December 22, 2019, Rainbow Temple, Atisa Homa
Ceremony
[TBS News]
Lamdre Exposition by Dharma King Lian-sheng
Summary of Dharma Talk

On December 22, 2019, the Dharma King, Living Buddha Lian-sheng presided over the Atisa Homa Ceremony at Rainbow Temple. The Dharma King had previously debuted the transmission of the dharma of Atisa on December 8, 2018 at Indonesia Convention Exhibition. At that time, he had bestowed the empowerments of Atisa and Bodhipathapradīpa (The Treatise of The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment).

In one of his books, the Dharma King had written in detail about Atisa’s pilgrimage from Lion Country (India) to Jambi (Indonesia) to seek the dharma from Master Serlingpa. The article, “Atisa and Serlingpa”, is available for reading in the Dharma King’s book, “Great Incarnations of Dharma King” (Book #228). The location where Atisa did his cultivation practice at Jambi is currently recognized as a heritage site by the Indonesian government.

Atisa represents great wisdom. During Atisa’s time, whenever he engaged in a debate with anyone, he would win. Then, the winner would walk away with an umbrella – Atisa’s winning streak led to his accumulation of many umbrellas. In addition, the loser would have to acknowledge the winner as Teacher and surrender his temple to the winner. Hence, Atisa had hundreds of temples under his name.

Master Serlingpa taught Atisa three methods of interacting with others: Stand in the shoes of the other party; view the other party as equal; and regard oneself to be on a lower pedestal than the other party. The Dharma King made his point with a quote from Mencius, “The citizens of a country are the VIPs, the Monarch is not as important.”

The Dharma King emphasized on the importance of Bodhicitta. When one practices Buddhism, one must fulfil the Four Immeasurable Vows:
1) Immeasurable loving-kindness – to help sentient beings so that they are happy;
2) Immeasurable compassion -- to eradicate suffering from sentient beings;
3) Immeasurable joy -- to generate delight in sentient beings; and
4) Immeasurable equanimity -- to help sentient beings to the extent of sacrificing one’s body and life.

“The spirit of the Four Immeasurable Vows is also Artisa’s, and it is the spirit of a Bodhisattva,” said Grandmaster.

As seen, a Bodhisattva does things for all sentient beings, not for himself or herself. As a result, over time, one will develop a sense of responsibility, bringing one closer to Buddhahood on the path of cultivation. One day, no matter how slow or fast, one will eventually reach and achieve attainment. The Dharma King said, “In terms of the value of life, if one wants to achieve attainment, one must be committed to undergo arduous training on a long-term basis. Only then is life really worth living.”

The dharma king emphasized, “If one does not do this, one must be prepared to remain an ordinary [samsaric] sentient being forever, as one is unable to create value in life [along the cultivation path].”

Next, the Dharma King expounded on the Lamdre. He said, “The path of cultivation is full of obstacles, but it is a path that you must undertake no matter how difficult it is. Although the cultivation journey may be fraught with difficulties, it is a path that tests your tenacity. You must pass the tests.” The Dharma King explained, for the sake of one’s affinity and path to Buddhahood, one must strive to know what meditation entails and eradicate the obstacles in meditation and remove hindrances by Mara.

“Know that all these hurdles will become merits in the future. This is because, without these obstacles, you wouldn’t be diligent enough to go through one test after another.” The Dharma King illustrated with an example in the samsara world -- one must accumulate enough experience to excel in something.

“Hence, to practice meditation, one must have the knowledge of meditation as well as the wisdom of meditation,” said the Dharma King.

The Dharma King wished everyone success in the practice of meditation, and hoped that everyone could enter samadhi and emanate brilliance.

After the discourse, the Dharma King Living Buddha Lian-sheng bestowed Atisa empowerment upon the participants. Everyone was full of joy upon the auspicious conclusion of the ceremony.

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