ẤN TỐNG 1,200 QUYỂN CÓ IN 1 PHẨM KINH HOA NGHIÊM MÀ LÀNH BỆNH HIỂM.

Triều nhà Minh, niên hiệu Sùng Trinh, có Phật tử họ Triệu là người rất tin Phật pháp.
Bà bị mắc chứng bệnh gan lách sưng to, rất đau đớn thống khổ.
Bệnh khiến bà Triệu chỉ muốn chết đi cho khỏe, không bị hành hạ thân xác thống khổ nữa, bà đi chữa trị khắp nơi đều không hết.

May sao, bà được gặp vị thiện tri thức khuyên bà nên chí thành niệm Phật A Di Đà, niệm Danh của Quán Thế Âm bồ tát 108 lần mỗi ngày.

Hàng ngày lại nên chăm chỉ tụng 1 phẩm kinh Hoa Nghiêm và 1 lượt chú Đại bi.
Bà thích và chuyên tụng Phẩm 24:“ĐÂU SUẤT KỆ TÁN”, Kinh Hoa Nghiêm.

Bà Triệu do tín tâm Phật pháp nên mỗi ngày đều trì tụng kinh, thần chú, rồi xưng niệm hồng danh của Phật, Bồ tát rất chí thành, chẳng dám lười biếng.

Sau 4 tháng, thì bà Triệu đã thuộc phẩm 24 kinh Hoa Nghiêm và cả thần chú đại bi rồi.
Đồng thời, bà còn phát nguyện ấn tống 1,200 quyển in phẩm kinh Hoa Nghiêm này.

Khi bà vừa ấn tống đủ 1,200 quyển kinh in phẩm 24 trong kinh Hoa Nghiêm thì bệnh của bà cũng lành.
Bà không còn bị thống khổ, đau đớn nữa, mà ăn ngủ rất an lành, khỏe mạnh.
--
~Trích từ “Chú Đại bi và những điều linh ứng”

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TỤNG KINH VÀ ẤN TỐNG 1,200 QUYỂN KINH MÀ CON TRAI HẾT BỆNH NAN Y.
Triều nhà Thanh, HÀ THẾ KIỆT là người ở huyện Sơn Âm, tỉnh Chiết Giang.
Đến niên hiệu Càn Long thứ mười ba, vào tháng 9 thì KIỆT bỗng nhiên mắc chứng bệnh sâu cổ.
Đây là chứng bệnh do ăn phải độc chất từ loài độc trùng. Người ta chế thuốc độc này bằng cách nhốt các loại độc trùng như rắn, rít, bò cạp, cùng nhau, để chúng tàn sát nhau. Con nào còn sống sót thì bị giết chết. Sau đó, đốt thân của chúng tan thành tro để tạo thành dạng bột.
Chất bột cực độc này nếu bỏ vào đồ ăn, thức uống của người mà kẻ chủ mưu muốn hãm hại thì người ăn trúng độc. Nếu họ không chết ngay lập tức, thì cũng mắc phải các chứng bệnh không thể chữa trị được.
Mẫu thân của Hà Thế Kiệt là ĐIỀN THỊ ngày đêm chí thành lễ bái ở trước tượng Quán Thế Âm Bồ Tát và xưng niệm danh hiệu của Ngài.
Bà lại phát nguyện tụng kinh Cao Vương (Cao Vương Kinh hay còn gọi là CAO VƯƠNG QUAN THẾ ÂM KINH) một nghìn biến và ấn tống 1,200 quyển Kinh này.
Đến tháng 3 năm sau đó, chứng bệnh sâu cổ của Thế Kiệt hoàn toàn hết hẳn.
(Trích từ Quán Âm Linh cảm lục).

Vasubandhu Bodhisattva,

 Commentary:

In listening to the explanation of a Sutra, one should become familiar with the Sutra: in this Sutra of the Great Vehicle or the Small Vehicle? I will use a matter of public record to point out the differences between the two. In India there were two brothers who were Bodhisattvas, Asanga and Vasubandhu.

Vasubandhu Bodhisattva, because of some unfortunate causes and conditions, had followed the Small Vehicle teachings while his older brother, Asanga Bodhisattva, studied the Great Vehicle. Although Vasubandhu was especially intelligent, Asanga nevertheless wished to convert him to understanding and believing the Dharma of the Great Vehicle, but he did not have the power to cause his brother to believe. Vasubandhu was intent on his praise of the Small Vehicle and said that the Great Vehicle Dharma was incorrect.

Filled with dismay at his brother’s refusal to even consider the Great Vehicle Sutras, Asanga Bodhisattva then devised an expedient method. He feigned a severe illness and asked his brother to come to look at him and see him for the last time. He wrote: “I am very old and will soon die. If you don’t come to see me now, we will never see one another again.” His brother came at once to see him.

Asanga said, “I will certainly die. Would you read the Great Vehicle Sutras to me? Then I can die with my eyes closed (that is, to die having taken care of all his affairs in the world).”

Although his younger brother did not feel that his brother’s illness was very serious, nevertheless, he decided to humor him and began reading a Great Vehicle Sutra to him. Which Sutra did he read? He read this Flower Adornment Sutra, and the more he read the more inconceivable it became. Then he knew that the Flower Adornment experience was wonderful and inexplicable, just like the sun in space illumining all things, or like great Indra’s Net wherein the infinity of jewels emit light and each jewel reflects the light from all the other jewels. Then he realized his previous mistakes, and engulfed with uncontrollable remorse, said, “Quickly give me a sword.”

His older brother asked, “Why do you want a sword?”

“Because I want to cut out my tongue,” he said.

“Why do you want to cut out your tongue?” Asanga asked.

“Because in the past,” he said, “I used it to praise the Dharma of the Small Vehicle and slander the Sutras of the Great Vehicle. This is an offense. So now that I realize this, I should cut out my tongue.”

When his older brother heard this he said, “That is not necessary.”

“Why is that?” asked Vasubandhu. “My offenses are too great. Now I wish to cut out my tongue.”

His brother said, “If you were standing on the ground and you fell down, would you not stand up again? You would not continue to lie on the ground, would you? You would put your hands on the ground and push yourself up. Previously you slandered the Great Vehicle and praised the Small Vehicle with your tongue. Now you can use your tongue to praise the Great Vehicle.”

Vasubandhu thought that this was reasonable and refrained from cutting out his tongue, and from that day on, he put his strength into cultivating in accord with what is right, studying the Sutras of the Great Vehicle, including the Flower Adornment Sutra. Later he wrote the Shastra on the Ten Grounds and upon completing his work, the earth quaked and his mouth emitted light.

When this happened, the King came to visit him and asked, “Have you been certified to the fruition of Arhatship?”

Vasubandhu Bodhisattva said, “No.”

The King said, “If you have not been certified to the fruition of Arhatship, then how is it that the earth has quaked and light comes forth from your mouth?”

Vasubandhu Bodhisattva said, “When I was young I studied the Small Vehicle and slandered the Great Vehicle. Now I have changed and study the Flower Adornment Sutra. I have written the Shastra on the Ten Grounds and after I finished it, the earth quaked and my mouth emitted light. It is not that I have been certified.” Then the king decided that the Flower Adornment Sutra was very subtle and wonderful, and he began to study it.

Here is another matter of public record. The translator of the Eighty roll edition of the Flower Adornment Sutra was named Shikshananda, whose name, very appropriately, means “delight in study.” After he translated the Flower Adornment Sutra into Chinese, he delivered lectures on it, and when he came to the sentence, “seas of Buddha lands as numerous as dust motes in world systems,” the ground quaked in the lecture hall in which he was speaking.

His work on this Sutra took place during the T’ang Dynasty, during the time of Empress Wu Tse-T’ien, also known as T’ien Hou (623-705). One night she dreamed that the heavens sent down sweet dew and the next day following her dream it rained, and it rained sweet dew. That was another sign that the translation of the Flower Adornment Sutra was very important.

After he completed his translation of the Flower Adornment Sutra, Shikshananda lectured it, and when he was lecturing, the great earth quaked. At that time the Empress Wu Tse-T’ien wrote a letter to praise Shikshananda’s work. Therefore, the inconceivable states of the Flower Adornment Sutra are extremely many and it is difficult to explain them in a few words.

Translated on imperial command. Imperial command means the Emperor ordered the translation of this Sutra from the Indian language into Chinese, during the T’ang Dynasty.

Tripitaka. There are three pitakas or “stores” in the Buddhist canon: the Sutra store, the Vinaya store, and the Shastra store. In the Sutras the Buddha taught the path of cultivation. The Vinaya contains all the moral precepts, while the Shastras include all the exegeses This is the meaning of Tripitaka or “three stores.”

Dharma Master. Some explain Dharma Master as one who takes the Dharma as his master; that is, one’s master is the Buddhadharma. Some explain it as one who gives the Dharma to others. These are the meanings of Dharma Master.

Who was this Tripitaka Dharma Master? He was called Prajna. Prajna is a Sanskrit word which is translated as “wisdom.” Why is it transliterated instead of translated? Because it is one of the Five Untranslated Terms. It was not translated because it has many meanings which cannot be translated in one word. The other four kinds of untranslated terms are esoteric terms, terms which refer to something not existing in the translator’s country, terms that traditionally have not be translated, and terms of respect.

Kubha, known today as Kashmir, was the name of a country during the T’ang Dynasty where Master Prajna was born.

-master Hsuan Hua

Vairochana Buddha’s vows

 Vairochana Buddha’s vows

Pervade the Dharma Realm.
Perpetually, in all lands
He turns the unsurpassed wheel.  

A single pore displays spiritual transformations
And all Buddhas speaking in unison.
Even passing through limitless eons,
None of this will reach its end.  

Commentary:

Vairochana Buddha’s vows . Vairochana is the pure Dharma body Buddha. His name means “Pervading All Places.” His vows pervade the Dharma Realm. Vairochana Buddha has the greatest vow power. There is not one place in the Dharma Realm that was not brought into being by the power of Vairochana Buddha’s vows. Beings with whom he has affinities will definitely be saved. Perpetually, in all lands in the ten directions of the Dharma Realm, he turns the unsurpassed Dharma wheel. He constantly speaks Dharma to teach beings.  

A single pore displays spiritual power s and transformations. Although a pore is tiny, it can contain the entire Dharma Realm, and all Buddhas speaking in unison. All the Buddhas in the ten directions of the Dharma Realm are there, speaking Dharma at the same time. Even passing through limitless eons / None of this will reach its end. Even going through an immeasurable length of time, one could not know when they would finish speaking the Dharma.

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hsuan hua master, avatamsaka sutra

BENEFITS OF RECITING, UPHOLDING THE AVATAMSAKA SUTRA.

BENEFITS OF RECITING, UPHOLDING THE  AVATAMSAKA SUTRA.

The  AVATAMSAKA  sutra is known as the “King of Kings” of all Buddhist  sutras.

This Sutra contains the most complete explanation of the Buddha's state and the BODHISATTVA'S quest for awakening.

How much Merits, blessings we collect when we hear this great, sublime sutra.

1.IT HELPS TO INCREASE MERITS, BLESSINGS

In the words of the Venerable Master HSUAN HUA:

"The Flower Adornment ( aka AVATAMSAKA) Sutra is the sutra of the DHARMA-REALM and the sutra of EMPTY  SPACE.

To the exhaustion of the DHARMA-REALM  and EMPTY SPACE there is no place where the Avatamsaka Sutra is not present.

 Wherever the Avatamsaka Sutra is found, the BUDDHA is to be found, and also the Dharma and the Sangha of worthy sages.

That is why when the Buddha realized proper ENLIGHTENMENT, he wished to speak the Great Avatamsaka Sutra, to teach and transform the great masters of the DHARMA-BODY.

Since this sutra was a sutra of inconceivable wonder, it was then concealed within the dragon's palace for the dragon king to protect.

Afterwards Nagarjuna ('dragon-tree') Bodhisattva went to the dragon's palace, memorized it, and brought it back.

"The Avatamsaka Sutra is like an auspicious cloud in empty space, which extends throughout the Three Thousand Great Thousand World-System, raining down the SWEET DEW of DHARMA rain to moisten all living beings. 

The Avatamsaka Sutra is also like the sun, which everywhere illumines the Three Thousand World-Realm, bringing warmth to every single living being. The Avatamsaka Sutra is also like the great earth, which can produce and grow the myriad existing things.

Therefore, it can be said that any period in which the Avatamsaka Sutra exists is a period in which the proper DHARMA long remains.

 

"Consequently, in our daily investigation and lecturing of the Avatamsaka Sutra, the essential is to rely upon the Sutra's principles to cultivate to use the Sutra as a cure for our own personal faults.

Those who are greedy, after hearing the Avatamsaka Sutra, should rid themselves of greed.

People who have hatred, upon hearing the Sutra, should give up their hatred; and those who are stupid should stop being stupid.

The principles discussed in the Sutra are designed to correct our faults and bad habits.

It is absolutely not the case that the Sutra was Dharma spoken for Bodhisattvas with no relation to us, or that it was DHARMA spoken for Arhats with no relevance for us.

Don't think, 'All I can do as an ordinary person is listen to the Sutra.

 I could never aspire to the states of a sage.'

To think that way is to throw yourself away, to separate yourself from the sages.”

2. THIS SUTRA HELPS TO ELIMINATE OLD KARMA, LIBERATE  FROM SAMSARA.

This sutra talks about the benefits of BODHICITTA, BODHISATTVA  WAY .

If  we have BODHICITTA ( Bodhi-mind), we are a Bodhisattva. This sutra contains the most complete explanation of the Buddha's state of realization and the BODHISATTVA'S quest for awakening.

 *Venerable Master HSUAN HUA also said:

"From the beginning to the end of the Avatamsaka Sutra, every phrase of the Sutra is an unsurpassed DHARMA jewel.

If we are able actually to apply the principles and cultivate according to the principles of the Sutra, then we are certain to become BUDDHAS.

For that reason the Avatamsaka Sutra can be called the Mother of all BUDDHAS.

The Avatamsaka Sutra is the DHARMA-BODY of all BUDDHAS."

The merits you get through your recitation of the Avatamsaka sutra, you can deliver the hell beings from the hell and bring them to a better rebirth,  to rebirth in Sukhavati, liberation from Samsara, and to enlightenment, to become Buddha.

It is so great and meaningful when you copy a few lines of this sutra or recite, memorize some poems in this sutra or bow to this sutra, every day. You see that the Avatamsaka sutra is a great and grandiose  sutra. Besides, you should Propagate, uphold, print, circulate, explain this  precious  sutra.

*Venerable Master HSUAN HUA explained in Chapter One of the Avatamsaka Sutra:

” In the FLOWER ADORNMENT OCEANIC ASSEMBLY, which is endless and inexhaustible, Its jeweled treasury of spiritual literature—This sutra is a jeweled treasury of spiritual literature. Anyone who recites this sutra will derive merit and benefit.

The effort will not be in vain. One will certainly gain advantages.

This sutra has sutra-rolls the size of a great trichiliocosm, which can fit in a single atomic particle, which is broken open by this very person.

One can take a knife and cut open this particle, then take out the sutra. Who can do this. You can, if you know how.

Then you will understand the principles in the Avatamsaka Sutra.

Then celestial mandarava flowers rain down in profusion, as in the line from the GREAT COMPASSION REPENTANCE, “Jeweled flowers rain down in profusion from the heavens.”

And the Dharma Realm is everywhere permeated with fragrance.

Sentient beings throughout the Dharma Realm are permeated with and can smell the Dharma-fragrance and merit of the Avatamsaka Sutra.

It is not the Dharma Realm that smells the fragrance, but the sentient beings within the Dharma Realm.

The Dharma Realm is a location, with no nature of its own.”

*It is often said: “Unless you read the Avatamsaka Sutra, you will not know of the BUDDHA'S true BLESSINGS and HONOR. The Avatamsaka Sutra is the Buddha's GREATEST STORE of TREASURES.”

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*G.T-MLS  compiled.

Buddhist merit-making ceremony “Ram Thang Muoi”

The most important Buddhist merit-making ceremony “XIA YUAN Festival” ( Ram Thang Muoi) is the annual Tenth Lunar Month ceremony.

 “XIA YUAN Festival” for Buddhists, traditionally held on the 15th day of the 10th Lunar Month.

This occasion is to pray for blessings, peace for their families and loved ones.

Buddhists often show their Loyalty, Gratitude, Filial piety and respects to their ancestors by preparing vegetarian meals, offering fruits, candles, flowers and reciting sutra, reciting Buddha-name.

And then they  usually go to the temples to present the ritual merit-making offerings through their sutra recitations and Buddha-name recitations.

The Avatamsaka Sutra recitation sessions (only one chapter in this  precious sutra) were held at several temples in a solemn and serious atmosphere.

This is the birthday of the celestial emperor also known as the Official of Water or the God of Water. According to Taoist cosmology the three primary elements of the universe are Heaven, Earth and Water.

There are three celestial officials/emperors governing these realms and they are; the emperor of Heaven, emperor of Earth and the emperor of Water.

There are three festivals, at different times of the year that celebrate the wonders associated with these celestial emperors.

 San Yuan – known as the lantern festival, JungYuan – known as the hungry ghost festival and of course, XIA YUAN.

robe offering and requisites offering ceremony

 

Hòa thượng THÍCH GIÁC KHANG(1941-2013)

 Hòa thượng THÍCH GIÁC KHANG(1941-2013), thế danh là Tô Văn Vinh.

Năm 1966, thầy Giác Khang xuất gia theo hệ phái Khất Sĩ tại Tịnh xá Ngọc Vân, tỉnh Trà Vinh.

Năm 1985, thầy làm trụ trì Tịnh xá Ngọc Vân. Tại đây, thầy chuyên giảng về Chân lý và dạy tu Thiền định cho đông đảo Tăng ni, Phật tử.

Sau đó, thầy lâm trọng bệnh. Sau khi hôn mê trên giường bệnh, lúc tỉnh dậy thầy nghĩ rằng: Trong thời này, tu pháp môn Thiền Tông thật khó mà đắc Thánh quả. Vì vậy, thầy nghĩ rằng pháp môn Tịnh Độ nếu thực hành đúng, dễ được vãng sanh về thế giới Cực Lạc, thì một đời sẽ thành Phật. Kế đó, thầy nhờ Phật tử thỉnh quyển kinh A Di Đà của Tri Húc Đại sư.

Thầy đọc được câu thơ: “Có THIỀN, có TỊNH như cọp mọc thêm sừng” của Đại sư Vĩnh Minh và từ đó bước vào giai đoạn “THIỀN – TỊNH song tu”.

Thầy bắt đầu nghiên cứu các kinh, sách về Tịnh Độ Tông. Sau đó, thầy bắt đầu giảng dạy THIỀN TÔNG kết hợp với TỊNH ĐỘ tông.

Ngoài ra, thầy lập BAN HỘ NIỆM để giúp những người sắp lâm chung được vãng sanh về thế giới Cực Lạc. Kết quả là nhiều người vãng sanh, lưu xá lợi.

Thầy viên tịch lúc 15 giờ 30 phút, chiều ngày 30/03/2013.

Lúc viên tịch, thầy đã để lại nhiều ấn chứng như: Khi bắt đầu châm ngọn lửa trà tỳ nhục thân của Ngài, thì xuất hiện hào quang rực rỡ, tỏa sáng bao quanh kim quan, tỏa sáng trên tháp hỏa và hào quang sáng rực bầu trời. Ngoài ra, nhục thân của thầy khi hỏa táng xong, để lại vô số Xá lợi đủ màu sắc, hình dạng rất đẹp.

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Lược trích ”Tiểu sử Hòa thượng Thích Giác Khang”.