 Shi Zun and Master Lian Hua De Hui Performs Padmakumara Mudra
After the group cultivation, the first dharma talk was from Reverend Lian Qing who talked about “The importance of meditation and bodhicitta.” In the next dharma talk, Master Lian Hua De Hui started with a joke about how he stomped on the recycling items prior to the beginning of a ceremony. He later shared his thoughts about the live internet broadcasts of Shi Zun's precious dharma talks which begun last year, established the Seattle Temple’s website this year, and broadcasted six live internet events. He thanked all the volunteers who helped out behind the scenes with the live internet broadcasts. He also mentioned his gratitude for our compassionate Shi Zun's gift, the dragon vest. Before he ended his talk, he offered his thanks to everyone from the True Buddha Vijaya Temple (Oakland, CA) on Mother's Day and from PTT Buddhist Society (Vancouver, BC) on Shi Zun's birthday in helping with the kitchen duties and organizing the various dharma activities. He encouraged other chapters to form a group then come to Seattle to help out on special occasions in the future, so all can accomplish all the dharma activities work together.
On behalf of everyone, Master Lian Hua DeHui invited Shi Zun to give a dharma talk. Shi Zun said, "With reference to the dragon vest mentioned by Master Lian Hua De Hui, there is an explanation. [The Five Dhyani Buddhas represent the superior.] When the Five Dhyani Buddhas are seated on the top of your head, it is possible to wear the dragon vest [it symbolizes a dragon amongst people] without offending and worrying on misfortunes.** Shi Zun continued to praise Master De Hui's focus in studying the live internet broadcast, often working for days and nights at a time, as well as his concentration on his headstand yoga posture (Sirshasana) and learning the celestial ribbon performance routines. These activities have benefited the temple. When one is doing its’ works and is in the dharana stage, this is also meditating."
The first dhyana (subject of meditation) is "high concentration in work." The second dhyana is "stability of thoughts (such that thoughts do not waver at all)." The third dhyana region is "the appearance of true forms”. The forth dhyana region is "without a thought, tranquil extinction." The practice of the Nine Cycle Breathing is a way to mind concentration, as it facilitates entering into the first dhyana. Buddha's wisdom is achieved by meditation. An un-restful mind can achieve nothing.
Stability comes from abstinence. Wisdom comes from abstinence. The seed of all habitual tendencies is set free by going back and forth between the four dhyana regions. The Buddha-nature of such ness (original nature) will appear. Meditation is also called fragrant meditation. It helps one to let go of all bad habitual tendencies and to cultivate good habitual tendencies. Shakyamuni Buddha also went through the four dhyanas in order to achieve enlightenment and to understand the original Buddha-nature. Shi Zun spoke from his personal practice, actual achievement, as mentioned in his precious dharma talk, "the method of entering into meditation is the same as the method of sleeping." It is all concentrating into one and only one thought. Forgetting about oneself is the beginning.
In Shi Zun's dharma talk, he said, "I focus intensively when I’m working. When something needs to be released, I let it go. When it is time to stop, I stop. In a single cultivation session, if the mind has not been wondering around, that is the personal deity's blessing." At the end of Shi Zun's dharma talk, he mentioned that Shakyamuni Buddha was a patient dharani holder for five hundred lives. The power of stability and the power of patience as engendered by him were very extraordinary. Shi Zun wished everyone to learn the Buddha’s essence in meditation.
Shi Zun's precious dharma talk was filled with wisdom like the radiant sun nectar, empowerment, and shower over all the disciples' bodies. Everybody benefits forever with immeasurable dharma happiness.
**Vajra master's visualization process prior to wearing the 5 Dhyani Buddha Crown.
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