#12 Manjushris Meditation Retreat

[clearskymeditationcenter]

Immerse yourself in wisdom with 'The Mind’s Cutting Edge: 12 Manjushris Meditation Retreat'. Explore the Vajrayana Buddhist archetype of wisdom - Manjushri. This retreat is a journey to enhance cognitive intelligence, discrimination, clarity, and thinking rigor. Embrace the teachings that delve into wisdom's various facets. Reconnect with your inner clarity and elevate your intellectual strength. Experience a transformative retreat that brings depth and insight to your understanding. Whether a seasoned practitioner or new to meditation, this retreat offers a profound exploration of wisdom in all its dimensions. Don't miss this opportunity to develop your cognitive abilities and tap into the essence of wisdom. Enroll now and embark on a journey of intellectual growth and mindfulness with 'The Mind’s Cutting Edge' Manjushri Meditation Retreat.

[vajranam]

Nagajurna

Nagarjuna was a Brahmin youth with dazzling intellectual powers and the magical gift of invisibility. However, he grew bored of scholarly life and threw himself into a life of sensual pleasure. One day, he devised a plan to slip into the king’s palace with 3 friends. They were discovered, and Nagarjuna escaped by standing invisible, but his 3 friends were beheaded.

The entire district was in an uproar, Nagarjuna, now filled with self-disgust went willingly into exile. Frustrated and dissatisfied with life, he set out on a spiritual quest. He journeyed to the Cool Garden Cremation Ground where he was given initiation into the doctrine of the Buddha. Then he travelled to the famous monastic academy of Sri Nalanda, where he studied the 5 arts and sciences until he could recite the entire library from memory. But spiritual dissatisfaction arose again and books were no longer sufficient. So he began to practice a meditation propitiating Tara, and when she appeared to him, he left the security of monastic life and took up life as a mendicant monk.

Later he decided to go into retreat in Rajagrha and began propitiating the Twelve Consorts of the Supreme Elemental. For seven days, disaster stroked the place but it was unable to overwhelm the meditator. Acknowledging Nagarjuna’s mastery, the female Elemental said to him, “Ask and you shall receive.” Nagarjuna replied “I don’t really need anything except, perhaps, a daily supply of food to sustain me through my retreat.” So for 12 years, the Elementals brought him 4 handfuls of rice and 5 handfuls of vegetables and by the end of his sadhanas, all 108 Elemental consorts were under his control.

Renewed with purpose, Nagarjuna had the clear intention of serving all sentient beings. His first act was his attempt to turn Gandhasila Mountain into pure gold. However before he could do so, the Bodhisattva Manjushri questioned him as to what good a gold mountain would be to sentient beings besides causing conflict and strife. Nagarjuna acknowledged the wisdom of Manjushri and abandoned the plan.

Next he came to the bank of a road river near Sri Parvata Mountain. When he asked some herdsmen for safe passage, they led him to the most dangerous part of the river, but they insisted it was the safest place to cross. A herdsman took pity on Nagarjuna and decided to carry him across the crocodile-filled river. Once safely across the river, the yogin said the herdsman could have anything he desired, and so he was made a king and came to be known as King Salabandha.

But after some time, King Salabandha too was dissatisfied and went in search for his guru with the intention to stay by Nagarjuna’s side. However, he was rejected and Nagarjuna gave him a Precious Rosary to protect him and his kingdom, then sent him back to his people for another 100 years. Salabandha’s kingdom prospered and during these happy years, Nagarjuna spread the teaching of the Buddha far and wide.

However, the evil spirit, Sundarananda grew jealous of the king, and unleashed many disasters on the kingdom. The King interpreted these omens as a sign that his guru was in mortal danger, and so he rushed to search for his guru Nagarjuna and to sit at his feet. Just like what the king feared, Nagarjuna began giving away all his worldly goods and prepared for death. The great god Brahma in the guise of a Brahmin came to beg for the master’s head, and when Nagarjuna agreed, out of grief the King laid his own head at his guru’s feet and died. Nagarjuna then took a stalk of kusha grass, beheaded himself and handed his severed head to the Brahmin. All things withered, and the virtue and merit of men faded. Eight yaksis, the female Elementals came to stand guard over Nagarjuna’s body until today.

After the master’s death, a great light entered the body of Nagabodhi, Nagarjuna’s spiritual son and successor. When the teachings and loving kindness of Maitreya, the Buddha Yet to Come, encompass the earth, Nagarjuna will rise again to serve us all.

[enlightenverse]

Nagajurna

Nagarjuna was a Brahmin youth with dazzling intellectual powers and the magical gift of invisibility. However, he grew bored of scholarly life and threw himself into a life of sensual pleasure. One day, he devised a plan to slip into the king’s palace with 3 friends. They were discovered, and Nagarjuna escaped by standing invisible, but his 3 friends were beheaded.

The entire district was in an uproar, Nagarjuna, now filled with self-disgust went willingly into exile. Frustrated and dissatisfied with life, he set out on a spiritual quest. He journeyed to the Cool Garden Cremation Ground where he was given initiation into the doctrine of the Buddha. Then he travelled to the famous monastic academy of Sri Nalanda, where he studied the 5 arts and sciences until he could recite the entire library from memory. But spiritual dissatisfaction arose again and books were no longer sufficient. So he began to practice a meditation propitiating Tara, and when she appeared to him, he left the security of monastic life and took up life as a mendicant monk.

Later he decided to go into retreat in Rajagrha and began propitiating the Twelve Consorts of the Supreme Elemental. For seven days, disaster stroked the place but it was unable to overwhelm the meditator. Acknowledging Nagarjuna’s mastery, the female Elemental said to him, “Ask and you shall receive.” Nagarjuna replied “I don’t really need anything except, perhaps, a daily supply of food to sustain me through my retreat.” So for 12 years, the Elementals brought him 4 handfuls of rice and 5 handfuls of vegetables and by the end of his sadhanas, all 108 Elemental consorts were under his control.

Renewed with purpose, Nagarjuna had the clear intention of serving all sentient beings. His first act was his attempt to turn Gandhasila Mountain into pure gold. However before he could do so, the Bodhisattva Manjushri questioned him as to what good a gold mountain would be to sentient beings besides causing conflict and strife. Nagarjuna acknowledged the wisdom of Manjushri and abandoned the plan.

Next he came to the bank of a road river near Sri Parvata Mountain. When he asked some herdsmen for safe passage, they led him to the most dangerous part of the river, but they insisted it was the safest place to cross. A herdsman took pity on Nagarjuna and decided to carry him across the crocodile-filled river. Once safely across the river, the yogin said the herdsman could have anything he desired, and so he was made a king and came to be known as King Salabandha.

But after some time, King Salabandha too was dissatisfied and went in search for his guru with the intention to stay by Nagarjuna’s side. However, he was rejected and Nagarjuna gave him a Precious Rosary to protect him and his kingdom, then sent him back to his people for another 100 years. Salabandha’s kingdom prospered and during these happy years, Nagarjuna spread the teaching of the Buddha far and wide.

However, the evil spirit, Sundarananda grew jealous of the king, and unleashed many disasters on the kingdom. The King interpreted these omens as a sign that his guru was in mortal danger, and so he rushed to search for his guru Nagarjuna and to sit at his feet. Just like what the king feared, Nagarjuna began giving away all his worldly goods and prepared for death. The great god Brahma in the guise of a Brahmin came to beg for the master’s head, and when Nagarjuna agreed, out of grief the King laid his own head at his guru’s feet and died. Nagarjuna then took a stalk of kusha grass, beheaded himself and handed his severed head to the Brahmin. All things withered, and the virtue and merit of men faded. Eight yaksis, the female Elementals came to stand guard over Nagarjuna’s body until today.

After the master’s death, a great light entered the body of Nagabodhi, Nagarjuna’s spiritual son and successor. When the teachings and loving kindness of Maitreya, the Buddha Yet to Come, encompass the earth, Nagarjuna will rise again to serve us all.

[buddhistirctc]

Visit attractive Caves of Buddha with IRCTC

The Buddha was the greatest sage and mystic of the East and one of the greatest spiritual teachers of the world. On his preachings, philosophy and 4 noble truths founded Buddhism, the 4th largest religion in the world today. He was called ‘the Awakened One’ or ‘the Enlightened one’. There are several important Buddhist sites in India to embark on a spiritual journey like no other. Caves of Buddha at Ellora are full of images of different deities, both male and female. We find images of Bodhisattvas, Bodhishaktis and other deities alongside that of Buddha. Maitreya, Vajrapani and Manjushri are three important Bodhisattvas depicted in these caves.

Ellora was an important centre of Caves of Buddha. Cave 6 is considered to be the earliest cave followed by Cave 5, Caves 2, 3, 4, and then Caves 11 and 12. Cave 11 and 12 are three-storeyed and are considered to be the latest excavations in the Buddhist complex at Ellora. We do not get any concrete evidence of the existence of Theravada or Hinayana at Ellora. Standard Mahayana caves, that is shrine-cum-monastery, seen in Caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 at Ajanta, are missing at Ellora. Ellora was developed as an important seat of tantric Buddhism. When we talk of tantric Buddhism in the western Deccan, Ellora is the most significant centre, along with other supporting centres such as Kanheri and Panhalekaji caves, both located in the coastal region of the western Deccan.

Take a look at best Buddhist monasteries those describe Buddhism Culture and History in India are:

Bodh Gaya: This is one of four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites. In Gaya, under the Bodhi Tree, the Buddha attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it houses the Bodhi Tree and the Vajrasana or Diamond Throne, the Mahabodhi Stupa, an 80-foot Buddha statue, a lotus pond, a meditation garden, Chinese, Japanese, Bhutanese, Taiwanese, Bangladeshi, Thai and Tibetan monasteries.

Sarnath: This is a sacred site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, taught the Dhamma including the four noble truths and eightfold path and formed the Sangha monastic community. 3. Kushinagar: Another major pilgrimage site, Kushinagar is the place where the Buddha attained Parinirvana (nirvana after death). The Buddha breathed his last here. The site is mainly visited not by regular tourists but devout Buddhist followers and monks.

Shravasti: An ancient city, one of the largest during the Buddha’s lifetime is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists or lay travellers. Buddha spent most of the time after enlightenment in Shravasti. The Twin Miracle was said to have occurred here, where the Buddha emitted flames from the upper part of his body and water from the lower.

Rajgir & Nalanda: The Vulture Peak at Rajgir was Buddha’s favourite retreat and here he delivered many important sermons. Buddhist caves of Saptaparni is where the first Buddhist council was held after his death.

Vaishali: The ancient city of Vaishali was considered one of the earliest examples of a republic. Here’s where the Buddha preached his last sermon before he attained his parinirvana. After renunciation, his spiritual training initiated here and here’s where he initiated the first woman disciple Gautami into his order.

Bodhgaya is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment about 2600 years back. This tiny town is, therefore, an important pilgrimage spot for the Buddhists, which is not merely confined to Buddhists but people around the world come here, regardless of their religions. A visit to this holy town gives a new meaning to your life, especially if you are enrolling for meditation courses. If not it, the attractions would make you feel the beauty of Buddhism. Visit its beautiful monasteries and temples and just experience the warmth and serenity like never before. Mahabodhi Tree, the exact spot where Buddha attained enlightenment is visited by the devotees in heavy amount but the peace isn’t hampered. And to behold the 80-foot tall Buddha statue you would have to put your head held high. IRCTC offers attractive Delhi to Bodhgaya tour packages. You can enjoy Buddhism Culture and History in Bodh Gaya.

IRCTC is the one-stop window for getting access to information of Caves of Buddha itinerary like latest news, reviews, photos and videos. Moreover, IRCTC also assists you with your bookings and other formalities. So, whenever you want to enjoy Buddhism Culture and History in caves of Buddha, you can contact IRCTC on its dedicated toll-free number i.e. 1800110139 for round-the-clock service. Alternatively, you can send your queries to flights@irctc.co.in to get the best possible resolutions.

Source - “https://medium.com/@irctc.buddhist/visit-attractive-caves-of-buddha-with-irctc-a28685efce9c”

[vajranam]

Nagarjuna Teaching

Nagarjuna was a Brahmin youth with dazzling intellectual powers and the magical gift of invisibility. However, he grew bored of scholarly life and threw himself into a life of sensual pleasure. One day, he devised a plan to slip into the king’s palace with 3 friends. They were discovered, and Nagarjuna escaped by standing invisible, but his 3 friends were beheaded.

The entire district was in an uproar, Nagarjuna, now filled with self-disgust went willingly into exile. Frustrated and dissatisfied with life, he set out on a spiritual quest. He journeyed to the Cool Garden Cremation Ground where he was given initiation into the doctrine of the Buddha. Then he travelled to the famous monastic academy of Sri Nalanda, where he studied the 5 arts and sciences until he could recite the entire library from memory. But spiritual dissatisfaction arose again and books were no longer sufficient. So he began to practice a meditation propitiating Tara, and when she appeared to him, he left the security of monastic life and took up life as a mendicant monk.

Later he decided to go into retreat in Rajagrha and began propitiating the Twelve Consorts of the Supreme Elemental. For seven days, disaster stroked the place but it was unable to overwhelm the meditator. Acknowledging Nagarjuna’s mastery, the female Elemental said to him, “Ask and you shall receive.” Nagarjuna replied “I don’t really need anything except, perhaps, a daily supply of food to sustain me through my retreat.” So for 12 years, the Elementals brought him 4 handfuls of rice and 5 handfuls of vegetables and by the end of his sadhanas, all 108 Elemental consorts were under his control.

Renewed with purpose, Nagarjuna had the clear intention of serving all sentient beings. His first act was his attempt to turn Gandhasila Mountain into pure gold. However before he could do so, the Bodhisattva Manjushri questioned him as to what good a gold mountain would be to sentient beings besides causing conflict and strife. Nagarjuna acknowledged the wisdom of Manjushri and abandoned the plan.

Next he came to the bank of a road river near Sri Parvata Mountain. When he asked some herdsmen for safe passage, they led him to the most dangerous part of the river, but they insisted it was the safest place to cross. A herdsman took pity on Nagarjuna and decided to carry him across the crocodile-filled river. Once safely across the river, the yogin said the herdsman could have anything he desired, and so he was made a king and came to be known as King Salabandha.

But after some time, King Salabandha too was dissatisfied and went in search for his guru with the intention to stay by Nagarjuna’s side. However, he was rejected and Nagarjuna gave him a Precious Rosary to protect him and his kingdom, then sent him back to his people for another 100 years. Salabandha’s kingdom prospered and during these happy years, Nagarjuna spread the teaching of the Buddha far and wide.

However, the evil spirit, Sundarananda grew jealous of the king, and unleashed many disasters on the kingdom. The King interpreted these omens as a sign that his guru was in mortal danger, and so he rushed to search for his guru Nagarjuna and to sit at his feet. Just like what the king feared, Nagarjuna began giving away all his worldly goods and prepared for death. The great god Brahma in the guise of a Brahmin came to beg for the master’s head, and when Nagarjuna agreed, out of grief the King laid his own head at his guru’s feet and died. Nagarjuna then took a stalk of kusha grass, beheaded himself and handed his severed head to the Brahmin. All things withered, and the virtue and merit of men faded. Eight yaksis, the female Elementals came to stand guard over Nagarjuna’s body until today.

After the master’s death, a great light entered the body of Nagabodhi, Nagarjuna’s spiritual son and successor. When the teachings and loving kindness of Maitreya, the Buddha Yet to Come, encompass the earth, Nagarjuna will rise again to serve us all.

[buddhasaves]

A Daily Request for Wealth1, Peace2 and Protection3

Composed by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche

In the heavens4 there are myriad manifestations of the divine. All those manifestations specifically show us different aspects of divinity5 in order to be of benefit to all living beings. All the rupakaya6 forms of the divine have compassion, skillful means and wisdom. We invoke upon them whether we are happy, sad, down, lost, fulfilled, confused, empty, and during the whole range of emotions we constantly experience due to an untrained mind.

Understanding our nature, Great Wisdom Being Dorje Shugden, therefore all the more so, please hold us close to your bosom as an only child to a parent.

Though the manifestations of the divine need no offerings and gifts from us, we offer you supreme Manjushri7 Dorje Shugden a libation of tea, incense and mantras, in order to ask you to bless us, to be a part of our lives, to abide in our dwellings and to give us signs, omens and portents of both good and bad. When the negative arises, quell them immediately. Please increase the positive for my weary and worn mind as I lay my hopes in you.

When difficulties, problems and confusion arise, we ask you, who is but the culmination of all that is powerful, holy and omniscient to bless myself, family, loved ones, environment and even my pets. May I see wisdom, find hope, and be at peace.

I request you, O Divine Bhagavān8 Dorje Shugden, who wears a round dome hat and the three robes of a saffroned bhikshu9, who wields a sword of liberty, justice and wisdom and clutches a wish-fulfilling jewel, who rides on a supreme lion of subjugation of all that is negative, to fulfill my wishes. I understand my wishes may not be the best, so I surrender to your wisdom for the outcome though it may not be what I have in mind. Please bless myself and everyone that we may enter into the supreme city of liberation.

Great Bhagavān Dorje Shugden, I request you sincerely from my heart to be a part of my life, bless my home, and grant me wisdom, solace and comfort, that I might be of service to others without agenda, and that I may focus out onto others and not be fixated on myself, creating more problems for all that I hold dear.

Bless me to become kinder, wiser, more compassionate, tolerant and very forgiving to all those who hurt and love me. In order to become close to you, Dorje Shugden, we must surrender the banal. We must abandon fixed views, projections and rigidity. Lastly, in my final moment when I leave this plane of existence, only the positive actions I have done will matter as everything and everyone will be left behind. Let me realise this and act upon this now! At this crucial moment, please may I have a vision of yourself, the powerful and merciful Dorje Shugden, to take me to where I may course in the sky10 to continue my journey of spiritual waxing.

I offer you saffron-coloured tea and my faith to fulfill my prayers and gain siddhis11. By reciting your mantra, may healing, peace, love, long life, protection and perfect view of sunyata12 arise.

Mantra of fulfillment, peace and wisdom: OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA

(It is good to recite this mantra one rosary or more per day. Occasionally, engage in retreats where you recite the mantra 100,000 times or more per year, every year. Consistency brings results!)

I dedicate this supreme heartfelt prayer to the all-knowing Celestial and Supreme Protector Dorje Shugden, that I may quickly become a being of light, compassion, love and enlightenment.

This daily prayer to Dorje Shugden was composed by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche on Thursday, 26 February 2015 at 2:03am for Datin MJ. There are many rituals, texts, prayers and rites on Dorje Shugden. But for a person who has many responsibilities and may not have the time, this might suit them better. I have composed this with the motivation to make it simple for Datin. This prayer can be used by anyone at any time. After all, words are just an expression of the universal hopes and wishes we all have. It is needless to be focused on words, but we do need them as they verbalise our aspirations. May this short and concise prayer be of benefit to Datin, and I will have this available for many. Anyone may engage in this prayer without specific permission, regardless of faith. Dorje Shugden helps all beings without labels of religion, race, creed or background. Datin was my inspiration for composing this. The many people who will use this to ‘contact’ World Peace Buddha and Protector Dorje Shugden have Datin to thank. I offer my best wishes. Sarva Mangalam!

1 Sampatti

2 Śānti

3 Surakṣā

4 Various realms manifested from enlightenment

5 A superior being who has the six paramitas. In Tibetan and Sanskrit, these are: (1) Jinpa (dana, “generosity”), (2) Tsultrim (shila, “ethics”), (3) Zopa (kshanti, “forbearance, acceptance, patience, forgiveness”), (4) Tsondru (virya, “joyful endeavour, diligence, zeal”), (5) Samten (dyana, “meditative concentration”), and (6) Sherab (prajna, “discriminating wisdom-awareness, insight”).

6 Avatars / emanations / tulkus

7 An Arya Bodhisattva who is the culmination of all the enlightened beings’ wisdom.

8An epithet for God, In Buddhism’s Pali scriptures, the term is used with Gautama Buddha, referring to him as Bhagavān Buddha (translated with the phrase ‘Lord Buddha’ or ‘The Blessed One’) The term Bhagavān is also found in other Theravadin, Mahayana and Tantric Buddhist texts. Bhagavān is generally translated as Lord or God.

9 Fully ordained monk

10 Positive future rebirths in existence and/or a pure land of an enlightened being

11 Common attainments that bring mental quiescence and extraordinary abilities such as removing obstacles, bringing/stopping rain, subjugating negative invisible beings, bringing resources, higher clairvoyance, etc.

12 Correct view of our existence; emptiness

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/dorje-shugden