Special Topics
What are the Effects and Benefits of Reading Sutras?
Reading sutras is one of the methods to acquaint oneself with Buddha's teachings. What is the effect of reading sutras, and how would it benefit us? According to Master Sheng Yen, the benefits of reading sutras include: illuminating the mind, comprehending the teachings, cultivating concentration, propagating the Dharma, protecting the Dharma, delivering the deceased, and praying for blessings. Reading sutras is not only a way to improve oneself, but also a means for Buddhist educat...
How Do We Encounter the Buddha through Studying the Sutras?
Some people have had the unforgettable experience of being lifted spiritually by a sentence in a Buddhist sutra when they were going through a low point in their life. Some have found new direction and refuge in life when they were lost, through the ultimate truths found in the sutras. Still others have been touched by the beauty of sutra textand thus entered the vast treasure trove of Buddhadharma. In each of these instances, although the encounter with the Buddha through the sutras was prob...
Common Ways to Study and Practice Sutras
Receive and Uphold, Read and Recite Receive and Uphold (受持) means that we accept the concepts and views of Buddhadharma, never forgetting the teachings of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas once we hear them. Uphold (持, Chih) means "remember and never forget." For example, upholding the precepts means to behave in accordance with the precepts after taking refuge in the Three Jewels and receiving the Five Precepts. In Buddhist scriptures, "read" means to read silently to one...
Why Is Death Referred to as Rebirth in Buddhism?
In Buddhism, death is called "going for rebirth", which implies that there is something beyond death-- that, indeed, death is not followed by nothing. Where can one be reborn to? Buddhists often wish to be reborn in the Pure Land of the Buddha. Or, instead of being reborn to one of the other-worldly pure lands, one can vow to be reborn back to the human world, to continue carrying out the Bodhisattva path. Therefore, a Buddhist shall not fear death, but, rather, face it with joy. Su...
Does End-of-Life Chanting Work?
Most people do not entertain the idea of engaging themselves in actual practice, let alone being masters of their mind when dying. Therefore, while on the verge of death, end-of-life chanting would be helpful. The purpose of end-of-life chanting is to deliver the dying person to Amitabha's Pure Land, by combining the merits of chanting together with the power of Amitabha Buddha's compassionate vows. Even if, according to his accumulated karma, the dying person is about to fall into re...
Do Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Always Answer Our Prayers?
If sentient beings pray, the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas will respond accordingly. Prayers have the power to induce sympathetic resonance with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas always care for all sentient beings with the power of blessing arising from their compassionate vows. However, if one does not develop inner strengths-- that is, if one lacks practice, accumulation of merits and wisdom, or true faith--- then even the omnipresent power of the Buddhas and the Bodhisattv...
Why Prostrating Ourselves to the Buddha?
Many people visit and pray in temples with their families whenever there are festivals. In most traditional temples or shrines of folk religions, people prepare and present bouquets and tributes, and burn incenses to pray for blessings. In Buddhist temples, however, it is ok not to prepare gift offerings. We simply prostrate ourselves to the Buddha with utmost respect. People may be curious about what makes the difference. Prostration to the Buddha is both an act of respect and a m...
Prostration as an Approach of Buddhist Practice
Prostrating to the Buddha is not merely a ritual. Those who have never learned the rationale behind the proper way of worshipping the Buddha usually consider it the same as worshipping deities and it is alright to just bow with joined palms. In addition, they consider prostration an external form of worship, which is not important, and are of the opinion that they are protected from harm as long as they are sincere. However, having a smooth journey in life is not the pur...
Does Taking Refuge in Buddhism Mean Being A Monastic?
Many people mistakenly think that taking refuge in Buddhism entails becoming a monastic. In fact, these are two different matters. When some celebrity takes refuge in Buddhism, it is quite often wrongfully reported in the media that he or she becomes a monastic, which is evidently incorrect. Aspiring to be a Buddhist Taking refuge in Buddhism refers to returning to the Three Jewels and relying on their guidance and help for practice. One becomes a Buddhist officially...
Why Do Buddhists Need Buddha Statues?
The origin of Buddha statues can be traced back to the time of the Gautama Buddha. It was said that the Buddha once ascended to the Trayastrimsa heaven to teach the Dharma to his mother, Mayadevi, and was absent from the earthly world for three months. As the Buddha and his teachings were missed by his disciples, King Udayana employed sculptors to construct a five-foot-high statue of the Buddha from Candana wood. Upon completion, King Udayana paid respect to this statue every day, akin to p...