Buddhist Practice
Buddhist practice can be summarized into two parts: The cultivation of character and the cultivation of the mind. Shakyamuni Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths based on His enlightenment: Dukkha, the origins of dukkha, the cessation of dukkha or nirvana, and the path to the cessation of dukkha. Dukkha is often translated as suffering, but dissatisfaction is probably closer to the Sanskrit meaning. The path is often summarized as the teachings on morality, concentration, and wisdom. One needs to become a moral or ethical being in order to concentrate and one needs to be able to concentrate to develop one’s wisdom, which in turn enables one to be more moral and so on until one becomes a perfect or holy being–a Buddha. So our practice consists of cultivating our character or becoming moral and cultivating our mind through various forms of meditation practice. We study the various teachings of the Buddhas to further both aspects of cultivation. The following sections tell you about the various paths to become a holy being and then the “Quick Path” that can enable you to become enlightened in this lifetime. The Holy Vajrasana Temple has offered different types of meditation practice from weekly group sittings to short and long-term retreats as well as rare opportunities to hear preliminary translations of discourses by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and a chance to join chanting in Sanskrit, English, Tibetan, and Chinese. All are welcome. Click for current SCHEDULE. The temple’s abbot, Zhaxi Zhuoma, also transmits various tantric practices and empowerments to qualified disciples.
Transcript of Venerable Tsemang’s Recent Talks with Buddhists
Venerable Tsemang met with some Buddhist disciples several times at their requests to address some of their concerns. This article is the summary of what Venerable Tsemang talked about during those meetings with some masters. He has reviewed the transcript issued by the Holy Miracles Temple on April 15, 2022 and released it to the public.
How to Become a Holy Being
This chart provides an overview of the goals, vows, practices, and attainable results of different systems or vehicles within Buddhism as well as non-Buddhist paths.
Holy Beings
You will find descriptions of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors or Dharmapalas, patriarchs and matriarchs of the various sects, and other Holy Beings here along with more detailed descriptions of various stages of the paths to becoming a holy being.
The Quick Path to Enlightenment
This section tells you how to become a Buddhist and the steps and phases you go through in training at the Holy Vajrasana Temple. You should contact the Abbot of the Holy Vajrasana Temple or other masters who carry an authentic Vajrayana lineage for specific guidance.
Announcements
It is especially important that those following the “Quick Path” know the most current instructions and announcements from the Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, the World Buddhism Association Headquarters, and the International Buddhism Sangha Association, but these pronouncements are important for anyone seeking enlightenment.
World Buddhism Association Headquarter’s (WBAH) Exam
The WBAH offers an exam to test your understanding of the Buddhist sutras, vinayas, and shastras (commentaries) that includes a written test as well as other tests in the holy realms.
Dharma Assemblies
The temple holds Dharma Assemblies whereby we seek blessings and protection from disasters for the living and the empowerment to release the dead from suffering and request they be reborn in an auspicious birth.
The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Ceremony
These mantras, verses, and sutra are chanted when someone passes on.
Lighting Bright Lamps to Beseech Good Fortune
Disciples may light lamps at the Dipamkara Buddha Hall at The Holy Miracles Temple in Pasadena, California to beseech blessings and good fortune for individuals and their family members.
The Holy Vajrasana Temple Chant Book
金剛寶座寺 唸誦法本
Since the COVID lockdown, the Holy Vajrassana Temple has been sharing its daily chanting at 6:00 am every day via ZOOM. During that time, we reflect on our cultivation as well as pay our respect to various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and express our gratitude for Their blessings and teachings. We also offer merit to those with whom we wish to share our blessings. Everyone is invited to join. CLICK for ZOOM link and when the COVID restrictions are lifted, please join us at the temple as well.
Freeing of Living Beings Ceremony
Although Buddhist hold many ceremonies throughout the year to release captive animals, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has stipulated that October 29 be a special day dedicated to holding lives-releasing events. This bilingual ceremony used by the temple for these events given here may also be used to enable animal friends and companions to take refuge in the Three Jewels.
Purification-The Four Opponent Powers
Even though we are cultivating ourselves, it is hard to overcome many, many lifetimes of evil behavior accumulated over eons of time, both as humans and as non-humans. However, we can stop negative actions from ripening by purifying them. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III said it is like building a wall of good karma to protect us from the bad. Our bad karma cannot be eliminated–only by becoming enlightened can we escape the laws of cause and effect.
The Seven Dharma System of Listening to Dharma Discourses
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III gave several dharma discourses in 2000 warning us that it will be fruitless if we do not abide by the seven-dharma approach to listening to discourses presented in these discourses. The Learning from Buddha College & Seminary (LFBCS) has developed a series of seminar/courses that uses this method.
Faith
Faith is an important concept in Vajrayana or Esoteric Buddhism. It is especially important in the beginning, but it is an essential component in all stages of practice. When you begin to practice Buddhism, you may not understand the essence of the Dharma and thus cannot enter into true practice. As a result, you will not be able to experience any beneficial effects from your practice. You may not be able to acquire good fortune and wisdom or manifest supernormal powers immediately.
Supernormal Powers
Every disciple who has received initiation has the potential to quickly obtain supernormal dharma powers through practice. One has the potential to easily assume an infinite variety of forms and obtain good worldly fortune. However, if you violate the precept of lying to your master, even a minor lie, you will not be able to obtain any supernormal powers or good fortune unless you immediately repent and resolve never to violate this rule again. It can be proper to desire such powers, depending upon your motivation. It is not proper to desire such powers primarily for your own use, to appear impressive or show off, subdue people, reap fame and gain, cheat people out of money, hoodwink people into sexual misconduct, or further your worldly selfish and evil intentions. It is not blameworthy to desire miraculous powers to enlighten yourself and others.
Meditation
Even though many (probably most) westerners who come to Buddhism, come wanting or expecting to receive meditation training, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, has downplayed this aspect of the practice for beginners. His Holiness has told us repeatedly that it is useless to practice any of the so-called “techniques” without first understanding the underlying reason for doing so.
Oryoki
The Holy Vajrasana Temple uses the ancient method of preparing, serving, and eating meals that was followed in China and Japan that develops gratitude to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and all the beings who made the meal possible and makes offerings to the hungry ghosts and local spirits.
Short-Term Retreats at Sanger
This section provides background on how retreats are conducted at our temple and short term retreat center near Sanger, California, and other places where we hold them.
Long-Term Retreats
Individual meditation caves will be built at the site of the Ancient Buddha Temple in southern California, that will enable disciples of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to do long-term retreats in isolation. Click to learn how you may be able to build or help build such a facility.
The Buddhist 12 Step Program
Although this is not a program approved of or promoted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, it is included as a program that can introduce a popular western program for dealing with various addictions and one that can introduce someone to certain Buddhist concepts. Some western Buddhist feel it prepared them for the practice of Buddhism and helped them eliminate certain addictive behavior so that they could more fully embrace the teachings of the Buddha.