Where is Earth Store Bodhisattva?

 I have been very stressful lately and facing many issues at home and at the office. Life is hellish for me. It was at this time that I discovered Earth Store Bodhisattva suddenly. 

The Earth Store Bodhisattva is typically depicted as wandering in the hell regions, busy rescuing the hell denizens from the depths of seemingly infinite sufferings. As we know from the Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra, he made a great vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all the hells are empty. But you know what? The hells will never be empty because there will always be ignorant beings committing various negative karma and be born into the hell regions, whether the hot hells or the cold hells or the other types of hells. 

Karma is born out of an ignorant mind. So, mind makes the whole world manifest. When we are suffering deeply, that is the manifestation of the hell suffering... even if the physical hell does not manifest, certainly in our minds, it is equivalent to hellish mental torture. That was my condition. And in that moment, suddenly I realise that I need not think that the Earth Store Bodhisattva is very far away from me in the hell regions. In actual fact, wherever there is suffering, RIGHT THERE is the EARTH STORE BODHISATTVA. Yes, be confident he is right there with us when we are suffering deeply. He knows and feels our pain. He gives us hope by being there with us. Through his deep vows, he is able to gradually relief us from suffering. 

My dharma friends, brothers and sisters, 

Whenever you are suffering... or, if you are suffering deeply, ... and if hope seems lost, .... don't lose faith...  chant the NAME of Earth Store Bodhisattva. 

Namo Kstigarbha Bodhisattva

Or.... Namo Ti Tsang Pu Sa (in Chinese language)

repeat many times over and over while looking at an image of him. An image from buddhajourney.net is reproduced below. You can use any image of him. 

After I realised this fact, my stress level reduced greatly and I knew I could always reach out to him anytime. You may not know this, but I think I have written here somewhere how Earth Store Bodhisattva responded to me after I consistently on daily basis chanted his name repeatedly. Search for the post. Thank you, Bodhisattva! Thank you very much!

If you enjoy this post, try reading another post -  https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/12/where-is-medicine-buddha.html

#earthstorebodhisattva #jizo #ksitigarbha #hell 

Truth of Buddhist Cosmology: Man captured by ghosts?

  This video tells about a missing 29 year old Malay man named Acap from Malaysia. He was participating in a 25km marathon run at a hill in Perak, Malaysia. But on that fateful day, he never reached the finishing line. He disappeared and was never to be found till today. The locals believed he was captured by a kind of spirit/ghost called "bunian". Apparently he had been captured to wed to the spirit girl. Even though they tried to "call" him back, but he refused. This is according to the video here. The family members are also concerned that if he comes back, he will likely lose his sanity. This also happened in another case, related in the video comment section. The man returned but was never the same again. He lost his sanity thereafter. 

This video tells you they used local shamans to try to communicate with the Acap guy, who had supposedly been captured into another world. You see, what we see in our world may not be what is in another world, e.g. the spirit world. There have been local reports of local folks who somehow walked right into the another realm, i.e. the spirit realm. And they could see another village that previously was not there. And there are other villagers there and complete by village head, etc. But when the folks walked out, the "village" disappeared. This is very much taught in Buddhism whereby the six realms are all interpenetrating. The realms could be right in front of us but we do not see it. But once the "door" or "gate" to the other realm opens, then only we are able to see it. Highly realised Bodhisattvas and Arahants can see these realms but ordinary humans cannot. There was once when this Acap guy apparently "came out" to talk to his family but returned to his "bunian" realm saying that there were nice food and beautiful village. But all the family members say were snail shells and pieces of broken rock. What Acap and the "others" were eating were snails and worms. This is in line with what Ven. Master Hsuan Hua comments in one of the Sutras. He said that for a small bug on a pile of dung, to the bug, it is ice-cream. But to us, it is so filthy. What makes the difference? Karma. Karma comes from our mind. Hence, it is our mind that perceives the world differently. So, that's why in the Avatamsaka Sutra, there is the verse - "Everything comes from the mind". 

Unfortunately the video is in Malay language. I will try to find one that is in English. Or, if you know of any that is in English, let me know in the comments. But you may read this news link in English. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/479124/search-acap-continues-theories-supernatural-elements-surface

If you like this video, try read this : https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2010/05/liberating-spirits-and-ghosts-pt2.html

#Acap #ghost #capturedbyghosts #bunian

Secrets of the Borobudur Stupas

I was fortunate to be able to visit this holy site in 2019, a few months before the world pandemic started in early 2020. This site was probably one of the places Atisa the Great had visited when he travelled from India and Tibet to Suvarnabumi (as this region was then known as) to pay homage to Serlingpa, from whom he learned Bodhicitta. It pays to pay for the ticket to witness the early morning sunrise at this place. However, try not to get too excited with taking photos of the sun rising. Make some time to meditate there as well, particularly before the sun becomes hot and you’re sweating there. You should also do some quiet chanting, without disturbing other tourists around you or creating a scene there. Be discreet. While there, I learned about the stupas in the Borobudur mandala. This is on how to practice regarding this "stupas", or what you may want to do if you're there. Due to its implication, I have to share it discreetly. Does anyone wish to know? 

What you should do is look for the stupa (the complete one with a Buddha inside it, not the broken ones), and pay your respect to it and recite the Buddhist Sutras. For example, you can recite the Lotus Sutra.... in particular Chapter 11 The Jewelled Stupa whereby there appeared a Seven-Jewelled Stupa with the Tathagata Prabhutaratna inside it. This Borobudur Stupas reminded me of this particular chapter. Don't forget to make a wish in relation to your Dharma practice. Pray to receive the Buddha's blessing! 

Hope you enjoy these photos. When global travel is allowed again, you may want to consider visiting this once thriving Buddhist community. If you love this post, check out this other post. https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/10/preposterous-claims-on-borobudur.html

 

#Borobudur #Stupas 

Bamiyan Buddhas: Are the Talibans now their guardians?

 I refer to this news link that the new Taliban militia taking over Afghanistan are not guarding the site of the Bamiyan Buddhas that they once blew up in 2001. The photos below were taken before the huge statues were destroyed. Now there is just a huge empty space there. LOL - some Buddhists may say, perhaps this is a better portrayal of the true nature of the Buddha! But still, that does not mean, we should undervalue the representation of a Buddha image. 

https://www.indiatimes.com/news/world/taliban-which-blew-up-the-buddha-statues-of-bamiyan-in-2001-now-wants-to-save-the-relics-551266.html

The whole world witnessed in horror how the Talibans blew up the historical site of 2 giant Buddhas (said to be the tallest in the world at that time) on grounds that they were un-islamic. This act is an act of atrocity to the Buddhists, but the Buddhists took this act calmly and did not over-react to their horrendous act. A lot shows on the part of Buddhists on our patience, wisdom and compassion we have for others that do us wrong. 

Apparently, now the new regime is keen to take care of the historical site. Suddenly they understand the value of historical sites? What took them so long to understand that? Look at Borobodur, which is in Indonesia, a country whereby the majority population is Muslim. They took care of it and look how much tourism it generated for Indonesia. 

But I am doubtful Buddhists will ever be keen to venture into that land of Bamiyan Buddhas in the near future. Whatever holiness there is in that site must have long gone! But Buddhists will be grateful if whatever stolen artefact are returned to UNESCO... and let UNESCO be the custodian of the artifacts! 

They are now guarding the site, not because of Buddhism or anything to do with understanding or appreciating the Buddha or Buddhist teachings, but only possibly because of their perception of its historical value. And possibly, to portray the new regime in a better light to the international community. 

If you like this post, do read my posting on Borobudur. https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2012/10/preposterous-claims-on-borobudur.html

#BamiyanBuddhas #UNESCOsite

note: The above photos are taken from: https://en.qantara.de/content/the-bamiyan-buddhas-destroyed-20-years-ago

Shitennoji Temple: Paying homage to Shinran Shonin

Paying homage to my Shinran Shonin - my Pure Land Guru mentor! These pictures were taken in September 2015 about 6 years ago at Shitennoji temple in Osaka. Paying homage in front of his status is a wish come true for me personally.

The other 2 images are those of Buddhist Protectors called Ni-o in Japanese. They are also my protectors. I thought I really felt energised when I was in front of these 2 great protectors. Thank you, great Protectors!

As the international borders are starting to re-open, you may want consider visiting Japan, with its many Buddhist temples. I intent to visit Japan again in the future. 

Do read about my trip to Korea in this post - BUDDHA AND ME: My Trip to Hwa Gye Sa (buddha-and-me.blogspot.com)

#Shinran #Shitennoji #Japanesebuddhisttemple #Jodoshinshu #VisitJapan