20111022 iconology and loving kindness meditation

Buddhist Association of Canada
Cham Shan Temple

Updated Mar 2010

Cham Shan Temple

ná mó fó tuó
南無佛陀
Namo Buddha

ná mó dá mó
南無達摩
Namo Dharma

ná mó sēng qié
南無僧伽
Namo Sangha

Updated Mar 2010


Buddhist Practice and Cultivation

1 Take refuge in the Three Treasures of the
Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
皈依佛法僧(三寶)
2 Earnestly cultivate the Three Perfections of
Morality, Calmness, and Wisdom.
勤修戒定慧(三學)
3 Shed the Three Poisons of Greed, Anger and
Delusion.
息滅貪瞋癡(三毒)
4 Purify the Three Karmas of Action, Speech
and Thought.
清淨身口意(三業)

加拿大佛教會 © 2006 Buddhist Association of Canada


Four Ways of Persuasion
 The Four Ways of Persuasion
are the methods used by
Bodhisattvas to present loving
kindness to all sentient beings:
 Giving without expectation of
special treatment.
 Offering Loving Kindness
Speech sincerely.
 Acting beneficially with wisdom.
 Cooperating unconditionally –
the best way is to lead by
example.



Metta Transmission
 (Recite Heart sutra)
 May my love one be free from enmity
 May my love one be free from mental
suffering
 May my love one be free from physical
suffering.
 May I take care of my love one happily.



How to practice loving
kindness meditation
During meditation you turn your
attention to your love one and say to
yourself words like:
May my loved one be well and happy.
May my loved one be peaceful and calm.
May my loved one be protected from
dangers.
May his/her mind be bodhi and
enlightened.
May his/her heart be filled with love.



Beginning Practice of Loving
Kindness Meditation
Position

 There is no one posture in which
you cannot send intensive
thoughts of metta.

 In intensive metta exercise, one
radiate loving kindness all the
time in whatever position one is
in – standing, walking, sitting and
lying-down.



7 Postures: 調身七支坐法

1. 足支：結跏趺坐 Full/half lotus/free seat 雙單散盤，足心向上
2. 腰脊支：脊直肩平 Spine and neck straight, back flat 背平頸
直
3. 手支：手結定印 Left palm below abdomen, right palm on the
left palm, thumbs touching each other 姆指相挂
4. 肩胛支：頂門向上 shoulder upright and head top 頭正容寬
，收斂下顎 Chin withdrawn
5. 头颈支： Head upright and neck straight
6. 舌支：舌抵上顎 Tongue on upper jaw 兩唇輕合
7. 目支：雙眼平視，半開半閉，視若無睹Eyes level and
natural 開合自然,


Posture and Preparation
 The posture has to be balanced, back
straight and legs folded in. This helps
to keep the mind most alert.
 Relax from head to toe and toe to
head, side to side, part by part, from
external to internal.
 Make a resolution to put away all
matters for the period of meditation.
 All matters must be put aside
including random thoughts.
 Keep the mind relax and peaceful.
 Maintain an sharp awareness and
mindfulness on an intended object.



Posture and Preparation
 After sitting in the desired posture,
one ought to remain still with utmost
relaxation.
 The body is as if it is not there at all.
 Proceed to giving metta to oneself first
and then your love one.
 Each thought aroused is as if it is a
very small, subtle, soft bubble out of
the mind – increasing tranquility.
 One recites not just the words in the
mind but rather sincerely makes the
wish, understanding fully the meaning
of each word.



Pure Objective
 Setting Oneself Right – Right livelihood,
morality, control of unlimited desires,
 Setting Right Motivation – Provide help
to your love one to release his/her
suffering without any conditions.
 Serves as preliminary concentration –
Focus on meditation object
 Radiate metta to another person –
 Extremely intimate
 Lovable
 Indifferent
 Unpleasant
 Hostile



Discover the Lovableness of Others
 Observe events from his/her point of view
and appreciate what he/she is doing.
 Recall and Enumerate lovable events:
 Gifts given at birthday
 Help in time of stress
 Counseling in career
 Continuous learning
 Hard working
 Smiling
 Gentle words
 When metta arises it has got to be sincere and
come from the depth of your heart.
 Keep the flow of metta go on at any events as long
as possible to deepen your aspiration and possilbe
actions.
 Guard yourself against attachment.



Hindrances to Concentration
 Sensual Desire – attachment, past
experience, liking from five senses, etc.
 Ill Will - Repulsive object, anger,
frustration, etc.
 Sloth and Torpor – Fall into deep sleep,
Not enough energy and sleep, poor
health, etc.
 Restlessness and Worry – Lack of
mindfulness, too much extraneous
thoughts, etc.
 Skeptical Doubts – Doubt the Three
Gems or the method in practice of
metta.



Five Jhana Stages/Factors
 Bringing the mind to the object
(arousing, applying)
 Keeping the mind with the object
(sustaining stretching, visualization)
 Finding, having interest in the object
(Joy)
 Being happy and content with the
object (Happiness)
 Unifying the mind with the object
(fixing, one-pointedness)



Dhyana
Dhyāna in Sanskrit (Devanagari: ) or jhāna ( ) in Pāli can
refer to either meditation or meditative states. Equivalent terms
are "Chán" in modern Chinese, "Zen" in Japanese, "Seon" in
Korean, "Thien" in Vietnamese, and "Samten" in Tibetan.

As a meditative state, dhyāna is characterized by profound stillness
and concentration. It is discussed in the Pāli canon and post-
canonical Theravāda Buddhist literature on the Way that Buddha
got enlightened.


The Eight Auspicious Symbols of
Buddhism

• Buddhism has evolved over the centuries a
complex, yet discernable scheme of symbolism
which has found adequate expression in Buddhist
art.
• The most popular of such symbols is the group of
eight.
• Each of these symbols is also individually
associated with the physical form of the Buddha.

These eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism are:
1). A Conch Shell
2). A Lotus
3). A Wheel
4). A Parasol (Umbrella)
5). An Endless Knot
6). A Pair of Golden Fishes
7). A Banner Proclaiming Victory
8). A Treasure Vase

The Conch Shell

• The conch shell has survived as
the original horn.
• trumpet since time immemorial.
• During the actual practise of rituals,
it is used both as a musical instrument and as a
container for holy water.

The Lotus
It is one of Buddhism's best recognized motifs
The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem
grows up through the water, and the heavily
scented flower lies above the water, basking in
the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the
progress of the soul from the primeval mud of
materialism, through the waters of experience,
and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

The Lotus
• 'the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the
lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere
to it.
• ' According to another scholar, 'in esoteric
Buddhism, the heart of the beings is like an
unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha
develop therein, the lotus blossoms; that is why
the Buddha sits on a lotus bloom

The Wheel
The wheel consists of three basic parts:
the hub, the rim, and spokes (generally
eight in number). Its underlying form is
that of a circle, which is recognized across
all traditions as a shape that is complete
and perfect in itself, qualities which inform
the teachings of the Buddha too.
Individually, the rim represents the
element of limitation, the hub is the axis
of the world, and the eight spokes denote
the Eightfold Path set down by the Buddha,
which leads to the cessation of all
suffering.

The Wheel
• a). The hub stands for training in moral discipline.
Through this practise the mind is supported and
stabilized. Thus it is the practise of moral discipline
that upholds our meditation, just like the supporting
axis of the world.
• b). The spokes stand for the correct application of
wisdom, which cuts off ignorance and ends suffering.
• c). The rim denotes concentration, which holds the
entire meditative practise together, just as the wheel
of life is held together by its rim.

The Parasol
• This is symbolized by the umbrella,
whose important function is to cast a
shadow, the shadow of protection. The
dictionary defines a parasol as an
umbrella used for protection from the sun.
Thus its function is to protect exclusively
from the heat rather than the rain - as the
word 'parasol,' meaning 'to hold off the
sun,' and 'umbrella,' meaning 'little
shade,' similarly imply. The Sanskrit term
'chattra,' also means 'mushroom,' in an
obvious reference to its shape.

The Parasol
• The dome symbolizes wisdom,
and the hanging skirt,
compassion. Thus the composite
• form of the parasol
signifies the union of these dual elements.

The Endless Knot
• This image signifies the dramatic interplay and
interaction of the opposing forces in the dualistic
world of manifestation, leading to their union, and
ultimately to harmony in the universe.
• This fact is amply reflected in
the symmetrical and regular
form of the endless knot.

The Endless Knot
Since all phenomena are interrelated, the placing
of the endless knot on a gift or greeting card is
understood to establish an auspicious connection
between the giver and the recipient. At the same
time, the recipient is goaded to righteous karma,
being reminded that future positive effects have
their roots in the causes of the present. This is
because the knot represents a connection, a link
with our fates, binding us to our karmic destiny.
Not surprisingly, this is one of the most favourite
symbols in Tibetan Buddhism, and often occurs
independently on its own.
Since the knot has no beginning or end it also symbolizes the infinite wisdom of the
Buddha.

The Golden Fishes
In Buddhism, the golden fishes
symbolize happiness,as
they have complete freedom in water.
They represent fertility and
abundance as they multiply very rapidly.
Fish often swim in pairs, and in
China they represented conjugal unity and fidelity,
where a pair of fishes would often be given as a
wedding present.

The Victory Banner
The flag of victory also denotes
Buddha's triumph over Mara,
who personifies hindrances
on the path to spiritual realization.
Specifically, there are said to be four
types of Maras, each one representing an individual
hurdle on the path to spiritual progress.

The Victory Banner
• These are:
1). The Mara of Emotional Defilement
2). Mara of Passion
3). Mara of the Fear of Death
4). Mara of Pride and Lust

It was only after conquering these four negative
traits that Buddha could proclaim victory over
ignorance, and achieve nirvana.

The Treasure Vase
Its symbolic meaning was
almost always associated with
the ideas of storage and
the satisfaction of material desires.
In relation to Buddhism it specifically means the
spiritual abundance of the Buddha, a treasure that
did not diminish, however much of it he gave
away.

The question still remains of the association of these eight symbols with the
Buddha's actual physical body.

An ancient text called the Heap of Good Fortune
The Vase of Inexhaustable Treasures Sutra, while addressing the Buddha,
Has this to say on the issue:

Veneration to you with your head like a protecting parasol,
With eyes like the precious golden fishes
With neck like a precious, adorned vase of good fortune,
With speech like a right-turning Dharma shell,
With a mind infinite with wisdom like the never ending knot,
With a tongue open like the auspicious pink lotus,
With a body proclaiming triumph over the attacking armies of Mara,
With feet that tread the path of dharma like the auspicious wheel.


Presentation Schedule

1. October 15 - Three Sastra School by Grace Lau + Meditation
Practice by Tom
2. October 22 – Iconology by Edward Malek + Meditation Practice by
Tom
3. October 29 - Wutaishan Video Footages by Moshay Allen +
Meditation Practice by Tom
4. November 5 - The white lotus sutra by Dennis A.Yap + Meditation
Practice by Tom
5. Nov. 12 - The white lotus sutra by Dennis A.Yap + Meditation
Practice by Tom
Practice by Tom
Practice by Tom


Questions and
Comments 討論

www.ChamShanTemple.org
www.shengguangshi.blogspot.com
ShengguangShi@hotmail.com
Shengguang Shi 釋聖光
Tom Cheung 張相棠
Kam Cheung 張仁勤
Dennis A. Yap 葉普智


回向 yuàn xiāo zhàng zhū fán năo

s ā n

Parinamana (Transfer of Merit)
願消三障諸煩惱
We wish to rid ourselves of the three hindrances and all klesas.

yuàn dé zhì huì zhēn míng
l ĭ a o

願得智慧真明了
We wish to gain wisdom and real understanding.

pŭ yuàn zuì zhàng xī chú
x i ā o

普願罪障悉消除
We wish all sinful hindrances to be totally eradicated.

shì shì cháng xíng pú sà dào

世世常行菩薩道
In one life after another we always follow Bodhisattvas’ paths.

20111022 iconology and loving kindness meditation

Recomendados

Recomendados

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente

La actualidad más candente (19)

Similar a 20111022 iconology and loving kindness meditation

Similar a 20111022 iconology and loving kindness meditation (20)

Más de Tom

Más de Tom (15)

Último

Último (20)

20111022 iconology and loving kindness meditation