Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

Dharma Family,

Recently, I acquired a beautifully carved wooden Kuan Yin Bodhisattva from an old Buddhist Temple in the deep land of China and is quite exspensive (my costs).  The cost is not at issue in this post.

The sitting statue of Kuan Yin is about two rulers lenght, or 24 inches and is at least 100 years old.

It is currently in my living room.  I wonder if G.M., True Buddha Masters, or anyone have heard of any protocol for acquiring such statue?  I know that the statue must have been worshipped by monks in the temple for a very long time.  
I want to do what is right and proper for the situation -- and the situation again is bringing it into my home.

I wish that anyone can shed some knowledge on this matter which will be greatly appreciated.  

Om Mani Padme Hum

John

johnlaw2 wrote (11/05/02 at 23:47:40):

author=johnlaw2 link=board=spiritual;num=1036568862;start=0#0 date=11/05/02 at 23:47:40

hi, John

Grandmaster Lu has taught us how to cleanse a statue ourselves.

You can " smoked " the statue over incense,
meaning holding up the statue above the incense smoke
and let the smoke covered the statue.

Alternatively, you can go to any TBS temple/chapter
to ask the Master there to do a "blessing " ceremony
for the statue.

You are very fortunate to own a 100 years old
Guan Yin statue. Especially one that has been in
the praying possession of monks.

Buddhafly & Swallow,

Thank you very much for your input regarding my 100 years old Kuan Yin Statue.  In this world of uncertainty, I find your comments and words are very comforting to me at the present moment.

The present moment is that Kuan Yin is starring at me in my living room.  Buddhafly's comment did prompted me to consult with a True Buddha School Monk... that is the first right thing to do.  Subsequently, Swallow's comment which prompted me to share with you of what transpired in only a few days of my acquiring.

Well, on the day that I brought "Kuan Yin Bodhisattva" into my living room, I felt someone is watching me constantly.  So what I did was my normal evening prayers at my home's shrine and at the same time or so, I placed some fruits and purified water bought within hours and lit up 3 incenses, offering specifically to "Kuan Yin".  I prostrated before Kuan Yin and wholeheartedly apologied if I have done something wrong (again meaning bringing Kuan Yin out of it's origination) into my home... etc.  I then prayed with all my heart inside my consciousness and chanting his/her mantra.  I asked her to please accept the fact that I have her in my living room and that I am very honor for her to be here.  Furthermore, I stated to her that I will follow her teachings and heed to her calling to do only what is right and forgo what is unwholesome.  

There and then, while I was kneeling on the carpet floor with 3 incenses in my "shrine mudra" hands, I felt a surge of energy uncontrollably doing the prostration for me; and the feeling as if my arms in such mudra position moves back and forth by itself -- very lite as if my arms were floating.  It was something that I can't really explain in words but know the experience vividly.  At the time, I was not happy nor sad.  Emotionally I was neutral.  When the incenses burned away, I felt the peace and quiet in my living room.  

Since then, I felt "her present"; Kuan Yin's present; but in a very calm and abiding manner in my living room.  I felt as thought not only she is watching me peacefully while I carry on my life's acitivities, but there also an intense feeling of her "hearing" of my surrounding.  

Buddhafly and Swallow's postings helped me more and made me feel like you are hearing my calling.  You know... I'm so glad that I feel everyone here is my family.  I want to thank Mimosa for shedding light upon me days ago.  Without her response to quest on another site, I would never have venture into this site.  

I feel that this is the beginning of one persistent path that all us, ultimately, one day regardless of the time, to fulfill our path -- and that goal is Buddhahood with remainders, so that we may help others. :D

Peace,

John

Om Mani Padme Hum

Sigh.................

Thank you John.

You have a good heart and Guan Yin knows.



I feel that this is the beginning of one persistent path that all us, ultimately, one day regardless of the time, to fulfill our path -- and that goal is Buddhahood with remainder, so that we may help others.  

Peace,

John  


Yes, i agree wholeheartedly. Sigh ~~~

#I feel that this is the beginning of one persistent path that #all us, ultimately, one day regardless of the time, to fulfill #our path -- and that goal is Buddhahood with remainders, so #that we may help others

you are blessed with your choice. It is not an easy path, not at all, but you have us  ;D

Mimosa

<<"Buddhafly and Swallow's postings helped me more and made me feel like you are hearing my calling.  You know... I'm so glad that I feel everyone here is my family.  I want to thank Mimosa for shedding light upon me days ago.  Without her response to quest on another site, I would never have venture into this site."

John.
Actually it was me who directed you here.

Buddhafly>>

Buddhafly,

Thank you kindly for guiding me to this site.  You have contributed much for me... by accessing this site, I am able to learn so much more that I would have never know.

Postings by you and other Yabba Administrators from G.M. helped me.  You know, in several of G.M.'s letters months ago, he talked about being alone and in isolation in a little hut on a remote island -- I feel so much for him.

I couldn't help but notice even advanced Masters and enlightened beings like Grand Master Lu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, however advanced they have accomplished; the echoed from them is one of life's suffering.

I listened to a CD set purchased Borders Book store, "How to Live a Better Life", His Holiness the Dalai Lama in so... (15-25 seconds) of the 4 hours CDs, he mentioned that he has suffered much in life and that there are certain events in life now that it cannot be controlled.  Forgive me for taking it out of context but I feel the meaning behind it is one of suffering, still subject to "this body" and "one's karma".  

The more I learn, the more I am frighten.  I'm frighten because we have so much karma to repay back.  Nothing gain, nothing loss.  I'm opening my self to a can of worms here and everyone reading this must forgive me if I'm wrong....

I wonder how those practicing Catholics feel about "suffering".  Do they really suffer like us Buddhists but persisted that "Jesus" or "God" can take away their pain.  Are they really living their lives and able to cope with certain pain and suffering better than us Buddhists.  Is there such a thing as smart is good and too smart is not good?  If one is not bright mentally and truly oblivious to events in life and see their own sufferings as temporarily, is that truly better than us Buddhists.  

If G.M. at times, with inkling of minutes feel the pain and suffering -- and he himself is a Living Buddha.... how can we able to cope with suchness?  

If all of us on this site herein still desire to have a family one day -- to have a significant other because human nature for the most part cannot live alone, haven't we not learn from detachment?

Tonight, for the first time in years that I cooked for myself -- I always have eaten out before.  I cooked a large pink fish with scallops bought at a local Hong Kong supermarket in Houston TX -- and as I am eating some of it that the store has chopped it in pieces for me, I find my cooking wasn't that bad  ::) ok, enough joking...  I was starving but eating that fish with white steamed rice, I ate it mindfully, and feel the pain for that fish.  I wanted to shed tears.  Life is full of suffering!  No matter how you look at it, everybody is really scavengers to everybody.  

Looking deeply -- it hurts.  Not looking deeply, potentially to create heavier karma and will it will hurt.  Love hurts, no love hurts.  With love and not finding the right partner sharing your same practice, you tend to slack off on your practice.  Without love -- you can practice better but ultimately get burnt out...  ;D

Man, this is crazy -- I can ramble on all night endlessly.  Man oh man.  I wish I can be in the hut with Master Lu.  I don't know if I'll practice better or I can ramble on all night and he'll just sit there listening to me griping.

Peace to all,

Om Mani Padme Hum
Master Lu -- where are you when I needed you the most?  I talked to Kuan Yin and she's not responding back verbally -- maybe tonight in my dream state.

John
 

<<#I feel that this is the beginning of one persistent path that #all us, ultimately, one day regardless of the time, to fulfill #our path -- and that goal is Buddhahood with remainders, so #that we may help others

you are blessed with your choice. It is not an easy path, not at all, but you have us  

Mimosa >>

Hmmmm Mimosa -- I wonder if you know something I don't  ;)
But I think you're right, I can't even take care myself much less carrying on the burden of others. hee hee

John

[quote author=johnlaw2


ago, he talked about being alone and in isolation in a little hut on a remote island -- I feel so much for him.

   

John, you can do something about your feelings.
Dedicate the merits of  your practise to Our Grandmaster.

Our Grandmaster has lamented about old age and suffering
pains of illness in the little hut.

We can dedicate the merits of our practise to his health
and to ask Him never to enter Nirvana.




I couldn't help but notice even advanced Masters and enlightened beings like Grand Master Lu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, however advanced they have accomplished; the echoed from them is one of life's suffering.

   

Suffering is the truth of LIFE, as long as we are human beings,  we will have to face sufferings in our daily life.

As a cultivator, we can learn the methods of detaching ourselves from all the sufferings and stay in a state
of Peace within our Hearts.






Om Mani Padme Hum
Master Lu -- where are you when I needed you the most?  I talked to Kuan Yin and she's not responding back verbally -- maybe tonight in my dream state.

John
 [/quote]

   

Maybe tonight she will, please share your dream with us here
when Kuan Yin responded to your calling for her .   ;)


[/color]

<<Om Mani Padme Hum
Master Lu -- where are you when I needed you the most?  I talked to Kuan Yin and she's not responding back verbally -- maybe tonight in my dream state.

John  
  [/quote]

   

Maybe tonight she will, please share your dream with us here
when Kuan Yin responded to your calling for her .  

Swallow>>

My Dear Swallow,

Thank you kindly for your support and inputs.  Your postings in responding to mine or to others have always lifted my spirits -- more than cotton floating upon the summer breeze joyfully.

Your words and kind and sweet -- something of which I can only imagine deep within my heart.

To share with you what I did experienced last night -- swallow... I was very astonished with my dreams.  It seems so endless.  G.M. Lu appears in my consciousness and taught me a few things.  He was there in present and his gentle smile was utmost profound.  He communicated to me through mind transmission and I can hear him crystal clear.  Honestly, I did not expect to dream last night.

Last night, I expected nothing.  Out of nothing, many wonderful experiences fulfill.  I can honestly share with you something Swallow, one of the thing G.M. taught me last night is that "life and death" is of the same."  That nothing gained and nothing loss.  It was all an illusion.  He even showed me with real example.  Ahhhh -- it cannot be explain in words for I am not good with words.

By the way, one day if by chance -- I like to invite you to try out my cooking.  Cooking of the already lifeless fish from Hong Kong super-market.  I think you'll enjoy my cooking...  :)

Have a wonderful day!

John

 

By the way, one day if by chance -- I like to invite you to try out my cooking.  Cooking of the already lifeless fish from Hong Kong super-market.  I think you'll enjoy my cooking...  :)

Have a wonderful day!

John

 [/quote]


   


Ah.....Houston, Texas, home of the Guan Yin True Buddha
School temple there.

Houston True Buddha Lei Zang Si  received a huge Guan Yin
Statue donated by a famous Hong Kong Lady Singer ~~~~~~Miss Mei Yuan Fang for its opening ceremony
few years back.

Thank you John, i will be there one day.  :)  


The fish is lifeless in its meat but its spirit would be
swimming happily up there in the heaven fragrance scented
Sea.

:D

Last night, I expected nothing.  Out of nothing, many wonderful experiences fulfill.  I can honestly share with you something Swallow, one of the thing G.M. taught me last night is that "life and death" is of the same."  That nothing gained and nothing loss.  It was all an illusion.  He even showed me with real example.  Ahhhh -- it cannot be explain in words for I am not good with words.


   

:)

You have your whole life played out in various scenes in your
dream ?

Till you wake up feeling " Boy, what a dream of a life "

kekekeke..................  ;D

Swallow --

How come you know so much about TBS in Houston TX?  I have heard many TBS students have had mystical experiences within this school.

Although I wish this chapter have more lectures and teachings with more monks & nuns like some of the chapters in the N.W. USA.  

I wonder if how many dharma family members from this forum have been to Houston, TX...  

John

picture of Houston, TX TBS main shrine captured on or about Oct. 9, 2002

Kuan Yin Statue in front of TBS Houston TX

"The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, while moving in the deep course of the Perfect Wisdom, shed light on the five aggregates and found them equally empty.  After this penetration, she overcame all pain."

Om Mani Padme Hum

Extraordinary story behind this statue of Kuan Yin was carved and time dedicated wholeheartedly to a "Viet Nam Buddhist Temple" locate in S.W. Houston, TX.  True story as it go to a very special unknown "female/male" labored lovingly with all of her heart day and night without food to eat or drink climbling high above carving our beloved "Kuan Am Bodhisattva" until completion.  After completion, she disappeared.

Locals do not really know whether it was a female or a male in human form.  Whenever I get the chance to visit the beautiful statue, I can literally feel a very profound energy presents -- the experience of being present and the experience of bliss.

johnlaw2 wrote (11/09/02 at 02:23:04):

author=johnlaw2 link=board=spiritual;num=1036568862;start=0#14 date=11/09/02 at 02:23:04

This Guan Yin is alive.  The one in front of the
Houston Lei Zang Si.

Her pure white gown is flying in the wind.

Miss Mei Yuan Fang donated it to dedicate the merits
to her sister who passed away from Cancer.
Miss Mei herself is now a TBS disciple.
She is a very famous singer in the Chinese Community .

John, melons look cool flecked with mud from the morning dew ?

That is a very peaceful state.   :)

<<This Guan Yin is alive.  The one in front of the
Houston Lei Zang Si.

Her pure white gown is flying in the wind.

Miss Mei Yuan Fang donated it to dedicate the merits
to her sister who passed away from Cancer.
Miss Mei herself is now a TBS disciple.
She is a very famous singer in the Chinese Community .

John, melons look cool flecked with mud from the morning dew ?

That is a very peaceful state. >>


Wow Swallow,

I didn't know about that... I know this from first hand account -- about 2 years ago, the year 2000 or so, G.M. Lu was suppose to be present at True Budda School in Houston for the opening ceremony.  Unfortunately, he could not make it.  At the time, he was already in Tahiti.  I recalled he sent a message or made a telephone call the TBS and spoke to, of course, Varja Master.  

On that day, Master Samantha took over and were in charge of the ceremony.  I went to the temple, although at the time, I wasn't at all in TBS teachings.  But never once I gave up on it.  Anyways, present was a few people in my party.  One in particular was an American Man that my family has known, and he was no more than 54, has cancer.  I recalled him going through so much, painfully, throwing ups, can't eat, crying, though to giving up on life period!  He went to the temple because I sort of pulled him in.  At the temple, unknown to anyone of us, in my group that is, one of family member went in front of "Kuan Yin Bodhisattva" statue in front of TBS in Houston praying for this American Man.  

Weeks went by, after going back to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center known for curing Cancer nationwide; his cancer went away.  No more chemos, no more hospitals, nothing.

Shortly after this incidence, his dog died from old age.  He then took another homeless dog from the pound into his house for his caring.  He went back to work helping troubled childrens in the Houston Metropolitan area.  His cancer cured!  Although he is a Baptist, he is kind and very compassionate very much like a "Bodhisattva".  

Wow, I should relate the origin of the Kuan Yin Statue to one of my family member who prayed in front there of.  Life is filled with miracles that unknown events that makes life worth living for if for nothing else... hee hee hee   ;D


<<   John, melons look cool flecked with mud from the morning dew ?

That is a very peaceful state. >>

Swallow -- your statement herein makes me think of my oldest brother.  When I was in high school, he was already in his final 4 year of pre-med college.  I remembered one night sleeping on the carpet right next to my bed in my room after he came back to visit the family for the weekend; he quitely told me one thing that I will never forget...

He told me, "John, go through life like a duck.  On the surface the duck looks cool, calm and always happy; beneath the surface, the duck paddles like [crazy]."  :) memory.
He was never a practicing Buddhist.  Now he is a very prominent Heart Surgeon in Bellevue Washington.  I always convince to do some practice, but I can't really criticize him for he saves hundreds of lives every year.  

One day I visisted him in the hospital while he was in his 5th year surgery at John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD.... and while he was doing his rounds, I couldn't help but noticed all of the letters and thank you cards that he had received from patients and patients' families -- pouring out to him and thanking him for saving their lives.  He never mention a thing ever to me but I was so touched and for the first time in my life tears of compassion rolling down from my eyes.  And the older I get, the more I realized my brother is practicing in motion.

Swallow, for a short time on this site, you really know how to hit my soft spots.   ;)  I hardly ever think of things and yet you bring it out of me.  Ah, one day at a time John  ;D

I wish to dedicate a saying to you that I found exhilarating:

       Foster and polish
       The warrior spirit
       While serving in the world;
       Illuminate the Path
       According to your inner light.

John

Weeks went by, after going back to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center known for curing Cancer nationwide; his cancer went away.  No more chemos, no more hospitals, nothing.
His cancer cured!  Although he is a Baptist, he is kind and very compassionate very much like a "Bodhisattva".  




Wow John ~~~~that is such a miracluous story. Thanks for sharing it with us .  

I do believe that Bodhisattvas are among
all the different nationalities in this Samsara World.





I wish to dedicate a saying to you that I found exhilarating:

       Foster and polish
       The warrior spirit
       While serving in the world;
       Illuminate the Path
       According to your inner light.

John[/quote]


Thank you so much John.  :D

You are the dharma brother who gives me compassion and
warmth upon my return here.

You show in your actions what is Compassionate.
I am glad to know you and grateful for your kindness
towards me  :D