Difference between revisions of "Do Not Slander the Tantric Teachings"
(Created page with " By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu When I first started studying Buddhism, many articles were written to smear the Tantric teachings. I came across some of these articles,...") |
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| − | By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu | + | By [[Living Buddha]] [[Sheng-yen Lu]] |
| − | When I first started studying Buddhism, many articles were written to smear the Tantric teachings. I came across some of these articles, and found that most of the criticism were aimed at the practices of the deva deities. Their inclusion into main stream Buddhist doctrines was said to have mixed Brahmanism with Buddhism. It went so far as to suggest that Tantric Buddhism is Brahmanism. | + | When I first started studying [[Buddhism]], many articles were written to smear the [[Tantric teachings]]. I came across some of these articles, and found that most of the [[criticism]] were aimed at the practices of the [[deva]] [[deities]]. Their inclusion into main {{Wiki|stream}} [[Buddhist doctrines]] was said to have mixed [[Brahmanism]] with [[Buddhism]]. It went so far as to suggest that [[Tantric Buddhism]] is [[Brahmanism]]. |
| − | Some articles suggested that the cultivation of winds, channels and drops was not expounded by the Buddha himself, but rather derived from the heretical practice of qi gong, which aspires to clear and circulate the Triple Warmer, generate the Macrocosmic and Microcosmic Circulations, and cultivate the generative (jing), vital (qi) and spirit (shen) energies. Thus, on this basis they criticized that the practice of winds, channels, and drops did not belong to the Buddhist doctrines. | + | Some articles suggested that the [[cultivation]] of [[winds]], [[channels]] and drops was not expounded by the [[Buddha]] himself, but rather derived from the {{Wiki|heretical}} practice of [[qi gong]], which aspires to clear and circulate the Triple Warmer, generate the [[Macrocosmic]] and [[Microcosmic]] Circulations, and cultivate the generative ([[jing]]), [[vital]] (qi) and [[spirit]] (shen) energies. Thus, on this basis they criticized that the practice of [[winds]], [[channels]], and drops did not belong to the [[Buddhist doctrines]]. |
| − | There was criticism directed at the practice of Secret Yoga Tantra taught in Tantric Buddhism. They felt it had derived from one of the denominations of Hinduism, and should be regarded as a heresy, or seen as an evil practice. Such criticisms were numerous, and among these articles, some were directed at the practice of the Homa (fire offering) in Tantric Buddhism, noting its similarity with Zoroastrianism, which originated in Persia. | + | There was [[criticism]] directed at the practice of Secret [[Yoga Tantra]] [[taught]] in [[Tantric Buddhism]]. They felt it had derived from one of the denominations of [[Hinduism]], and should be regarded as a [[heresy]], or seen as an [[evil]] practice. Such {{Wiki|criticisms}} were numerous, and among these articles, some were directed at the practice of the [[Homa]] ([[fire]] [[offering]]) in [[Tantric Buddhism]], noting its similarity with {{Wiki|Zoroastrianism}}, which originated in [[Persia]]. |
| − | I am aware that Venerable Hong Yi once mentioned in a speech that he had criticized Tantric Buddhism in the past, and had felt that its teachings were heresy and misleading. Subsequently, having read The Commentary on the Mahavairocana Sutra, he gained a better insight into the Tantric teachings, and realized that Tantric Buddhism embodies layers of deeper meanings. He has since repented. | + | I am {{Wiki|aware}} that [[Venerable]] [[Hong Yi]] once mentioned in a {{Wiki|speech}} that he had criticized [[Tantric Buddhism]] in the {{Wiki|past}}, and had felt that its teachings were [[heresy]] and misleading. Subsequently, having read The Commentary on the [[Mahavairocana Sutra]], he gained a better [[insight]] into the [[Tantric teachings]], and [[realized]] that [[Tantric Buddhism]] [[embodies]] layers of deeper meanings. He has since repented. |
| − | Venerable Hong Yi felt that one should not dwell on the surface of the Tantric teachings, but go deeper into their inner doctrines. Once they are understood, one would not dare criticize the Tantric teachings anymore. The act of slandering Tantric Buddhism is a grave karma of slandering the Dharma. When people go about slandering Tantric Buddhism without thinking, avoid partaking in their acts. | + | [[Venerable]] [[Hong Yi]] felt that one should not dwell on the surface of the [[Tantric teachings]], but go deeper into their inner [[doctrines]]. Once they are understood, one would not dare criticize the [[Tantric teachings]] anymore. The act of [[slandering]] [[Tantric Buddhism]] is a grave [[karma]] of [[slandering]] the [[Dharma]]. When [[people]] go about [[slandering]] [[Tantric Buddhism]] without [[thinking]], avoid partaking in their acts. |
| − | Due to the profound doctrines expounded by the Tantric or Esoteric School, its practices were not readily revealed to the world. Hence, it is defined as `esoteric`. | + | Due to the profound [[doctrines]] expounded by the [[Tantric]] or [[Esoteric School]], its practices were not readily revealed to the [[world]]. Hence, it is defined as `[[esoteric]]`. |
| − | Let me say this: The sadhanas of deva deities are really the Dharma protector practices. The inner realization practice is the practice of winds, channels and drops. The Secret Yoga Tantra is the practice of purity. The fire offering practice is also the practice of Clear Light. The process of cultivation removes hindrances, increases wisdom, and turns the gross nature of man into sainthood. Such powers are incredible! | + | Let me say this: The [[sadhanas]] of [[deva]] [[deities]] are really the [[Dharma protector]] practices. The inner [[realization]] practice is the practice of [[winds]], [[channels]] and drops. The Secret [[Yoga Tantra]] is the practice of [[purity]]. The [[fire]] [[offering]] practice is also the practice of [[Clear Light]]. The process of [[cultivation]] removes [[hindrances]], increases [[wisdom]], and turns the gross [[nature]] of man into [[sainthood]]. Such [[powers]] are incredible! |
| − | If you criticize Tantric Buddhism, it is as good as criticizing the Dharmakaya Tathagata, Buddha Vairocana Himself. This is because upon the seventh day of Sakyamuni Buddha`s Enlightenment, the Buddha, identified as Vairocana, expounded the doctrines of inner realization in the vast palace of Vajradharmadhatu. This exposition became the Mahavairocana Sutra. | + | If you criticize [[Tantric Buddhism]], it is as good as criticizing the [[Dharmakaya]] [[Tathagata]], [[Buddha Vairocana]] Himself. This is because upon the seventh day of [[Sakyamuni]] [[Buddha`s]] [[Enlightenment]], the [[Buddha]], identified as [[Vairocana]], expounded the [[doctrines]] of inner [[realization]] in the vast palace of Vajradharmadhatu. This [[exposition]] became the [[Mahavairocana Sutra]]. |
Revision as of 05:00, 4 February 2020
When I first started studying Buddhism, many articles were written to smear the Tantric teachings. I came across some of these articles, and found that most of the criticism were aimed at the practices of the deva deities. Their inclusion into main stream Buddhist doctrines was said to have mixed Brahmanism with Buddhism. It went so far as to suggest that Tantric Buddhism is Brahmanism.
Some articles suggested that the cultivation of winds, channels and drops was not expounded by the Buddha himself, but rather derived from the heretical practice of qi gong, which aspires to clear and circulate the Triple Warmer, generate the Macrocosmic and Microcosmic Circulations, and cultivate the generative (jing), vital (qi) and spirit (shen) energies. Thus, on this basis they criticized that the practice of winds, channels, and drops did not belong to the Buddhist doctrines.
There was criticism directed at the practice of Secret Yoga Tantra taught in Tantric Buddhism. They felt it had derived from one of the denominations of Hinduism, and should be regarded as a heresy, or seen as an evil practice. Such criticisms were numerous, and among these articles, some were directed at the practice of the Homa (fire offering) in Tantric Buddhism, noting its similarity with Zoroastrianism, which originated in Persia.
I am aware that Venerable Hong Yi once mentioned in a speech that he had criticized Tantric Buddhism in the past, and had felt that its teachings were heresy and misleading. Subsequently, having read The Commentary on the Mahavairocana Sutra, he gained a better insight into the Tantric teachings, and realized that Tantric Buddhism embodies layers of deeper meanings. He has since repented.
Venerable Hong Yi felt that one should not dwell on the surface of the Tantric teachings, but go deeper into their inner doctrines. Once they are understood, one would not dare criticize the Tantric teachings anymore. The act of slandering Tantric Buddhism is a grave karma of slandering the Dharma. When people go about slandering Tantric Buddhism without thinking, avoid partaking in their acts.
Due to the profound doctrines expounded by the Tantric or Esoteric School, its practices were not readily revealed to the world. Hence, it is defined as `esoteric`.
Let me say this: The sadhanas of deva deities are really the Dharma protector practices. The inner realization practice is the practice of winds, channels and drops. The Secret Yoga Tantra is the practice of purity. The fire offering practice is also the practice of Clear Light. The process of cultivation removes hindrances, increases wisdom, and turns the gross nature of man into sainthood. Such powers are incredible!
If you criticize Tantric Buddhism, it is as good as criticizing the Dharmakaya Tathagata, Buddha Vairocana Himself. This is because upon the seventh day of Sakyamuni Buddha`s Enlightenment, the Buddha, identified as Vairocana, expounded the doctrines of inner realization in the vast palace of Vajradharmadhatu. This exposition became the Mahavairocana Sutra.
