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Questions and Answers of Tantric Cultivation

  • By Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu
  • Article taken from Raden Magazine Issue No. 5 ( Hong Kong Publication )
  • Translated by Arica Lim
  • Edited by Brenda  
  • Proofread by Mimosa
  • Team members of Padmakumara Translation Team

Once, there was a kind, knowledgeable person who came to take refuge in me but he had some doubts and below is the recorded conversations between us:

Question: "If we want to take refuge in a Tantric Master, what must we look out for?"

Answer: "You must first verify if the Tantric Master has received the authentic Tantric lineage transmission."

Question: " How about Grand Master Lu as an example?"

Answer: "I have the authentic Tantric lineage from Reverend Liao Ming (Tao), Guru Sakya Cheng Kung (Sakyapa Sect), the Sixteenth Karmapa (Kagyu Sect), and Guru Thubten Taerchi (Gelugpa Sect)."

Question: "Rumor says that that Grand Master Lu doesn't have any lineage transmission."

Answer: "That is indeed a rumor.  My masters are still alive."

Question: "Rumors also says that Grand Master Lu implements supernatural power, so he is Mara."

Answer: "When a practitioner attains a certain cultivation level, the respective supernatural power will manifest in him.  It is very common that Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Deities, Ghosts can maneuver the transcendental power.  One must hold the right view toward the supernatural power to avoid being fanatic, blind, or superstitious.  The power can be deployed as a vehicle to lead the sentient beings to enter the Buddha Door, and it should not be abused to trick people.  That is the Right View."  

Question: "Someone said that Grand Master Lu is of an evil sect?"

Answer: " I uphold the right views.  The aim of Buddhism is to realize our original nature, to control our own birth and death, to disattach from all worries, and to be purified.  How can this be an evil sect?"

Question: "What should an authentic Tantric Master be like?"

Answer: "Moral ethics are most important.  An authentic master should not be greedy for any type of offerings.  He should not crave for either wealth or fame.  Those who crave for status, fame, personal territory and power fail to meet the moral ethic standard of an authentic Master."

Question: "How can one verify that a Master can convey the esoteric teachings?"

Answer: "The esoteric teachings are transmitted by the same lineage.  One can only master it by the cultivation endeavor and actual realization.   An Esoteric Master  can also differentiate Dharma and No-Dharma.  If one possesses the lineage transmission, moral ethics, esoteric teachings, actually realization, then one can be honored as a Tantric teacher. One can then teach Dharma, take disciples, accept the offerings, and receive prostration from disciples."

Question: "Why are there so many false Masters?"

Answer: "In today's world, when people see a Vajra Master being prostrated to and receiving offerings from others, their desire of greed begins to emerge.  They falsely hope to be in the same position and want to pretend to be a Master.  In the dualistic world,  if there is real, there is false.  Everybody must wisely make a distinction between them."

Question: "Grand Master Lu is a real Vajra Master, a living Buddha.  Why are there so many arguments about you and so much rejection to accept in you the religious world?"

Answer: "My writings are so sincere, and so are my teachings.  When you are too honest, the truth hurts! The bare truth is often not welcomed.  My weakness is that I do not know how to kiss up to others.  I am not a hypocrite and I do not know how to flatter others.  That is the reason why I am being oppressed and caused much conflicting opinions.  However, I am very durable, and I am truly honest!"

Question: "What is so esoteric about Tantra?"

Answer: "The esoteric meaning of Tantra is not be said, but to be realized by the heart.  The supreme mysterious meaning cannot be conveyed to anybody who has not reached that standard of cultivation.  The meaning can only be realized by themselves, in this stage no language can describe it and no worldly knowledge can make sense out of it.  Therefore, this secret is kept to avoid the unnecessary slandering from the sentient beings."

Question: "Tantric cultivation talks about achieving Buddhahood in the present body. Is this possible?"

Answer: "Buddha and 'I' are the same entity, that is how one can achieve Buddhahood in the present body.  You are the Buddha, how can this be impossible?"

Question: "Why are there Wrathful Deities in Tantrayana?"

Answer: "To salvage the some stubborn sentient beings who will not listen to reasoning, the Wrathful Deities shall manifest in fierce-looking form to subjugate them.  This form will also subdue the Mara, the ghosts, yaksaˇ¦s, and the devilish people.  His compassionate nature is hidden within, whereas the external appearance appears fierce and angry to stop people from engaging in bad deeds."

Question: "Why doesn't Tantrayana advocate Vegetarianism?"

Answer: "When in contact with the meat of beings, a tantric cultivator should deploy the esoteric Dharma to deliver the spirits to the higher realm. In the eye of a cultivator, purity and impurity are equal.  The heart of the Tantric cultivators are  same as that of a vegetarian."

 

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