The Wutai Mountains as the preaching place of Manjusri was recorded in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, so in ancient times, it was worshipped by quite a few eminent monks from India and Central Asia. There was even an old legend in Nepal saying that the Kathmandu Valley (where the capital of Nepal is located) used to be a large lake. It was Manjusri, after he arrived there from the Wutai Mountains, China, who cleaved apart a mountain, drained off the lake water, and settled down with his followers, thus founding the State of Nepal. That is why the Nepalese people hold Manjusri and the Wutai Mountains in particular affection. As to how the Putuo Mountains became the preaching place of Avalokitesvara and hwo the Jiuhua Mountains became that of Ksitigarbha, they are said to be related with the Buddhist monks from Japan and Korea. (From Essentials of Buddhism: Questions and Answers)
The ideal of releasing not only oneself but also others and of awakening not only oneself but also others is known as the lofty aspiration, or “bodhicitta”. All men who begin to be imbued with bodhicitta may be called Bodhisattas, but they remain as worldly men until they acquired certain attainments. This involves many steps from making the great vow to gaining Buddhahood, there are the Three Virtuous States, the Ten Excellent Positions or stages and the Fifty-two Stages. From the day of arising of bodhicitta, one should practice the Three Studies of discipline (sila), concentration and wisdom, carry out the Six Perfections and the Four Fundamental Virtues and go through countless cycles of birth and death until finally achieving Buddhahood. Manjusri and the others have reached the highest state of being Bodhisatta, or Samma-sambodhi Bodhisatta. The Mahayana scriptures particularly eulogize the great wisdom of Manjusri, the great conduct of Samantabhadra, the infinite compassion and pity of Avalokitesvara and the great vow of Ksitigarbha. Therefore, the four Great Boddhisattas command particular veneration of Buddhists. In China, the Wutai Mountains is regarded as the sermon place of Manjusri, the Emei Mountains as that of Samantabhadra, the Putuo Mountains as that of Avalokitesvara and the Jiuhua Mountains as that of Ksitigarbha. They are known collectively as the Four Famous Holy Mountains, an indication of the significant positions of the four Bodhisattas in the hearts of Chinese Buddhists. (From Essentials of Buddhism: Questions and Answers)
Worldly life under the background of reciting scriptures and repentance verses as well as burning incense and worship Buddha, especially the actual situation of rural life should be seen. It needs a process to improve rural believers’ quality meanwhile it also needs a process to improve their own qualities of Buddhist circle in rural areas. Now the Buddhist circle universally exists a state of mind fearing to be slapped label “feudalistic superstition”. I think it unnecessary and there should be making a concrete analysis of concrete conditions. The most important of all for Buddhism in the world is whether believers believing in religion could benefit from it as well as how much it can contribute to people. (From Words of Chan by Shi Yongxin)
What does Buddha say? Isn’t it difficult to understand? I tell you that truth Buddha has found is very easy. I even don’t think people will believe it so easy like this. Even Buddha couldn’t believe it so easy when enlightening the truth. The book says that after enlightenment, Buddha was unwilling to teach others the truth because he was afraid of being laughed at. The truth Buddha enlightened as well as content he preached whose core is just the five characters: bu hu si luan xiang (don’t indulge in wild flights of fancy). When a person could achieve that don’t indulge in wild flights of fancy, his heart will become clear and peaceful and worries and miseries will also disappear. 48,000 kinds of Dharma-gate recorded by Sutra covering counting breaths, contemplating from mind or space, chanting, worshiping Buddha or canhuatou (thoughts triggered by Buddha’s words or questions) as well as others whose only purpose is to make people be unable to indulge in wild flights of fancy.
Sitting in meditation simply says sitting quietly. In the tranquil spot, wear extensive clothes and sit cross-legged. Make the body relax, hold the spine upright, make the lips slightly close and the tongue on the top of the mouth. Both palms face up with one palm on the other palm meanwhile both thumbs face each other and are put in the the base of the thigh. Regulate your breath to gentle and prolonged condition while make your mindfulness of thought in the state of silence and peace. Meditation can be seen as a static state of movement that can regulate the breath, make mind peaceful, relax joints and massage muscles. If the very state can be as deep as you go into, you will find your true self. (From Shaolin Encyclopedia)
Buddhist Dharma is full of harmony and no barrier. It is not harmony and no barrier in language, but harmony and no barrier in the process of moralization for sentient beings. This is mainly reflected in harmony and no barrier of the process that human beings gain achievements of Buddhist dharma benefits. Buddhist dharma condensed characters or language, becoming Tripitaka aiming to facilitate people for maya-upamata and samdarsana. sentient beings enter into daily practice that brings their own life real benefits by the Tripitaka and characters or language, but never strand in “Buddhist dharma is so”, taking it as knowledge. This is the great doctrine that generations of eminent masters have warned over thousands of years. (From Words of Chan)
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Shi Yongxin
Shaolin Temple
Dew of Chan
