Question & Answer Session on Meditation and Sutra Geshe Tenzin Zopa @ LDC 9 Aug 09

Q1: If one is advised to recite heart sutra 7x, can we split up the recitation? Ans: Any mantra or sutra recitation advice recommended by Guru has greater purpose and special meaning. Therefore, it is better to recite all at one go, on same cushion, in one sitting. Splitting up the recitation is still beneficial but not as effective as reciting all together, according to the advice. Q2: Chanting while driving or walking means a lack of concentration, will that affect the effect of the chanting? Ans: There could be impact. If ones motivation for chanting is for Dharma, then even if ones conduct is neutral or non-harmful (i.e. not necessarily virtuous conduct), that can be a cause for liberation. There is difference between virtue and Dharma. Dharma is always virtue but not all virtue is Dharma. For an action to be Dharma, it must be cause for freedom from samsara. Reciting mantra for this lifes purpose is virtue but not Dharma and wont be a cause to free from samsara. Q3: We are asked to do prayers for members who are sick or have the need for prayers how does that personalized prayer for one person fit in with larger motivation for all beings? Ans: There are two ways to help dedicate only to liberate that person from illness and suffering OR motivate to dedicate to liberate not only the person who has asked for prayer but also to liberate all living beings as well. Clearly the second way benefits more beings. Motivation is what you are going to do and dedication is whatever has been done.

Q4: What is difference between Buddhism and Taoism? Ans: Buddhism is one of 3 types of practice (1) to purify the of the 3 lower realms to obtain a higher rebirth such as into the human realms or god-realms, the main teachings to learn are refuge and karma, which are suited to the small capability being (2) to purify the total aspect of samsara and rebirth in the 6 realms, the main teachings are the 4 Noble Truths, the 12 Links of interdependent origination, as this are suited to the middle capability beings (3) to achieve the motivation to bring the greatest benefit to liberate not only oneself but also all beings from the entire 6 realms samsara, the main teachings in addition to those mentioned above, is bodhicitta i.e. great compassion, to lead not only oneself but all beings to enlightenment. Taoism I dont know anything about Taoism. But solely from outer aspects, there appears to be prayers to worldly gods but definitely without refuge to Triple Gem. What determines whether you are a Buddhist or not is whether you have refuge in the Triple Gem.

Q5: Some of our families have worldly gods on altars for sake of parents and grand-parents. What should we do? Ans: As we have taken refuge, there is no need for us to rely on anything other than Triple Gem but one should still respect others/parents, so your outer aspect can be to do as they would like you to do in order to keep their mind peaceful. Example, if your are asked by parents to offer incense to worldly gods, there is no harm in offering the incense from the viewpoint of charity to the worldly gods, without the mind of refuge because remember that worldly gods cannot rescue us from samsara.

Q6: Each time we do puja, we recite 4 immeasurables is this same as motivation or is it just a ritual? Ans: The 4 Immeasurables prayer is not a ritual, it is a prayer motivation in ones heart. When prayers were composed by the Buddhas, immense prayers and dedications were made e.g. may whoever recites this prayer be totally liberated so if one also has positive motivation when reciting prayers like the 4 Immeasurables, the benefits will be enormous.

Q7: Why are there so many mantras how to choose between them? Ans: All mantras have equal benefit as they are of one essence. Different mantras were composed due to different karmic affinities of beings. So if one can consult with someone who can do observation on what prayers to be done due to greater karmic connection, then it would be good to focus on that mantra. If there is confusion or doubt what to use, then use Mani mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum). Buddha manifested into Tara in relation to successful activities; Manjushri, relates to wisdom. Unless one motivates properly, there is some possibility that one might use mantas selfishly. Hence, since Mani prayer is for all beings, this naturally invokes compassion. Each syllable of Mani acts as antidote to sufferings of 6 realms. It is therefore impartial and thus powerful. Whichever Buddha you have greatest karmic affinity with, you can recite that mantra.

Q8: If old parents dont know how to chant mantra, is it alright to recite Bodhisattva names. Ans: Best if one is able to establish which Buddha aspect one has particular karmic affinity with. Faith also plays a major role. During the 5th Dalai Lamas time, a White Umbrella Deity practitioner used to chant the mantra while circumambulating the Potala. He recited the mantra totally upside down (incorrectly), yet because of his strong faith in the mantra, the Dalai Lama observed that the crown of this old practitioners head was adorned by the mandala of the White Umbrella deity, which was a most auspicious sign. The 5th Dlai Lama then thought - if I correct this practitioner to chant properly, he would be even better. So Dalai Lama proceeded to correct him. The old man learned the correct pronunciation and next day when he recited it properly and circumambulate, the 5th Dlaia Lama noticed that the mandala had disappeared from the old practiitoners corwn! This happened because his faith and conviction already shaken. So the Dalai Lama advised him to revert to his previous manner of recitation. This is one of the reasons why we dont achieve our prayers it is because we dont have faith nor conviction in the prayers and in Buddha.

Q9: As Buddhists, do we need to invoke the Triple Gem or Merit Field before starting meditation? Ans: We should start our meditation (and all actions) with right motivation such as Im doing to actualize concentration so that I can actualize enlightenment to benefit beings. Buddha taught than if one does want to develop concentration through meditation, it is more beneficial by concentrating on a holy object (e.g. Buddha form or mantra syllable) rather than objects like tree, candle. This will bring the added benefit of accumulation of merit in relation to ones effort on concentration. Once past 9th state of concentration, one has some control over physical elements and mind. In Buddhism, many different levels of meditation concentration meditation and analytical meditation (to understand the quality of the object of meditation). Some do concentration meditation just to gain some peace by blocking gross mind and using light to focus their mind. This can be done but understand that doing meditation just for ones own relaxation or quiet is not creating any positive karma and only creating neutral karma. Before doing any meditation retreat, it would be good to consult a master, get a conducive place, set aside sufficient time (6 months), do accumulation of merit and purification practices before hand to remove hindrances to ones retreat. Q10: What is happening inside us when we meditate - apart from becoming more quiet internally, better able to concentrate and a bit more aware of some teachings? Ans: Oh yes, there is a big thing happening. More happiness is being created, wisdom is enhancing, one gains greater understanding of what is negative and what is positive, sometime one enters into a state as if one is floating. But meditation motivation is not to float but this is one of the result-sensations. That why in samatha, first one needs so much effort to meditate but later, one gains a feeling of clarity and lightness as one progresses one then gains physical pliancy and then mental pliancy = peace. Q11. Is it advisable to meditate when one is feeling depressed or very sick? Ans: It can be most effective to meditate during this time. Apply concentration meditation to block depressing thoughts. Once calmed down, then do analytical meditation on how depression is harmful and negative, why depression come into my mind, to analyse the cause, study afflictive thoughts one has, karma etc..Then do tonglen meditation (exchanging of self for others meditation practice) for others suffering to ripen upon onself or think May my difficulty or depression be sufficient to eradicate all the hardships/depression of other beings. Similarly with sickness conditions. Q12. Sometimes, there is a sensation of a very warm light in front, during one's meditation - is it just one's inner heat moving? Ans: It depends on the individual. Inner elements are stimulated due to concentration effect on chakras, esp navel chakra, generating great heat. Some meditators really start to view Buddhas in the form of light; in some cases, the light can be an obstacle because our delusions start to project lights/images and cause distraction. If there is some fear during meditation, then do purification prayers; it is good if one feels much joy without ego (as some joys are delusions).

Q13: Some verses of Sutra are difficult to understand. Is it alright not understand? Ans: Not necessary to understand every verse. Even during the Buddhas time, there were no Commentaries, yet there is no question on the benefit of reciting them. Sutras are spoken in relation to purification of various types of minds.

Q14. Some Buddha forms are quite complex. How does this type of meditation help us overcome afflictions? Ans: When Buddha manifested into different forma, it is in relation to the different karmic conditions of beings. Even the implements e.g. knife, has a deep meaning and is the symbol of cutting off ignorance. So one cannot judge by mere appearances but need to learn meanings of significance of different deities and implements. Otherwise, can just meditate on the simple form of Shakyamuni Buddha. No matter how many deities one practice, one must regard Shakymuni Buddha as the main emanator of other Buddha forms. Q15. Some tantric deities image are in the mother-father position - although we are taught that this represents the union of method and wisdom, still, the imagery might activate some afflictive thoughts in the meditator. How is this form of representation useful for meditation? Ans: If we dont understand Lam Rim (the graduated path to enlightenment) or renunciation, bodhicitta and emptiness well, then it is best not to meditate on deities of father-mother form, as there is a danger of misunderstanding and afflictions arising. It is very important to learn and understand the symbolism of such images. These can only be revealed when you have studied the Buddhas teachings well (esp. the Lam Rim), taken proper initiation from a qualified master and then receive the commentary on the practice. As for the image of the fathermother deity together, is not about human relations at all. If when looking at the father-mother deity, one projects ordinary male and female relations, this is a total mistake. Please remember that great Buddhist masters have actualized the Path meditating on these images whilst remaining full monks, holding all vows perfectly. The male figure represents the Buddhas method (bodhicitta) and not a man. The mother figure is the wisdom consort (emptiness) and not a female. The mother-father image is therefore to remind us of the need to fuse or combine bodhicitta (to benefit all beings) and wisdom realizing emptiness (to understand the true nature of reality) in order to actualize the perfect state of enlightenment. Q16. Some Vajrasattva retreaters report that whilst doing the 3-month Vajrasattva retreat, they experience great anger arising within them. Why does this happen? And why this particular affliction? Ans: Ones karmic seeds could ripen during a retreat (manifesting in strong emotions) and the retreat purifies these results. This could also arise if one didnt know how to do proper retreat or doing it under stress. Results of retreats should be the case of ones mind transforming from a stubborn rock mind to a gentle, cotton mind that is supple; glowing in appearance; mental condition is gentle, peaceful, kind.

Q17. There are different types of retreat - some are mantra based, some are deity based and some based on texts e.g. Heart Sutra. Although the motivation for all would be the same i.e. bodhicitta, should one's mind be focusing on the concept of bodhicitta throughout the retreat because this could distract the meditator from fully concentrating on the mantra or the deity visualisation? Ans: Yes, the motivation for the retreat must be bodhicitta. During the retreat e.g. reciting 110,000 Mani mantra, must start by contemplate on the meaning of the Mani prayer, lam rim topics (renunciation, bodhicitta and emptiness) and when you feel tiredness and distraction coming, then hold your mala and chant the mantra. If you can do both i.e. mantra chanting and meditate, this would be good but this is difficult to do. Stress comes when one fixes a time to complete the required number of mantras during a retreat. So if people say a retreat takes 10 days, add an extra week so that you can complete without stress. Q18. How to deal with mental excitement? Ans: When mental dullness comes, meditate on precious human rebirth. When ones mind too excited, meditate on lower realms. Q19. It is advised that one should do a retreat on the same cushion - why is this so? Ans: One should take this instruction literally and do a strict retreat. This is because one need to bless the cushion and spot where one does the practice before retreat,e.g. place a double vajra beneath the cushion. That is why one uses the same cushion throught that retreat. Q20: It is said that conceptual thinking has the fault of duality (e.g. a separation between the meditator and the object) and thus cannot grant realisations into selflessness. Yet we are encouraged to meditate on optimum human rebirth, death, qualities of the Buddha - these are all concepts too? Ans: Concepts and conceptual thinking are different. Conceptual thinking is based on a belief inherent existence. But concepts of dependent arising, lam Rim etc at the initial stage, these principles need to be learned, understood and familiarize and once a foundation on these are built, it will lead to non-conceptual thinking.

Sutra recitation questions

21. In the Diamond Cutter Sutra, the words say that to recite the Sutra will bring trouble to us at a faster rate but in a more mild form. This brings unease to the mind even though we still recite it. This mental unease is negative mind, so is it still beneficial to read the sutra with negative mind. Ans: Sutra never brings trouble and it is never good to recite sutra with negative mind. Sutra recitation helps to purify. The problem we are experiencing was already on its way and sutra is purifying ones negative karma. Where there is karmic seed, reciting this will ripen that karma resulting in suffering, so make sure ones mind doesnt go into emotional state but be instead be more focused on the recitation. 22. The Sutras were written by Arhats who listened to the Buddha's teachings and wrote them down? Ans: Some sutras were written by Arhats from memorization flowing from perfected concentration capabilities. Some sutras arose during the Buddhas meditation where words came from the Buddhas crown e.g. Buddhas Umbrella Sutra; some sutras were heard during the Buddhas meditation, when the wind blew and shook the trees and leaves produced the sound of the sutra. Some were direct transcripts. For the sutras all found in the Kangyur and Tangyur those were transcribed by senior Buddhas disciples, many of whom were Arhats and Arya Beings having perfect concentration and memorized the Buddhas teachings on various topics. Shariputra knew who attended which teachings so asked Arhats to recite from memory and validated the correctness and accuracy of the sutras. Most sutras were written on leaves. Q23: How do we explain that the Perfection of Wisdom as being authentic teachings of the Buddha, as Theravadans dont accept these as Buddhas teachings? Ans: Heart Sutra is authentic as taught by Buddha in Rajgir but many Theravadans didnt attend that teaching; hence Buddha taught those who were there and many were already bodhisattvas. He taught Tantra teachings at Amravati Kalachakra teachings the disciples there again were Arya bodhisattvas (there were many Theravadans at the time but had no inclination to attend. Hence one can see the great kindness of the Buddha to teach different teachings to various disciples). Theravadans also have sutras e.g. Tripitaka is amongst the famous sutras. They do recite them but are unlikely to recite Mahayana Sutras. All Buddhist practitioners (Theravadans and Mahayana) practice compassion. Only Mahayana practices great compassion i.e. with the thought that By myself alone, I will liberate all beings from suffering. Q24: When going on Yamantaka retreat, do we first need to receive commentary form the Lama? Ans: Having taken the initiation, one can go into the commitment retreat (of mantra) but one cannot read the commentary until one receives the commentary from a Lama. Some Lamas conferring the commentary give further retreat commitments re-commentary.

Q25: What are the 80 conceptual thoughts? Ans: These are instinctive stages of thoughts based on inherent existence and exist in the gross mind. During the death process, before experiencing the white light, red and black visions, subtle conceptual mind still exists and thus one continues to accumulate negative mind. During the white, red and black visions of the dissolution process, at that point, it is crucial to link our mind/reflect on emptiness, then one will be able to connect to the subtlest mind = clear light mind, which can then be used as the antidote to counter ignorance. Once reaching clear light mind where the subtle mind is totally infused with emptiness understanding, one is able to attain buddhahood. Or in intermediate state (max of 49 days), at the end of each of the 7 days, there is a small death and at each experience of death, the same clear light mind arises and can use that as the opportunity to eradicate subtle ignorance to attain enlightenment. If that doesnt happen then one gets reborn into samsara.