Difference between revisions of "The Guru's Power of Blessing"
(Created page with " By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu A certain story is widespread in Tibet: A lama climbed up a huge tree where a beehive was found. The bees were buzzing around the lama,...") |
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| − | By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu | + | By [[Living Buddha]] [[Sheng-yen Lu]] |
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| − | A certain story is widespread in Tibet: | + | A certain story is widespread [[in Tibet]]: |
| − | A lama climbed up a huge tree where a beehive was found. The bees were buzzing around the lama, but the lama whispered to the bees, saying, `Don't sting me!` And interestingly, the bees ignored the lama and did not sting him at all! | + | A [[lama]] climbed up a huge [[tree]] where a beehive was found. The bees were buzzing around the [[lama]], but the [[lama]] whispered to the bees, saying, `Don't sting me!` And interestingly, the bees ignored the [[lama]] and did not sting him at all! |
| − | Another lama who saw this was very puzzled, and wanted to know the secret of avoiding being stung by the bees. The lama who was not stung by the bees revealed that there was no secret to this except that he just told the bees not to sting him. The curious lama then climbed up the tree and spoke the same words `don't sting me!` to the bees, but the bees ignored his words and swarmed towards the curious lama and stung him fiercely. The poor lama screamed and begged for his life. | + | Another [[lama]] who saw this was very puzzled, and wanted to know the secret of avoiding being stung by the bees. The [[lama]] who was not stung by the bees revealed that there was no secret to this except that he just told the bees not to sting him. The curious [[lama]] then climbed up the [[tree]] and spoke the same words `don't sting me!` to the bees, but the bees ignored his words and swarmed towards the curious [[lama]] and stung him fiercely. The poor [[lama]] screamed and begged for his [[life]]. |
| − | Why is it that the same words would bring different results? It is said that the first lama prayed to his guru for a blessing before climbing the tree, resulting in the bees listening to him, whereas the second lama followed the instruction without first seeking a blessing from the Guru, thus ending up being stung. | + | Why is it that the same words would bring different results? It is said that the first [[lama]] prayed to his [[guru]] for a [[blessing]] before climbing the [[tree]], resulting in the bees listening to him, whereas the second [[lama]] followed the instruction without first seeking a [[blessing]] from the [[Guru]], thus ending up being stung. |
| − | The Buddha epithets mentioned in the sutras of the Sutric tradition are available for recitation to anyone who comes to know them. There is little restriction over this chanting. But Tantric Buddhism approaches this differently. The practice texts of Tantric Buddhism are printed with the words, `Please do not refer to the text without first receiving the proper empowerment.` It is required that before the recitation of Tantric mantras, one must first receive the proper empowerment and blessing from one's guru. Otherwise, all chanting is void and fruitless, as it is tantamount to an act of fraud, a breach of the Samaya Pledge. Under this circumstance, no Dharma power would ever be invoked through the cultivation of mantra chanting. | + | The [[Buddha]] {{Wiki|epithets}} mentioned in the [[sutras]] of the [[Sutric]] [[tradition]] are available for {{Wiki|recitation}} to anyone who comes to know them. There is little restriction over this [[chanting]]. But [[Tantric Buddhism]] approaches this differently. The practice texts of [[Tantric Buddhism]] are printed with the words, `Please do not refer to the text without first receiving the proper [[empowerment]].` It is required that before the {{Wiki|recitation}} of [[Tantric]] [[mantras]], one must first receive the proper [[empowerment]] and [[blessing]] from one's [[guru]]. Otherwise, all [[chanting]] is [[void]] and fruitless, as it is tantamount to an act of {{Wiki|fraud}}, a breach of the [[Samaya]] Pledge. Under this circumstance, no [[Dharma]] power would ever be invoked through the [[cultivation]] of [[mantra]] [[chanting]]. |
| − | Hence, it is only by taking refuge, receiving empowerment, and gaining the blessings of one's guru that cultivation can be authorized. Only then can the inherent Buddha Nature emerge from delusions, topsy-turvy events, discursive thoughts and attachments. | + | Hence, it is only by [[taking refuge]], receiving [[empowerment]], and gaining the [[blessings]] of one's [[guru]] that [[cultivation]] can be authorized. Only then can the [[inherent]] [[Buddha Nature]] emerge from [[delusions]], topsy-turvy events, discursive [[thoughts]] and [[attachments]]. |
| − | The Guru's power of blessing is the very key to attaining accomplishment through Tantric cultivation! | + | The [[Guru's]] power of [[blessing]] is the very key to [[attaining]] [[accomplishment]] through [[Tantric]] [[cultivation]]! |
Latest revision as of 05:00, 4 February 2020
A certain story is widespread in Tibet:
A lama climbed up a huge tree where a beehive was found. The bees were buzzing around the lama, but the lama whispered to the bees, saying, `Don't sting me!` And interestingly, the bees ignored the lama and did not sting him at all!
Another lama who saw this was very puzzled, and wanted to know the secret of avoiding being stung by the bees. The lama who was not stung by the bees revealed that there was no secret to this except that he just told the bees not to sting him. The curious lama then climbed up the tree and spoke the same words `don't sting me!` to the bees, but the bees ignored his words and swarmed towards the curious lama and stung him fiercely. The poor lama screamed and begged for his life.
Why is it that the same words would bring different results? It is said that the first lama prayed to his guru for a blessing before climbing the tree, resulting in the bees listening to him, whereas the second lama followed the instruction without first seeking a blessing from the Guru, thus ending up being stung.
The Buddha epithets mentioned in the sutras of the Sutric tradition are available for recitation to anyone who comes to know them. There is little restriction over this chanting. But Tantric Buddhism approaches this differently. The practice texts of Tantric Buddhism are printed with the words, `Please do not refer to the text without first receiving the proper empowerment.` It is required that before the recitation of Tantric mantras, one must first receive the proper empowerment and blessing from one's guru. Otherwise, all chanting is void and fruitless, as it is tantamount to an act of fraud, a breach of the Samaya Pledge. Under this circumstance, no Dharma power would ever be invoked through the cultivation of mantra chanting.
Hence, it is only by taking refuge, receiving empowerment, and gaining the blessings of one's guru that cultivation can be authorized. Only then can the inherent Buddha Nature emerge from delusions, topsy-turvy events, discursive thoughts and attachments.
The Guru's power of blessing is the very key to attaining accomplishment through Tantric cultivation!
