paradise and rest there in peace nor enjoy the happiness there knowing that others are still wallowing in suffering and pain. I cannot afford to waste my precious time in non-beneficial comparisons.

Therefore, please do me a favour. Help the people around you as much as you can. Relieve them of their pain and problems. Bring them happiness. Cultivate in them harmony and peacefulness to live together despite the differences in race, nationality, religion, etc. Make them love each other. Love me. Love yourself. You should commit yourself to this work in helping to make this world a better place to live in. Are you willing to do that?

In the meantime, I make my humble respect to you! I wish you and all your family every happiness and success in this world and thereafter!

With one heart bowing,

A buddhist

Comment:
...No, but I do not intent to send this reply to him. Buddhas do not push dharma "down sentient being's throat". They will "choke". If sentient beings do not have the karma to understand the Buddha's teachings, it could possibly even be detrimental. So, Buddhas will wait for better opportunity.

An email from a Muslim

The below is an email I received on monday morning (6/4/09) and I donot know who the sender is nor why he/she picked me to "discuss" with me (or debate, perhaps, if that is his motivation). I donot know where he got my email from, but obviously he is infiltrating Buddhists sites not to learn Buddhism but to convert Buddhists. This is really disappointing. They got nothing better to do?
_______________________________________________________________

Hello,
I am a Muslim and I want to talk about Buddhism vs. Islam. I found your address from a Buddhist Group, Site.

Dear computer user Buddhists!!!You use computers programs and networks built by programmers or System Administrators. But do never forget these important points;

This Universe is a dazzling (marvellous) computer. It has a Great Programmer who has created all things and the earth in the Universe and for the earth, He has built the sun as a “ power source “ and the moon as a “ system clock “.This power source has never been shutdown, and this system clock has never been corrupted. Therefore, this demonstrates the Science and the Art of the Programmer.This One is also a so exalted programmer who has written a life program for our earth and it has been running for more than 100 thousands of years without any " error " and " crash “ If you want to realize how a Great Programmer “ He is first look at yourself. He located your all data in a tinny cell that cannot be seen by your naked eye, and He is executing the program in it.

Since DNA is an obvious 3D program, and any program cannot be written out of a programmer, the computer programs that you use are also product of skills, but if they are compared with the Glorious One's (Universal Program), yours like a mirror reflection.Moreover as He makes your cells talk and communicate with each other on trillions protocols in the network, He has given you all your needs so He makes you talk with other people, makes you smile and listen.He has prepared light and voice in order that you can be aware of everything around your environment, but you cannot add any new device without His Permission. For this reason there is a so Great One, The Network Expert who knows your all needs and gives the hard wares that you need.

What you can do as a network administrator (or an end user), is very tinny, if it is compared with the Science (Wisdom) of the Network Administrator of the Universe. Yet, it is a great favour for you. He has created natural beauties, green plants colourful flowers, delicious fruits (and all kinds of food) for your amusing. What is more He has endowed extra senses that have not been used in your computer systems yet. Tasting, touching and smelling. In the green leaves, there are perhaps quadrillion x quadrillions of micro chemical factories that decompose life-giving oxygen from carbondioxside (and monoxide).

He has created you from a single cell, zygote (two haploid cells), shaped your body giving your balance etc. that has not been reached by any robotic technology yet.(In fact this match is not sufficient. Even the computers having the most developed technology are extremely shallow when they are compared with the electrochemistry in the human brain and nerve system (cells). What is more the universe, solar systems are much greater and indeed much far from this comparing)

This One is the Owner and the Absolute King of the whole Universe from the earth to the heaven, from the atoms to the stars, from the beginning to the end.It is completely invalid to say " I do not obey the Master, Programmer of the Universe, I only obey Buddha Statues and Buddhism words the way it is baloney to have a Buddha statue picture in your computer by saying “ I do not obey any programmer, but I only trust in this Buddha Picture “.Because the Creation of the Lord is an Open Truth!However according to Buddhism many questions regarding the universe, existence, and life cannot be replied.Since it has no longer enough for any explanation of that power to consider only the existence of the universe, as Buddhism did not even mention ages ago (and as popularizers of Buddha continue to do today).

Each of the steps and structures that Buddhists have said (for the universe and the life) were so simple actually involves staggeringly complicated biochemical processes of the life (of the living beings) that cannot be papered over with rhetoric.Regarding Buddhism. I have never wanted to insult to your religion. I see that you Buddhists have Buddha Statues to pray or etc. You believe his concept and way (even though worshiping of the Buddha really means paying homage, veneration and devotion to him and what he represents, and not to the stone or metal figure).However, we see the universe by examining. Our earth can never be compared with any Buddha statue (on account of size, volume). Yet, our earth is very small if it is compared with the Sun. The immense Sun is very tiny when it is compared with our Galaxy.

Our Galaxy is very small (like a dust), if it is compared with giant Galactic systems.Since this is the fact, since we live in the Universe whose size is so immense and cannot be imaged, and since in it there are Supernovaes, Novaes, Black Holes, Quasars, Nebulas, Red Super giants, and then surely the Buddha statues and buddhisim are NOTHING when they are compared with that beings in the universe.According to Muslim faith, we believe in the existence of the One, Unique, Incomparable, Merciful God (Allah) – the Sole Creator. He creates and sustains all things in the Universe. He is our Cosmic Designer (The Creator of the Universe) and He capable of creating the dazzling array of living things, Universe is great beyond all imagining. He is Higher than all things. As it is stressed in the Qur'an (Muslim Holly Book Sent by ALLAH to Prophet Muhammed (SAS) : HE IS THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH. (SURAH ASH-SURA: 11)

(The Qur’an is a very great book that contains many subjects regarding the science (astronomy, geology, embryology, zoology etc. whose properities have just been found even in this age), society laws, historical information, archaeology, life after death. )You believe in the existance of the Paradise (after death). But one cannot be in the Paradise, unless that one yields to our Cosmic Designer. According to Islam, there is no re-incarnation. People are sent to the World at once and they are given enough time to choose the true path. After they die, they are re-created and Judged.

(On the Day of Judgement).According to your belief. You can say " we will be in the Paradise according to our deeds, but Buddhism says there is no Creator ". Then who can send you to the Paradise? Who will judge you? Who will decide whether your deeds are good or bad? Your reply is “ that is the Cycle of the life”. According to you all events in the Universe, birth, death,(the life) other beings are due to the Cycle and it is not created, it is all natural. In fact it can’t be true. Why?Because:We can examine the cycle of a circle (wheel) We know the circles (wheels) are designed on the computers by the engineers, Let us take an example a Jeep wheel. ( Land Rover - 4x4) whose diameter is about 80cm. Its tire and rim are programmed on the computers, by the engineers due to very significant balance, calculation and measure.

Tire tracks are designed according the road and weather conditions e.g. ice, snow, desert, rain etc. (Goodyear, Continential) , the rim is similar, suitable metal alloy is programmed and produced. This demonstrates and shows an intelligent engineer, programmer (designer).Then in the universal cycle, there are billions of galaxies revolving in their centre. In only our galaxy there are about 200 billion stars revolving very fast and having so great sizes with their thermonuclear operations internally (such as the sun is about 1.300.000 times greater than the earth, it is an average yellowish star with a temperature 5500 C. Massive hot stars are blue-white and glow at 10.000 C. Such stars rapidly consume themselves as their hydrogen converts to helium like a thermonuclear reactor) by travelling in their orbits according to perfect order (protoplanetary disk and accretion disk of embryonic solar systems in which new planets are born), giant nebulas, novaes etc.

Considering the earth it is propelled in the space among formidable conditions for instance very hot stars, stellar wind, cosmic radiation, meteors, frozen cold zones of the space, In spite of all these difficulties, there are thousands of species plants and animals living because of perfectly designed physical and biochemical cycles (cycle of seasons, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, our atmosphere layer, Van Allen magnetic shield of the earth that protects us from Electron winds), much perfect, greater and larger than the Cycle of Jeep’s wheel of course. Therefore, this shows the Engineer and Designer of the Earth and the Universe, the all Wise and the Most High. It introduces Him even to the blind eyes, according to science that we study.Friend, pls don't be cheated! All beautiful things that you see in this worldlifeprogram are only “ limited trial “ versions.

As you see you can never save your wealthy and joyful times. Then know the One who has written this Cosmic Program. Besides is it Possible for the Programmer , to write such a beautiful program, and not to show us " about " to introduce Himself?You are judged by your boss, your teachers because of jobs, home works, examinations. Your boss pays your money, and wants business, your teacher teaches you lessons and wants success and information. Similarly to this is it possible for the One who has endowed you trillions of nerve (network) protocols and computerized ambiance (life) etc. not to judge you on the Great Court?When the time comes, the earth and the universe will be destroyed. People will be re-created and judged. Regarding the Judgement Day, cannot you see Allah, Our Cosmic Designer, sends the rain and revives the death soil, by changing it into verdant land? Similar to this surely He will re-create (revive) all people on the Great Court.

Then He will send to the Paradise or the Hell. Cannot the One who has Created the earth and the universe, (the golden shores, sand, green palm forests, vineyards, blue sea ,sky and other beauties of the earth as examples of the paradise and in the stars at 10.000 C. consuming themselves as their hydrogen converts to helium to a cosmic destruction, example of the Hell) Create a similar one (the Real Paradise and the Hell), Surely He can, He is able to do all things.Beware! All things that you are doing are saved as log files without being removed and skipped. These log files will be opened and checked by the System Admin, the Most High.Therefore, see His Mercy so that you can approach that One, the Great King of Eternity.

You can earn His sake and be the friend of Him due to this mercy.Then see and learn all " about " created by this Programmer who is the Great Network Administrator of this Universe and try to earn the full version (life in the Paradise and Love of that Programmer, The Creator).In Addition, as according to Buddhism wanting help to the Lord is regarded as dangerous. The main teaching is " You must only trust in yourself " Buddhist Monks (Lamas) teach so.

But this is completely incorrect and dangerous and it accomplishes nothing.So to any monk (Buddhist teacher) we Muslims can say:My Lord, Allah causes the sun to rise from the East and causes it to come from the West!(As a challenge to the monk) Now cause the sun to rise from the West. If you really trust in yourself you succeed in this!Furthermore being in good thing for Buddhists accomplishes nothing. Because unless one yields to the Creator of the Universe, God, that one is already in the worst thing.In Islam the Creator, already orders to do good thing.

An Important Note: All things that we have written here are about current Buddhisim not to personality of Buddha’s himself. Because according to Islam too many messenger (prophets) were sent by the Lord. So Buddha could be a messenger of Allah then his religion has been changed. (This is an Islamic Speculation).

Guru's protecting power

The kindness of the guru who is also your Protector is that he will do his best to ensure that you do not commit any wrong doings that will enable you to fall into the lower realms. But of course, if you are stubborn, even the guru cannot do anything. And then, you will sever yourself from your guru by your own doing.

Sorry, my dear Guru for whatever mistakes I have committed and for which you so willingly forgive me and hold no grudge. Instead you have shown only the greatest compassion on me. At times, I am so powerless against my own desires, attachments, anger, ignorance, etc.

Guru, when can I say goodbye to samsara? I bow my head and prostrate in repentance. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT KINDNESS.

The Tibetan Canon

Here's something interesting to share about the Tibetan canon:-

The Tibetan Canon which consists of two parts: (1) the bKángjur ("Translation of the Word of the Buddha"), pronounced Kanjur, and (2) the bStan-'gyur ("Translations of the Teachings") pronounced Tanjur. Because this latter collection contains works attributed to individuals other than the Buddha, it is considered only semi-canonical. The first printing of the Kanjur occurred not in Tibet, but in China (Beijing), being completed in 1411. The first Tibetan edition of the canon was at sNar-tang with the Kanjur appearing in 1731, followed by the Tanjur in 1742. Other famous editions of the canon were printed at Derge and Co-ne.
　　
(a) bKángjur (Kanjur): Translation of the Word of the Buddha; 98 Volumes (according to the Narthang edition).
　　1. Vinaya: 13 Volumes.
　　2. Prajnaparamita: 21 Volumes.
　　3. Avatamsaka: 6 Volumes.
　　4. Ratnakuta: 6 Volumes.
　　5. Sutra: 30 Volumes. 270 texts, 75% of which are Mahayana, 25% Hinayana (prominence and precedence being invariably given to Mahayana sutras).
　　6. Tantra: 22 Volumes. Contains more than 300 texts.
　　The second, the Tanjur (bStan-'gyur) is a supplement to the former, or in other words, continuation of the tradition of the Kanjur. Among its contents are a collection of stories, the commentaries on the Tantra section of the Kanjur and the commentaries on the sutra section. There are also works relating to Abhidharma and Vinaya as well as Madhyamika and Vijnanavada. Works coming under the sutra section of the Tanjur are not necessarily commentaries on the texts contained in the Mdo-section of the Kanjur. They are believed to be authoritative works, some of which, however, are not even Buddhist in character. They deal with logic, grammar, lexicography, poetry and drama, medicine and chemistry, astrology and divination, painting and biographies of saints. Their inclusion in this part of the Tibetan Canon is perhaps justified on the acceptance of the position that they are necessary aids and accompaniments in the practice of the religion.
　　
(b) bStan-'gyur (Tanjur): Translations of the Teachings 224 Volumes (3626 texts) according to the Beijing edition.
　　A. Sutras ("Hymns of Praise"): 1 Volume; 64 texts.
　　B. Commentaries on the Tantras: 86 Volumes; 3055 texts.
　　C. Commentaries on Sutras; 137 Volumes; 567 texts.
　　1. Prajnaparamita Commentaries, 16 Volumes.
　　2. Madhyamika Treatises, 29 Volumes.
　　3. Yogacara Treatises, 29 Volumes.
　　4. Abhidharma, 8 Volumes.
　　5. Miscellaneous Texts, 4 Volumes.
　　6. Vinaya Commentaries, 16 Volumes.
　　7. Tales and Dramas, 4 Volumes.
　　8. Technical Treatises, 43 Volumes.

Source: www.wbf.net.cn