Saka Dawa 2019

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Nicholas Weeks
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Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

The full moon will be 17 June, so until and on that date is the time to do, think & speak good. Merit is multiplied many times over.

Lama Zopa is fond of suggesting recitation of this Golden Light sutra:

Golden Light -21chp..pdf
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pemachophel
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by pemachophel »

I also believe the Golden Light Sutra is especially important during this time of overpopulation, global warming, species extinction, rampant pollution, and any and all other degradations of the outer container. As this sutra itself explains, recitation of it can help restore the earth and its environment. It also is very clear what the root causes of this degradation are -- our own bad actions.

You can read a chapter of this sutra every day. The chapters are mostly quite short. If you get a hard-copy of this sutra (through TBRC and Vimala Treasures), you can place it on your altar and prostrate and make offerings to it. What kind of offerings? Flowers, incense, candles, jewels, money, etc. If you read the sutra, you will exactly what kind of karmic result you will get by doing this. If you dedicate that merit for the sake of the planet and all the sentient beings who live upon it, the result will be even vaster and more magnificent. This sutra is included in the Zung-du (Compendium of Dharanis) -- it's that important.

There are many, many wonderful sutras, the recitation of which will bring fantastic results, but, IMO, at this time and place, the Golden Light Sutra is one of the best.

BTW, when Jigmeling was in retreat, He devoted one session out of four per day to reciting sutras. So for those Tantrikas and Dzogchenpas here, please don't think that reciting sutras is some "low level" practice. If Jigmeling practiced it, well... I think you get my point.

Thanks Nicholas for making the OP.
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Könchok Thrinley
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Könchok Thrinley »

pemachophel wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 4:00 pm I also believe the Golden Light Sutra is especially important during this time of overpopulation, global warming, species extinction, rampant pollution, and any and all other degradations of the outer container. As this sutra itself explains, recitation of it can help restore the earth and its environment. It also is very clear what the root causes of this degradation are -- our own bad actions.

You can read a chapter of this sutra every day. The chapters are mostly quite short. If you get a hard-copy of this sutra (through TBRC and Vimala Treasures), you can place it on your altar and prostrate and make offerings to it. What kind of offerings? Flowers, incense, candles, jewels, money, etc. If you read the sutra, you will exactly what kind of karmic result you will get by doing this. If you dedicate that merit for the sake of the planet and all the sentient beings who live upon it, the result will be even vaster and more magnificent. This sutra is included in the Zung-du (Compendium of Dharanis) -- it's that important.

There are many, many wonderful sutras, the recitation of which will bring fantastic results, but, IMO, at this time and place, the Golden Light Sutra is one of the best.

BTW, when Jigmeling was in retreat, He devoted one session out of four per day to reciting sutras. So for those Tantrikas and Dzogchenpas here, please don't think that reciting sutras is some "low level" practice. If Jigmeling practiced it, well... I think you get my point.

Thanks Nicholas for making the OP.
What other sutras would you suggest?

Sometimes reading sutras can be pretty tedious due to the repetition and sometimes harder language to grasp for a non-native speaker of english. However, they are quite informative. That is mostly. In many cases it is so unbelievably hard to get to the "informative" part of the sutra.
“Observing samaya involves to remain inseparable from the union of wisdom and compassion at all times, to sustain mindfulness, and to put into practice the guru’s instructions”. Garchen Rinpoche

For those who do virtuous actions,
goodness is what comes to pass.
For those who do non-virtuous actions,
that becomes suffering indeed.

- Arya Sanghata Sutra
Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

If you cannot shake the boredom feeling, then only read aloud (and dedicate the merit to buddhahood for all) passages that inspire you. Most sutras will say even a four line verse recited with devotion is powerful merit.

Shastras by bodhisattvas you admire will also fit the bill.

The sutra passages compilation by Shantideva is a good one. Here are two translations - if you have the printed books, so much the better. Otherwise, just print out a few pages you really like and memorize or recite or copy them out them over and over.

Siksa-samuccaya-1922.pdf
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pemachophel
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by pemachophel »

Nicholas,

Thanks for the hot links. I didn't know about these.

Miroku,

Yes, long sutras can be very repetitive and, let's say, difficult to read. I tend to stick to shorter sutras where Lord Buddha gets right to point -- the teaching, whatever it is, and then the benefits of reading/reciting the sutra.
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Könchok Thrinley
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Könchok Thrinley »

Wow, thanks Nicholas. I was looking for the text since I saw it referenced in my translation of Bodhisattvacharyavatara.

To Pema

I am glad that even teachers like you can feel that way, Pema. :D Do you have some tips for sutras you enjoy/ recommend?
“Observing samaya involves to remain inseparable from the union of wisdom and compassion at all times, to sustain mindfulness, and to put into practice the guru’s instructions”. Garchen Rinpoche

For those who do virtuous actions,
goodness is what comes to pass.
For those who do non-virtuous actions,
that becomes suffering indeed.

- Arya Sanghata Sutra
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Johnny Dangerous
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Johnny Dangerous »

What to do when negative Karma ripens during Saka Dawa..just more practice?
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared

-Khunu Lama
Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Miroku wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:33 pm Wow, thanks Nicholas. I was looking for the text since I saw it referenced in my translation of Bodhisattvacharyavatara.
Glad to help.
Last edited by Nicholas Weeks on Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Johnny Dangerous wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:49 pm What to do when negative Karma ripens during Saka Dawa..just more practice?
Anytime, not just during Saka Dawa, use the wisdom in Wheel of Sharp Weapons and accept it as some old karmic effects coming due.
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Johnny Dangerous »

Nicholas Weeks wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 9:18 pm
Johnny Dangerous wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:49 pm What to do when negative Karma ripens during Saka Dawa..just more practice?
Anytime, not just during Saka Dawa, use the wisdom in Wheel of Sharp Weapons and accept it as some old karmic effects coming due.
Ah good reminder, and good timing.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared

-Khunu Lama
jet.urgyen
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by jet.urgyen »

Johnny Dangerous wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:49 pm What to do when negative Karma ripens during Saka Dawa..just more practice?
it's too late when karma ripens.
true dharma is inexpressible.

The bodhisattva nourishes from bodhicitta, through whatever method the Buddha has given him. Oh joy.
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Thomas Amundsen »

javier.espinoza.t wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:14 pm
Johnny Dangerous wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:49 pm What to do when negative Karma ripens during Saka Dawa..just more practice?
it's too late when karma ripens.
Too late for what?
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tobes
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by tobes »

Johnny Dangerous wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:49 pm What to do when negative Karma ripens during Saka Dawa..just more practice?
Bodhicitta/Tonglen.

Expand it, take on board as much suffering and negative karma as you can, then add more and more.
jet.urgyen
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by jet.urgyen »

Thomas Amundsen wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:04 am
javier.espinoza.t wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:14 pm
Johnny Dangerous wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:49 pm What to do when negative Karma ripens during Saka Dawa..just more practice?
it's too late when karma ripens.
Too late for what?
too late to stop it's manifestation. still, one can observe and understand it's importance -of karma potentiality-.
true dharma is inexpressible.

The bodhisattva nourishes from bodhicitta, through whatever method the Buddha has given him. Oh joy.
Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Folks at 84000 will be reciting the new translation of Jewel Cloud- Ratnamegha sutra. Which is downloadable there in 3 or 4 formats.

http://84000.co/sutra-resounding/

Another powerful & popular shorter text is the King of Vows or aspirations of Samantabhadra that comes from the end of the Avatamsaka Sutra. Many translations are out there, here is one:

https://fpmt.org/wp-content/uploads/pra ... ers_c5.pdf
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by pemachophel »

Miroku,

Below are the ones I say every day.

(Note, those that are titled dharanis are sections taken from various sutras.)

Recolletion of the Three Jewels Sutra
Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra
Three Heaps Sutra
Maha Shri Sutra
Manibhadra Dharani
The 108 Names of Jambhala
Arya Ganapati Hridaya Sutra
The Blazing Chakra (actually a terma sutra)
Sutra Dispelling the Darkness of the 10 Directions (one of the terma versions)
Dhvaja Agrekeyur Dharani
Black Lawsuit Sutra
Dharani Possessing the Limbs of All the Buddhas
Arya Marichi Dharani
Vajra Vidarana Dharani
Mantra for the Praise of the King of Wrathful One, Bhurbumkuta

I also read as much as possible whenever possible:

Mahayana Sutra of Going to Refuge in the Three Jewels
Sutra of the Mighty Turning of the Dharma Wheel
The Sutra on Impermanence
Sutra on the Exalted Teaching of the Four Dharmas
Sutra on Relying on a Virtuous Friend
Questions of the Naga King Sagara
The Wisdom of Passing
Sutra Teaching the 11 Contemplations
The Display of the Pure Field of Sukhavati
The Total Heart-essence of Limitless Life & Primordial Wisdom
Medicine Buddha Dharani
Ushnisha Vijaya Dharani Sutra
Entering the Great City of Vaishali
Golden Light Sutra
Sutra of Dependent Arising
Sutra on the Production of Buddha Images
Aspiration for Excellent Conduct (from Avatamsaka Sutra)

Sorry, you asked.
Pema Chophel པདྨ་ཆོས་འཕེལ
Tenma
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Tenma »

pemachophel wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:52 pm Miroku,

Below are the ones I say every day.

(Note, those that are titled dharanis are sections taken from various sutras.)

Recolletion of the Three Jewels Sutra
Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra
Three Heaps Sutra
Maha Shri Sutra
Manibhadra Dharani
The 108 Names of Jambhala
Arya Ganapati Hridaya Sutra
The Blazing Chakra (actually a terma sutra)
Sutra Dispelling the Darkness of the 10 Directions (one of the terma versions)
Dhvaja Agrekeyur Dharani
Black Lawsuit Sutra
Dharani Possessing the Limbs of All the Buddhas
Arya Marichi Dharani
Vajra Vidarana Dharani
Mantra for the Praise of the King of Wrathful One, Bhurbumkuta

I also read as much as possible whenever possible:

Mahayana Sutra of Going to Refuge in the Three Jewels
Sutra of the Mighty Turning of the Dharma Wheel
The Sutra on Impermanence
Sutra on the Exalted Teaching of the Four Dharmas
Sutra on Relying on a Virtuous Friend
Questions of the Naga King Sagara
The Wisdom of Passing
Sutra Teaching the 11 Contemplations
The Display of the Pure Field of Sukhavati
The Total Heart-essence of Limitless Life & Primordial Wisdom
Medicine Buddha Dharani
Ushnisha Vijaya Dharani Sutra
Entering the Great City of Vaishali
Golden Light Sutra
Sutra of Dependent Arising
Sutra on the Production of Buddha Images
Aspiration for Excellent Conduct (from Avatamsaka Sutra)

Sorry, you asked.
Oof! I cannot recite all that in one go! How long does it take to recite all those sutras everyday? Is this in order?
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Tenma wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:06 pm
pemachophel wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:52 pm Miroku,

Below are the ones I say every day.

(Note, those that are titled dharanis are sections taken from various sutras.)

Recolletion of the Three Jewels Sutra
Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra
Three Heaps Sutra
Maha Shri Sutra
Manibhadra Dharani
The 108 Names of Jambhala
Arya Ganapati Hridaya Sutra
The Blazing Chakra (actually a terma sutra)
Sutra Dispelling the Darkness of the 10 Directions (one of the terma versions)
Dhvaja Agrekeyur Dharani
Black Lawsuit Sutra
Dharani Possessing the Limbs of All the Buddhas
Arya Marichi Dharani
Vajra Vidarana Dharani
Mantra for the Praise of the King of Wrathful One, Bhurbumkuta

I also read as much as possible whenever possible:

[...]
Oof! I cannot recite all that in one go! How long does it take to recite all those sutras everyday? Is this in order?
Only the first group is recited every day, if I am reading Miroku aright. The section following the bold words is only 'whenever possible'.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by Tenma »

Nicholas Weeks wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:49 pm
Tenma wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:06 pm
pemachophel wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:52 pm Miroku,

Below are the ones I say every day.

(Note, those that are titled dharanis are sections taken from various sutras.)

Recolletion of the Three Jewels Sutra
Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra
Three Heaps Sutra
Maha Shri Sutra
Manibhadra Dharani
The 108 Names of Jambhala
Arya Ganapati Hridaya Sutra
The Blazing Chakra (actually a terma sutra)
Sutra Dispelling the Darkness of the 10 Directions (one of the terma versions)
Dhvaja Agrekeyur Dharani
Black Lawsuit Sutra
Dharani Possessing the Limbs of All the Buddhas
Arya Marichi Dharani
Vajra Vidarana Dharani
Mantra for the Praise of the King of Wrathful One, Bhurbumkuta

I also read as much as possible whenever possible:

[...]
Oof! I cannot recite all that in one go! How long does it take to recite all those sutras everyday? Is this in order?
Only the first group is recited every day, if I am reading Miroku aright. The section following the bold words is only 'whenever possible'.
Yes, I know. I cannot recite even that first group in one go with my time. It would probably take me a week to finish that first list before moving on.
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Re: Saka Dawa 2019

Post by pemachophel »

Maybe two hours. It's part of a three hour session, but I've never actually looked at a clock to see how long the just sutras take me. I've been doing this for years and have gotten quite fast.
Pema Chophel པདྨ་ཆོས་འཕེལ
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