Editorial (Iuaugural Issue)

 

A special column, entitled "Drops of Wisdom", will focus on how we can merge the Buddhist teachings into our daily lives, in a very direct and plain style, so that we can appreciate the greatness of the Buddhist teachings in our daily experiences. Indeed, we need to be very conscious of the many challenges and dangers ahead of us in times of crises and adversities. At the same time, in trying to provide Right Knowledge and Right View, as well as certain guidelines for Right Thought and Right Conduct, our journal hopes to correct some of the wrong views and attitudes of practitioners. By using the "Prajnaparamita of the Words", through listening, contemplating and practising, we sincerely hope that this will eventually lead to the "Prajnaparamita of the Ultimate Reality", just like the using of the finger in pointing to the moon as the original means used by Lord Buddha! Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism who is considered the second Buddha of our time, has warned us, time and again, that a tantric practitioner is "like a snake inside a bamboo shoot. One way is to go up, the other way is to go down. There is no other way to go besides these two!" Furthermore, Guru Rinpoche said that: "Though my view is higher than the sky, my conduct regarding cause and effect is finer than barley flour." In this way, the most important issue for any practitioners, particularly tantric practitioners, is that one should not lose one's view in the conduct, neither should one lose one's conduct in the view. One should always reflect upon one's mind and deeds, to bear witness to one's own deeds and thoughts, and to remind oneself of where one is, what one is doing, and where one is heading for, in order not to lose track of oneself while treading on the path. Indeed, these are the times of trials and tribulations, and we, as Buddhist practitioners, have to prepare ourselves to face difficulties and challenges ahead of us, and to be tested again and again through various soul-searching processes. By bringing in various schools of Buddhism together, we try to present a fuller picture and a more coherent frame of reference for Buddhist practitioners of all levels and of all denominations to work together for a common goal, towards the liberation and enlightenment for both ourselves and others. In order to repay the loving kindness of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and Lama Sonam Chokyi Gyaltsan (Guru Lau Yui-che), the Tsawai Lamas (Root Gurus) of our Editor-in-Chief, this inaugural issue is specially dedicated to both of these Great Masters who had brought immeasurable benefits to the Chinese people, and had implanted the seeds of enlightenment among many people in the Chinese soil. In his preface to Lama Sonam's translated work of the "Commentary to the Treatise on the Great Magic Net Tantra (Na Rak Dong Truk Tantra)", Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche wrote of the following: "Guru Rinpoche has made such a prophesy that, at this degenerate time, the heart essences of the Adi-Buddha Samathabhadra should be spread in the world." Basing upon the conviction to "continue with the wisdom-life of the Buddha, and to further ignite the heart-light of the Buddha", the editorial board of this journal sincerely pray that all great-hearted Bodhisattvas can be all united together, under the great mandala of the Nine Yanas of Samanthabhadra, in order to fulfill the Ten Powers of Buddhas and to spread the Holy Dharma across the World. Special acknowledgements are to be made to Kyabje Chadral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche, without whose support and advice, this journal and the new Dharma centre would not have come into existence, as well as to Kyabje Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche for writing the Tibetan name of "Pema Osel" and the preface in his own handwriting. Special thanks are also due to Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche for writing the preface for this journal, to Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche for his help in translating the prayers and letters into English, and to Khachod Wangmo for her help in editing the English section of this journal. If there are any merits to be gained, they are offered and dedicated to the health and longevity of all the Great Masters of all traditions and lineages of the .....CONTINUE.....

 

 

BACK HOME NEXT