Last week we discussed the sounds made by all the birds in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the Dharma that these birds themselves emanate and then we stopped there.
Therefore, the scripture says:
There are two more sections of scripture text here:
This part is saying that the birds of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, are not born from the evil paths.
The scripture then further says:
The meaning of this passage is that the birds in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss are all manifestations transformed from Amitabha Buddha himself, they are not beings born from karmic retribution in the three evil paths.
In the past, there was a Zen master and he said, “Why does Amitabha Buddha manifest some birds to fly around in the Western Pure Land?”
I believe Amitabha Buddha has his reasons for manifesting birds, because birdsong is very beautiful; birds flying in the air are very graceful; birds’ plumage is very beautiful, with many colors, and their shapes are simply lovely. Birds represent a kind of travel, they fly around everywhere, very freely, which is something most people yearn for.
This Master asked, “Why does Amitabha Buddha manifest some birds to fly around in the sky?”
Because people in the world love birds, so he manifests some birds in response to sentient beings.
Amitabha Buddha is very smart, he wouldn’t transform some snakes to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If the Western Pure Land were full of snakes, I would be the first one who would not dare to go there.
Furthermore, why aren’t there bears, tigers, elephants, or rhinoceroses in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss?
Because they’re either very large, or very fierce, or very ugly. If there were crocodiles in the Maha Twin Lotus Pond, we’d be in big trouble! Not the hungry [hungry and crocodile are homophones of Er in Chinese] fish when your stomach is hungry, but that one called alligator, I know this English word.
However, the birds in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss aren’t like the Garuda or the Golden-Winged Garuda, which are huge and very fierce. They are all very peaceful birds. Like the common analogy we use nowadays, those who advocate force are called hawks, and those who advocate peace are called doves. Doves are relatively gentle and peaceful birds.
Another thought I had was, why did Amitabha Buddha manifest those birds in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss?
It is because these birds are manifested in response to what sentient beings delight in. Their voices are very melodious, and they sing to proclaim these sounds of the Dharma, bringing joy to those who hear them.
I personally admire Zhuangzi’s ideologies. Like Laozi, Zhuangzi’s thoughts all seem to be able to fly. When thoughts can fly it is like a bird. Gliding thousands of miles, a feat beyond the imagination of ordinary people. That is why Zhuangzi once dreamed of being a butterfly himself, when the butterfly is in flight it is also incredibly graceful. However, I don’t like being a butterfly, because butterflies will all die when winter arrives.
Grandmaster has a fondness for birds, for example the four season birds that can live through spring, summer, autumn and winter. In the past I also had a fondness for birds, because before I became a Buddhist I liked to eat roast birds! Roast birds have a great flavour, but after understanding Buddhism I felt that it was being cruel to birds so I stopped eating roast birds.
Amitabha Buddha manifested those birds primarily to teach people in the world not to have discriminatory thoughts. Even birds like these can be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the principle of “equality of the Dharma body.” This is from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss mentioned in the “Amitabha Sutra”, where the Buddha explains the reason why there are “life-sharing birds”.
Tonight, because some disciples want to learn the Dharma, I talked for a long time, but it seems like I have no Dharma to talk about. Since we talked about birds today, well then, I’ll teach a bird-related Dharma today! Don’t underestimate this Dharma, I’m telling you, it’s also a Dharma from Tantric Buddhism. In Tantric Buddhism there is a Great Golden-Winged Garuda Dharma Practice. However what I teach tonight is not Garuda Dharma but Kalavinka Dharma Practice.
The mantra for this Dharma Practice is “Om. Kalavinka. Suoha.”
Its visualization is with Amitabha Buddha in the center, around which many beautiful birds appear. Around Amitabha Buddha, there are many colorful birds, very beautiful.
So, the hand mudra we use during this dharma practice is the bird mudra, and the most important hand mudra of a bird is its wings. This mudra is very simple: two wings, a head, placed in front of the chest. This is the Kalavinka mudra, the mudra of the “life-sharing bird.”
So our dharma practice involves first visualizing Amitabha Buddha appearing, then surrounded by many colorful birds, and then forming the bird mudra. Visualize those birds flying in the sky, and then visualize Amitabha Buddha radiating light upon the practitioner.
Next, recite: “Om. Kalavinka. Suoha,” the mantra is “Om. Kalavinka. Suoha.” This is the mantra, visualization, and mudra used during practice.
You all might want to ask, what are the benefits of practicing this Dharma?
Will practicing this Dharma turn everyone into birds in the future?
No!
The purpose of practicing this Dharma also includes attaining meditative powers. Many people have nightmares and can’t sleep at night. Practicing this Dharma can stop nightmares because practicing this Dharma makes the body lighter, making the mind as light as a bird.
Many disciples also have dreams at night where they are bitten by snakes, bitten by dogs, someone is trying to kill them with a knife and they can’t escape, they encounter ghosts, or encounter very violent things that they can’t run away from. Practicing this Dharma allows them to fly in their dreams, and these dogs and snakes can’t bite them.
In short, after practicing this Dharma one will at least become a heavenly being, not just a crow in this world constantly cawing “Ah, ah, ah.” Becoming a crow isn’t bad though, because it can chant mantras, chanting “Ah.”
Pigeons can also chant mantras, do you know what mantra pigeons chant?
“Gulu, Gulu, Gulu, Gulu,” Gulu is Guru.
Actually, practicing this Dharma, “Om. Kalavinka. Suoha,” is the first step to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If we cultivate this dharma and get a response, we will experience peace in our dreams, the spirit may leave the body, and one may attain the supernatural power of going anywhere at will through the divine foot. I think this dharma is also beneficial for people with afflictions, because the mind will be set free, as if we have grown wings and can fly.
I remember when I was little and went to church and saw pictures of angels, all of whom had a pair of wings. When I was little, I went to church for roughly two reasons, to get some cards and candies at Christmas, and to eat a red egg at Easter. As for the flour being distributed, I never received any as I was still too young. Furthermore, my girlfriend from elementary school was also at church.
The dharma I just shared is very easy to practice and also a very light graceful dharma. You can visualize the birds around Amitabha Buddha flying beautifully. You will find the mantra sounds very beautiful, “Om. Kalavinka. Suoha.” This mantra sound is very light, as if you are about to fly up. If you often recite this mantra and visualize the birds flying, your mind will fly like the birds. You can transcend the world, not dwell in the world, but be in the heavens. By often flying like a bird, you will be free from afflictions, and your vision will be able to see very far. You can see mountains, water, and the forms of all beings. You are truly living in the heavenly realm.
Reciting this mantra develops an affinity with Amitabha Buddha, because these birds are manifestations of Amitabha Buddha himself. The highest level of attainment allows one to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and enter into Amitabha Buddha’s heart. You can take this practice as the initial stage of Amitabha Buddha’s dharma practice. When you cultivate to the point where you can fly in your dreams, when your mind feels light and free, you can see the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, where there are thousand lamps welcoming the world. This is then a response, possessing the supernatural power of divine feet, you can go anywhere. This is the “Kalavinka” Dharma Practice being transmitted tonight.
Have you all heard of this Dharma before?
In the past, some people who practiced this Dharma solely were reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Singers who practiced this Dharma had eternally beautiful voices. Another benefit is that people give you beautiful clothes as gifts. Even if you don’t achieve enlightenment, in your next life you will be reborn with a voice as melodious as a bird’s. Everyone who hears your voice will feel as if they’ve been electrified, and everyone will like you. Because of the beauty of your voice, in your next life you can obtain all wealth, and your best profession is as a telephone operator!
This Dharma is truly useful. The examples Guru gave when teaching these teachings are all very real. So, to reiterate the main points: practicing this Dharma can grant supernatural powers, eliminate afflictions, produce a beautiful voice, and lead to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha. At the very least, ascending to the heavenly realm is not a problem.
Do you remember this hand mudra?
The mantra is “Om. Kalavinka. Suoha.” In this lineage, Amitabha Buddha is at the center, surrounded by colorful birds. That concludes today’s teaching.
Om Mani Padme Hum