A Brief Introduction of Buddhist Yogi
C. M. Chen
Guru C. M. Chen (1906-1987) studied under thirty-seven
Gurus, and stayed in Xi Kang and Tibet for five years
to pursuit Dharma teachings. He was in solitary retreat
in India for twenty-five years. He also retreated alone
in caves and cemeteries for years and months. In 1972
he moved to USA to spread Dharma. He used to conduct
fire pujas, offering of vases to the Dragon King, Powa
service to help deceased beings to attain rebirth in
Purelands, releasing of lives, Dharma talks, and wrote
and printed numerous works in Chinese and English for
free distribution, and also printed many Buddha images
for free distribution.
"The Complete
Works of Guru C. M. Chen" comprises of
over one hundred works in English and Chinese of Guru
Chen, and its contents range over teachings and practices
of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana that were knitted
together by his experiences born of lifelong practices
and attainments. His teachings provide clear guidance
on correct Dharma paths and stages of attainment toward
enlightenment. All his works (so far had been edited
into forty-eight volumes) will gradually be posted at his
official website and this website for interested
Buddhists to learn from.
Some people asked Dr. Lin, "Please tell us to which
one among the Tantric Buddhist schools did Guru C. M.
Chen belong?" Dr. Lin replied, "One could say
that he had established a school of his own, and he called
it 'Adi Buddha Mandala.' My Guru learned teachings from
seven Tantric schools, and followed thirty-seven Gurus.
He pointed out many misunderstandings in some old Dharma
texts. Those texts were transmitted through many hands,
and sometimes some teachers with insufficient attainments
had expounded Buddhas' and Bodhisattvas' teachings on
the ultimate fruit stage as merely teachings on basic
meditations. In his works he clarified many confusing
sayings."
Most of Yogi Chen's works are in Chinese, hence his
Homepage consists mainly of information in Chinese. And
most of Guru Chen's works in Chinese and English had
been posted at his official website, www.yogichen.org.
At this website we post only some of his works for all
to share. To facilitate visitors who are not familiar
with Chinese, this English version is provided, within
which only works in English are mentioned.
For a brief but in depth autobiography of Yogi Chen,
please read the Introduction to
his work Buddhist Meditation.
List
of Works by the Buddhist Yogi C. M. Chen
|
§ Forever
in Our Hearts
"Forever in Our Hearts" is a memorial
written by his lineage successor Dr. Yutang Lin
shortly after Guru Chen's Nirvana. It is a work
worthy of our careful reading to comprehend a sage's
lifestyle. |
|
|
|
| Table
of Contents for the Complete Works of Yogi Chen
in English |
| |
27 |
|
1999-05-17 |
28 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 1-100 (2) Nos. 20-34 |
1999-05-21 |
29 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 1-100 (3) Nos. 35-42, 43-47
|
1999-05-21 |
30 |
A Systematized Collection of Chenian Booklets Nos. 1-100 (4) Nos. 48-55, 56-62 |
2000-05-09 |
31 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 1-100 (5) Nos. 63-74
|
2000-01-23 |
32 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 1-100 (6) Nos. 75-87
|
2000-11-09 |
33 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 1-100 (7) Nos. 88-92, 93-98, 99-100 |
2000-10-31 |
35 |
|
2006-07-25 |
36 |
Discriminations between Buddhist
and Hindu Tantras |
Preparation |
38 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 101-149 (1) Nos. 101-107 |
2002-10-31 |
39 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 101-149 (2) Nos. 108-114 |
2002-11-08 |
40 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 101-149 (3) Nos. 115-125 |
2002-11-19 |
41 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 101-149 (4) Nos. 126-133
|
2002-10-23 |
42 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 101-149 (5) Nos. 134-140 |
2006-04-22 |
43 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 101-149 (6) Nos. 141-146 |
2006-05-13 |
44 |
A Systematized Collection of
Chenian Booklets Nos. 101-149 (7) Nos. 147-149 |
2006-05-13 |
45 |
|
1999-12 |
The introductory statements for the two short stanzas
below are taken from "Forever
in Our Hearts."
Following the style of Guru Chen's short stanzas for
morning practice sessions I composed "Supplication
to Root-Guru Chen," and the Chinese original was
revised by Guru Chen, and hence recitation of this
stanza would readily inspire blessing from Guru Chen.
Now in memorial of Guru's grace I publicize this stanza
so that faithful ones may adopt it in their practices.
Practitioners may repeat it seven or twenty-one times
during morning practice sessions.
Supplication to Root-Guru Chen
By the Lineage Successor Yutang
Lin
Originally pure Manjusri, grant
me advice sound;
Tara, born from Guan Yin's tears profound.
Wherein can your infinite compassion be found?
Written teachings sent the whole world around!
Written in
Chinese in 1981
Translated in December 1987
El Cerrito, California
Supplication to Guru Chen for His Speedy Return
By the Lineage Successor
Dr. Yutang Lin
"Depart
early, return soon!" you did pledge!
Only the old horse could lead us across the bridge.
Buddha, Bodhicitta and all sentient beings converge,
How could Dharma activities ever be abridged?!
Comment:
First we appeal to his kind pledge of returning
soon. Guru Chen's sign was Horse, and there is a
Chinese saying that "Old horse knows the way," meaning
that only experienced ones are reliable guides. Hence
we make use of it in asking him to come and lead
us across the bridge from transmigrations to Enlightenment.
Compassion of the Same Entity is where Buddha, Bodhicitta
and all sentient beings converge; hence we are appealing
to his Great Compassion. Besides, this is the main
theme of the article that he fondly considered to
be his best, therefore it would have a special appeal
to him. Finally we are urging him to come back soon
by appealing to his sense of duty to the spreading
of Dharma activities. Being a lifelong Dharma instrument,
upon hearing this, he would automatically resume
the holy activities at the first available opportunity.
Although this is only a short prayer, yet each line
in it appeals directly to the core of his compassion;
how could he stay in the Pureland of Eternal Light
for long without coming down to guide us?
The Chinese original was completed on 12/01/87.
The first draft of this English translation was completed
on 12/18/87; and then the revision, adopting advices
from Dr. Juan Bulnes and Miss Kathleen Gorman,
is completed on 12/27/87.
My sincere thanks to them!
Praise to the Dharma Life of Guru Chen
By the Lineage Successor
Dr. Yutang Lin
In You County of
Hunan, A reincarnation of Manjusri born;
In his youth, as a poet, already quite well-known;
Married to a lady, a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara;
Together they recited Sutras, and ghosts gathered
to listen.
Stepping from Sutras
into Tantras, he completed the foundations;
At middle-age, both of them attained opening of
the top aperture.
Meditated in caves, Flower Offering and Sky Dragon,
for years;
Retreated on a boat floating down a river and gained
realization.
Alone on the path,
traveling for thousands of miles,
To seek out the Tantric secrets he went to Tibet
and Xi Kang.
Favored by thirty-seven Gurus with essence of teachings,
And received great initiations of five hundred
deities and more.
The highest teachings
of seven schools were fully transmitted,
Written down in Chinese to spread the waves of
Grace Ocean.
Retreated in a hermitage by himself for twenty-five
years;
From Kalimpong in India, he looked up to Mount
Everest.
Year after year
of meditation in solitude worn out seven mats;
The trinity of Great Pleasure Vajra's kayas was
realized.
With appreciation, he erected the Lighthouse in
the Ocean of Chan;
Commenting on Karma and Maha Mudras, he propagated
the blessings.
The central channel
distinguished from Taoist and spinal cord;
Hinduism, Taoism, Christian and Confucian carefully
sorted.
Buddhist Meditation maps the fields and the routes
to Enlightenment;
Dharma Treasures of Pure Light were poured out
for revelation.
Over one hundred
works in English bestowed on six continents;
The Flute resounded lingering tunes to awaken the
worldly.
Under Sakyamuni's command and beseeched by the
Dragon King,
Flew to America to propagate the great wondrous
Dharma.
Over three hundred
thousand turtles, pigeons and other beings set
free;
Millions of beings all over the world salvaged
through Powa.
Two hundred fire pujas performed, yielding wondrous
inspirations
To relieve sentient beings from all kinds of suffering.
Into the Dragon
palace hundred and fifty vases were offered;
Repeating the long rides for years discounted his
own ease.
Five Sutras of Pureland were unified through lectures
overseas;
Rainy or windy, awoke early daily by alarm clock
to feed pigeons.
Bending elbows
to write about varieties in the Dharmadhatu,
Or to embrace and enjoy the oneness of Sunyata
and Joy.
Poems written in calligraphy danced on sheets like
dragons;
Lifelike images of Buddhas freely distributed for
worshipping.
Five Wheel Pagoda
erected and shone forth rainbow lights;
Bell for pacifying hell beings made and rung to
reduce their suffering.
Great Bodhicitta to ensure eternal peace on Earth
and in all beings
Led to the wish to build Adi Buddha Mandala for
practices in retreat.
Lotus-shape auspicious
land fortunately secured in hand;
Constructions for the Mandala were about to begin.
Sins and suffering of sentient beings were undertaken
by the teacher
Who exhibited signs of illness and impermanence.
Upon departure
heavenly music of Five-variation Chanting heard;
After cremation rainbow-colored sariras were found
in abundance.
Holy pagoda stands on Formosa to bless it with
peace and prosperity;
Compassionate lights of Dharmadhatu shines equally
upon everyone!
Written in Chinese: May 21, 1988
Translated: August 4, 1999
El Cerrito, California
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