Infinite Light Amitabha Organization of Canada

Next Buddhist Study Session @ WLU: Feb 21, 2009

2009-02-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

Would you please mark your calendar for our next Buddhist Study Session @ WLU?

Date 日期: Saturday Feb 21

Time 时间: 2:00~4: 00pm "Gathering at Lotus Pond" 莲池海会

Where 地点: Room BA208 in the Bricker Academic Building of Wilfrid Laurier University.

Maps of campus: http://www.wlu.ca/wlu-hp/about/maps/index.shtml

Itinerary: 程序

1. 1:10pm~2:00pm
Introduction of "Amitabha Sutra" and Pureland meditation method (how to chant Amitabha Sutra and how
to follow the Dharma instrument) in English to the beginers.
用英文向初学者介绍阿弥陀经及念佛共修的方法，

2. 2:00~4:00pm
Gathering at Lotus Pond: Amitabha Sutra chanting, followed Pureland Meditation ("Amituofo" chanting
in walking and sitting position)
莲池海会念佛共修：恭诵阿弥陀经及佛号

3. 4:00 ~5:00 pm
Question and Answer 交流

Note：if you only would like to take part 2 session, please come to the meeting room at 1:50, so you can have a few minutes to get calm down and relax before the meditation.

如果您只打算参加第二部分"莲池海会"的话，请您最好能在1：50到达教室，这样，您可以有时间静下心来，做好参加念佛共修的准备。

Complimentary books, CDs, and other materials will be available. While registration is not required, indications of interest would be appreciated. If you have any suggestion, please feel free to let us know.
届时学会有免费法宝流通。
--
Namo Amituofo!
南无阿弥陀佛！

Study Session on July 27

2008-07-04T18:45:00.001-07:00

Our next study session will be on July 27 3:30~4:40 pm at WLU

弟子規與幸福人生講座

2008-04-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

人生怎麼幸福法？幸福的人生一定有幸福的思想觀念，有正確的思想觀念才會有正確的行為，有正確的行為才會有正確的習慣，有正確的習慣就會有正確的性格，有正確的性格就會有好的命運，有好的命運，人生一定會幸福。所以，一個人幸不幸福，根源在於思想觀念，思想觀念正確，人生就扎下了正確的根基，如此，才能做一個如法的好人，人生才會幸福圓滿。

讲師：上莊下閑　法師

上莊下閑法師生於馬來西亞，曾任教師，因聞上淨下空老和尚之演講而萌弘法利生之志，後於2004年隨老法師弟子上悟下道法師剃度，同年在台灣受三壇大戒，開始弘法利生之事業。現常於台灣及馬來西亞各淨宗學會習講「佛說十善業道經」及「弟子規」。

場次　
5月１０日（星期六）10:00 am - noon and 02:00 - 04:00 pm
Room BA208, Bricker Academic Building

5月１１日（星期日）10:00 am - noon and 02:00 - 04:00 pm
Room BA211,Bricker Academic Building

地點： Wilfred Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo N2L 3C5
校园地图: www.wlu.ca/wlu-hp/about/maps/index.shtml
免费停车（标有黄色或白色许可标识）

國語演講•免費入場

Etiquette in Practising Buddhism --What is walking meditation

2008-02-21T18:47:00.000-08:00

Walking meditation also known as circumambulation. It refers to reciting Buddha Name (Namo Amituofo) in motion. The conductor-in-charge leads the prayer by using a hand bell and he is assisted by the wooden-fish player walking behind him. Walking order of sequence: Conductor-in-charge, the wooden-fish player, monks, nuns, gentlemen with cultivation robes, ladies with cultivation robes, gentlemen without cultivation robes, ladies without cultivation robes and the monk who is in charge of the ceremony. Purpose of playing the hand bell and the wooden-fish: The sounds help us to concentrate, especially when our minds stray or feeling drowsy. Sound of wooden-fish also tells us what footstep to take. When it is hit, take the right step. When we recite "Namo Amituofo" in walking meditation, there are altogether 8 syllables (sounds), ie "Na-mo-Ah-mi-tuo-o-fo-o". Take a step as we recite a syllable. To enable the procession to walk in step, we take a right step when we recite "Nam". The sound of the wooden fish is our guide.

Etiquette in Practising Buddhism --Entering a Practice Hall

2008-02-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

The first thing we do when entering the practice hall is to pay our respect to Buddha by performing three prostrations and one bow.

Bow

Etiquette in Practising Buddhism

2008-02-21T18:40:00.000-08:00

Buddhist etiquette was passed down to us about two thousands years ago. These practices survive our present day modern society because they have helped us to develop respect for the teaching, our teachers and gradually, all beings. A respectful person is well-liked everywhere.

Furthermore, with practice, we can discipline our mind, speech, and actions, from which our integrity is judged. A person with integrity is a respectable person, and will always be trusted in his or her community.

Buddhist Study Session - Feb 16

2008-02-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

The time has finally arrived -- our first Dharma group meeting will be held this weekend!

Date: Saturday Feb 16
Time: 1pm - 2:30 or 3pm
Where: Room 1C16 in the Arts Building of Wilfrid Laurier University.

Itinerary:

We plan to have a virtual online discussion with Venerable Wuling (whom many of you have been introduced to at our Dharma lectures), as well as chanting and some study time.

As this is our first meeting, it will mostly be a meet and greet and intro to the group. All are welcome! Invite friends if you'd like!

Study Session on Feb 16

2008-02-01T16:08:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

Please note that our first English Buddhism study session will take place on Feb 16, venue is TBD.

We will send out notification very soon once we fix the venue.

Thank you

Fusion of Two Greatest Educational Systems

2008-01-27T12:36:00.000-08:00

It is all in the mind... Cultivation of the mind is key!

Human beings differ from animals by adhering to human relationships and basic moral principles. The practice of Confucianism is based on having sincere and proper thoughts, correct behavior, a well-organized and harmonious family and country, and peace for all. This is identical to the views of Buddhism, which also emphasizes practicing and learning. It all starts from generating the Bodhicitta mind. "Bodhi" is a Sanskrit word meaning enlightenment. Enlightenment means an "awakened" mind. It is similar to the sincere thought and proper mind advocated by Confucianism. A Chinese government official defined sincerity very well. He noted that "Sincerity means having no single thought." There will be no sincerity as long as there are corrupted thoughts, wandering thoughts, or even the rise of a single thought. His definition is identical to that of Buddhism. The Sixth Patriarch Hui-Neng once said "...(the pure mind) contains nothing therefore collects no dust". However, people in general have a lot of wandering thoughts. How can one be rid of these wandering thoughts? The Confucian answer is "...to fight against uprising desires and achieve wisdom." This practice was stressed in the elementary school of the Confucian system. Buddha said, severing all desires is to stop all worries and troubles.

Source: http://www.amtb-dba.org/English/Text/Education.html#C5

The Pure Land Tradition

2008-01-21T16:54:00.000-08:00

In the sacred Buddhist texts of China, the Sutra of Buddha of Infinite Life relates Amitabha Buddha.

On a certain occasion, Sakyamuni Buddha (the Buddha of our present age) was on Vulture Peak, surrounded by his disciples. Ananda, the Buddha's personal attendant, noticed the radiant beauty of the Buddha and inquired what was the Buddha's joy.

Sakyamuni relates the following story: In an infinite time in the past, Bhiksu Dharmakara observed the misery of all sentient beings, and moved by compassion, he vowed to establish a pure and perfect land where all could be liberated from their suffering. He then made forty-eight Vows in which he promised to establish this land or else he would not attain enlightenment.

The Sutra declares the Bhiksu Dhamakara practiced for many eons until he accomplished all his vows. Since he has achieved his aims, he is considered to be the Buddha of that land-The Buddha Of Infinite Light and Life

The goal of all Buddhist practice is to achieve Enlightenment and transcend the cycle of Birth and Death - that is, to attain Buddhahood.

In the Mahayana tradition, the precondition for Buddhahood is the Bodhi Mind, the aspiration to achieve Enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, oneself included.

Since sentient beings are of different spiritual capacities and inclinations, many levels of teaching and numerous methods were devised in order to reach everyone.

Traditionally, the sutras speak of 84,000. I.e., an infinite number, depending on the circumstances, the times and target audience.

All these methods are expedients - different medicines for different individuals with different illnesses at different times - but all are intrinsically perfect and complete. Within each method, the success or failure of an individual's cultivation depends on his depth of practice and understanding, that is, on his mind.

What are the benefits of Buddha Name chanting?

2008-01-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Left: water crystals of tap water from Tokoyo; Right: after receiving messages of love and appreciation

Beautiful water crystals

The Buddha told us that "everything arises from our mind". In other words, the environment is a reflection of our thoughts. Normal human beings have discriminating and wandering thoughts, afflictions, attachments, greed, anger, ignorance and arrogance. Increasingly, these thoughts affect our lives and shape our world, from disagreements in our family to disasters in our country, and chaos in our world.

Thoughts of ignorance cause disasters from wind such as tornadoes and typhoons, thoughts of agitation, earthquakes, thoughts of greed, floods, those of anger, fires. These disasters will continue to increase in frequency and severity if nothing is done to neutralize them.

How then, does chanting "Amituofo" enable us to restore our mind to purity, equality, awakening, and peace?

When our minds are at peace, the environment will in turn reflect serenity and tranquility. Our thoughts create waves. In the sixties, westerners referred to this as "vibrations". What we did not understand was the breadth that these "vibes" had. We simply thought of them on an interpersonal level. But the strength from this kind of thought wave is amazing: peaceful and compassionate thoughts are able to neutralize the turbulent thought waves such as greed, anger, and ignorance. Thus having many Buddha Name Chanters in a region will bring peace, stability, prosperity and happiness to that area.

Just recently, a Dr. Emoto and his colleagues published their findings on water crystals. They proved that "Human beings' conscious minds can change the shape of water crystals." Thus, from the same principle, we know that human consciousness has the ability to alter its environment.

Example one

On the 2nd of February 1997 at 2 p.m., a glass of Tokyo tap water was sitting on Dr. Emoto's office desk. Five hundred Hado instructors across Japan had been requested to simultaneously visualize the glass of water. They were to wish for the water to be clean and to think "thank you very much." Afterwards, photos of the microscopic water crystals showed their beautiful patterns. This experiment proved that human thoughts can have joint influence on matters regardless of how far apart the individuals are.

Example two

At Fujiwara Dam located at Minakami-cho, Gunma Prefecture in Japan, another experiment was conducted on "Purifying Water with Inspiring Words." The experiment held by Reverand Kato Hoki, the chief priest of Jyuhouin Temple, Omiya City, was a great success and its results were astounding. Before the experiment, the shape of the microscopic water crystals was jagged and irregular. After an hour of praying, people observed the water slowly turning clear and clean. Photos were taken again and this time, they revealed beautiful water crystals. All those present was surprised and moved by the experiment.

These two scientific experiments proved what the Buddha said in the sutras: "Everything is manifested from the mind. All causes and effects, as vast as the universe, as small as a dust particle, are formed by the all-knowing mind because everything in this world and beyond contains an all-knowing and all-capable true nature." This is the principle underlying the teaching that when we pray with utmost sincerity, we can create unimaginably positive real world responses.

Source: www.chinkung.org

Photo source: http://www.amtb.org.tw/pdf/water.pdf

Buddhism as an Education

2008-01-19T16:37:00.000-08:00

We call the founder of Buddhism, Buddha Shakyamuni, the "Original Teacher." He has attained Complete Understanding and Wisdom of life and the universe. The Buddha is not a God, but a teacher, who teaches us the way to restore Wisdom and Understanding by conquering the greed, anger and ignorance which blind us at the present moment. This wisdom will enable all beings to differentiate true from false, proper from improper, right from wrong and good from bad. It can help us to establish a dynamic and caring attitude toward life and our surroundings.

So, we can clearly see that Buddhism is neither passive nor obsolete, nor is it retreating from society. As said in the Infinite Life Sutra, Buddhism can perfectly solve all afflictions and problems. It enables us to obtain true and ultimate benefits by creating fulfilling lives, happy families, harmonious societies, prosperous nations and a peaceful world. These are the objectives of the Buddha's teachings for our world. The ultimate objectives of abandoning all worries and suffering thus transcending the cycle of rebirth are even more incredibly wonderful.

Therefore, we can see that it is an education that will enable us to attain truth, virtue, beauty, wisdom and genuine eternal happiness.

What is the Western Pure Land?

2008-01-18T18:39:00.001-08:00

Amitaha Buddha named his Pure Land the "Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss". Why is this land called "Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss"? Because the inhabitants in this land are free from the myriad of sufferings, and experience nothing but happiness. They are free from sickness, old age, and death.

The Amitabha Sutra describes the Western Pure Land as a beautiful place surrounded by trees made of jewels, ponds filled with gem stones and wondrous colured-light emitting lotuses, buildings made of precious stones, celestial music constantly playing, gorgeous flowers descending from the sky, tawny-gold covered grounds, and birds communicating the Buddha's teachings in their melodious songs. Everything in the Western Pure Land works together to remind the inhabitants of the truths of Buddhism.

Inhabitants in the Western Pure Land enjoy the face-to-face teaching of Amitabha Buddha and the company of countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Their own life spans become infinite as they advance toward their inevitable enlightenment.

All the adornments of the dwellings in the Western Pure Land and the setting in which sentient beings are being reborn in the Western Pure Land are created by the inherently real virtues of the great vows and great deeds of Amitabha Buddha.

Pure Land - Buddha Name Recitation Method

2008-01-18T18:37:00.001-08:00

Amitabha Buddha

Today, Pure Land Study is the largest of all the schools of Buddhism in East Asia. The most common Pure Land practice is the recitation of Amitabha Buddha's name.

In many of his sutras or teachings, Shakyamuni Buddha spoke of another Buddha, named Amitabha Buddha, who lived on earth countless aeons ago.

Before Amitabha Buddha attained Buddhahood, he made 48 great vows to create a delightful and wonderful realm for practitioners to continue their cultivation till enlightenment.

It was called the Western Pure Land, or "Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss," where inhabitants are freed from the cycle of rebirth and would not regress from their cultivation so they can focus singlemindedly on attaining enlightenment. Amitabha pledged that once he became a Buddha, he would guarantee that anyone who single-mindedly recited his name with a sincere desire to be reborn in the Western Pure Land would indeed be reborn there. When Amitabha Buddha attained Buddhahood, he fulfilled this vow.

Can disasters be avoided?

2008-01-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

Treatise on Response and Retribution

In the early part of the nineteenth century, Master Yin-Guang dedicated himself to advocating teaching on the Law of Cause and Effect. According to the principle of response and retribution (the Law of Cause and Effect), if we plant good seeds, we will obtain good results. If we plant bad seeds, we will definitely obtain bad results. This is the true principle of response and retribution. The ancient people have used the example of a growing plant to explain "request". A response would be the fruit.

If we pull on one of our hairs, it will affect our whole body. This one hair is so small, yet our whole body feels the discomfort. The removal of the hair is the request or action and the discomfort is the response. Thus, we understand, we cannot think that our thoughts, speech and actions are inconsequential. Even the weakest thought pervades the entire universe. Currently we are deluded, but are unaware of it. Just like this hair on our body, if we were to pull on it, the entire body will feel it. This is something we know.

This is our body, but we have yet to realize that all sentient beings in the universe are part of our pure Dharma body. We are one entity. Since we are one entity, the request and response are inconceivable. When there is a request, there will be an immediate response. Request and response are essentially cause and effect. The request from sentient beings is the cause. The response from Buddhas, Bodhisattvas or heavenly beings is the effect.

Understanding this principle and truth, we will know what ancient masters meant by "We reap what we sow". This metaphor is very profound. It tells us that by planting a good seed, we will harvest a good fruit or effect. If we plant a bad seed, bad consequences are sure to follow. From beginningless time, all sentient beings have committed more bad than good causes. Thus, in this lifetime, if we were to think calmly and carefully observe our surroundings, we will realize that there are more bad than good conditions.

Good conditions help us to achieve in our practice and virtuous conduct. Bad conditions increase our improper thoughts and bad conduct. From this, we will know what our future consequences will be. All these are the principles of request and response. Ancient people also often said, "Heaven's net has all-encompassing mesh. Nothing can pass through it". These words also explain the principle of request and response. This is the truth, the true reality.

The guiding principles of this treatise are contained in the opening sentences. "Neither disasters nor good fortunes will come without reasons and conditions, we incur them. The reward of good or bad is like the shadow accompanying the form." The rest of the text is the elaboration and explanation of these two lines, which will enable us to understand them more deeply. This will in turn help us to see whether our thoughts, speech and behavior accord with our virtuous nature. We can think and act in ways that accord with our virtuous nature. We should not think or act in a manner that does not accord with it.

Every individual has his or her retribution or reward, as does every family, society, country and even the world. No one can escape the Law of Cause and Effect.

Today, we understand that due to our shared karma, society is in turmoil and much of the world is in conflict. Knowing this, how can we resolve predestined disasters? If all of us are awakened and understand the true reality, resolutely refrain from all wrongdoings and practice all good deeds, let go of selfishness and work for the sake of society and all sentient beings, then these disasters can be resolved and eliminated.

Natural and human-made disasters are the results of our bad karmic deeds. If we stop committing bad karmic deeds, then not only will all human-made disasters be eliminated, but all natural disasters as well. How can we be freed from natural disasters? The Mahayana sutras state that "the environment changes according to our minds". Only with deep comprehension of this principle will we be able to believe and be willing to practice. There is much to learn about avoiding disasters, including principles and methods, all of which are contained within this book.

(Source: http://www.amtb.org.tw/e-bud/chinese/treat2.htm)

Master Chin Kung's commentaries on the Treatise on Response and Retribution.

Can we create our destiny?

2008-01-13T12:38:00.000-08:00

Liao-Fan's Four Lessons

In the sixteenth century in China, Mr. Liao-Fan Yuan wrote Liao-Fan's Four Lessons with the hope that it would teach his son, Tian-Qi Yuan, how to understand true face of destiny, tell good from bad, correct his faults and practice good deeds. It also provided living proof of the benefits from practicing good deeds and cultivating virtue and humility. In relating his own experience in changing destiny, Mr. Liao-Fan Yuan was an embodiment of his teachings.

The title of this book is Liao-Fan's Four Lessons. "Liao" means understanding and awakening. "Fan" means that if one is not a sage such as a Buddha, Bodhisattva or Arhat, then one is an ordinary person. So, "Liao-Fan" means to understand that it is not enough to be an ordinary person, we should be outstanding. When unvirtuous thoughts arise, we need to gradually eliminate them.

There are four lessons or chapters in this book. The first lesson shows how to create destiny. The second lesson explains the ways to reform. The third reveals the ways to cultivate goodness. And the fourth discloses the benefits of the virtue of humility.

This first lesson of learning to create destiny is a topic of interest to many people who believe that wealth or poverty, long life or short life, all is predestined. If someone had accomplished good deeds in his or her past lives, then naturally in this life he or she would live a wealthy and long life. On the other hand, if someone had been a bad person and committed bad deeds in his or her past life, then in this life he or she would live a poor and short life. However, there are exceptions. Destiny can be changed.

If we were originally destined to be rich with a long life, but had committed excessive offenses, then without having to wait until the next life to bear the consequences, we would become poor with a short life. On the other hand, if we were originally destined to be poor with a short life, but had accomplished exemplary deeds, then without having to wait until the next life, we would become wealthy with a long life. From ancient times until now, there have been many examples of this in history. Although everything that we are subjected to in this life is the result from our behavior in our past lives and has already been predestined; it is not necessarily constrained by destiny. We can still modify it with our current behavior.

Although Liao-Fan's Four Lessons is not a Buddhist sutra, we need to respect and praise it as one. In the early part of this century, Great Master Yin-Guang, the Thirteenth Patriarch of the Pure Land School dedicated his whole life to its promotion and oversaw the printing of millions of copies of it. Not only did he unceasingly advocate this book but he also studied it, practiced what it taught and lectured on it.

As Buddhists, we are taught to refrain from all that is bad and to do all that is good, to purify our minds. This is the Dharma Seal, the criteria we can use to determine the genuineness of Buddhist teachings or truths. Buddhist sutras, which speak of principles and reasoning, are spoken by five types of people: Buddhas, in this case Buddha Shakyamuni, his students, heavenly beings, immortals and manifested beings.

As long as what has been said has the same meaning and objectives as those of the Teachings of the Buddhas and does not contradict them, the Buddhas with their great broad-mindedness would recognize them as sutras. Thus, we should regard and respect as a sutra, any work that conforms to the principles in Buddhism. And this is especially so for this book, which was certified and advocated by Great Master Yin-Guang. It can help to serve as our foundation in learning Buddhism. But even more important, it can also serve as a foundation for non-Buddhists in helping them to learn how to change their destiny.

There is much to learn about creating destiny, including principles and methods, all of which are contained within this book. Small in size, its impact can be far-reaching. Therefore, if we would like to create our destiny or to truly achieve attainment through the practice of Buddhism, we need to accord with the principles and methods contained within it.

(Source: http://www.amtb.org.tw/e-bud/chinese/liaofano.htm)

Buddhism -- Where to Start?

2008-01-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

Today, we see an increasing number of people around the world starting to practice Buddhism but many do not understand what it is and thus cannot truly benefit from it. Buddhism is a most virtuous and perfect education directed by the Buddha towards all sentient beings in the universe. It covers a boundless range of phenomena and principles and is an education of the wisdom and understanding of life and the universe. It is not a religion.

Buddhism teaches us how to live in harmony with others, to live perfect and wonderful lives similar to those of perfectly enlightened beings and enlightened sentient-beings. This is the true, ultimate, and perfect Mahayana teaching. To practice Buddhism, we start by:

Being filial and respectful towards parents, teachers and elders,
Having the great compassionate mind,
Nurturing our thinking and wisdom, and
Broadening our minds to care for all sentient-beings.

Pictures from Dharma Talk on Jan 5, 2008 WLU

2008-01-08T19:10:00.000-08:00

Everything We Do Matters

2008-01-01T17:40:00.001-08:00

Before we can change our world for the better, we need to first change ourselves. By living mindfully, calming the mind, and understanding why things happen, we will realize that everything we do really does matter.

Please join us for the talks and following discussions with
Venerable Wuling

January 05, 2008 2-4 p.m. (Saturday)
January 06, 2008 2–4 p.m. (Sunday)

Venue: Room 101, Bricker Academic Building, Wilfrid Laurier University
75 University Avenue West, Waterloo N2L 3C5

Maps of campus: www.wlu.ca/wlu-hp/about/maps/index.shtml

Free parking is available on any lot designated for Gold and White permits, except where indicated by other restrictions like reserved or handicapped parking.

Admission: No charge
Complimentary books, CDs, and other materials will be available.
While registration is not required, indications of interest would be appreciated.

Venerable Wuling is an American Buddhist nun. She has lectured in
Asia, Australia, and North America. Her books include
Path to Peace and Awaken to the Buddha Within. You may find recent writings
by Ven. Wuling on her blog at www.abuddhistperspective.org.

Event Sponsor： Wilfrid Laurier University