Jade Buddha Temple Member gathering

Master Jian Dan held a member gathering yesterday evening. The main purpose was threefold. First, Master used this opportunity to award certificate to students who completed the volunteer training class offered several weeks ago. About 35 people received their certificate of completion. In addition, Master used this opportunity to communicate his vision and future plans for Membership Group at Jade Buddha Temple. Lastly, this was a chance for members to get to know each other and to build team spirit.

In conjunction with the award ceremony, members were asked to give feedback about the volunteer training as well as the hands-on practices of either the Guan-Yin Ceremony or the Buddha Relics Resting Ceremony. Many feedbacks were received and they will be taken into consideration for future planning.

Graduation Ceremony for Intermediate Dharma Class @ Jade Buddha Temple

The ten-week intermediate dharma discussion class has come to its fruition. Nine students attended all class and received a special perfect-attendance gift from the Master. It is worth noting that eleven students had missed only one class. This impressive record speaks not only to the dedication of the students but also how well received the class has been.

This semester, Master Jian Dan went through first half of Chapter four of “The way to Buddhahood” (by Venerable Yin-Shun) in great details. We spent several weeks studying and contemplating the concepts of Four Noble Truth and Twelve Casual Chains. Master even added additional materials to help us understand each concept as well as how they are related to each other.

Chapter four centers on the concept of the “three vehicles.” Three vehicles are three ways of practice that are considered for different capacities of sentient beings. These are the vehicles of Saravaka, Paratyekabuddha and Bodhisattva. Saravakas are Buddhist practitioners who understand the Four Noble Truth in entering Nirvana while Paratyekabuddhas reach enlightenment by contemplation on dependent arising or Twelve Casual Chains. Even though these concepts sound theoretical, Master was able to position them in everyday life, which allowed us to be able to readily relate to these concepts in a more concrete way.

Our last assignment of the semester was to write reflections of what we have learned. Below are excerpts from students’ writings

Many people think they have Buddha in their mind, so they don’t need to listen to dharma talk. Others think they are not at the level to understand dharma talk. What I want is to start from the beginning, change my old habits. Many people have very strong self ego..I hope to learn how to control my mind, eradicate myself from afflictions, cultivate awareness and better myself.

Recently I had a dream that seemed very real… In the dream there was beautiful scenery, sounds, colors, etc… then I realized I was in a dream so I woke up. Upon waking up, this poem appeared:
While sleeping, six directions of reincarnation from hells to heavenly beings seemed vivid
Now I am awake, a billion desire worlds that are vast and interwoven result in only emptiness

I deeply realized that our awareness is always present. However, we have to cultivate it diligently.

I learned the concept of “change our mind” and how to apply it in my life. One time I sent an email to an employee asking for some information. I waited for a while but did not receive the data. I typed up a reminder email with some harsh words. But then I changed my mind. I deleted that email and walked over to him. I said, “I am sorry. I think my email did not explain clearly. I really need this information in a hurry. Is it possible that you can get it to me soon?” I saw that his face turned red. Five minutes later I received that I needed. He never delays anything I wanted from that point on.

After this class, I realized all afflictions arise from not understanding the truth, from the wrong views. Listening to Master explaining some of the concepts in great details helped me recognize that affliction has been my good friend all along, twenty four hours a day..

The more I learn about Buddhism, the more I appreciate its extensiveness and depth

Before this class, I thought a Buddhist’ practice meant to perform all goods, avoid all evils. After this class, I grasp the importance of supporting the Three Jewels. At work, if I encounter unfairness, I now can treat it with calmness. The emotions of sadness, anger or even rage are all due to our greed… Buddhism guides me in applying what I learn into my daily life, in order to continuously improve myself.

I learned how to look up Buddhism teams using online dictionary. Now if I encounter any terminology, I simply look it up. By looking up terms through a dictionary, it increases my study efficiency and brings more fun into the study.

My biggest take away from this class is that I learned not to keep things inside me. Sometimes I have disagreement with coworkers and I got angry. Gradually I learned to let anger go because I now know being angry will not help resolve the situation.

I did not believe in cause and effect before…Now I understand we should put our efforts on the “cause”. If we believe in cause and effect, we will have a better life and can face reality easier… I try to plant good “causes” in this life so that I could enjoy good results in the future. “Live the moment” is another concept I came to appreciate. We cannot change what had happened and we cannot control what will happen. We should appreciate what we have at this moment. Life is fuller and happier this way. Even if we run into problems, we know how to face it, accept it, then let go of it.

I thought Buddhism is about going to the temple, burning incents and chanting sutra. Now I know impermanence is a universal law and we need to constantly improve ourselves.

After the graduation ceremony, we watched the movie Fluke. And had a short discussion about reincarnation, preconceived views, and the meaning of live the moment.

All students eagerly anticipate the start of next semester where we can continue to learn more about the way to Buddhahood.

Introduction to Buddhism & Meditation (University of Houston)

Master Jian Dan delivered an interactive talk at University of Houston to a group of undergraduate students about Buddhism and meditation. Master explained that Buddhism is more of a way of living than a religion and that Buddha is a person who has reached a pure state of mind, a state that we all can achieve. Buddhism believes that we all have this original, pure Buddha nature. Unfortunately, due to attachments, this original, pure mind is deluded with wondering thoughts. Meditation is a tool, a practice, a skillful means, to help us settle down our attachments and reach the mind of tranquility.

So, how can meditation help?

Water Demonstration

Master Jian Dan brought out a big glass tube of water. “This is your original, pure mind. It is clear and calm.” Then he started pouring some red beads into it. “This is your anger when you argue with your girlfriend or boyfriend.” As the beads traveled down the glass tube, Master used a stick to stir them up. “But you cannot let go of your anger. The more you think about it, the angrier you become.” Master poured another bag of purple beads into the tube. “This is your sadness when you received a bad grade from school.” Another bag of blue beads were poured into the water. “This is your children when they do not listen to you.” Master continued to stir the water so all the beads were in a whirlpool, unsettled, restless. “Different color beads represent different emotions. When you give them energy by continue to think about them, they cloud your mind and you cannot see clearly.” Master Jian Dan continued, “So how can you calm your mind? You let thoughts settle down. You let the beads sink to the bottom by not stirring them. Learn to control your mind and ignore all wondering thoughts.”

This water example really helped students make the connection between meditation and clearing our mind. One student wrote on her survey, “The water demonstration was very insightful. It made it much easier to visualize how to clear your mind and let your thoughts go.” Another student echoed, “The explanation of how the mind is like clear water and then you add in the beads that represent thoughts and emotions, all stirred up. That made me think about the clear mind in a different way.”

Conversations between the Master and the students

Two guided meditations were offered where Master taught students the basic breath-counting method. After the meditation, students were eager to ask questions. Below is a snapshot of some of the questions and answers from today’s talk.

Student: Can a Buddhist monk get married?

Master: No.

Student: How old are you?

Master: It is a secret.

Student: How many colors are there in a monk’s robe?

Master: Black, brown and grey as they were considered “dirty” or “bad” colors in ancient time. Black becomes a fashion now but people did not like it before. Wearing undesirable colors is also a training to detach from material desires.

Student: Are you paid to be a monk?

Master: No, but according to the Chinese tradition, we accept offerings from laid disciples. It is also because of this tradition, when I get sick, I keep my mouth shut. Otherwise I will receive a lot of medicines from people.

Student: Why breath-counting method?

Master: There are different techniques but breath-counting is the easiest and safest to practice without a teacher. In addition, we usually are not attached to a number so later we can even easily let go of the numbers.

Student: It is very hard to ignore thoughts during meditation.

Master: That is why we call meditation a practice. Learn to give your mind the strength to ignore thoughts. We simply do not follow our thoughts and make a story out of it. Once we ignore a thought, it loses it energy and it will eventually disappear.

Student: Why is it a good thing to not to attach to things?

Master: When you are attached, you are limiting your world view to only the attachment. When you are free from the attachment, you are open to see the whole picture, therefore the truth. In reality, learning Buddha’s teaching or even counting the breath are also forms of attachment. Eventually we will have to “empty our emptiness.” At that point, we cease reincarnation.

Student: What is reincarnation?

Master: It is the arising (birth), falling away (death), and the recurrence of our thoughts. The same thought keeps coming back and we cannot jump out of this endless loop of suffering. True understanding of reincarnation lies in the awareness of the function of our mind.

Students: What are the differences among different schools of Buddhism?

Master: The basic concepts are the same but each school has adapted to different cultures. In 50 years, American will have its own unique variation of Buddhism.

Student: Are there hierarchy in monks?

Master: Not in Buddhism but since we respect our teachers, we might call them the Grand Master.

Student: Do you dress this way 24 by 7?

Master: When I was in Taiwan, yes. In America, it is a little more flexible so I will change to plain attire when exercising. The way we dress also distinguishes us from others. However, in 10 years, maybe this will change too.

Student: If I just don’t like certain vegetables, am I supposed to like them according to Buddhism?

Master: Like or dislike are still from attached standards. They are attachments. One analogy we often use is to say that our mind should be like a mirror. A mirror reflects what is in front of it without picking and choosing, liking or disliking. A mirror clearly knows the object in front of it and reflects the truth.

Student: If I like to follow the Buddha’s path, what do you suggest?

Master: Find a temple or center close to you and find a good teacher.

Student: good or bad aren’t them the same if we follow Buddhism’s concept where there is no duality?

Master: Like a baby learning how to walk. The baby has to first rely on the walker or the wall. Likewise, we will have to fist rely on the “good” to help get rid of the “bad.” You will not be able to learn anything if the teacher is no good.

Student: I have road rage. How can I get rid of it?

Master: Find an excuse for the other person. He or she might have an emergency. Secondly, I want to treat myself nicely. I don’t want to treat myself with anger.

Student: Is it difficult to be a monk in the west?

Master: It is difficult to be a monk in the east since we have to carry a lot of traditional burdens. It is more flexible here with more possibilities.

Overall reflections

Overall, students seemed to enjoy the talk and the meditation training. They find the talk “informative” “enjoyable” “educational” “very enlightening and very insightful. I plan on implemented some of the Master’s teachings into some of my own teachings” “I really liked his examples” “Master was very interesting. He really tried his best to explain and answer all questions.”

While some felt the talk “gave me a new outlook about Buddhism,” and “I will seek more information … so I can further myself,” many unanswered questions still lingered in students’ mind. For example, one student felt s/he liked to know “how American society reacts to Buddhism.” Yet another wanted to know “the difficulties monks encounter in the US compared to their country.” One student indicated s/he liked to know more about “how Buddhists live and do everything and how to teach children/others about Buddhism” This question was reiterated by another student, who wrote “I would have liked to know how a person implements this in their daily life.”

Master enjoyed the talk as much as the students did.

Buddha's Relics Resting Ceremony

Master Jian Dan coordinated a two-day Buddha Relics resting ceremony at Jade Buddha Temple (public viewing) on Saturday (4/5) and at American Bodhi Center (permanent resting) on Sunday (4/6).

When the Buddha lived in India in approximately 2,500 years ago, the people of that time had the opportunity to actually see and hear him, to be blessed by him in his human form. When Buddha left the earth by passing into nirvana (the enlightened state) during the body's death, he compassionately left relics so that today we still have the opportunity to receive the blessings
of the Buddha, directly.

These genuine relics are offered by Venerable Hung I, the Abbot of Jade Buddha Temple, to permanently rest at American Bodhi Center. In 1971 Venerable Hung I was visiting a temple in Taiwan when he met a traveling monk from India. Impressed by Venerable Hung I's big vow to spread Buddhism in the west, the traveling monk gave Venerable Hung I some of his share of
genuine Buddha relics as a gift. Years later, Venerable Hung I brought these relics, together with his big vow, and arrived in Houston. Thirty years later, we are celebrating the permanent resting of these precious relics in Houston. This event symbolizes the spreading of Buddhism to the west, to Houston, and also the resting of enduring Buddhism teaching in American.

Relics are said to carry positive energy. Interestingly, they are themselves living entities; they can grow bigger, split into more, shrink in size or even disappear. Viewing holy relics inspires us to develop our own Bodhi hearts and minds, to develop loving-kindness and compassion and to understand Buddha’s precious teachings.

In conjunction with coordinating this two-day event, Master Jian Dan conducted a 3-hour volunteer training a week prior. The training aimed to equip all volunteers with the knowledge of how a ceremony like this is carried out, how details are coordinated, and the proper manner and rules in greeting the relics and the guests.

It was a successful event. Can you find some “dharma wheels” in the pictures?