dharmatalks

Today marks the observance of the Festival of Miracles – one of the four major holidays in the Buddhist tradition. Known in Tibetan as Chotrul Düchen, it occurs on the full moon of the first month in the Tibetan calendar.

In the Tibetan tradition, we view the first fifteen days of the year as days on which, in order to disprove the heretical teachings of teachers who opposed him, Buddha Sakyamuni performed great miracles. These were not done for the sake of showing-off or simply proving that he was a greater teacher, but instead to ensure that students knew that what he was teaching was indeed true. The tradition of observing these fifteen days of miracles are said to increase the merit and devotion to the Dharma practice of future disciples.

The Buddha defeated the heretical teachers and introduced all in the audience to the path of Dharma. We observe the commemoration of these great acts in the great prayer festival of Monlam Chenmo.

It is taught that the merit of any activity done on this day is multiplied ten million times, so the community is encouraged to participate in the virtue of keeping the Five Precepts of Mindfulness for 24 hours, and to consider making extra efforts to serve those in need, take care of the poor or sick, and to be kind to all beings today. It is considered an auspicious time to show one’s support to one’s teachers, care for one’s elders, and to pay special attention to show compassion toward animals and insects on this day.

In sacred legends, narratives and mythos we often hear of miraculous events or deeds, and can sometimes get caught up in this idea of miracles. Many times, I am astounded and saddened by teachers who point to alleged miracles as signs of the purity of their teaching or lineage. This is neither helpful nor very faithful to the Dharma itself. Buddha denounced this kind of behaviour as the act of charlatans. At best, it is the engagement in and attachment to superstition and phenomena and will often lead to suffering.

“The miracle is not to walk on water,” Master Thich Nhat Hanh points out, “The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.”

Rather than allow ourselves to get caught up in these mythical tales of miracles and incredible feats, we can begin to exercise greater awareness of the miracles that unfold in the present moment, where we see forms and formlessness interwoven in a great cosmic dance that arises from the cloud of causes and conditions… only to dissolve back into emptiness.

And so it is that our community celebrates the miracle of Love… recognising that this spiritual dialogue, like any true quest, must begin within oneself… where the miracle of our Unrealised Potential awaits discovery.

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa –
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.