皈依三寶
Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels
Think of the suffering of all living beings as your own. Walk on the Bodhisattva path with great compassion. Cultivate numerous virtues according to your capabilities. Be mindful of the Buddha, be mindful of the Buddha, be mindful of the true -self Buddha. Regard the names of Buddhas as the situation in which you seek. Shut all the improper thoughts and be mindful of Buddhas diligently.
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
緣起性空
Conditions Arise and the Nature Becomes Empty
Dharma is without acceptance and therefore without suffering.
Dharma is without abiding and therefore without severing accumulating.
Dharma is without arising and therefore without confirmed extinction.
Dharma is without appearance and therefore the Way should be cultivated.
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
警策精進
Be Alert and Diligent
Reach into the origin of Dharma and its 1st meaning. Do not undermine the worldly Dharma but realize the Noble Truths exceedingly.
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
芬芳的花朵
Fragrant flowers always spread aroma and delight so many people. Some of them are good people while others are bad ones. But the aroma from the flowers spreads to both. An open mind will let it be and will be joyfull and unrestrained everywhere.
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
起信論
On Starting Belief says, “（Just like )a fire in a pile of wood is the right cause of burning. But without the notice of people and the help of other objects, the fire cannot burn the wood. The same is true for living beings. Although they also have the force coming from practice which is the right cause, they’re still unable to eradicate afflictions and enter Nirvana without the help of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and virtuous friends.”
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
Discharge the mist in your heart. There’s no mist on the Soul Mountain. Confirmed knowledges know no discriminations. Who is deluded and unenlightened?The bodhi mind in itself is to benefit all sentient beings, which is identical to the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. Hence, the bodhi mind is the seed for attaining Buddhahood and can give rise to all Dharmas.
A good moral quality is like delicate gold or jade that has been refined in the blaze. If you want to accomplish great merits, you have to walk through thin ice first.
Bodhisattvas have the greatest patience to give compassion and light only with the intention to light up the travelers’ way back home in the Saha world.
The Five Consciousnesses in the 37 Ways of Cultivation
The five Consciousnesses are those of faith, diligence, thought, stability, and wisdom. Cultivating them may help support and enhance our mind for path and prevent us from withdrawing and being deluded by situations.
I come and go without leaving a trace.
Coming and going are the same thing.
You don’t have to ask worldly questions.
Such a worldly life is but a dream.
Master Niaokeh, Tang Dynasty
Text for the Soul
Study deep into the sacred texts and adjust your mind.
Don’t be blinded by your old habits.
Always keep Amitabha in mind.
Be mindful of Buddhas non-stop and steadily.
When you walk on the Saha Land, karmas may arise, and you should smartly be aware of them.
Then, dark will disappear immediately.
Correct yourself realistically, purify your body and mind, and Buddha light will shine in your heart.
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
Keep a silent mind and don’t be guided by improper thoughts.
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
Manjusri asks Vimalakirti, “How do we practice the right perception?”
Vimalakirti answers, “We should practice the non-arising and non-extinction.”
Manjusri asks again, “What Dharma has no arising and what Dharma has no extinction?”
Vimalakirti answers, “Evil has no arising and good Dharma has no extinction.”
Vimalakirti-Ni rdesa Sutra
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
Manjusri asks Vimalakirti, “What’s the root of good and evil?”
Vimalakirti answers, “The body is.”
Manjusri asks,”What’s the root of the body?”
Vimalakirti answers, “Greed is.”
Manjusri asks, “What’s the root of greed?”
Vimalakirti answers, “Fabrication and discrimination are.”
~Vimalakirti – Nirdesa Sutra
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together
Manjusri asks Vimalakirti, “What’s the root of fabrication and discrimination?”
Vimalakirti answers, “False thoughts are.”
Manjusri asks, “What’s the root of false thoughts?”
Vimalakirti answers, “Non-binding is.”
Manjusri asks, “What’s the root of non-abiding?”
Vimalakirti answers, “Non-binding is without roots. Manjusri ! Set up Dharma based on non-abiding.”
Shih Longmen Yuantong,
Palms together