A QUESTION FROM A SINCERE CHAN STUDENT FROM BELGIUM
Yutang Lin
發送至Dharma Friends
日期2011年3月21日 上午1:51
主題FW: A QUESTION FROM A SINCERE CHAN STUDENT FROM BELGIUM
Below is an inspirational report from a disciple in Belgium, and my replies to his questions.
We will post this correspondence email, together with the attached image, at our websites.
It will be in the Inspirations Category.
May all beings attain Enlightenment soon!
Yutang
-----Original Message-----
From: Luis "Jinyu" Lista
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 6:58 PM
To: info@yogichen.org
Subject: Re: A QUESTION FROM A SINCERE CHAN STUDENT FROM BELGIUM
Dear Guru,
I would like to thank you with all my heart for the opportunity you gave me to practice the "Foundational practices".
Since I practice them daily with my Chan practice I have feel much blessings. Above all with the Guru Yoga of Padmasambhava.
I'm also blessed in my dreams! These last weeks, I see you dear Guru in my dreams in the form of Bodhidharma ( I have an image of Bodhidharma in my altar, and you appear to me with this same form).
It is a very nice holy image--serene and beautiful.
This form is a bit uncommon, You/Bodhidharma has a vajra bell in his hand and the other hand in dhyana mudra.
It means the practice of Vajrayana in dhyana.
And in my dreams, I received the mantra (Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Bodhi Dharma Siddhi Hum) and the empowerments from the Guru in the form of Bodhidharma.
This is most precious. You can start to practice this recitation with the understanding that Guru and Bodhidharma are indifferentiable.
You saw this manifestation because your practices are rooted in Chan.
Do I need to take these dreams seriously, because they feel very real... and seeing you in this form has touch me very deep...
Yes, they are Dharma inspirational dreams that convey blessings and teachings.
You are serious about Dharma practices, and so you got these.
Should I do my daily guru yoga practice visualizing you in this form or should I continue visualizing Padmasambhava?
Either way is fine; but this direct teaching is precious, so I would do this if I were you.
What should I do?
Anyway, I'll continue practicing the holy practices you gave me along with my Chan practice... Thank you so much dear guru!
This humble disciple is very ashamed of disturbing you for this, but these dreams touched me to the bottom of my heart...
I am glad that you can get the teachings so directly. Just keep asking me your Dharma questions.
Your humble disciple,
Luis Lista
Here is a copy of the image of Bodhidharma.
2011/2/22, Luis "Jinyu" Lista :
Dear Guru Lin,
Thank you for the patience you show for the humble disciple I'm...
I'm not use to the marvelous tantric path... and I must take confidence in the four foundamentals. As a Chan practitioner I sometimes misunderstand the Tantric teachings, but I promise I'll study and practice diligently according to your " The First Steps of Vajrayana ", and try to fully invetigate the text before I disturb you with my silly questions .
I'll put the tree parts of the books in practice daily and add them to my daily Chan practice, in limitless oneness...
Thank you again for the time and attention you show to the little student I'm...
I take refuge in Guru Lin, Buddha Shakyamuni, the limitless Dharma, and vast Sangha.
May all sentient beings be free of suffering!
Luis Jinyu Lista
2011/2/21, info@yogichen.org <info@yogichen.org>:
From: Luis "Jinyu" Lista
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:02 AM
To: info@yogichen.org
Subject: Re: A QUESTION FROM A SINCERE CHAN STUDENT FROM BELGIUM
Dear Guru Lin
I want to thank you for the opportunity to practice the four fundamentals.
They are a great help and a wonderful bliss.
I also deeply thank you for the books you've written, translated or otherwise make available to all. Especially works dealing Vajrayana I know little since I am a practitioner of Zen.
My teacher supports me in my daily practice and is glad I have the opportunity to deepen my practice of The Dharma in the Field of Vajrayana.
He told me that the path of the vajra is a beautiful expression of the union of emptiness and compassion.
However, I have some practical questions about the practice of the four fundamentals.
1. I used to practice prostrations completely and simply, as they are also used in Chinese Chan. Do you think I should visualized the refuge tree When doing prostrations?
For foundational practices in Tantra one should visualize the refuge tree.
Please read my book as posted at our websites:
http://www.originalpurity.org/gurulin/efiles/b0063.html
2. When Practicing Vajrasattva and Guru Yoga, "should I visualize myself like a yidam (like Vajrayogini) or Should I visualize myself Simply With The Golden guru deity Above My Head?
Read my work carefully and practice accordingly. The answers are already clearly stated.
I have an altar set up and I try to respect and practice the daily offerings as you recommend in your books.
Thank you again dear vajra duru,
your humble disciple from Belgium,
