TRUE BUDDHA SCHOOL

What is the True Buddha School?
The True Buddha School is a school for spiritual cultivation, founded by Living Buddha Lian-shen. It is calls the True Buddha School because it offers a True Transmission and Practice of an authentic Tantric Dharma which can truly lead one to Buddhahood. All students who have taken refuge in the True Buddha School must practice the True Buddha Tantric Dharma. The True Buddha Tantric Dharma is a Mahayana practice which, by directly visualizing oneself and Buddha as "One" and, through the cultivation of the purification of body, mind, and speech, can enable an ordinary, worldly person to directly arrive at realm of Buddhahood.

How does the True Buddha School differ from other esoteric schools?
True Buddha School teaches a unique Yoga Practice, Padmakumara (Lotus Bodhisattva) Vajra Yoga, which enables the practitioner to arrive at the Guru's "siddhi" of the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds, an inconceivable Buddha Pure Land manifested by the Buddha Locana. Other esoteric schools differ in that their "siddhis" or "accomplishments" are different.

What are the roots of the True Buddha Tantric Dharma?
An infinite number of kalpas ago, the First Buddha in the Center, Mahavairocana, transformed into Buddha Locana (the Non-Evil Eyes Tathagata) whose two eyes became manifested as a Pure Land, the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds. Residing in the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds are the eighteen Padmakumaras (Lotus Bodhisattvas), among whom the White Padmakumara is the Chief. After an experience of traveling to the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds, Living Buddha Lian-shen realized that he is an emanation of the White Padmakumara and has incarnated in the human realm to fulfill his vows of liberating the sentient beings. Living Buddha Lian-shen also received [during his meditational practice] Buddha Shakyamuni's empowerment and prophecy [of Buddhahood] and was bestowed a Red Crown by Bodhisattva Maitreya. Living Buddha Lian-shen was entrusted by Amitabha Buddha with the mission to lead sentient beings to the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds, and was taught by Padmasambhava [while in meditation] various Tantric Practices. Seeing that the foundations of sentient beings vary greatly, Living Buddha Lian-shen employs many skillful means, using teachings from Taoism, and Sutric and Tantric Buddhism, to lead different sentient beings to take refuge in the Dharma that will liberate them. This is a universal pathway that does not forsake any sentient being. Thus True Buddha Tantric Dharma is the Dharma transmitted in the human realm by White Padmakumara of the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds.

How can one ascertain that the True Buddha Tantric Dharma is a "True" Dharma?
Living Buddha Lian-shen has proclaimed openly that he is willing to risk his life, even if he had to subject himself to pulverization, in order to lead sentient beings to liberation -- this is a True Vow to liberate sentient beings. The number of books published by Living Buddha Lian-shen has reached one hundred and thirteen. These books contain the record of Living Buddha Lian-shen's authentic experiences, from his first initiation into Taoism to later Buddhism -- this is a True Record. Living Buddha Lian-shen shares openly with sentient beings, without holding anything back, what he himself has learned in spiritual cultivation -- this is a True Revelation of the secrets. The manifestation of Living Buddha Lian-shen's transcendental power and his self-mastery, as demonstrated by the occurrence of numerous miracles and the conquering of evil forces, is evidence of his possession of True Wisdom as well as True Subjugation Power. The propagation of the True Buddha Tantric Dharma to bring many sentient beings to Enlightenment illustrates its True Efficacy.

How should a True Buddha practitioner serve one's Root Guru?
A True Buddha practitioner should observe the Fifty Stanzas of Guru Devotion and have great faith in the Root Guru. One should treat the Root Guru as a Buddha and life-long refuge. Since the Root Guru is the Consciousness of all Buddhas, if a refuge student has no faith in the Root Guru, or even opposes the Root Guru, then the student will not be able to receive any spiritual response. Such a student does not merely lose the merits that were bestowed upon him or her at the Initiation Empowerment by the Root Guru, he or she also becomes disconnected from the empowerment of all past lineage holders. A refuge student who ceases to be faithful to the Root Guru is actually worse off than someone who has not taken refuge.

Of which Buddha or Bodhisattva is Living Buddha Lian-shen an emanation?
Living Buddha Lian-shen has revealed straight-forwardly that he is an emanation of Padmakumara (Lotus Bodhisattva). Actually, the body of Living Buddha Lian-shen is that of Buddha Amitabha, his speech that of Bodhisattva Maitreya, his mind that of Buddha Shakyamuni, and his hands those of Vajrapani. Therefore, as Padmasambhava had predicted, Living Buddha Lian-shen is the Vajra Emanation of the Body, Mind, and Speech of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Any offering made to Living Buddha Lian-shen is being made to his Three Bodies (the Dharma Body, the Bliss Body, and the Transformation Body), and there is no difference between such merits and merits acquired from making offerings to ten thousand billion Buddhas.

How does one visualize the past lineage holders?
Living Buddha Lian-shen has altogether five human Tantric gurus and has received teachings and empowerments from the Tibetan Tantric schools of Nyingmapa, Gelugpa, Kagyupa, and Sakyapa. However, the most direct teachings he has received are the Tantric Dharma Practices transmitted to him by Padmasambhava. Therefore, a practitioner can do the following direct visualization of the past lineage holders: sitting right above the Root Guru is Padmasambhava and, successively above, are Vajrapani, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Buddha Vairocana.

Among the many True Buddha Tantric Practices, which ones can be empowered remotely?
The Empowerments for Initiation, Four Preliminary Practices, Padmakumara Vajra Yoga, Personal Deity Yoga, and Karma Yoga can be obtained,through remote empowerment. However, once one progresses to the stage of Dharma Protector (or Wrathful Deity) Yoga, one needs to meet with the Guru personally to receive the empowerments and the special teachings, since each one of the Five Great Dharma Protector Practices requires a high level of secret skills and special visualization. The rituals and visualization covered in the Highest Tantra involve such a great number of details that one must definitely meet personally with the Guru to receive the empowerment and teachings.

If, after one receives the Initiation Empowerment, one does not follow the proper sequence in the course of practice and, before a sound foundation is built, eagerly attempts the higher practices, there will be many setbacks. If the practitioner pursues his goal single-mindedly, the setbacks might be considerably less. However, if the practitioner is not focused in his spiritual pursuit, and also not well advised on the special rituals and offerings required, the attempt can be very dangerous. The Dharma Protectors or Wrathful Deities will consider improper any attempts before the obtaining of an empowerment and will, therefore, cause accidents and misfortunes to happen to the practitioner.

What precepts should one observe after taking refuge in Living Buddha Lian-shen and in the True Buddha School?
As a True Buddha practitioner, one must observe the Five Precepts and the Ten Wholesome Acts of the sutrayana schools. In addition, one should observe the Fifty Stanzas of Guru devotion and the Fourteen Root Tantric Vows. Practitioners who have accepted the Bodhisattva Vows should observe the Vows. There are also the Great Tantric Buddhist Vows which are insurpassable! The aim of these vows is to help one turn away from evils, perform good deeds, and develop the "unperturbed mind" which is a prerequisite for entering into the "inconceivable" realm of the Buddhas. As a part of the traditional, graduated course of training, precepts are not merely theories, they have to be put into practice and will become powerful tools in meditation. Thus a True Buddha practitioner must observe the precepts.

What are Living Buddha Lian-shen's future plans?
My life may be more or less divided into four phases:

(i) The Dharma Learning Phase - this period extends from the time of my birth, through the first spiritual encounter, to my initiation into the study of Taoism, and Sutric and Tantric Buddhism.

(ii) The Dharma Propagation Phase - after Self Realization and Perfect Enlightenment, I started propagating the True Buddha Tantric Dharma, which is an integration of the essences of Taoism, and Sutric and Tantric Buddhism.

(iii) The Wandering Phase - I travel alone around the world to teach the Dharma to anyone who has an affinity with it.

(iv) The Retreat Phase - I shall depart from everything in the world and enter into Nirvana, which is the "Realm of Stillness and Tranquility." This is the ultimate path for all spiritual cultivators.

I know I have acquired the Great Spiritual Power that can liberate sentient beings. I have learned all this-worldly and other-worldly Dharmas, and penetrated the knowledge of Taoism, and Sutric and Tantric Buddhism. I have merged with the Great Wisdom of the Universe's Consciousness, attained the Vajra Indestructible Body, and possessed the Great Transcendental Power.

However, the boundless merits of spiritual cultivation do not reside in the gain of worldly profit and reputation. Therefore, one has to rupture fame and profit by resigning and retreating and, ultimately, returning to a state of owning nothing. This is my future plan.

What should one do if one has trouble in producing a clear visualization?
Many students have asked this question. Since the thoughts of humans run like wild horses and are not easily quieted, unclear visualization often results. The best suggestion for the beginning student is to carry around a photograph of the Guru, or of the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, so that he or she can often look at the photograph and have the image impressed in the mind. By constantly impressing the photographic image on the mind, one will, over time, develop the ability to do clear visualization. This involves studying with effort the Guru's or Buddha's eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and the whole face. One will eventually succeed if one practices assiduously.

Can an uninitiated person chant the mantras and do the practices taught by Living Buddha Lian-shen?
Many people have asked this question. Many people also have asked if a person who has not taken refuge is allowed to participate in our school's group cultivation sessions. My reply to these questions is "yes." People who have not taken refuge or received the Initiation Empowerment may practice the Dharmas taught by Living Buddha Lian-shen and join our group cultivations.

However, such practices bring relatively fewer merits to people who have not taken refuge, as they are like students who just attend and are not enrolled in class. The most important element lacking in these people is the Blessing from the lineage holders, which brings great merits. Students who have taken refuge have formally enrolled in the course and will automatically receive great blessings from the past lineage holders.

If one is interested in practicing the True Buddha Tantric Dharma and in joining the group cultivation, why would one not take refuge and receive the Initiation Empowerment?

Which one is better for chanting -- the long version or short version of the Guru's Heart Mantra?
Many people also have asked this question. My answer is: if one has plenty of time, one may chant the long version and, if one has less time available, one may chant the short version. Both versions produce the same amount of merits; there is no difference. The long version of Living Buddha Lian-shen's Heart Mantra includes the Six Realms of Beings. However, the Six Realms of Beings are also implicitly present in the short version.

What can one do to attain responses in this-worldly Dharma practices?
The most important element is not to have any doubts. If one harbors doubts about the Dharma one is practicing, one's wishes will not materialize. In the practice of this-worldly Dharmas, one must have sincerity and devotion. If one is not sincere in one's supplications, how can one expect them to become manifested? This is a principle that can be easily understood. Within our True Buddha Tantric Dharma are many practices that one can do, to pray for children, health, blessings, wealth, status, purification, subjugation, and magnetization. These practices are greatly effective as long as one is focused in mind and sincere in heart. A sincere heart can move heaven and earth.

What are the qualifications of a True Buddha School acharya or master? Strictly speaking, a True Buddha School acharya or master should have the following qualifications:

(i) Be well-versed in all Buddhist classics and scriptures.

(ii) Have knowledge of the whole course of the True Buddha Tantric Dharma Practice, know its liturgies, and understand all practices up to and including the Highest Tantra.

(iii) Be able to enter into Samadhi and merge with the Ocean of Consciousness of Vairocana.

(iv) Be able to unite with and transmute into one's Personal Deity.

(v) Generate the Bodhicitta to liberate all sentient beings.

Is it necessary to become a vegetarian in order to practice the True Buddha Tantric Dharma?
There is no rule that one must be a vegetarian in order to practice this Dharma. One can follow one's own instinct in making that decision. Both vegetarianism and meat-eating are acceptable, as it is the consciousness behind the behavior that is most important. A Buddhist should not grasp too tightly onto a doctrine, as this can create an impediment in many ways. In order to bring a wider liberation to more sentient beings, the True Buddha Tantric Dharma does not insist on one being a vegetarian but instructs that, if one chooses to be a meat-eater, one should chant the Rebirth Mantra or the Bodhisattva Manjusri Rebirth Mantra to deliver the animal before one consumes it. This way, hindrances will be lessened and all endeavors will be smoother.

Please comment on the necessity of setting up a shrine and the employment of Tantric implements.
To practice Tantra, one must have a shrine as well as some Tantric implements to aid in the practice. Enshrined at the altar are images of one's Personal Deity, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, one's Root Guru, various Deities, and Dharma Protectors. One should have at the least a vajra and a bell as implements and, beyond that, whatever is required and afforded for any particular practice. For example, if one desires to practice any one of the Five Great Yogas of Purification, Enhancement, Love, Magnetization, or Subjugation, one must possess mala beads of a color that corresponds to that particular Yoga. These are part of the Tantric rules.

However, I understand that some students have the desire to practice the True Buddha Tantric Dharma, but are unable to set up an altar in their homes or to afford the requisite implements. Therefore, I teach them to visualize the shrine, the offerings, and the implements. This is an allowance made for those students who do not have any other recourse.

Anyone who is capable and can afford an altar and the implements must acquire them. Visualization is only used when there is no other option.

What is the Ultimate Dharma?
The True Buddha Tantric Dharma is the Ultimate Dharma. Like a priceless Dharma vessel, the True Buddha Tantric Dharma carries us across the river of Life and Death to the other shore where there is Liberation. An Ultimate Dharma is a Dharma that can transport one directly to the other shore. As a human being, one's spiritual cultivation completely determines whether one will, in the future, ascend or descend through the various realms in the Universe. This Ultimate Dharma is, therefore, the most critical element in one's life and it cannot be emphasized enough how important it is to turn one's mind single-mindedly to this Dharma.

How can one acquire the Faculty of Divine Eyesight?
This question has been asked by many people. I personally feel that this Faculty can only be acquired by someone who already has accumulated sufficient amounts of merits and wisdom. The Faculty of Divine Eyesight results after the purification of the mind, because the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas allow themselves to be directly seen only by someone whose mind is pure. Therefore, if one wants to acquire the Faculty of Divine Eyesight, one must first carry out the basic requirements of "repentance" and "accumulating of merits and wisdom." When the dual impediments of attachment to klesa (troubles) and knowledge are removed, one will automatically attain the Faculty of Divine Eyesight.

What are the prerequisites for practicing the True Buddha Tantric Dharma?
To truly learn the True Buddha Tantric Dharma, one must first take refuge in a qualified Root Guru. Afterwards, one should follow the teachings of the Root Guru and practice the Dharma single-mindedly, without any distraction. One must not have any fear in overcoming the hardships involved in the practice of the Dharma. One has to forsake all worldly fame and profit. All this is done in accordance with the ways taught by the Root Guru. One first has to have faith, then one will acquire the Great Wisdom and arrive at the Ultimate Shore.

How important are the key teachings contained in the text, True Buddha Dharma: The Inner Commentary?
All the key teachings in the True Buddha Dharma: The Inner Commentary are culled from the Guru's own experiences of spiritual cultivation to Enlightenment; therefore, a True Buddha practitioner should always bear these important keys in mind. If one learns from these key teachings and cultivates the Dharma firmly and persistently, one will definitely be able to experience the extraordinarily wonderful expansion of awareness and perceptions and arrive at a higher level of spiritual maturity and realization. These key teachings are the root secrets of the Guru's own Enlightenment and one should never forget them.

As a spiritual cultivator, how can one keep pure one's motivations in cultivation?
One must never be too rigid and stick inflexibly to one's own view, as such an attitude will create opportunities for the negative forces to take advantage of one. One should rely upon one's own judgment and not be taken in too easily by other people's words. People of little faith are easily influenced by others. If one has faith in one's Root Guru, then all kinds of merits will be generated.

After obtaining an understanding of the True Buddha School and the significance of the True Buddha Tantric Dharma, if one wants to take refuge in the True Buddha School and become a disciple of Living Buddha Lian-shen, what should one do?
To take refuge in Living Buddha Lian-shen and become a student of the True Buddha School, there are two courses:

(i) In person - Make an appointment ahead of time to visit the True Buddha Tantric Quarter in Redmond, Washington, USA to receive direct Initiation Empowerment from the Living Buddha Lian-shen.

(ii) By writing - It is often not possible for someone who lives far away to come in person to take refuge. Those students who desire to take refuge can, on the first or fifteenth of any lunar month, at 7:00 a.m., while facing the direction of the rising sun, recite three times the Fourfold Refuge Mantra: "Namo Guru bei, namo Buddha ye, namo Dharma ye, namo Sangha ye" and prostrate three times.

On the first or fifteenth of every lunar month, at the True Buddha Tantric Quarter, Living Buddha Lian-shen performs a ceremony of "Remote Initiation Empowerment" - to give empowerment to all the students who could not journey in person.

A student who takes refuge from a distance, after performing the rites at home, only needs to send a letter to the True Buddha Tantric Quarter stating that he or she is seeking refuge, together with his/her name, address, age, and a small fee for making offerings to the Buddhas. Upon receiving the letter, Living Buddha Lian-shen will send a certificate, a picture of the Guru, and a note stating the level of practice at he/she should start. The address of the True Buddha Tantric Quarter is:

Sheng-yen Lu
17102 NE 40th Ct.
Redmond, WA 98052, USA

*********************
Announcement: New account to receive donation for refuge initiation and to make monetary offerings for Grand Master
2011-03-15

Effective as of today, per discretion of Grand Master, the Root Lineage Master Lian-Sheng, all disciples from all over the world who are interested in receiving refuge initiation and/or making monetary offerings to the Grand Master may direct their payment to the new account in the following ways:

1. Postal money transfer via Taiwan Postal Services:
Transfer account name: ``Lei Tsang Temple``
(雷藏寺)
Taiwan Postal Services transfer account
number: 22713441

2. Wire transfer via a bank:
Account name [in care of] : ``Lei Tsang
Temple`` (雷藏寺)
Account number: 441-10-070004
Bank name: First Commercial Bank, Tsao Tun
Branch （第一銀行草屯分行）
S.W.I.F.T. number: FCBKTWTP
Bank address: 256 Taiping Road, Sec.2,
Tsao-Tun, Nantou, Taiwan 542,
R.O.C.

*** As for refuge registration, after having wired the donation, please fax the completed registration form and wire transfer paperwork to Taiwan Lei Tsang Temple. Please also put your telephone number on the refuge registration form to facilitate future verification (fax number: + 886-4-2350801. Thanks for cooperation!
* When using internationally payable check or money order, please make it out to: 雷藏寺[Lei Tsang Temple]

Taiwan Lei Tsang Temple:
Address: No. 100 Lane LianSheng, Shanjiao Village, Tsao-Tun Township, Nantou County, Taiwan, 54246, R.O.C.

Telephone No.: + 886-49-2312292
Fax No.: + 886-49-2350801
E-mail address: leybet@gmail.com

Source:
http://www.tbsn.org/english2/news.php?id=290&classid=1

Mudras (Hand Formations)

Dharma Talk By Grand Master Sheng-yen Lu (part 1-10)

Living Buddha Grand Master Lu DharmaTalk 03-2007

Preface - The Power of Mantra

Curing a Fever with Mantra
I shall begin with a story that happened years ago.

One day, a student of mine named Chen Jian hurried to my house and requested an immediate consultation.
"What's the matter?"I asked.
"Somebody really needs help!"
"Who?"
"My neighbor"
"Your next door neighbor?"I was amused, "What has that got to do with you?"

Chen Jian seriously replied, "Grand Master! Every so often I tell my neighbors about your great merits and deeds. I tell them how powerful you are and how you have resolved many problems for others. 'If you have a problem, go to Living Buddha Lian Shen and all will be resolved"Today, my neighbor's only son came down with a fever and it just won't go away. I come on his behalf to seek your help"

"You need a doctor to cure a fever!"I said.
"They have consulted a doctor and the child took medicine. But the fever remains"
"What about consulting a barefoot doctor or taking some Chinese herbal medicine?"I added.
"We consulted all kinds of doctors, but none could cure the child's fever. Grand Master is a master of talisman and mantra. That's why I seek your help"
"Indeed I am!"

We hurried to the home of Cheng Jian's neighbor. On arrival, I saw two encephalitis ghosts about to enter the house.
I told the two ghosts, "Wait. Let me enter first"
I pushed the two ghosts aside and they fell flat on the ground. They were fuming and screaming.
"Grand Master, who were you talking to earlier""Cheng Jian asked.
"To the empty space,"I replied.

Once in the house, I met up with the house owners Mr. and Mrs. Teng, whose son's fever had sustained for days. They looked worried and asked if could I save their son.
"Your son has encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain" I said.
The couple's eyes opened wide upon hearing my diagnosis and exclaimed, "That's exactly what the doctor suspected and told us. And you knew it right away! Please help our son. He's our one and only darling"
"You're fortunate to have met me. If not, your son would be doomed"
"How are you going to save him?"The couple asked.
"I'll use mantra"
"Mantra can cure fever?"the couple was astonished.
"We will see"

My right hand formed the Precious Hand Mudra. My left hand formed the Vajra Fist Mudra. I placed my left hand at my waist.

Using the Precious Hand Mudra, I wrote the Sanskrit syllable Vam on the child's forehead and chanted, "Vam, Vam, Vam"three times. Afterwards, I stomped the floor three times with my left leg.
I said, "OK! The fever will soon subside"
"You mean the fever will go away just like that?" The couple uttered in disbelief.

The truth spoke for itself. Not even two minutes later, the fever dropped and everything normalized. Once the fever went away, the child felt great and refreshed.

The child recalled, "As I was feeling sick and drowsy, I saw a flaming cart pushing towards me. Behind me was another cart in flames, blocking my retreat. I was doomed to die in that fire. All of a sudden, a man appeared in the sky and chanted some kind of mantra. He was riding on a cloud and his finger pointed right at me. With this, a downpour came and extinguished the fire. I was saved and thus woke up"
"Do you recognize the man in the sky?"someone asked.
"Sure!" the boy exclaimed.
He pointed his finger at me and said, "That's him!"
"Wow! shouted Chen Jian.
I nodded. The couple was most convinced.

Thus:
If you chant the mantra diligently,
With persistence and practice you shall quickly advance.
Once you gain response chanting the mantra,
All of heaven will extend their help to you.
In time you shall attain immortality.

What exactly is a mantra? How can a mantra cure a fever?
A practitioner chants a mantra and summons the heavenly Water Deity to descend. The Sanskrit syllable Vam in the mantra means water. You fight fire with water, and when the fire is subdued, the fever goes away. It is that simple.

Mantra is also known as Dharani -- all-encompassing, containing limitless dharma.
Thus, we describe mantra as:
The True Word
The Illuminated Spell
The Heart of Tathagata
The Muni Jewel

I feel that our time on earth is very short and the time that we can really use is scarce. If you spend all your time chasing after fame and wealth, know that you can lose it all within a moment's breath.

I always feel that the most important thing in life should be solving the question of life and death. If we truly know the meaning of life and death and find enlightenment, our life will not be in vain.

When I practice the teachings of Buddha, I realize the Dharma is simply supreme and remarkable. There are many gems within the teachings, such as:
The True Nature of Emptiness
The Prajna Wisdom
The Right Observation of the Middle Path
The Consciousness-only Manifestation
The Non-discrimination Yoga

I have seen many who practice Zen, and many who embrace the Pure Land School chanting the respective Buddha's epithet and sutras. There are those who follow the laws and rules of the Buddhist teachings, such as those who embrace the Vinaya School. There are other sects and schools that enable one to attain peace and happiness. Upon one's death, the individual ascends to the Pure Land, leaves the Wheel of Reincarnation, realizes one's True Self and gains enlightenment. One then roams freely in this world and beyond.

In my journey of practicing the teachings of Buddha, I came across the teachings of the Non-discrimination Yoga. I stepped upon the path of Mantrayana and realized that the Tantric teachings of mantra are able to fulfill all good wishes, and accomplish all great deeds. The Tantric teachings can eradicate disasters, enhance fortune, improve relationships and subdue all evils. The Tantric teachings attract fortune and lead to longevity and happiness within the family. You can certainly attain Buddhahood through the teachings.

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have great compassion for all sentient beings and to liberate them from suffering, they utter the Dharani, which are the mantras. When we recite these mantras, they help us find peace and joy, receive great benefits, ease our lives and bring good things to come to us. They can even help eradicate our karmic hindrance within this lifetime and deliver us to the Pure Land.

Master Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism once said, "To chant a Buddha's epithet is to reflect his identity. To chant a mantra is to touch a Buddha's heart"

In the book The Essence of Tantrayana, it is written, "If you combine the practice of chanting the Buddha's epithet and chanting of mantra, your merit is as wide as the seas of Mount Sumeru. If you chant only the Buddha's epithet and not the mantra, your merit is but the size of Gandhamadana, the incense mountain located near Lake Anavatapta in Tibet"

In another book titled As Small As Lake Anavatapta, it is written, "The Pure Land School reaches all levels of sentient beings. However, not everyone makes it to the highest of the nine levels of existence in the Pure Land. If an individual follows the practice of Tantrayana, he will gain access to the Pure Lands of the Ten Directions. He will attain the highest level of existence in the Pure Land with much success"

Living Buddha Lian-shen, Sheng-yen Lu says, "By chanting the Buddha's epithet, one creates rapport with the Buddha's identity. By chanting the mantra, one gains access to the Buddha's heart. If you practice chanting both, you correspond with the outer and inner aspect of the Buddha, and this is most complete"

Thus:
Reach Self Realization through chanting the Buddha's epithet.
Connect with the heart of Tathagata through chanting the mantra.
Thus you will find the ultimate bliss as one complete reality.
Within the chant of the mantra,
One hears the cries of all suffering.

Source:
http://www.padmakumara.org/books/book148/preface.shtml

Chapter 1: Eradicating All Disasters

A man by the name of Sheng Ding was a chief engineer on a deep sea fishing ship. When he was in Hong Kong, a friend invited him to consult a very famous fortune-teller skilled in the art of chinese divination known as Tad-Ban-Shen-Suan. This form of chinese divination requires the information of one's birthdate and time, right down to the exact minute of one's birth. If the information fits, the divination shall reveal the most accurate details of one's life. Sheng Ding felt that this art of divination that was first revealed by Shao Kang Jie in ancient China was indeed remarkably accurate.

The fortune-teller revealed Sheng Ding's destiny. He stated that his father was born in the year of the dragon and his mother was born in the year of the monkey. The information was correct. He also mentioned that Sheng Ding has three elder brothers and one younger sister. This tallied with the facts. The fortune-teller also revealed that Sheng Ding's mother passed away when he was ten years old. This astonished Sheng Ding because what he said was indeed true. His mother died of a certain illness when he was just ten.

The fortune-teller proceeded to describe Sheng Ding's destiny:
Sheng Ding's livelihood was connected with water (Sheng Ding sailed with the deep sea fishing ship). When he turned thirty, he met a friend by the surname Xie and lost his money(at age thirty, a friend with the surname Xie borrowed seven hundred thousand dollars in Taiwan currency and disappeared). The divination also revealed that Sheng Ding had a girl friend with the surname Chang and disclosed exactly how much he earned per month. This was most astonishing to Sheng Ding, leaving him dumbfounded.

Finally, the fortune-teller came to Sheng Ding's life span and felt silence. Sheng Ding was eager to know how long he was going to live.
"It is best that you didn't know."replied the fortune-teller.
"Long or short it matters not to me. I can take it."Sheng Ding said.
The fortune-teller insisted on keeping mum about his time on earth.
Sheng Ding exploded and said, "Look! I told you I didn't mind. People live and die. Long life short life so be it. Having a long life may not be a good thing. But I have to know how long I am going to live or I'll not going to step out of your place."
The fortune-teller was in a very difficult position.
But Sheng Ding demanded to know.

Finally, the fortune-teller picked up one of the books on divination, flipped to the respective page and showed Sheng Ding what was written on it. The respective sentence stated, "You shall die at age thirty seven."
"Thirty seven! Thirty seven!" Sheng Ding was shocked to learn of his life span.
Damn! Sheng Ding was thirty five and that meant another two years before he left the world for good. Judging from the accuracy of this fortune-teller, it seemed that his life would surely come to an end at that age. Sheng Ding claimed that he didn't mind. But his heart was pounding hard.
Sheng Ding asked, "Is there a way out?"
"Everything is destined by divine will. You can change your destiny through gathering good merits. I can't help you."
"Doing good deeds?"
"Yes."
"Just like the story of Liao Fan."Sheng Ding had read that story.
"Almost."said the fortune-teller.
"But is two years enough time to change my destiny?"said a worried Sheng Ding.

The fortune-teller smiled and refused to commend.
"Is there someone on earth who can help change my destiny?"
The fortune-teller said, "To my knowledge, this form of divination is extremely accurate. I am aware that one can change his destiny, but this is rarely possible. Perhaps you should look this person up and see if he can help you."
Which person?`
`Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu.`
`Can he really change my destiny?`
`Why not give it a try?`
* * *
When Sheng Ding came to me, he did not mention his consultation with the fortune-teller in Hong Kong. He only forwarded a note stating that he wanted to know how long he would have to live.

I said to him, `I never do readings to determine the length of one`s life.`
`Why not? Isn`t it possible that we can find out about our marriage, our wealth, our children, our state of prosperity, and certainly our life-span?`
`Well, you`re right in a way. But if I determine your life span and it turns out to be a short life, you`ll become frightened. To avoid unnecessary complications, I avoid going into it.`
`Can you make an exception?` Sheng Ding requested.
`No.` I replied.
`Alright. Any age is a two-digit number. Perhaps you can determine the last digit of the age rather than the first digit, how about that?`

I gave it some thought and felt that it was fair enough. The last digit would not give away the length of one`s life span, and was thus meaningless. But I was unclear why Sheng Ding requested to know the last digit of his age of death.

I consulted the divination and wrote down the number seven. Sheng Ding looked at the number and said, `Seven. That`s precisely the number!` Sheng Ding then revealed he had consulted a fortune-teller in Hong Kong who had told him that he would live to the age of thirty-seven. He wanted to know how he could reverse this cycle and if I could change his fate. I told him, `I can give it a try.` I went into deep meditation.

In my meditation, I saw a figure of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva dressed in a white robe, carrying a vial of elixir and a stalk of willow leaves in her hands. She appeared noble and at ease with herself. The Bodhisattva told me, `All you have to do is tell Sheng Ding to chant the Mantra of the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva twenty times per day, and there shall be deliverance. You don`t have to teach him how to recite it. He already knows how.`

I came out of my meditation and said to Sheng Ding, `You do know how to chant a mantra.`
`Nonsense!` Sheng Ding denied.
`But the Bodhisattva says you do.`
`The Bodhisattva must be joking! I have never chanted any mantra in my entire life.`
`The White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva told me that you know how to chant her mantra.`
`Ah!` Sheng Ding was taken aback. He then related this story to me.

It was ten years ago when Sheng Ding`s aunt passed away. Before she died, she gave him a painting of a portrait of the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva. The mantra of this Bodhisattva was written alongside the painting. His aunt had recited every word carefully to Sheng Ding and he had actually chanted the mantra correctly, with the right pronunciation. His aunt told him that the painting with the mantra has been kept and worshipped over a long period of time. The mantra was to be recited in the course of one`s lifetime, and should not be forgone. According to his aunt, the mantra was very magical.

Sheng Ding kept this painting properly and recited the Mantra of the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva for a short period. After his aunt`s passing, he put the painting away and it did not see the light of day. He had since stopped chanting the mantra.

I told Sheng Ding, `Hang up the piece of painting of the Bodhisattva immediately.`
`Yes.` Sheng Ding answered.
`Recite this Mantra of the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva twenty times a day.`
`Yes.`
`Do you need my coaching?`
`It`s OK. I still remember how to chant this mantra.`

Surprisingly, Sheng Ding was able to write down this mantra:

The Mantra of the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva
Homage to the All Compassionate and All Merciful Kuan Yin Bodhisattva (3 times).
Homage to the Buddhas.
Homage to the Dharma.
Homage to the Sangha.
Homage to Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, the Great Compassionate One.
Tadyata Om Garavata Garavata Gahavata Ragavata Ragavata Svaha.
Summon the Gods in Heaven,
Summon the Gods on Earth,
Deliver us from all disasters.
Remove us from all evils.
Reduce all disasters to nothingness.
Namo Maha-prajna-paramita

When Sheng Ding returned home, he hanged his painting of the Bodhisattva on the wall and worshipped it with much reverence. In preparation for his daily chanting, he would clean his hands, light incense and prostrate before the image of the Bodhisattva before chanting the mantra.
After completing his chanting, he would recite the dedication verses:

May karmic hindrance and anxiety be removed.
May wisdom and true realization be attained.
May all transgression be eradicated completely.
May I follow the path of Bodhisattva life after life.

Sheng Ding added, `Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, please protect me from any fatality and offer me longevity.`

At home, he could keep to the routine of his practice. But Sheng Ding was, after all, a traveling chief engineer with his deep-sea fishing ship. He spent most of his time away from home. Nonetheless, he taped a photo of the White Robed Bodhisattva at a corner of his cabin on board his ship. He continued his daily practice without fail.

His friends sneered at him and thought he was superstitious, crazy, and had lost his mind. But Sheng Ding ignored them.

Besides chanting the mantra, Sheng Ding would commit himself to charity work whenever possible.
* * *
When he was thirty-seven, Sheng Ding`s fishing ship anchored at Hawaii before sailing to Guam the following day. That very night, Sheng Ding had a bad stomachache and was in great pain.

When he was rushed to the emergency ward in the hospital, he was diagnosed with acute colitis and needed an operation right away. Under the circumstances, Sheng Ding had to stay behind at the Hawaii hospital.

However, the ship was scheduled to Guam and could not wait for him. So the ship sailed on without Sheng Ding and would arrange to meet with him again after his surgery.

Sadly, the ship sank on its journey to Guam when it encountered a heavy storm. None of the crew survived the tragedy. The ship with its load of crew sank without a trace. Despite rescue attempts from the shipping company to search the area with helicopters and other rescue ships, they could not locate the missing crew. It was as if they had all vanished into thin air.

Because his acute colitis required him to stay behind in Hawaii for surgery, Sheng Ding became the sole survivor of this tragedy.

Sheng Ding later returned to Hong Kong and met up with the fortune-teller.
He told the fortune-teller, `Your divination is off the mark!`
The fortune-teller was astonished and exclaimed, `What happened?`
`I chanted the Mantra of the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, that`s all!`
The fortune-teller marveled and said, `The mantra has such miraculous power. It is indeed rare. I would like to recite it too.`

Since then, Sheng Ding developed a deep faith in the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, and knew that the compassionate Bodhisattva would certainly answer the cries of all. He knew he must trust the Bodhisattva completely and be sincere. Only then can a miracle be evoked. Sheng Ding later took refuge with the True Buddha School.

I taught Sheng Ding how to practice the Four Preliminary Practices and the Guru Yoga. Eventually, he was to regard the White Robed Kuan Yin Bodhisattva as his Principal Deity during his cultivation.

Sheng Ding felt sorry for the shipmates and crew who had perished in the ocean. He decided to chant the Mantra of the White Robed Bodhisattva one hundred twenty thousand times. He would then dedicate the merits of the mantra chanting to their Souls.

After the dedication of merits, Sheng Ding had a dream. he dreamt of sailing in the ocean and his ship being surrounded by about fifty white birds. The circling birds seemed to come to say their thank you to Sheng Ding, and one by one, they each flew away. When he woke up from his dream, he realized that the Souls of his friends had all been liberated by the White Robed Kuan Yin and left the sea of suffering.

And thus:
From dust to dawn he chants diligently.
The White Robed Kuan Yin enters his dream frequently.
The shipmates of the boat have been salvaged.
Bonded by old friendship of great affinity.

Source:
http://www.padmakumara.org/books/book148/chap1.shtml

Chapter 2: Grandfather Mala

In the past, whenever I read the Feng Shui of a person's home, I observed both the visible and the invisible worlds. The invisible world refers to the realm of spirits.

I will divulge a great secret:
I was once invited to do a Feng Shui reading for a certain prestigious household in Kaoshing, Taiwan. Once I entered the house, I saw many poverty ghosts occupying the place. These ghosts were the debtors of the owner. I instantly knew that this prestigious person would soon lose his wealth altogether. Indeed, soon afterwards, his business failed miserably.

On another occasion, I visited the home of a poor man in a village to read the Feng Shui of his house. His house was typical of a Chinese village courtyard. I saw lots of spirits, like an army of ants, carrying sacks of golden sand on their backs marching to his house. One by one they entered his house to deliver the golden sand. I knew right away that the family would soon possess great wealth. Eventually, his name became well known and he held a position in the government. His wealth increased astronomically and he became the country's wealthiest man.

These are my experiences of reading Feng Shui
If debtor ghosts demanding payment surround the individual, he is doomed to fail. If wealth deities surround the individual, he is destined to prosper. Thus, the invisible hand of spirits affects everything.

I once went to a night market in front of a temple for a midnight supper. In front of the temple was an empty lot with a small stall. The stall only sold four items, which were herbal soup, noodle, rice flour roll and green vegetables.

There were many tables around the stall and they were all occupied with customers who were eager to taste the food. It was much like ants after cookies. I opened my divine eye to examine the man running the stall, and what I witnessed was frightening. The open field was filled with more than a hundred patrons visiting the stall, and an equal number of spirits roaming the area. These spirits had swayed the customers to patronize this stall. When the spirits lure one in, one obeys.

The stall was famous for its herbal soup, and the taste was delicious. Every night, the traffic of customers flowed in and out like an ocean tide. His business was so prosperous that his wealth flowed like the running tap water. Someone said that the stall owner smiled while calculating his earnings at home. Another said that the stall owner owned a few apartments and his wealth was measured in the billions.

I paid close attention to the stall owner's facial features. I observed that his face was dark and gloomy, with a sunken nose, tiny mouth, small eyes and hardly any flesh on his face. He certainly did not look like he was a man of great wealth but instead resembled a homeless old man.

I felt there was nothing remarkable about this old man. But how do you explain his wealth? Besides being rich, he had so many spirits helping to lure customers to his stall. The spirits also attended to the customers and cleaned up their tables, and this was quite perplexing.

I suspected that the old man learned how to keep psychic entities to help him. But upon closer observation, though he looked unpleasant, he did not have any negative energy lingering around his body.

From a distance, I looked at the stall and the area of land it was on and observed some glowing beams of red light emerging from the ground, forming a red cloud over the area. This may have explained why the stall was so prosperous. Perhaps it was due to the auspicious Feng Shui of the place. The other stalls did not enjoy the same kind of customer traffic as that one stall did. They were barely surviving to make ends meet. This was indeed interesting.

One day, a certain individual came to seek my consultation. He wanted to find a name for his grandson, and when I looked at him, I realized he was the same old man who ran the stall.
I said to him, "Your business is doing very well!"
"It's just nothing. Nothing at all." The old man said modestly.
"What's the secret of your good business?" I asked curiously.
"Luck is on my side!" the old man grinned, exposing his two rows of black teeth.
"I believe there's more than just luck." I said.
"Why don't you read the divination for me?" He requested.

The old man wrote down his name, birth date and address.

I made a quick spiritual observation and sensed the sound of a mantra filling the atmosphere, accompanied by the scent of sandalwood. I also saw radiating circles of light, and within each circle stood a Fortune God. This was most astonishing.
"Do you know how to recite any mantras?" I asked.
"Nope!" Pan Ji, the old man replied.
"I heard the sounds of a mantra and smelled the scent of sandalwood. I saw the Fortune God by your side."
"Impossible!"

I have helped many in my consultations and have a good track record of accuracy. It was rare to hear someone remark "Impossible." Rather, it was impossible for my divine eye and ear to make a wrong observation. If there was ever any mistake in my observation, I was always able to pinpoint the cause of it.
"Does anyone at your home know how to chant a mantra?" I asked him.
"Neither my wife nor my kids know how to chant a mantra." Pan Ji replied.
"Do any of your other relatives know how to chant a mantra?" I asked.
"Do the deceased count?"
"Yes," I replied.

Pan Ji proceeded to tell me, "In my family, only my grandfather Pan Li knew how to chant a mantra. Once, a monk gave my grandfather a string of chanting beads and taught him how to chant the Earth God Mantra. My grandfather recited the mantra for his entire life using the mala[1] . He chanted on it so much that it eventually turned black and became shiny."
"Where is mala now?" I believed I had found my answer.
"My grandfather passed it down to my father, and my father gave it to me, but I don't know where I put it. I think I'll ask my wife to help me find it."

Pan Ji returned home and asked his wife about the mala. She told him, "The mala is tucked away inside a hidden crack at your stall. Nobody was aware of this."

Pan Ji searched and found the mala at the stall. He then took the darkened mala and showed it to me. He didn't know the value of the prayer beads.

I told Pan Ji, "Your grandfather, Pan Li, received protection from the Earth God. This is the result of reciting the Earth God Mantra, respecting the Earth God, visualizing the Earth God, and praising the Earth God."

The Earth God Mantra is as follows:
Namo san-man-doh, moo-toh-nam, om, doo-loo-doo-loo, dei-wei, soha.

The Earth God Mantra is usually chanted before reciting a sutra. This is to summon the Earth Gods from the four directions to guard over you while you recite the sutra.

Pan Li spent his entire life reciting this mantra. His sincerity attracted the Earth God to protect him. This mantra is neither from the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas nor the Vajra Protectors. It is not a major mantra, yet it should not be underestimated as it contains amazing power.

If anyone is troubled by spirit entities and recites this mantra, the spirits will retreat and give you their respect.

If anyone contracts illness and recites this mantra, the illness will leave. All pain will disappear and one's health will return.

In the past, I had taught people how to chant this mantra as it is especially helpful for curing several forms of dermatitis such as athlete's foot, chronic dermatitis, discoid eczema, etc. By chanting the mantra, those who have skin-related illnesses should be cured because the Earth God devours the bacteria on the skin.

If one recites this mantra diligently and upholds the Five Precepts and Ten Wholesome Deeds, then one will not fall in to the three lower realms and hell. In fact, one will be reborn in the heaven realm and enjoy utmost bliss and pleasure. The Earth God Mantra is also most effective in terms of accumulating wealth because the Earth Gods and their attendant ghosts will help those who recite the mantra to receive countless fortunes.

Pan Li devoted his life to chanting this mantra and achieved great results with it. The mala had been passed down from grandfather to father, and from father to son. Nonetheless, the blessings followed and were passed down as well. This was simply incredible.

Thus, I wrote a verse:
Filled with pleasure while reciting Buddha's epithet and mantra.
Now then, one has found the heritage in samsara.
Continue to recite sincerely and respectfully.
The blessing of Gods and Ghosts will be with one perpetually.

There is another story related to the Earth God Mantra.
There was a period when an epidemic swept over Taiwan, and many livestock were killed. I observed many plague ghosts roaming in the wild and biting the animals to death. Owners of many farms had approached me for help.

I studied the constellation of the stars and noted that the Five Plague Gods had descended from the southeastern area of the sky. This meant that an epidemic would sweep the world, resulting in the death of many chickens, ducks, cattle, sheep and pigs.

I was worried.
I approached Cheng Huang Bodhisattva , the City Patron Bodhisattva, for help and he said, "This is fate, it is not my demand!"
"Even if it is the will of the Heaven, I can not just watch people suffer."
"Don't interfere. People's hearts are too corrupted."
"How can I have peace in my mind? I have to save the poor souls!" I uttered.

Cheng Huang Bodhisattva said to me, "You, Sheng-yen Lu try to help people everyday, but their suffering is due to their wrong doing. They deserve it! If one day someone hurts you, I wonder if anyone will save you."

I answered, "If someone hurts me, that's my own karma--but looking at all these suffering souls, I really feel for them in my heart."

Cheng Huang Bodhisattva then taught me a method.

Take four sticks of bamboo and chip away the green outer layer. Each stick must be one foot six inches long. On the lunar calendar day, the Accomplishment Day, chop the bamboo sticks. On each stick, inscribe the letters of the Earth God Mantra in either Chinese or Sanskrit.

In the afternoon of the lunar Removal Day , consecrate the bamboo sticks. Recite the Earth God Mantra, 108 times for each stick. The more you recite, the merrier. On the lunar Stability Day, hammer the bamboo sticks on the four corners of the ground of the respective farm.

When this is completed, plague will not touch the respective farm. I taught this method to the farm owners and it worked! Each farm that was lined with the mantra-empowered bamboo sticks was protected from plague. Not even one livestock was killed.

However, many other farmers were unaware of this method and during that year when the epidemic occurred, many livestock died. There was hardly enough time to bury every dead chicken or cattle, and the carcasses piled up high like a hill.

One farm owner relayed this incident to me.

One night, he overheard some conversation that took place outside his farm. However, it was not human beings but plague ghosts who were speaking. A wave of them arrived outside the farm.

One ghost exclaimed, "The light of mantra emanates from this farm. We cannot enter."
"What mantra?" another asked.
"The Earth God Mantra."
"That mantra is no big deal. It cannot stop us. Let's go!"
"No way!"
"Why not?"
"The Earth God is after all a righteous god."
"We have our orders by the heavenly decree!" the ghost shouted.
"But this mantra is empowered by the Living Buddha, Lian Shen, Sheng-yen Lu himself."
"Really!"

The ghosts fell silent. One of them suggested, "Let's leave this place! We can feed ourselves elsewhere. Besides the small Earth God Mantra, there's also the Buddha's edict. It's better to leave it alone."

Thus, this bunch of ghosts left the farm.

Let me share this with you. Many wealthy men owe their riches to the help of spirits. Many disasters are the result of mischief from spirits. You see the hand of these entities at work in all of these incidents.

Confucius once said, "Respect the spirit world but keep your distance." This means that the spirit world does exist, but we hardly pay attention to it.

In the Bible, Jesus once expelled spirits and exorcised demons. In the Catholic's instruction for the Exorcistate[2], the 3rd of the Minor Orders , it outlines the rite of exorcism. The 75 year-old Father Amorth is himself a famous Catholic exorcism priest!

The invisible spirits are worthy of our attention!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnote
1. prayer beads
2. The Exorcistate--the 3rd of the Minor Orders is The Order of Exorcist, according to the Traditional Catholic Rite of Holy Orders.

Source:
http://www.padmakumara.org/books/book148/chap2.shtml

Chapter 3: The Vajra Teeth

When I was young, my mother Lu Yu-nue told me a story. Once upon a time, there was an old woman, she had lost all of her teeth due to her old age. It was very difficult for her to eat anything without her teeth. Thus, she could only eat liquid food, and refrained from eating anything that was hard or soft.

The old woman's daughter-in-law was very filial and caring. She served her mother-in-law with the greatest care and was sad to see how the old woman struggled with food. She didn't know what to do to help the situation.

The daughter-in-law gave birth to a boy one day, and she breast-fed the baby. Incidentally, her breast milk was very nutritious and filling. After feeding the baby, she continued to produce milk. The daughter-in-law thought of her mother-in-law and instinctively cuddled the old lady into her arms and breast-fed her. Her mother-in-law was old and her weight was light, so it felt like she was cradling a small child in her arms.

The old woman had no teeth and she could only suck. So she sucked her daughter-in-law's milk and had a full meal.

The baby grew well, and the old woman's state of mind and health was much improved after the breast-feeding. The baby's teeth began to come through, but the most amazing thing was the fact that the old woman's gums began to harden. Eventually new teeth grew, all thirty-eight of them! Now tell me, isn't this amazing"

When I first heard this story, I thought it was simply impossible. My mother had mentioned that:

Breast milk is more nutritious than any manufactured milk products.
Breast milk is rich in calcium.
The filial act of the daughter-in-law moved the heavens.
This was a rather familiar story. Later in life, a traditional Chinese doctor told me that human breast milk is very nutritious. Babies that feed on their mother's milk usually do not fall sick very easily, and they have a naturally strong immune system.

The doctor told me that breast milk was known as the Celestial Wine in traditional Chinese medicine.

Celestial Wine,
Celestial Wine,
Here on earth you shall ready to find.

My life was touched by spiritual realities, and thereafter I began my mission to help and to liberate sentient beings in every way possible. Throughout all of this, I have encountered the strangest things, and some of these encounters were simply magical and beyond comprehension. One of them was connected with teeth!

There was a Buddhist by the name of Jiang Wei who came to me for a consultation.
"What would you like to find out?"I asked.
He kept silent. Instead he opened his mouth to show me his teeth.
I noticed a missing front tooth on the upper front portion and it was obvious to anyone that he had lost a front tooth.

Jiang Wei said, "I lost this front tooth naturally after it loosened and dropped off. Now I am stuck with this gap. First of all, it looks ugly. Second, there's a lisp whenever I speak. Next, my saliva shoots out uncontrollably, and lastly, according to the book of face reading, having a broken tooth contributes to a loss of wealth."

"You want a..?"I asked.
"I wonder if I can ask you for a talisman which can help me grow a new tooth to replace the old one."
"Ha!"I laughed, "You need a dentist to help you with that!"

Jiang Wei said, "It is costly to consult a dentist. Without the root of the tooth, you need a fixed-bridge supported by the adjacent left and right teeth. Thus, it is best that I grow a new tooth.

"There is no such thing as growing a new tooth, you know. You are not a kid anymore."
"I heard you are able to solve any problem."
"Nonsense!"
"It's true. I am not pulling your leg here,"Jiang Wei said.

I told Jiang Wei, "What I have here are talismans to help an infant's teeth come through, to cure toothaches, and to treat inflammation of the gums as well as tooth decay. Your condition doesn't seem to fit into any of these."

"All I need is a talisman to grow a new tooth."
"No way."I said.
"Why?"
"That applies only to infants, and you're no baby."
Jiang Wei said, "I'd like to give it a try!"
"The efficacy of talismans depends on the sincerity of one's heart. There is no room for playing games."
"But my heart is sincere when I request a talisman that can help grow my tooth."
"That's for an infant."I repeated.
"Why don't you treat me as an infant baby then?"Jiang Wei insisted.
"If the talisman doesn't work, don't blame me."
"I won't."

I could not refuse Jiang Wei's repeated request. I drew a talisman that helped grow new teeth, which is meant for infants for his usage. It was clear that the talisman didn't and couldn't work on him.

Any infant whose teeth have not come through needs only this talisman to help push the teeth out. It works every time.

Jiang Wei was not about to give up so easily. He came to see me again.

"My friends told me you have the best solutions for everything and that you have great power,"Jiang Wei said.
"What is impossible miraculously becomes possible in your hands. I hope you can find me a miracle."
"To make an adult grow a new tooth" Aren't you stretching it a little too far?"I said.
"That would be a miracle. A true miracle."

I finally told Jiang Wei, "Alright! I do know that within the Tantric teachings, there is a Bodhisattva known as Vajrayaksa (Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva) I'll consult him and ask him how to help an adult grow a new tooth. Who knows, he may impart a solution for you."

Jiang Wei left happily.
To help Jiang Wei, I picked an auspicious time and date to construct a shrine for the Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva. In the shrine I stationed a lotus throne for the Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva, together with the offerings of flower, perfume, lamp, tea and fruit.

I chanted the Mantra of Purifying the Dharma Realms:
Om namo soha.

I formed the Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva Mudra and visualized the Bodhisattva descending onto the shrine to receive my offerings.

"May this scent of fragrant flower permeate the Dharma realms throughout the ten directions. To all Buddhas and saints dwelling in the uncountable Pure Lands, please accept this offering and extend your help. Please deliver sentient beings from their suffering and help them attain enlightenment together."

Devas of earth, water, fire, and wind, I summon you to appear.
May the requested deities respond immediately to this summon.
I pray sincerely to invoke the presence of Vajrayaksa,
Transforming these offerings to offer to you.

I saw the Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva descending from heaven, promptly seated on a precious lotus throne. His golden body emanated endless circles of light.
I went straight to the question, "Is there a method to help an adult grow new teeth?"
The Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva laughed and said, "Are you aware of my responsibilities as the Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva?"
"I only know about the teeth, but I do not know what the teeth are used for."
"I, the Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva am not here to help anyone grow new teeth. The Vajra Teeth symbolize the strength and toughness of teeth that grind away all demonic hindrances. The teeth also symbolize crushing all of the greed, anger and ignorance of men. I will bite all demons and ghosts into pieces should they dare approach me and thus, the teeth represent crushing all evil."
"I understand now," I said.

The Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva continued, "Ekajati (Single Braided Buddha Mother) also has single turf of hair, eye and tooth. Hayagriva ( Horse-headed Dharma Protector) has canine teeth as a symbol. Thus, together, we form the Trinity of Teeth."
"Is there a way to help an adult grow new teeth?" I asked.
"No."
"Who should I approach for help?"
"I don't know."

I saw the Vajra Teeth Bodhisattva off and knew the fact that no Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions or any wise beings can offer a way to grow new teeth for an adult. Even the Trinity of Teeth cannot offer a method.

I thought I knew everything. I understood the ways of the heavens and earth, the ways of human beings, the Dharma, and the principles of things. Yet, in the end I realized how little I actually knew. I knew nothing and could do nothing. I was such an ignorant fool!

I thought of how the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas express their compassion. We need to help remove and transform the sufferings of all sentient beings and do it with the greatest joy. Besides purifying our own karma, we need to help others purify theirs.

When we help others resolve their karma, we need to enlighten them on the underlying reasons of the many causes and effects in our journey through life. We need to untie the knots of karma that bind us.

Only when karma is purified can the knots loosen. When all karma is resolved then the Buddha Nature surfaces. And when the Buddha Nature reveals itself through your cultivation, you are enlightened. Thus, helping our selves and others find enlightenment marks a truly compassionate Bodhisattva.

Having said this, I want to stress that to help save the world, you need to gain the ability, or attainment for the job. At least I am surrounded with Disciplinary Deities, Skanda Dharma Protector, Wrathful Protectors, Yamantaka, many righteous gods and the heavenly nagas.

I give an order and they would carry it out. We must have the ability to remove the sufferings of people so that we can lead them through the door of Buddhism. These are realistic issues and if you cannot help solve these matters, people are not going to have faith in you.

What I mean is that many embrace Buddhism because the Dharma answers their wishes.

Take the example of Jiang Wei. He had requested a new tooth. If he had no new tooth, he would not listen to you at all. If he had a new tooth, he would embrace Buddhism. That's how things are when you want to lead people to the Buddhist teachings.

Thus:
Few walk the path to the Western Paradise.
Just one recitation of Amitabha's epithet denotes the highest teaching.
To lead people to Buddhism, you need spiritual responses.
If one receives a response, one is most willing to cultivate.

That is why I was so eager to help Jiang Wei. But I realized I was at a loss in helping him. I simply did not know how.

Despite the fact that I know the ways of heaven and earth, I blamed myself for not being able to help him grow a new tooth. There are so many gods and Bodhisattvas and yet none of them can help out. How are they supposed to save the world?

Can the power of Buddha open Jiang Wei's mouth and implant a new tooth into his gum so that it may grow? Or does the Buddha simply utter a magic word and out comes a new tooth? If none of the magical powers work, how do you convince anyone of anything?

I was really depressed. When I next met up with Jiang Wei, I told him, "I doubt you can grow any new tooth."
"What? But they say you can solve everything!"
"It's just impossible." I was blushing.
"So much for magical power!" He was blaming me.
"OK!" I said to him, "I'll teach you a mantra. It's an effectively good mantra. All you need to do is to chant it one hundred thousand times and your wish will be fulfilled. If you chant it three hundred fifty thousand times, you shall attain all Siddhi, leave all illness and disasters. If you chant more, all demonic hindrances will be eradicated. If you complete chanting it eight million times, you will be reborn in the Pure Land of Amitahba."
Jiang Wei was moved.
"OK. I only want my wish fulfilled."

So I taught him the mantra:
Om Guru Lian Shen Siddhi Hum.
"What kind of mantra is this?"

"It's the Heart Mantra of Padmakumara, also known as the Teeth Growing Mantra," I said.
"Padmakumara or no Pakmakumara, I am not interested. What counts is that I get a new tooth."

So Jiang Wei began chanting the mantra and he was absolutely devoted. He would bathe and cleanse himself, light incense, sit properly with his hands clasped, clear his thoughts and image a Buddha appearing in the sky above him. The Buddha would radiate light on Jiang Wei and he would visualize a new tooth growing in his mouth.

And then he would chant: Om Guru Lian Shen Siddhi Hum.

After chanting one hundred thousand times, he dreamed of a Bodhisattva descending from heaven. The Bodhisattva asked him some interesting questions.

"Why do you hit the drum?"
"If I don't, it wouldn't sound." He replied.
"What brings you here?" The Bodhisattva asked.
"I have a missing tooth. How am I supposed to open my mouth?"
"Since you sounded the drum, I will fill the missing tooth in for you," the Bodhisattva answered.

The Bodhisattva placed his hand on Jiang Wei's head and gave him a blessing. He then proceeded to touch his face and pressed on the area around his mouth. Jiang Wei instantly felt a sense of relief and lightness. His gum seemed to harden, and a tooth appeared to be growing. Then, the strangest thing happened. Since that dream, Jiang Wei felt his gum was hardening. In between the gap where the old tooth was, a white spot was seen. As the white spot grew larger, it became evident that a new tooth had protruded.

Miracle! A miracle indeed!
This was simply incredible.

Jiang Wei came to inform me of the news and I said nothing. I only mentioned that once a 73 year-old lama from the Nyingma Sect had lost most of his teeth. The lama recited the Seven Syllable Heart Mantra from the Lotus Flower Division, Om-ah-lo-li-ge-soha countless times and his gums grew seven teeth. This incident was well known in Tibet and was told to me by a Tibetan Rinpoche.

I was happy for Jiang Wei. Actually when Jiang Wei's gum began to harden, I had my own interesting experience. My lower left wisdom tooth began aching.

I visited the dentist and he told me he could not diagnose the cause of my toothache. There was no decay in the wisdom tooth and no inflammation of the gum. The nerve was not infected and the wisdom tooth remained strong and firm. The dentist gave me an injection to relieve the pain. However, the pain returned when the effects of the drug withdrew.

I felt uncomfortable. I knew how to draw a talisman to stop toothaches and hence I drew one with great sincerity; burned it and drank the talisman ashes with water. Normally, this talisman was very effective but it did not work on me. Despite several repeated attempts to take the talisman as a pain-killer, the pain remained.
I finally realized the saying, "A toothache is not an illness, but its pain can kill you."

I returned to the dentist and he said, "Anyway, you need to extract your wisdom tooth when you reach a certain age, and it's long overdue for you. I suggest you get rid of it once and for all." "OK," I said. Once the tooth was gone, the pain left with it. On the very day my tooth was removed, Jiang Wei's new tooth came through.

Someone asked me, "Master Lu, are you taking on Jiang Wei's karma?" I laughed. Was it substitution of karma or simply coincidence? I did not have the answer.

I felt that it was kind of a waste to chant a mantra merely to grow a tooth. The Mantra of Padmakumara can deliver one to the Buddha Land and the very Siddhi that I have personally attained and verified. I do not lie. If you chant the mantra of Padmakumara, you become Padmakumara himself.

It was good to know that Jiang Wei did not stop his chanting and has since gained greater faith in this mantra. He told people, "This mantra brings great results and it's simply amazing."

Here is a verse:
Don't hesitate to chant mantra.
Its power can eradicate all karmic hindrance.
Behold! The world of samsara is just a prison.
Fame and fortune is but a candle melting in flame.
Birth, aging, sickness, and death run in a natural cycle.
All ties of love and relationships come and go.
Thus, engage yourself in cultivation through chanting.
When the time comes, you will find Paradise within reach.

This verse is a wake-up call.

Source:
http://www.padmakumara.org/books/book148/chap3.shtml

Chapter 4: Avoiding a Land and Mud Slide

I once had a discussion on Buddhism with Venerable Zhou Ying.
"Master Lu, you claim that you're enlightened. May I ask what the enlightenment is?"
I replied, "This is beyond words."
"How does one know?"
"You know what you experience, whether it is warm or cold."
"Even a three-year-old can say that!" Venerable Zhou Ying said.
"Yes, indeed. But you need to ask yourself if you're truly free within, or not."
"Does the Tao have a form?"
"As it is, the Tao is formless."
"If the Tao is formless, how does it seek its balance?" Venerable Zhou Ying asked.
"It does it naturally."

Having been practicing Zen for the past twenty years, Venerable Zhou Ying thought he could shut me up once and for all by discussing the Buddhadharma with me. All it would take is one flaw in my speech and he would go for the kill.

I smiled, remaining firm in my verbal defense.
"Master Lu, you are neither preaching Buddhism nor Taoism. People talk about you!" ?
"Let me ask you this: is the highest peak connected with the deepest sea?"
The Venerable Zhou Ying said, "Why do you have to include the spirits?"
"As mighty as the universe may be, it is nothing more than a bubble." I uttered.
Venerable Zhou Ying could no longer question me any further.

This time, he asked, " Master Lu. You claim you have supernatural power. Can you offer me some proof?"
"I wish to save your life!" I uttered. ?
"Save my life?" unconvinced, Venerable Zhou Ying sneered at me and said, "I can liberate myself. I don't need your help."
"Whether you are liberated or not is of no concern here. You have a pending disaster coming your way."
"Rubbish! This is just one of those fortune-teller's tricks."
"Believe it or not, it's up to you."
"Alright then, go ahead and tell me about it!"
"There are four men in black who are near you, and they want to take your life!"
"How do I protect myself?"
"Chant the Marici Bodhisattva Mantra."

I spoke in no uncertain terms to the monk, "Chant the Marici Bodhisattva Mantra: Om Marici-yee So Ha."
I added, "When you chant the mantra, you must also recite the following:
Protect me against troubles from any ruler.
Protect me from thieves.
Protect me in my travels.
Protect me from disasters of fire and water.
Protect me from harm in a war.
Protect me from psychic attack.
Protect me from being poisoned.
Protect me from wild beasts, poisonous insects and all enemies.
Protect me in all places and at all times."

Venerable Zhou Ying said, "You saw four men in black around me and I see nothing. You want me to recite the Marici Bodhisattva Mantra. I can do this. You say that I will encounter a disaster. If nothing happens to me, I will expose you as a fraud, and your so-called enlightenment will be reduced to nothing more than just plain mental knowledge."
I told him, "It's really up to you."
The Venerable Zhou Ying clasped his palms and left.

Actually, when the monk first approached me, I already sensed that he would face a disaster. That was because he had four men in black, who were spirit officials waiting for him.

These four spirit officials were ahead of the monk, and they wanted to rush into my house. I stopped them before they could enter and they had to linger around the vicinity as they were waiting for him.

This is how I secretly save many sentient beings. Many face calamities and they do not necessarily know about them. I would not let them know. I help them resolve their situations without their knowledge.

Actually, there is bound to be some degree of calamity in our lives. Shakyamuni Buddha foresaw this when he said, "The human life is one of uncertainty."

Thus:
The Three Realms of Existence are engulfed in one scorching flame.
Even the ordained are not ensured safety
Impermanence awaits one nevertheless.
Calm your thoughts and prepare yourself for the final journey.

I am aware that people are afraid of calamity and disaster. Thus, I cultivate myself daily and secretly help many go through their hard times. I chanted the Marici Bodhisattva Mantra, and I dedicated the merits to Venerable Zhou Ying. With my help, Venerable Zhou Ying would be saved.

Venerable Zhou Ying lived alone in a small hut, deep within the Bagua Mountain in Changhua, Taiwan. He practiced Zen meditation and sat cross-legged in yoga posture.
The monk was once a student studying abroad in Japan. However, while in Japan, he developed a strong interest in Buddhism and was ordained as a monk in a famous Zen monastery of the Soto Sect in Kyoto. His lineage thus comes from Japan.

I learned that the Patriarchal lineage of the Zen School had stopped with the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng, due to a dispute over the Fifth Patriarch's Dharma robe. It has since blossomed into the five sects of Zen Buddhism, which are the Lin Ji Sect (Rinzai Sect), T'sao Tung Sect (Soto Sect), Wei Yang Sect, Yun Men Sect and Fa Yen Sect. Zen Buddhism is known as the teaching of the heart. The name of Zen was adopted for this school during the beginning of the T'ang Dynasty. Zen means cultivation of one's thoughts, which is the process of contemplating on truth itself. This is a practice of serenity and concentration.

The First Patriarch, Bodhidharma, a Southern Indian, arrived in China during the Liang Dynasty to transmit the School of Buddha Mind teachings. His method emphasizes the importance of serene meditation and silent recital, expressing the Buddha Mind and focusing on the practice of concentration and purification. In so doing, the method gives the impression of sitting in meditation; hence it is known as the Zen School.

The Zen School stresses the following:
Omission of the written language,
Direct revelation of the mind,
Attaining Buddhahood through Enlightenment, and
Active discussion on Prajna, or wisdom

One stormy night, Venerable Zhou Ying was meditating alone in his hut. The rain had been pouring for three consecutive days and nights. Venerable Zhou Ying was aware that the market place at the foot of the mountain was swamped. If the rain persisted, a flood would be inevitable.

Suddenly, the cry of a child was heard outside the hut, and the sound intermingled with the pouring rain.
"Mommy! Mommy!"
Venerable Zhou Ying raised his head and listened:
"Mommy! Mommy!" The words kept repeating and it was definitely a child's cry.
As he listened closely, it became: "Marici! Marici! Marici!"
He recited a line of the Mantra, "Om Marici-yee So Ha."

In the mist of the heavy downpour, Venerable Zhou Ying quickly got up and put on his raincoat and rain boots. Holding a torch in his hands, he hurried out of his hut to search for the crying child
"Mommy! Marici!"
Was it Mommy or Marici? He could not tell the difference. The cry was swinging from the front to the back area, and switched from the left to the right. It was as if someone was playing hide-and-seek with him. He walked for an hour in the storm.

Suddenly, the cry disappeared. He waited for a long time and listened. There was not a faint noise in range, and he quickly realized there was nobody living within the parameter of the vicinity. If there were no family living in this mountainous area, what would be the chances of finding any child crying? Venerable Zhou Ying rushed back to his hut, only to find that it was gone. A mudslide had buried the hut under a pile of rocks and mud, forming a molehill. Rocks and mud kept sliding downwards from the mountaintop, and he found himself in extreme danger. Frightened, Venerable Zhou Ying fled the area where he had spent two years meditating. His life was spared, but his hut, together with all his possession were gone.

Upon reflection, Venerable Zhou Ying realized that he had to go through this calamity. He remembered that this was prophesied by Living Buddha Lian-shen, Sheng-yen Lu. The four spirit officials in black clothing were waiting to arrest him. It was the suggestion of Living Buddha Lian-shen that he chant the Marici Bodhisattva Mantra, while placing more emphasis on it as his protection mantra.

Although Venerable Zhou Ying practices Zen, he was exposed to the teachings of other schools in his life. He chanted the Marici Bodhisattva Mantra in his younger days, and was now able to continue chanting the mantra upon my suggestion.

As the saying goes:
If you burn the incense, you shall be protected.
If you consume food, you shall be energized.
Mommy!
Marici!
They sound alike.

After leaving Bagua Mountain, Venerable Zhou Ying took shelter with various temples and monasteries all over Taiwan. He was used to living the life of a hermit and cultivating alone in his little hut, indulging in almost ascetic-like practices. After experiencing the calamity, he switched from being a hermit to living among others. This was a new experience for him.

He met many fellow cultivators and heard many mentions of Living Buddha Lian-shen, Sheng-yen Lu. Generally speaking, most would choose to criticize me as negative news, and such consciousness spreads its influence. Thus, most practitioners tend to reject me and only a handful chooses to reserve their comments. This is the state of affairs in the religious circle.

Venerable Zhou Ying listened but kept his views to himself. When others called me a Mara or a heresy, he sat in silence, knowing the truth about what had happened. He wanted to clear my name but being outnumbered, he would not stand a chance against the mass. He decided to save his breath and remained silent throughout the conversation.

Venerable Zhou Ying visited me and mentioned what he had heard.
He said, "Why don't you change your approach to liberate sentient beings and use a new and different way altogether? You can start building a new foundation through it."
I replied, "People's minds are set about me. It may seem easy to start all over again, but it would take a lot of work and time to change things."
"You must at least have some hope!"
"Once people make up their mind about you, it's going stay that way forever. I'm used to this and it doesn't matter."
"You think it is unnecessary?" Venerable Zhou Ying asked.
"Yes. I take slander and criticism for the better. I take it as my own spiritual discipline!"
"But your reputation suffers!"
"Reputation is immaterial in the light of one's spiritual discipline. The experience is much needed for anyone to attain Buddhahood." Venerable Zhou Ying nodded.

I told Venerable Zhou Ying, "When I was about to leave my master, Venerable Liao Ming and descend from the mountain, my Master told me that a person like me has only three options. The first option is to enter Nirvana immediately. The second option is to take seclusion in the deep mountains, never to appear again. Or take the last option, which is to act as a fool among people."

"Oh!"
I smiled and continued, "I am happy and contented within myself and I don't care what others say about me."
"Do you have regrets?" Venerable Zhou Ying asked.
"No!"
"Are you hurt?"
"No!"
"What about praise and ridicule, misery and honor?"
"They mean nothing to me! Life is but a game to me, and I merely experience it to the fullest."

Venerable Zhou Ying invited me to ascend to my teaching seat with the greatest respect, and he prostrated before me three times, in all sincerity.
"Why such prostration?"
"To thank you for saving my life!"
"I didn't save you. You saved yourself!"
"That's because you instructed me on what to do!"
I remained silent.

Venerable Zhou Ying told me this before leaving my place: "I feel like leaving this human world of suffering."

I told him, "It's all in your heart. If your heart is free, then that is truly leaving this world behind."
"You mean I should adjust and adapt to this world?"
"Nope! There is no human world to begin with." I said.

Venerable Zhou Ying contemplated on this for a while, and finally nodded his head. He realized what I meant and said; "I understand this in principle. But putting it into practice and eventually mastering this art constitutes a True Buddha!"

Here's a verse:
One two three four five six seven,
Still the mind and ascend to the Western Heaven.
It seems so easy when the words of Buddha are spoken,
Yet one stumbles, plunging into mud too often.

Source:
http://www.padmakumara.org/books/book148/chap4.shtml

Chapter 5 - Revoking One's Dharma Power

Once, I had a rather strange dream. I found myself flying through mountains and ridges. While ascending to the highest peak, I saw a Tibetan Rinpoche sitting on a flat platform with two lamas beside him. One of them was hoisting a banner while the other was blowing a trumpet. I simply floated into the space above and soared freely above the Tibetan Rinpoche.
This Rinpoche asked the lamas beside him, "Who is that Chinese man?" One lama replied, "He is Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu." The other lama added, "Sheng-yen Lu is very famous and possesses great Dharma power. He has been to the Drepung Loseling Monastery to give a discourse on the Buddhadharma."
The Tibetan Living Buddha paused for a while and then said, "I want to recall his Dharma power."

After having this dream, I had another dream involving the same Tibetan Rinpoche.
The Rinpoche and I were standing on the bank of a mighty river. Turbulent rolling waters characterized this river to the point where its depth was simply beyond measure. The buoyancy of this river was considerably poor. I saw a leaf fall into the river, and it could not stay afloat. It disappeared into the whirling water in no time. This mighty river is like a 'mythical cosmic sea of low-buoyancy,' such that even a goose feather is unable to remain afloat in it.
The Tibetan Living Buddha said to me, "Sheng-yen Lu, you shall demonstrate your Dharma power and cross this river first. You are not to fly across but actually walk on the water." This was a test of my skill and power. First, I visualized my lineage gurus above my head. Then, I formed the 'Heavenly Water Mudra' with my hands and recited the 'Water Resistance Formula':
This ocean of no mercy
Through millenniums carried no living.
Now I shall walk across.
The massive sea is transformed into a mulberry field.
Execute this order at once. Execute this order at once. Execute this order at once.

I stepped into the water and just as I thought, the water felt like solid ground. Very soon, I reached the other shore of the river with no problem along the way at all. Now it was the Tibetan Rinpoche's turn. He hesitated for a moment before taking the bold steps, then finally attempted to walk on the water. Then came a sound, "Splash!" and he fell right into the water. Drenched all over, he was a total mess. Just as the Tibetan Rinpoche was about to drown and lose his life, the Dharma Protector of the Rinpoche, a gigantic Golden-Winged Garuda came to his rescue. It caught hold of him by his collar, and lifted him and released him onto land. The Tibetan Rinpoche felt very embarrassed. He turned towards me and said, "I will revoke your Dharma power."

These two dreams were very unusual. During that period of time, many Tibetan Rinpoches took refuge with me. I conducted a Dharma ceremony together with His Holiness Ganden Tripa, the head of the Gelugpa Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. I had a meeting with the Dalai Lama. I ascended the Dharma throne and expounded the Buddhadharma at the three largest Tibetan monasteries, and I was the only ethnic Chinese to be given this honor.

My reputation spreads far and wide throughout India and Tibet. Many Tibetan Rinpoches took refuge in me. One of them is Jigme Lhundup Rinpoche, who was formerly the chairman of the Sixth Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies of the Tibetan Government in Exile. My photo is enshrined in the Ganden Shartse Sockpa Khangtsen Monastery, Drepung Tsawa Khangtsen Monastery, and others.
I figure this will certainly establish a deep affinity with Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. This is naturally a good thing because my lineage transmission had come from Tibet, through Guru Norras, Monk Liao Ming, Thubten Nima, Thubten Dali, Guru Thubten Taerchi, the 16th Great Karmapa, Master Sakya Chenkon and others. But likewise, there are some drawbacks to this. Because my Dharma power and my reputation are too widespread, this results in attracting much resentment.
Of course, even Rinpoches can be disgruntled by it. I felt that the Rinpoche in my two dreams was discontented as he had repeatedly said that he wanted to recall my Dharma power. These two dreams came as a wake-up call, and appeared inauspicious.

Thus:
Without first realizing one's Tathagata nature
Playing the role of Dharma King is but a worthless pursuit
Unenlightened, yet in this place one dwells
How could anyone ever realize True Nature
By scrambling to be the best and most powerful?

I have been cultivating Tantric Buddhism, setting up the Tantric shrine, reciting mantras, achieving yogic response by body, speech and mind, eradicating negative karma, increasing wisdom, and transforming from mortality into immortality. Such merits and spiritual powers are inconceivable.
I have received the very heart teaching that flows from the heart of Maha Vairocana Buddha as he transcends the past, the present and the future, and imparts the inner secret doctrine to Vajrasattva Bodhisattva, among others, at the Most Victorious Dharmadhatu Palace of the Akanistha Heaven.
After receiving the empowerments from many masters and acquiring the secrets of the Dharma, I expounded the Tantric teachings, founded the True Buddha School and established the mandala. Only the Buddhas can measure my achievement.
I know the great merits I have cultivated are literally unheard of in this world. As such, I am True Nature Itself.
Thus:
The four levels of secret I expound
Are very intricate and deeply profound.
The three karmas of body, speech and mind
Are transformed through the ways of Tantrayana.
How mysterious and esoteric they are.

These two dreams were clear and vividly real. As my consciousness is one and the same as the Buddha Nature itself-complete, undifferentiated in nature and creating no illusion or karma, such dreams are naturally different from those of the ordinary person.
Besides dreaming, my meditation revealed an interesting vision. I found myself walking in the nether world. There was no lamp to help navigate my direction. An inner light radiating from within my heart lit the way. In addition, three golden lamps floated above my head. These are the lights of my lineage transmissions.
Suddenly, a giant Garuda came soaring in the sky above. It dived and snatched away the three golden lamps with its beak. Fierce beasts were roaring around me and sounded extremely horrifying. Blood-curdling screams and cries were heard from many evil ghosts. What a frightening world it was.
I saw a mighty Dharma Protector, riding on a horse and wearing a straw hat. He was none other than Dorje Shugden. I was surprised. These visions came as a flash and disappeared, leaving me puzzled and confused.

Soon after, a certain Sonam Lama visited me from India and secretly told me, "There is trouble, Living Buddha Lian Sheng."
"What trouble?"
"A Khenpo, an abbot by the name of Chod Khang Rinpoche who possesses great Dharma power and holds a high position in cultivation is going to perform a rite to recall your Dharma power."
"Chod Khang Rinpoche?" I thought for a moment and said, "I don't know this person."
"You don't know him. But he knows you." Sonam Lama said.
"Why does he want to recall my Dharma power?" I was perplexed.
"Because you are too famous."
"It's not my wish to be famous."
"Chod Khang Rinpoche feels that you have stepped onto his turf."
"I hold no territory myself."
"When you went to India, you did not pay him a visit!"
"At which monastery was he residing?"
"You visited Drepung Monastery and then Ganden Monastery, but you did not visit Sera Monastery. Chod Khang Rinpoche is outraged. He will surely teach you a good lesson!"
"Is not visiting him a crime?"
"Yes."
"How powerful is this Chod Khang Rinpoche?" I asked.

Sonam Lama said, "Chod Khang Rinpoche became famous at an early age as a sorcerer in the Tibetan regions. He established his fame early on and had defeated many sorcerers. Should he cast his spell, his opponent would either die immediately from vomiting blood, or suffer from a tormenting illness. Others had fallen from their horse rides and suffered great injuries. Still others had fallen off cliffs and died, and so on."
"That's quite powerful!" I exclaimed.
Sonam Lama said, "To my knowledge, Chod Khang Rinpoche has two major Dharma Protectors. One of them is the most famous Dorje Shugden and the other is the Great Golden-Winged Garuda. These two great Dharma Protectors render him unrivalled."
"Dorje Shugden ," I remarked, "Isn't there an order banning this cultivation?"
Sonam Lama replied, "Tibetan Buddhism has split into two factions over this controversy. One faction bans this cultivation while the other allows it. However, the practice of Dorje Shugden enables one to have great Dharma power in a relatively short time. Thus, more and more people are drawn to cultivating Dorje Shugden practice. This crisis is threatening to split up the community of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism."
I was greatly shaken by these words from Sonam Lama, but I felt no fear because I reckoned that "A clear conscience has no room for evil."
Sonam Lama said, "You must take precaution!"
"But how?"
"By summoning one Dharma Protector to fight against another Dharma Protector!" Sonam Lama said.

After giving me this warning, Sonam Lama left in a hurry. I took this warning from Sonam Lama very seriously because it somehow tied in with the two recent dreams I had. However, when faced with such a pressing issue, you can only stay alert and remain still and unmoved in the eye of the storm.
As expected, Dorje Shugden descended from the heaven, and this is how he appeared:
While the four hoofs of his horse step magnificently,
Unperturbed, he supports the heaven with his straw hat.
He roams freely without barriers,
Riding his horse impressively up the highest clouds.
Dorje Shugden hit the top of my head with a Vajra. If I were just an ordinary cultivator, a hit from Dorje Shugden would have crushed my head fatally, sending me to report to the Lord Yama.
However, I do keep up my practice of Dharma protection, thus Yamantaka is always by my side. Naturally, Yamantaka will appear above my head and shield me in all directions. Yamantaka appears in a wrathful form with many heads, arms and legs.
I observed the situation and realized if I had to summon Yamantaka to fight Dorje Shugden, there would be nothing wrong with it. But why let it come to this stage?
I instructed Yamantaka to step back immediately.
I willed my skull to break open into eight petals. A cracking sound was heard and my skull unfolded like a lotus in full bloom. Sitting in meditation on the lotus was Amitabha Buddha himself, manifesting all of his thirty-two major and eighty minor physical marks.

Thus:
Just as the lotus pond that reflects the moon mirrors only Emptiness
And the bamboo forest seems to sing as the wind blows across it
How many cultivators living on Earth
Have mistakenly thought Amitabha resides on another mountain peak?

When Dorje Shugden realized it was none other than the Amitabha Tathagatha himself in all his compassion and radiance, blossoming like a single lotus in the lotus kingdom, he quickly withdrew his Vajra, held his palms together in respect and left.
Thus, a battle was averted.
At first, I assumed that when Dorje Shugden left, this matter would close. Yet, there was more to it that met the eyes.

Normally, whenever I cultivated and chanted the Invocation Mantra:
"Om Sobawa Suda Sarva Dharma Sobawa Sudo Han."
And added,
"Om Ah Hum Soha"
The deities that I invoked would manifest themselves. Now, they were nowhere to be found. There was not a trace of wind or shadow, nothing. I felt very strange. It seemed that my mantra power had disappeared.

So, I summoned the presence of the most fundamental - the Earth Gods of the four directions:
"Namo san-man-doh, moo-toh-nam, om, doo-loo doo-loo, dei-wei, soha."

I formed a mudra with my hands and stamped my foot on the ground. Usually, the Earth Gods of the four directions would immediately appear. Yet, this time they did not show up. It seemed that my chanting had fell on deaf ears and was not working at all. It was as good as not reciting the mantra at all. I was really worried. My Dharma power had disappeared. Feeling like a punctured leather ball, I could not effectively express my power.

Usually, as I made my offering and recited the Elixir (or Nectar) Mantra:
"Namo Surupaya Tathagataya Tadyatha Om Suru Suru Prasuru Prasuru Svaha."
As I would sprinkle the nectar, spiritual beings would gather to receive the offering. Yet none came. The water was simply water and not the elixir it should have been.

Now this was serious! The Food Transformation Mantra that I had recited was also ineffective. My attempts to summon any deity were futile. Chanting and empowering the Great Compassion Dharani Water did not work. No matter what mantra I chanted, none of them worked. I had indeed lost all my power. Losing all the power of mantra meant that I was no better than an ordinary mortal being. That was scary.I thought about my ability of seeking divination through my fingers, as I wanted to find the cause of this predicament. I extended my hand and prayed to the gods who were passing by to give me some directions. How strange! My fingers did not dance and quiver. Without the spiritual current, I cannot get a divination, as this type of divination requires that the fingers bend automatically. If they don't, then I cannot predict!

I looked up at the sky above. The sky being the sky was all empty. Then it occurred to me that the three golden lamps above my head were nowhere to be seen. These three golden lamps are the symbolic manifestation of my lineage transmission empowerment. How could they have disappeared?Then it occurred to me that while I was facing Dorje Shugden, the Great Golden Winged Garuda secretly stole away the lamps. This occurrence tied in with my dreams. I realized that once the power of lineage transmission was gone, no mantra could ever work.

The book, Doctrinal Essentials of Tantrayana states:
"The Tantric School arises from divine wisdom realized by the Buddha and transmitted directly to the mortals of this Saha or human world. Tantric cultivators receive a surge in spiritual strength and gain inconceivable power. However, Tantrayana emphasizes heavily on the lineage transmission power and anyone who wishes to cultivate must enter into the Great Mandala and receive the empowerment from a Vajra Master. Only then he shall have the power of the lineage transmission. Without this power of lineage transmission, all mantras will be void, rendering all practices as acts of embezzlement."

It also says:
"The lineage transmission power is the single most important fundamental in Tantric practice. It comes from the cosmic universe and awakens the very wisdom that lies within the heart. This is the root wisdom of the Tantric lineage transmission."

In order to regain my Dharma power, I realized I had to get back my three golden lamps. This meant I had to face Chod Khang Rinpoche. I felt that this Chod Khang Rinpoche was really powerful, and my character is such that I do not really want to reveal my Personal Deity to demand the return of my three golden lamps.Fortunately, I am a Tantric lineage holder and I am well aware of secrets beyond all secrets. Even though the three golden lamps had been stolen, I would still be able to light up the three golden lamps again. I can simply manifest immeasurable numbers of these three golden lamps.

The Dharani Sutra of the Great Wheel (Mahachakra) Vajra says:
"Recite this mantra twenty one times and you shall achieve success in all mantra cultivation. All virtuous deeds shall find accomplishment swiftly. This mantra also helps complete the attainment of all mudra practices. In all mandala practices, one enters the great mandala shrine without the need of an actual shrine."

The Sutra of Collection of Dharani states:
"Recite this mantra for twenty one times, and one shall gain entrance into any mandala and attain all accomplishments. Body mudra, among other mudra exercises, may accompany mantra recitation. If a hand mudra is formed while reciting a mantra, it would be easier to obtain results. If one has not entered the shrine of empowerment, one cannot form any hand mudra. However, when one recites this mantra, it is equivalent to entering the Tantric shrine. Forming a mudra for practice would not be viewed as an embezzlement of the Dharma."

The Great Tibetan Essential Tantra states:
"According to the Dharma, all mantras and mudras must be transmitted by the guru. Prior to entering the empowerment shrine, forming any mudra for any practice constitutes as an act of Dharma embezzlement. All of one's practice will yield no results. However, if one recites this mantra twenty one times before the statue of Tathagata, it would be as good as seeing the Buddha himself and entering into all mandalas. All Dharma requested for practice will gain success and attainment."

I immediately reviewed the Great Wheel Vajra Mantra and visualized all my lineage transmission masters above me transforming into the three golden lamps.

I recited the Great Wheel Vajra Mantra:
"Namo Sitriya Tivikanam Tathagatanam Om Viraji Viraji Mahachakra Vajri Sada Sada Sarati Sarati Dariyi Dariyi Vidamani Sambajani Tramati Siddha Griya Deram Svaha"

I recited this mantra twenty one times. I looked up and saw not only three, but many uncountable glittering golden lamps, forming a string of vajra chain. The current was reconnected, and I unleashed the highest force of Dharma power.

The golden lamps above emit a thousand rays.
From the light, lotus upon lotus springs and hovers.
All Dharma power is filled and complete,
Sparkling like pearls, shining as exquisite as jade.

It was said that Chod Khang Rinpoche found that the three golden lamps he stole from me through the Great Golden-Winged Garuda suddenly hovered into the sky and vanished.
Chod Khang Rinpoche invoked Dorje Shugden, but Dorje Shugden ignored him and refused to be summoned.Chod Khang Rinpoche's face turned black; his vital energy weakened. As a result, he fell sick three times and had to struggle with lingering illnesses ever since. He became a wretched old man. Chod Khang Rinpoche told people, "You can challenge any sorcerer except Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu. His Dharma power is simply inconceivable. After losing his three golden lamps, he was able to manifest thousands of golden lamps."
What I really want to say is that I did not cast any spell on Chod Khang Rinpoche. I actually did nothing at all.

Source:
http://www.padmakumara.org/books/book148/chap5.shtml