Vajrasattva Retreat 2015

2 Days Vajrasattva Retreat Led by Lama Dawa!

Liked the chanting rhythm by Lama Dawa since 1st Mani retreat attended in 2004.

So happy to attend chanting retreat led by him again after long break.

A text compiled for the retreat like Mani retreat. Handy!

Love the Vajra Aspiration and Dedication prayers, simple words yet just seem to bring out one's devotion.

Aspiration Bodhicitta

   All mother sentient beings, especially those who hate me, obstructors who harm me, and those who create obstacles on my path to liberation and all-knowingness;

may they experience happiness, and be separated from suffering.

I will quickly establish them in the state of the most perfect and precious Buddhahood.

愿菩提心
怨我之敌寇
害我之邪魔
以及一切阻断我解脱得证遍智者...
为主之等虚空—切如母众生
具乐离苦
速证无上正等正觉。

Action Bodhicitta
  Thus, until I achieve enlightenment,
I perform virtuous deeds with body, speech and mind.
Until death, I perform virtuous deeds with body, speech and mind....
From now until this time tomorrow,
I perform virtuous deeds with body, speech and mind.

行菩提心
是故，直至得证佛果
我以身口意三门行善
直至至命终，
我仍以身口意三门行善
从今直至明日此时
我亦以身口意三门行善

Refuge and Bodhicitta

In the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha most excellent, 

I take refuge until Enlightenment is reached.

By the merits of generosity and other good deeds,

May I attain Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. _/|\_

The Four Immeasurables

May All mother sentient beings boundless as the sky, have happiness and the causes of happiness;

May they be liberated from suffering and causes of suffering;

May they never be separated from the joy which is free from sorrow;

May they rest in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.

Lama Dawa provided teachings and a number of tips on how to do the Vajrasattva practice well. And as many are new to Vajrasattva practice, he also gave Oral Transmission on the first day!

As per all Mahayana practice and especially on Deity practice, he advocated that the motivation with generation of Bodhicitta is very important. Before Bodhicitta can be generated, the feeling of Compassion must arise. So how does one arouse compassion?

It is in every one of us. Example when we see a cute baby, there will be a feeling of joy that arises that we would like to hold, cuddle and protect the baby. From one baby, we can gradually develop this view to all sentient beings ~ seeing every sentient beings as cute little babies.

慈心- 感觉

看到婴儿，可爱开心想抱。:-)))

从一延至众生

Seeing leprosy patient, great pity or compassion arises for them.

We would develop the compassion to want to ease their suffering and make them happy.

Every being is like leprosy patients wanting happiness and free from suffering but many of they do it in the wrong way. 
So we can practice from one to many beings, just like we would try all ways and means to help our family members in suffering.
Now we do not have the capacity to help others, so we need to develop Bodhicitta.
By only attaining Buddhahood, would they be away from suffering.
Only by aspiring I myself be a Buddha, can I help too.

修本尊修清净。

众生是好人沒分别心

修密法凊净观很重要

Deity practice is to help us in developing a purified, pure view of things. 
We will then see every beings as pure.
If we are only pinpointing on the non positive aspects of others, it is a good reflection of one's own unpure mind.

观想对一些人会有点难

Visualisation can be challenging.
Availability of Pictures n DVDs had helped make visualisation a little bit easier but in retreats, our own practice of internalising the visualisation of the Deity clearly in our own mind, not relying on them externally is important.
Imagine one is in a situation without the Guru, or pictures or DVD players, what should one do? If it is in one's mind, then one will not feel helpless. 
Hence, practice of the visualisation and clearly with details is important.
Try and spend time on it until there is clarity on every little detail on the face, clothings, accessories, etc.
(On a side note, this is one of the videos produced that helped make visualisation easier: Vajrasattva 3D animation! http://v.qq.com/page/b/0/e/b0014tmxjie.html, But of course per advised by Lama Dawa, it is only an aid, What is important is to internalise the visualization in our mind)

5 Important Branches of Development Stages of Visualisation

1) 观显像清楚

We should always visualise the form in good clarity and details.
Because every item has its significance.
For example,
Right hand represents Bodhicitta and Skillful Means;
Left hand represents Wisdom and Emptiness 智慧 与 空性;
Lotus seat represents Purification (out of mud) 清净
Moon disc represents 烦恼热  emotions 月亮凉 coolness

 There are 5 pieces of clothes, 8 ornaments totalling 13 items representing  the 13th  level  十三地which is Buddhahood or Fruit of Enlightenment 佛的果位.

One face symbolises Non Duality. Hence, the appearance of the Deity must be visualised clearly.

2)  意念清静

Clarity & Purity in your thoughts. Each sign as described above is symbolic so must know the meaning clearly.

3) 我慢坚固

100% Trust and Believe that above visualised is the Deity.

One is confident and of no doubt of the qualities of the Deity.

This 我慢 is different from the normal pride that we should gotten rid of in this instance.

4) 体性皆空

Visual body is not solid. 3 examples quoted:

a) Reflection in mirror, alias one can see images in the television but no one is actually living inside the box.

b) Shadow of the Moon.

In a pool of water, lake or sea, one can see the shadow of the moon in various places at same time. Just like visualisation of the Deity above many practitioners' head at same time.

c) Rainbow

It is colourful and beautiful, one can see it but cannot catch/touch it.

Hence, one can visualise the Deity clearly but not attached to its existence.

5) 本性无分

Inseparability with our mind as the Deity is a visualisation from our mind.

心与观想的东西是一样的.

Me = Vajrsattva

Vajrasattva = Me

Just like mixing 2 separate bottles of water into a glass, they are mixed and one cannot identify after mixing which is from first bottle. ~ 自性本心

Hence, these are the 5 branches of Development Stages 升起的次第.

Favourite Q&A

1) Q: How is one considered as have broken Samaya vows .

A: There are about 5 types of vows: 

Refuge;

Bodhisattva;

Vajra;

Empowerment (one should recite mantra as many times as possible, if discontinuation does not equate completely breaking);

Guru/Disciple.

But most serious is having Wrong views and Giving up on sentient beings : Bodhicitta.

2) Q: Can a Good Buddhist be a Non Vegetarian?

Vegetarian in process of plant cultivation in clearing the field to harvest to get rid of insects is as harmful as Eating Meat?

The difference between a Buddhist and non Buddhist is whether one has taken refuge in Triple Gem. 

And in his Level of understanding  信四法印 万法无常 一切空性

四法印:

一切和合事物皆无常（诸行无常）；

一切情绪皆苦（诸漏皆苦）；

 一切事物皆无自性（诸法无我）；

涅槃超越概念（涅槃寂静）。

For a Vegetarian harvest, the insects may be killed in the process of land clearing but that is considered as indirect killing without motivation of killing.

For a meat harvest, there is intentional  killing and of direct harm to the animals.

And in eating meat, there may be heavy and light weightage of karma too. 重轻差别

Between ordering many small sized seafood like shrimps or big sized animals like a portion pig or cow.

And if one points directly at a fish or an animal to demand its killing for one's food, such specific act's karma will be heavier.

3) Q: Clarification on pg11 of Dharmakaya

 Vajrasattva is embodiment of All Buddhas

==> 5 Directional Buddha ==> Dharmakaya = Vajrasattva

4) Q: Is there Samantha and Insight Meditation in Vajrasattva Practice?

Samantha in the development stage of  visualisation (Stabilisation) and

Insight meditation in the Dissolution stage (Analysis).

5) Q: How does one know that one has made progress in practice?

Only oneself know such as

Has one's Compassion increased?

Has one's Wisdom increased?

Has one's Meditation/stillness improved?

6) Q: What is the difference between Oral Transmission and Empowerment?

Oral transmission  is via speech, mouth to mouth, passed down from Buddha lineage.

Empowerment is more than speech such as

Wisdom/Secret/Mantra/Precious vase empowerment which needs something external.

7) Q: What are the three Buddha Bodies. 三身佛 (nature is the same)

法身 (空性) 一切众生皆有佛性, 但众生看不到

Dharmakaya ~ Emptiness but ordinary beings cannot see

报身(名) 庄严像但众生也看不到

Sambhogakaya ~ Bliss body - Majestic look but ordinary beings also cannot see

化身 (显现) 化现,众生看得到

Nirmanakaya ~ actual physical body like Shakyamuni Buddha

(found this article which may be useful : http://buddhism.about.com/od/mahayanabuddhism/fl/The-Trikaya.htm )

8) Q: Is there a way to overcome fear of death?

Because we do not understand the true nature of mind hence we fear death. Death is actually a practice opportunity. The true nature of mind is Deathless.

9) Q: What is right understanding of Renunciation? 出离心?

It is the right understanding that Rebirth is suffering, life is of minor short happiness attachment.

It is not about giving up totally your present materials, but non attachment to sensual pleasure.

Example of a bee feeding on pollen of flowers and getting trapped is like us Beings in Samsara experiencing temporary happiness of pursuing fame, wealth, etc. which the clinging causes pain and suffering.

Oh, Lama joked on city dwellers going on pilgrim trip may be renouncing one's materials such as physical separation from the car, house but not the mind separation with attachment and worries on home country properties.

Concluding Practice.

Lama Dawa shared pointers on Dedication.

Virtuous deeds should be dedicated as if not, the accumulated merit may disappear if anger arises after the event.

He uses the analogy of placing a drop of water into the sea and it will not disappear so dedication is important.

How do we do dedication?

We may wish for all beings to be free from suffering and attain Buddhahood.

With so many casualties either natural or man-made, we should wish for World Peace.

Vajrasattva practice is powerful  to reduce obscuration 消业 and the casualties mainly caused by such obscurations, hence the World peace dedication is important.

We should also dedicate to spread Dharma to the World to benefit more suffering beings.

Who do we depend on to spread the Dharma?

It is great masters like Dalai Lama so we should wish for their long life.

With great wishes like these  Bodhicitta wishes, our minor wishes get fulfilled along the way. Just like the Buddha accomplished their Buddhahood due to their concern for Beings whereas we are still here in samsara because we only think for ourselves.

Vast dedication will lead to what is good for us as Vast Dedication generates great merits.

Before we dedicate, we should develop

欢喜心  Joy for the kind deeds done, like praise for oneself. 

忏悔心 Repent for whatever wrong could had done and confess mistakes or insufficient efforts to perfect the deed in the process.

These would help purify our dedication.

Dedication (Short version)

-------------------------------------------

By this merit may I swiftly achieve the state of Vajrasattva.

May all beings without exception be placed in that very same state!

By this virtue, may I achieve the all knowing state and 

Defeat all enemies of confusion (the cause of suffering).

Thus, may migrators be liberated from samsara's ocean,

Which is agitated by the vortex of birth aging, illness and death.

May Bodhicitta, the excellent and precious mind, 

Where it is unborn, may it arise

Where it is born, may it not decline

And may it ever increase, rising higher and higher...

(Thankful for the wonderful teachings by Lama Dawa and sister Michelle's translation.

Pardon is sought for any wrong remembrance, understanding and record of the teachings in the retreat that I could recap. Amituofo _/|\_ )

Blessings by Lama Dawa at end of event.

It is a Joyous retreat. I really enjoyed the chant and the teachings in such a serene environment.
Gratitude to Lama Dawa, the Lamas, organisers, sponsors, volunteers and all who make the retreat possible. Rejoice ! Amituofo _/|\_