Michael Saso

“Gyantse Kumbum,” Tibet’s Sistine Chapel (posted 04-28-12)
One of the most stunning, unspoiled art centers of Tibet is the nine-story Stupa known as Kumbum, in the town of Gyantse, central Tibet. Gyantse was an independent kingdom until recently. The king’s castle (now empty) towers from a hilltop, overlooking a massive 3 story Monastery temple called Pelchor, the Kumbum Stupa, and a medieval village called Gyantse.
Gyantse’s Kumbum is one of the spiritual centers of Tibet. To the east, a seven hour drive over Neji Kangsa Pass and Yamtso Lakes is Lhasa. To the west is Mt Everest, and the road south to Sikkim and Nepal. To the far west, a three-day journey by jeep, lies Mt Kailash, the Kingdom of Guge – with Separang and Tuoling temples, and Ladakh. Kumbum, which means “tens of thousands,” refers to the immense number of Buddhist images painted and sculpted in Gyantse, a genre of 15th century art unique to central Tibet.
By sealing the doors with patriotic slogans, the Pelchor temple and the Kumbum stupa were kept intact from the ravages of the Red Guard and the Cultural Revolution. Since the 1420’s the monks have preserved Tibet’s grandest collection of Statues, murals, and sacred Mandala for pilgrims to admire. It is by far the favorite place of the visitors and students, whom I have taken with me to Tibet. From mid May through mid-June is the best time to go, before the monsoons begin, after the below-zero autumn and winter cold ends. The sacred masked dances called CHAM, on Sagadawa, Buddha’s birth celebration, can also be seen during this time
The Kumbum Stupa was completed in 1427, nine decades before Michelangelo painted the Sistine chapel ceiling (between 1508 and 1512). There are in fact 27,600+ images and statues on display throughout the nine floors, in 73 chapels, shrines, and sanctuaries.
The ground floor of the stupa, not open to the public, contains in fact the basic design of the Kumbum structure, a mandala, or geometric plan of the cosmos as sacred encounter, with “Dorje Chang” (Vajra Dhara), the ultimate Buddha who purifies and enlightens all sentient beings by the use of thunder and lightning, as its focus. Above the First Floor, there are 8 more stories, containing Kumbun’s 27,600 images, as follows:
1st floor, 4 major temples, 16 chapels, using images for purification from the Kria tantra;
2nd floor, 16 chapels, with images for illuminating with the Carya tantra;
3rd floor, 4 temples, 16 chapels with Yoga Tantra images for apophasis, ie, sunya emptying;
4th floor, 12 chapels, with Anuttaraya Yoga images of Tibet’s holy monks and sages;
5th-floor, 4 major temples with images of the 5 “Salvational” Buddhas; (special permission is requird to go above the 5th floor);
6th floor, the “lower Harmika dome” with images of “father” tantras;
7th floor, the “upper Harmika dome” with images of “mother” tantras;
8th floor, the Campana, with the image of Vajra Dhara, Thunder-lightning Buddha;
9th floor, a copula, coming out of the inner dark corridors to the open sky

The great Italian scholar Giuseppe Tucci wrote a 3 Volume description of the Gyantse temples, which can still be bought in Hong Kong bookshops (Rome: 1941; New Delhi, 1989). F. Ricca and E. Lobue published a beautiful single volume of color prints, called “The Great Stupa of Gyantse” (London: 1993), which can be found in Swindon’s bookshop in Kowloon.
Five images taken on site are posted below:
1. Pelchor temple and Gyantse Kumbum, with Michael Saso and Kunga-la

 

2. Machig Lobdron, Tibet’s great Woman Mystic, 4th floor “Chod” chapel

3. Milarepa, Tibet’s great mystic poet, 4th floor Guru Chapel

4. Ozer, or Marici, Light goddess, (also in Daoism and Japanese Buddhism) 1st floor chapel

5. Gyantse, Kumbum entrance of Monks into the sacred C

ham dance area:

Jie 戒 Rules for receiving Daoist Lu 籙 registers and meditation lessons

The First Ten Rules or “vows” given to the novice, before receiving the Daoist Master’s instructions (Daoist Master Zhuang, 3rd edition, Ch.5):

1. Banish all hatred, anger, and sadness from the heart; otherwise the powers of the “Yin” Underworld (“3 worms”) will devour the internal organs;
2. Be benevolent and merciful to all living beings;
3. Do good; avoid anything that harms others;
4. Purity includes mind as well as body; banish all impure thoughts;
5. Never speak or think badly of others;
6. Breathing must be calm and regulated, during ritual as well as meditation;
7. Do not put oneself above others, always yield and take the last place;
8. Do not argue or dispute, realize that we are always in “Dao” presence
9. Life breath (Qi 炁) is diminished by seeking good as well as bad things;
10. Keep Zhuangzi’s rule, “fast in the heart, sit with empty mind” 心齋坐忘

Ten vows taken before receiving Daoist Lu Registers from a master: 收錄十戒

1. Do not kill; respect all living things;
2. Do not lust, after another’s wife, or any other person;
3. Do not steal; do not take recompense for teaching Daoism;
4. Do not use force or deceit to achieve one’s way;
5. Do not drink to excess; alcohol is forbidden during Daoist keyi ritual;
6. Treat all men and women as one’s own family;
7. See the good points of everyone; help everyone be joyful;
8. If a person is sad, fill them with good thoughts and blessings;
9. Treat all other as if their needs were your own; never seek revenge;
10. Work that all attain the Dao

The Lu 籙 registers for Daoist “Jiao” 醮 life ritual and “Zhai” 齋 post life/burial ritual, include the meditations of Inner Alchemy. (See next post).

Michael Saso, Mar 24, 2012, (with rainbow appearing over Honolulu)

HOW TO RECOGNIZE DAOIST SCHOOLS & REGISTERS

 

Bai Yun Guan (“White Cloud”) Daoist temple in Beijing published an official list of 84 recognized Daoist Pai 派 or schools in their 1921 Gazeteer (zhi 志), each with an identifying poem;  the manual can be purchased for a nominal fee at the gateway to Baiyun Guan in Beijing 白雲觀志. It was also published in Japan, by Oyanagi Shigeta, where the cost is much higher (due to the fall in the value of the US dollar); but this edition also contains the Gazeteer of the Eastern Peak temple (東獄觀志), as well as other valuable references not found elsewhere. Each of the Pai  派 has an identifying poem; usually 40 characters; one of the characters is assigned to the Daoist’s official title each generation that it is passed on. (E.g., I received the 28th character of the 3 Mtn Alliance school – Mao Shan, Longhu Shan, Gezao Shan — Master Zhuang had the 27th, ie, 27 generations since the end of the Tang- beginning of the Song dynasty, 900-960, when the custom of using a poem to identify each Pai was begun). The Shenxiao and other heterodox orders do not always follow this rule, however, and advance one character each time a register/lu is passed on from master to disciple. When this is the case, the poem usually has 100 characters, vs 20 or 40.

When a Daoist comes to one of the 3 sacred mountains, Mao Shan, Longhu Shan, or Gezao shan for a license/register, an examination is given, to ascertain which (or how many) of the 5 traditional lu 籙 registers (Shangqing, Qingwei, Beidou, Zhengyi, Lingbao (Sanwu Dugong)上清、 清微北斗，正一盟威, 靈寶三五都攻) one knows. Grade One is given for the Shangqing  Datong Jinglu/aka Huangting Jing 上清大同／黃庭經; Grade 2-3: qingwei wulei & Beidou lu 清微北斗; Grade 4-5: Zhengyi Mengwei jinglu 正一盟威經籙; grade 6-7: lingbao sanwu dugong lu 靈寶三五都攻籙。All of the registers from Grade 5 and above are given the title xianqing 仙卿；all of the titles from grade 6 and lower are given the titles 仙官 xianguan. A Daoist who practices lewd or immoral forms of “fangzhong” (“sexual hygiene” wrongly called in western book markets “the Dao of Sex”) may never advance above grade six, the ordination manual states. Grades 8 and nine are “incense bearer,” and “procession leader,” in Daoist liturgy. I hope to include below two texts as attachments from this manual; the various Lingbao and Zhengyi registers can be found in Vol. 28 of the recent Shanghai/ Shang Wu 36 volume Daoist Canon, entries 1205-1208, ie Vols 879-880 of the Taiwan/original Shanghai 1920′s edition.

The distinction between the Grade 5 pin and above, and the grade six and lower, depends on several important factors: Grade Five and above perform the Jiao rites of renewal, and inner alchemy meditation, as a way of “union with the Dao” (於道合真）for which see subsequent post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kuden: Tantric ritual taught by an Ajari master –  1st of 3 parts:
Tantric Meditation (i.e., combined mudra-mantra-mandala 身口意 meditation, Jpn. mikkyo 密教), is traditionally taught orally (kuden 口傳), in Tibet, in Japan by Tendai and Shingon Buddhists, and in China by orthodox Daoists. In order to gain access to this highly esoteric tradition, it is necessary to receive initiation, and study for many years with an Ajari Buddhist, or licensed Daoist master 授籙道士. The Rev. Yamada Eitai, Ozasu Head of Tendai Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan, kindly gave Tokudo initiation, and an introduction to study with the Ajari Master Ikuta Koken, over an extended period of eight years, from 1980 until 1988. Some of his teachings are summarized here, showing the kuden (practice with oral teaching) system, used by Tantric Buddhists, and also by Daoists, throughout Asia.
Three tantric schools, deriving from early 9th century Tendai practice, remain active on Mt. Hiei today: the Homan, Sanmai, and Anoo. Each school maintains a group of Ajari masters on Mt. Hiei, who teach the kuden oral tradition of tantric ritual meditation to monks, nuns, and laity, who come to the mountaintop for spiritual training.
Sixty days of austerity on Mt Hiei, called shugyo 修行, which precede the Kancho 灌頂 ordination of Tendai monks and nuns, are, unfortunately, too brief a time to learn the fullness of “body-mouth-mind” 身口意 Tantric meditation. Abstinence, fasting, and harsh physical exercise, combined with brief, intensive ritual training, make it impossible to learn the depth of mikkyo prayer, during the sixty-day training period. Serious postulants spend years of private practice with an Ajari master, to learn the internal meditations.

The time spent practicing and translating the four Tantric rites with the Ajari master Rev. Ikuta Koken , in the beautiful environs of Bishamondo, at the southern foot of Mt. Hiei, remains a precious, indelible memory. This renowned monk, who taught in Mudo-ji temple on Mt. Hiei for forty-three years, and was head Ajari master of the Homan school for the past twenty years, welcomed me to join the young monks in training at the secluded Bishamondo temple, an experience for which I remain eternally grateful.
Ikuta Sensei required each student to perform the Juhachi-do (Eighteen Path meditation) daily, and the Goma Fire rite a total of thirty-six consecutive times, in his presence, until the two liturgies were perfectly mastered. The siddham Sanskrit mantra were chanted in their original pronunciation, as well as in classical Chinese, and Japanese kana transliteration. After mastering these first two Tantric rites, Ikuta Sensei gave a detailed explanation of the Lotus Mandala (Taizo Kai 胎臟界) and Vajra Mandala (Kongo Kai 金剛界) (explained in Part 2; the relevant texts shared or derived from Daoism, are shared in Part 3).

The 18 Path meditation, and the Goma Fire Rite. The first step to learning tantric prayer is the Juhachi- do, 十八道 a text found in Chinese, probably not of Indian origin. The Juhachi-do or Eighteen Path meditation is used as an entrance into, as well as the process to step out of all Tantric ritual. The Taizo-kai Womb World, the Kongo-kai Vajra World, and the Goma Fire rite, all require the 18 Path mandala for entry and exit. The meditative stages are briefly summarized here as follows (see Saso, 1991):

The rite begins by using water, light, and incense to purify the three sources of karmic deeds, while vesting, and “becoming” the Light King Kundali, (Gundari, of the Susiddhi Sutra).
The Go shimbo Purification initiates each tantric rite, inviting the spirits to be present (similar to Taoist ritual in China) after which the vows of the Bodhisattva are pronounced.
-A Samaya meditation interiorizes the entire Buddha, Lotus, and Vajra Worlds. The hands form a chariot mudra, bringing the triple vision inside the meditator.
-while visualizing the “AH” seed word, the meditator creates a sacred Mandala
(Daochang 道場), and summons the vision of Acala and Vairocana, with a vajra bell. –Six offerings (puja), of pure water, powder incense, flowers & leaves, granular incense, rice,
and flame, symbols of the six paramitas- (5 senses and intellect), are made. (In Madhyamika
philosophy, the six material objects and their spiritual aspects, shi and xiang, thus become
“sources of enlightenment,” for Tendai Tantric practice).
- Through the experience of Sam-adhi, the meditator sees the Buddha’s heart-mind, the
meditator, and all others, as united into one (i.e.,sam-a-dhi, means “same as non-dual”) .
After finishing the Lotus, Vajra, and Goma fire rite, the order of mudra and mantra is reversed, in order to step out of the sacred area and re-enter the secular world.
(The 18 Path meditation can be celebrated independently, by devout Tendai monks and
nuns; it is always used to purify the altar before the Goma Fire Rite begins).

The Goma fire rite consists of visualizing and burning away six sacred visions, as follows (Homan manual, 1931):
1. Envisioning and burning away Acala, Fudo Myo-o.
2. Envisioning and burning away Agni, identified with Buddha Locana,
and the seven sources of Northern Light (Ursa Major).
3. Envisioning and burning away the female image “Ichijikinrin”.
4. The triple envisioning and burning away of Acala and Vairocana – as
seed word, samaya symbol, and sacred image.
5. Envisioning and burning away the entire Dharma, Lotus, and Vajra worlds.
6. Envisioning and burning away the entire realm of Vedic, Shinto, Taoist,
and folk-religion deities.
7. After finishing the six stages, the meditator throws all the remaining offerings, good and bad deeds, and even the highest spiritual desires, into the fire. Everything must be burned away, leaving no attachment, not even ashes behind.

It was abundantly clear, from the beginning of the eight year long study, until finishing of the Lotus and Vajra World meditations in the spring of 1988, that the Masters oral teaching was essential at every stage of the meditation path. Three examples are given here to show the deeper understanding given by the Ajari during oral teaching.
The first example is taken from the 4th stage of the Goma Fire rite.
In the center of the fire envision two lotus blossoms. In the center of the first blossom is the seed word AH, which transforms into Vairocana. In the center of the second lotus is the seed word KAM, which changes into the image of Acala.
(Oral commentary):
“the meditator burns away all karmic deeds by an interior fire, more powerful than the external flames of the Goma. The Goma fire burn away the wood and the seed offerings, leaving only ashes. But the interior flames of the Bodhi-enlightened heart-mind are like a devouring fire that leaves behind no ashes. The seed word KAM becomes first a samaya-symbol, a sword, and then a flame, and lastly turns into Acala. The seed word purifies the mind; the sword purifies the heart; the image of Acala fills the entire body, cleansing the “mind-mouth-body” three sources of karmic action. Separated by flames from the world of words and images, the meditator enters the realm of no-birth:”
“Meditating at the gateway of AH, all the seeds of desires are prevented. Entering into this cutting wisdom, a great light diffuses in all directions. Suddenly becoming a great burning flame the image of Acala arises, holding a sword in the right hand, and a rope in the left. The swirling flames devour karmic deeds, mental images, and the altar vessels, laden with avidya ignorance, so that nothing remains, not even ashes.”

(2nd commentary, the items used in the Goma fire offerings)
“As the flames are fed with offerings, a pure, compassionate water is seen to wash the body, flowing through every pore like sweet, white dew. A lotus flower of enlightenment opens in front of the meditator, and from the center issues five seed words, namely AH, BAM, RAM, KAM, and KEN. The words change into a samaya-symbol, seen as a stupa. The stupa changes into Vairocana. The meditator offers the four items to the right of the Goma altar, i.e., oil, red beans, white beans, and coarse rice, to Vairocana, by throwing these items into the flames. These coarse offerings represent all of the ego’s evil karmic deeds. Next the six pure offerings, representing my good deeds, equally useless for enlightenment, are thrown into the flames: Soma oil, powder incense, granular incense, poppy seed, sesame seeds, and the flame from a candle (symbolizing the five senses and intellect, i.e., the six paramitas. Finally the items to the left of the Goma altar, leaves (desires of perfection), and twelve-inch long sticks of wood representing the twelve causes (nidhanas) are burned away in the flames.”

3rd commentary: (for the 7th stage) “The ultimate goal of the Goma is apophatic emptiness, of mind and senses. Only when the flames go out, and no self-glory or merit remain, can samadhi (non-duality) be truly experienced. The meditations of Tendai tantric Buddhism are therefore a threefold process wherein the vision of a seed word to purify the mind (Nirmana-kaya), changes into a symbol to purify the heart, (Sambhoda-kaya) and finally into an eidetic or moving image, unifying the meditator with the Dharma-kaya body of the Buddha.”
Whether the image is of Acala, Amida, Vairocana, or some other form of the enlightened Buddha, is not important. The meditator must not become attached to the vision, in fact must burn all images away in the interior fires of thunder and lightning, as well as the real fire of the Goma. This process is preeminently a part of the Tendai oral hermeneutic. (The Goma Fire rite as performed by Ozasu Yamada Eitai, can be seen on YouTube).

Next, the Lotus and Vara Mandala will next be explained briefly, after which a comparison will be made of Daoist Master’s oral teachings.

“Red Hat” Daoists, Mediums, and “Shaman”

In north and south Taiwan, the terms Hongtou 紅頭 “Red Hat” (in Taiwanese/ Minnan dialect pronounce Angthau), and Wutou 烏頭 “Black Hat;” (in Minnan dialect pronounce O-thao) are used to distinguish 2 kinds of Daoist priests, i.e., “Red Hat” Daoists specialize in exorcism and healing rites for the living, while “Black Hat” specialize in Jiao 醮 Rites of Cosmic renewal, and Zhai 齋 funeral ritual. Red Hat Daoists can also perform their own version of Jiao rites of renewal, and Black Hat Daoists also perform rites of healing and exorcism, each in their own ritual manner.

Taiwan “Red Hat” Daoists also act as the interpreters of the “Danggi” 童乩 (“tongji” in mandarin pronunciation), and are often themselves possessed mediums (danggi means “youth possessed by shaking, who becomes a spirit’s oracle”); they must not, however, be called “shaman”, because they do not travel into the underworld to report on things there, a totally different word is used for this role in the SE China community, ie “guan lo yim” (Guan Luo Yin in Mandarin 觀落陰, literally a person who, in deep trance, descends into the underworld to see how things are there).
Two distinct words are used for these 2 roles, ie “danggi”, means the possession of the body by a demon, after which the demon or spirit uses the mouth of the possessed spirit as a mouthpiece for his/her own messages; the role of “shaman,” a person who in a trance travels to the other world (guan luoyim) and reports what he/she sees, is a distinct role and function. Since neither of these “ritual” experts are aware of what they are doing or saying when in trance, a Red Head Daoist must be there to interpret what they are saying. A 3rd sort of possession takes place when a writing brush attached to a small spirit chair is possessed (usually the chair is held by 2 to four persons), this is called “fu luan”, ie, a spirit chair with brush attached becomes possessed of a daemon, and writes illegible characters in sand (Jordan and Overmeyer have both written about this). The Red Head Daoist is again necessary to interpret what is written.
All of these rites occur throughout Taiwan, more frequently reported on in the south, esp. Tainan, but also found in north Taiwan, ie Hsinchu, and Taipei. All of the “scholars” who have done field work in Taiwan have seen and reported on these phenomena, e.g., John Lagerwey, Schipper, Jordan, Overmeyer, etc. The Black Head Daoist is not supposed to do this, though money is always a factor, ie, making a living in the modern, and ancient world, are not that dissimilar. The same distinction is made in Mongolia, ie the “shaman” is a person who is possessed and travels into the underworld, while the Laichong (Mongolian) or “Nechong” (Tibetan) is possessed of a specific personal spirit, and foretells the future, offers advice, and most important gives counsel to Dalai Lama. The Nechong oracle from the Nechong temple to the west of Lhasa is now in Dharamsala with Dalai Lama, but the Nechong rites are still performed all over Tibet. There are 7 “ghrala” protector spirits in North Tibet, one for each of the major Amdo (North Tibet) Temples, who do this form of possession to chosen “Nechong”monks.
Those Daoists who are especially known for their abilities to control and interpret Danggi medium and Goanloyim “shaman” possessions are known “Lü Shan” 閭山 Daoists. They are found not only in Taiwan, but throughout Guangdong and Fujian province as well, on the China Mainland. John Lagerwey has done the most comprehensive study of Lü Shan Daoism, and with an extensive grant from Taiwan sources, has published a massive collection of Lü Shan practices. His book on the subject, “China, a Religious State” (Hong Kong University Press: 2010) gives a clear picture of the widespread influence of the school, including Hakka as well as Hokkien (Fujian) speaking areas, throughout SE China.
Pictures of the Pantheon of Daoist spirits, including the Lü Shan patrons, are found in bookshops throughout Taiwan. Some of the images are included in this post.

El Cristo Negro de Esquipulas, a Dark Balsam wood statue of Jesus in Santuario de Chimayo, Guatemala; (see the web-site search articles of THE LEGEND OF “NUESTRO SENOR DE ESQUIPULAS” by Lynda La Rocca , and Stephen de Borhegi, for more detailed explanations. The present article is based on oral accounts given by the parishioners of the Immaculate Conception Church, Los Angeles, CA., located on James D Wood-9th street, a block away from the downtown Loyola- Marymount Law School).)

The Santuario de Chimayo — also called the Santuario de Nuestro Senor Milagrosa (Negro) de Esquipulas — was built on a hillside famous from ancient times for the healing powers of a white, clay like substance. A strange light was seen to burst from a hillside above the Santa Cruz river, in 1595, coming from the white clay. Devout Guatemalan natives, after digging in the clay soil with their hands, uncovered a crucifix with a dark figure of Christ, to which they gave the name Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas. Three times the crucifix was taken in procession to the neighboring village and three times it disappeared, only to be found again back in the hillside cave. Deciding that “Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas” wanted to stay in Chimayo, the people built a small chapel on the site of the discovery, which became famous for its healing powers all over Quatemala, as well as Honduras, and El Salvador, and Chiapas (which today is in Mexico).
-The Guatemalan veneration of Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas or El Cristo Negro (the Black Christ) with miraculous healing powers, became famous throughout the entire Spanish colonial territories. Similar statues showing Christ carrying the cross, carved of the same dark Balsam wood, were shipped to the Philippines (now housed in Quuiapo, Manila), and Macao.

-The current Santuario in Chimaya, Guatemala, was rebuilt in 1816 by donations from a private family. In 1929 it was re-purchased by the devout citizens of Chimayo, and turned over to the Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The healings in Chimayo were attributed not only to the figure of the Dark Christ on the crucifix, but also to the white clay like sand, which was ‘eaten, dissolved in water and drunk, or made into a paste and smeared on the afflicted part of the body.” Those who attend the annual festival in other parts of the Americas (such as in the Immaculate Conception Church, Los Angeles, pictured here) on January 15th each year, wipe the wounds of Christ in the crucifix with pieces of white cotton, considered to be healing.
-The Guatemalan devotion to Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas and its healing soil derives, (as does Our Lady of Guadalupe), from a Native American Indian legend; the Santuario was in fact a prediction of the coming healing presence of “Nuestro Senor Milagroso (Negro).” The sand pit is the dried remains of what was originally a hot springs with healing powers. The town of Esquipulas in the Chiquimula district, is one of the most significant in Central America, second only in importance to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe outside Mexico City.

- Esquipulas is also the seat of the Central American Parliament and, given its location just a short distance from the borders with Honduras and El Salvador, it has also been the place where several important peace agreements have been signed. The villages, forests and mountains of Mataquescuintla are home to the Pocomam Indians who produce famously colorful textiles and ceramics.

The Black Christ, in Chimaya Church, Esquipulas, Guatemala, is carved from dark balsam wood. The color “Black” (dark skinned) points to the strong native elements that influenced early Colonial Christianity throughout Meso- and Central America. In 1737 when the Archbishop of Guatemala visited and went away healed of a chronic sickness, the shrine and the devotion to the “Black Christ” was given official Church approval, (as was the shrine to the Black Christ in Quiapo, Manila whose festival is celebrated each year, on Jan. 9). While pilgrims journey to both shrines throughout the year, there are two periods when their numbers multiply greatly. One is for a week up to and culminating on January 15, the other is the week of Easter. During these times, upwards of a hundred thousand pilgrims descend upon the normally quiet mountain valley to adore the Black Christ. Great markets spring up, the hotels are over-filled, and people sleep in the church courtyard and along the city streets. These festivals are said to be the finest displays of native dress in all of the Central Americas.

Daoist Contemplation 道教修行观想法. Lesson #1

Traditional Daoist contemplation, and Daoist ritual are closely related systems.
道教观想和科仪法 有密切的关系; they are taught together by the Daoist master.
Before learning to meditate, or perform 科仪 keyi rites of renewal, however, the Daoist master insists that the disciple first learn and practice Ch. 67 of the Laozi: “Compassion, frugal simplicity, never put self above others;” – that is, never think or say bad things about anyone; live a life of quiet simplicity; never “put down” others, condemn or criticize, or think or say negative things about anyone. Until the disciple is filled with positive good thoughts about others, and has learned to practice Chapter 4 of Zhuangzi “Heart fasting, sitting in forgetfulness” 心齋坐忘, learning Daoist meditation or contemplation is not allowed, by strict Daoist jie 戒 regulation.

Return to the Origin, find one’s roots 回源反根 is the goal of Daoist meditation.
Ch. 42 of Laozi, “Dao gave birth to the One; One gave birth to 2; 2 gave birth to 3; 3 gave birth to the myriad things” 道生一，一生二，二生三，三生万物 （自然）
“Dao” means the Transcendent, Wuwei dao 道＝无为之道
1 = the moving Dao, Taiji, primordial breath; 有为之道，太極，元氣，炁，意
2 = yang, 陽 i.e., the male, action oriented, desires of the human heart 心，志，神
3= yin 陰，女，生之元，智, yin, woman, birthing, wisdom 精, (in the belly). Yin
(精), ie, the “3”, gives birth to all of nature, and restores energy to 1 (炁) & 2 (神)

1 = heaven, the head thinking and judging; 2= earth, the heart desiring and willing;
3= the belly, lower cinnabar field 下丹田 alchemical furnace, refining 1 and 2 into wisdom,
精 i.e., the ability to be always aware of Wuwei Dao’s gestating “now” presence.
Daoist contemplation brings all of the mind’s images and desires (“the past”), and all of the heart’s selfish desires (“the future”), into the belly, and refines them into a “now only” awareness of Transcendent Wuwei Dao. The mind uses up “Qi” by thinking negative thoughts and judging; the heart uses up “shen” spirit by selfish desires instead of loving and healing others; when shen and qi are exhausted, death occurs; with belly’s refined jing 精wisdom, longevity is achieved, living to a ripe old age (120 years) is possible, and health is restored.

Dao births the 4 seasons: spring 春／元, summer 夏／亨, autumn 秋／利, winter 冬／貞. The four Yijing (I-ching 易經) mantic words used here, ie, yuan, heng, li, zhen 元亨利貞 have deep spiritual meaning! Yuan means primordial purification; heng means nesting and nourishing sacred images; li means cutting away all images and desires, after which the Dao writes on the heart-mind with a fiery brush zhen 貞, like a heated iron used to draw on an oracle shell 卜＋貝.

Lesson two shows how Dao births the 5 elements, 6 tones, 7 stars, 8 trigrams, etc.
(lesson 2 will be taken from the qingwei mijue ben 清微祕訣本說明.

Daoist Masters in China – Oral and Written Traditions

1) – Finding a Daoist Master 清道教師傅修養科儀法
Daoism as it is practiced and taught in China is like a multi-faceted “jewel,” containing multiple schools, religious orders, and spiritual teachings. Daoist teachers, male as well as women masters, classify themselves as follows:
- “recluse” (yinshi 隱居) , who practice monastic or mountain recluse celibacy,
- “fire dwelling” 火居, who live by the fireside, marry, and pass on the Daoist legacy to their children and disciples
Monastic Daoists belong to the Quan Zhen 全真 school with two major orders, the “Longmen” 龍門 Dragon Gate – celibate monks and nuns who live in monasteries, and Qingjing 清靜 women religious who follow the teachings of Sun Bu-er (a married woman who in her mature years founded a spiritual way for women).
Fire Dwelling Daoists belong to five major orders, and many minor or local systems; the 5 major orders are listed in Daoist “Mijue” manuals as follows: Shang Qing, Zhengyi Mengwei, Lingbao, Beidou, Qingwei, and Shenxiao 上清，正一盟威，靈寶，北斗，清微，神霄；Daoists who belong to one or more of these orders receive at the time of their “ordination,” or empowerment as Daoists, a Lu 籙 “register,” of spirits’ images, names, mantric seed words and mudra hand symbols specific to each school, to summon and command spirits during ritual and contemplation. They also receive a 40 character poem identifying their order, the generation of their master’s ordination, as well as their own entry into a specific order. Daoist masters are not allowed to reveal the content of the poem, or the register, to scholars, and with few exceptions, strictly follow this rule or jie 戒 which they must vow to observe at the time of ordination.
There are in all more than 85 lesser orders, 83 of which are listed, with their identity poems, in the White Cloud Monastery gazetteer 白雲觀志 of Beijing. The Lü Shan order, 閭山派, one of the most popular and widespread forms of popular Daoists in southeast China, though not included in the White Cloud Monastery’s Gazeteer, is listed in one of the Daoist Master’s privately preserved manuals, commonly known as the Daojiao Yuanliu 道教源流本 . Other heterodox sects, such as those who call themselves “Mao Shan daoists,” from HK, and more recently Honolulu, Hawai’i, have no historical or spiritual relationship to the registers or meditations of “Highest Pure” Daoism, of Mao Shan, (near Nanjing in Jiangsu).
Five major “fire-dwelling” orders are listed in the Daojiao Yuanliu, as follows:
1. Yüjing 玉景，（茅山上清派）Daoists with Highest Pure Mao Shan registers, who practice Jiao rites of renewal, Zhai rites of burial, and Yellow Court 黃庭經 meditation
2. Tianshu 天樞 Daoists, a coded name for Qingwei Thunder-Vajra 清微雷法 registers;
3. Beidou 北斗 Daoists, with Pole Star registers shared with Tantric Buddhism;*
4. Yufu 玉府 Daoists with Lingbao and Mengwei registers, who counter and rectify the often harmful magic used by Shenxiao Daoists;
5. Shenxiao 神霄 Daoists, heterodox texts from the mid Song dynasty, “rectified” and brought into the orthodox fold by Bai Yuchan, a Song-Yuan dynasty master.**

Three of the oldest, most prestigious Daoist mountains, Longhu Shan, Gezao Shan, and Mao Shan, preserve and transmit the original registers of Zhengyi, Lingbao, and Shangqing Daoism, respectively. Their meditation manual, known by the title “Sanshan Jilu Yuanke”
三山給籙元科 (Three Mountain, Original Ritual for Transmitting Daoist Registers) is still in use at Longhu Shan and Mao Shan today. Copies of the Daojiao Yuanliu, and Ji lu Yuan ke are in press, and in the process of being restored to the other great mountain monasteries of China, during the spring of 2012.

Both the Ji Lu Yuan Ke ordination manual, as well as the Daojio Yuanliu Daoist Master’s textbook, list nine grades of perfection for each of the five major orders. The highest Grade One ordination is based on knowledge of the Shang Qing Yellow Court Canon. Grade Two is awarded to those who have mastered the Qingwei Thunder-Vavjra method. Grade Three indicates knowledge of the Pole Star Rites, with mudra and mantra shared with Tantric Buddhist masters. Grade 4 and 5 are reserved for those masters who know the Zhengyi Mengwei registers. All Daoists from Grade One through Grade 5 add the words Xian Qing 仙卿 to their titles, when signing document addressed to the world of spirits.

Daoists of the lower ranks, from Grade 6 through Grade 9, must use the lesser title Xian Guan 仙官 to sign ritual documents, for performing Daoist ritual. Grade 6 indicates knowledge of the Ling Bao Sanwu Dugong”靈寶三五都攻 level of Daoist training (the much studied Daoist Chen family of Tainan bears this title). The Du Jiang chief cantor is Grade 7, the Fujiang assistant cantor is Grade 8, and the acolytes, incense bearers, and procession leaders are given grade 9 recognition. The discrimen between the lower xian guan grades 6-9, and the higher xian qing grade 5 and above, the Ji Lu Yuan Ke manual indicates (p 33b) is “purity in mind and body,” ie, those who practice or advocate fangzhong (“sexual hygiene”) are not allowed to learn about the higher Daoist orders. (Daoists and scholars included). However, when a true Daoist Master is asked, by a scholar or would be student what his/her title and grade of ordination is, he or she will always, invariably respond with the words “I am only a lowly Grade Six Daoist.” This is the sign of a true Daoist master, to become a disciple of such a person is indeed a great honor.

Michael Saso 1-5-2012 posted from HNL Hawai’i

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pronounced in Nahuatl (the native language of pre-Hispanic Mexico city) “Tonantzin Guadalupe,” is the most famous sacred image of the Virgin Mary in the Americas. Under this title, she is officially called “Patroness of the Americas,” and “Protectress of Unborn children.”
Tradition says that she appeared on December 9, 1531, to Juan Diego, a recently converted Aztec native, on a hill in the Tepeyac desert, near Mexico City. The lady asked Juan Diego to tell the Bishop to build a church in her honor, right where they were standing. The local Bishop Juan de Zumarraga asked for proof that she was indeed the Virgin Mary.
So Juan Diego went back to see the lady again, telling her that the bishop wanted proof. She told Juan Diego to go to a nearby mountaintop, and pick Castillian roses, which were native to Bishop Juan de Zumarraga’s hometown in Spain, and did not bloom during winter. Juan Diego cut the roses, placed them in his cloak, and brought them to the bishop, who ordered that the Church be built. The present day image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pregnant with baby Jesus, appeared on cloak of Juan Diego. Today it is still displayed in the Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.
The Virgin of Guadalupe’s festival is one of the most popular in North and Central America. Attached are unobtrusive jpg photos taken this morning, 4 – 5 AM, at the Immaculate Conception parish of downtown Los Angeles. A Mariaci band introduced the traditional Azteca dancers, who then entered the church, to the beating of drums, and performed a most moving and devout sacred dance in Our Lady of Guadalupe’s honor. The photos are blurred, due to my desire to remain unobtrusive. The effect on the congregation, who filled the Church to “standing room only,” was electrifying. After Mass and communion, on a Monday morning in LA, the majority of the parishioners left in time for early morning work.
Mothers, fathers, children, entire families, brought flowers to place in front of the shrine.
It was deeply moving.

“Heaven Sent Garden” Tian shou an (Tenju An) 天授庵

It is always a great joy to visit Kyoto city, a relic and reminder of the beauty of Tang Dynasty Luoyang, the Eastern Capital of medieval China.

My visit was especially poignant this time, because four wonderful adult students from Macau-Aumen came as well, to enjoy the wonders of Kyoto in Autumn. Autumn maple leaves, the best of Asia’s “Sacred Art” (preserved in museums), and “the world’s most beautiful Starbucks” moved my visitors (Queenie, Billy, Ruby, and Carol) to tears.

“The world’s most beautiful Starbucks” is something of an over-statement. What is really meant is a view from the window inside of Starbucks, as one sips espresso and gazes outward at the 8th century “Rokkaku-do” Six Sided temple dedicated to Guanyin (Kannon, Avalokitesvara) and the myriad statues of Ksitigharbha that grace its gardens.

More and more Chinese visitors are coming each season, to see the wonders of China’s past, preserved in Kyoto. It is as if to say that China self-destructs every 300 years, to begin a new dynasty, from 5000 BC until today. And Kyoto preserves the best of China’s perennial art, as a sacred testimony to the cultural and spiritual center that China represents for all Asia.

Every shrine and every garden in Kyoto has a special message, for all visitors. Our website readers are invited to see pictures from one of the myriad temples, a very special one indeed, called “Heaven’s Gift Garden-temple.”

It’s story is as follows: in 1267 a retired emperor named Kameyama (“Spirit Mountain”) built a beautiful temple garden, in what is now one of Kyoto’s most beautiful Zen temples, “Nanzenji” 南禪寺。But no sooner was the temple garden and meditation room built, than a horrible demon appeared to the emperor, trying to frighten him, and all other guests, away.

The emperor asked for help from the famous, prayerful abbot of the Tofukuji Zen temple, Daiminkokushi. 東富寺，大民國師和尚。The holy abbot came over to the temple garden and meditated for a whole day in the meditation room connected to the garden. The demon never dared appear again. So the temple and garden were named “Heaven’s Gift Garden-temple.”
(天授庵，“Ten Ju An” literally “heaven given garden temple”). Ten Ju An is, until today, one of the most beautiful parts of the Nanzenji temple grounds. Visitors flock here daily, especially during maple leaves in autumn and cherry blossoms in spring. It is just to the right of the Nanzenji temple entrance. I hope to invite pilgrims to go there again in spring, to see cherry blossoms and meditate in the gardens.

Michael Saso Dec. 2011 from “l’ hermitage” de Los Angeles