Sunday, November 23, 2014

Hua Tou - My Protector

These words are meant to inspire during difficult times, to provide the push when weak and to serve as reminder of what we are all capable of. Let these not be empty words.

Hua Tou - My Protector
The hot hells may burn my body into ashes,
But the hua tou shall shine even brighter.
The cold hells may crack my head open like the Utpala,
But the hua tou shall solidify even stronger.
The body may be deprived of food and water,
But the hua tou shall be all the sustenance I ever need.
So, stop there - greed, anger  and ignorance!
Stop being a hindrance to my peace.
To reach for the stars above,
I have a thousand steps to climb.
In this arduous journey,
The world can be cruel,
And people vicious.
They don't care.
But fear not -
Let the hua tou be the protector.

The hua tou - my only companion.
Never let go of it.
Laying down everything,
With a single mind, going forward.
Once at the pinnacle, to take a leap forward -
What is there?
HAK! Freedom!
Waking up from a long sleep.
Time to brush my teeth and wash my face.
Namo Prajna Paramita!

written: 22 Nov 2014. Sat. 10.30pm to 12.50pm the next day. Revised on 23/11/14, 8.30am.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Guidance from Ch'an Master Hsu Yun

On Friday, which is a day after Lhabab Duchen – the day that marks the occasion when Buddha descended on earth – I chanced upon a book containing teachings from Elder Master Hsu Yun, a 19th -20th century Ch’an Chinese Master. The strange thing was that I found the book in a Theravadian Buddhist temple. The book was “hidden” in a book cabinet where books meant for free distribution or dharma books that are recycled from their original owners are kept. Of the many books there, my eyes just set upon that particular book not too long after I scanned through the books there. As I opened it, I came upon passages that could be advising me on what I should do in my meditation practice and what I should avoid. These teachings were given by Ch’an Master Hsu Yun during Ch’an meditation retreat. It will be extremely valuable advice to me in my practice. I am really thankful to the Buddha for providing me with teachings from Good Knowing Advisors at various stages of my “development”. I completely trust Master Hsu Yun’s complete attainment. So, to have received such important teachings, especially when it is relevant to me at this point in time, I cannot but realise that this indeed is the actual significance of Lhabab Duchen, i.e. receiving of the Buddha Dharma within us. His recorded teachings are so invaluable!

I make my obeisance to the Master beyond comparison - Venerable Elder Master Hsu Yun! Namo Amitabha Buddha! Namo Amitabha Buddha! Namo Amitabha Buddha! HAPPY LHABAB DUCHEN!