Realizing a Dharma Text



		Manjushri, embodiment of Transcendent Wisdom.


		Manjushri's Symbol

TEXTOS REALIZING A DHARMA TEXT

REALIZING A DHARMA TEXT

There are various ways to learn, depending on the desired goal:

Entrertainment. For example a book on a hobby such as ceramics, drawing, butterfly collecting, whatever. It is read more or less fast, probably from cover to cover in a short time, no interest in deepening much, mostly pass time and be entertained, with the mind busy with simple,interesting subjects. It is more a csual reading than a learning procss.

Information. We select what to stuyd according to the subject of interest, we read somewhat more slowly, something is understood and memorized, but just in an intellectual level.

Formation. The teaching is read, or recordings listened to, several times, section by section. We make an effort to understand and remember it. A sense dawns of what we might define as internalization of the teaching. This method is similar to preparing for an examination or acquiring a professional capacity. In this case, a “hands on” experiential activity is usually part of the process.

Awakening. Here the process becomes more complicated as several new and challenging situations appear:

I do not have previous experience in this field of knowledge. Indeed, I was never taught how to truly contact it. “The material does not seem all that different from other subjects I have learned,” I may think, but now I am cautioned that this case is different.
The subject matter seems complicated, at odds with everyday conventions and experience. And for our ordinary mind it certainly is all that. That mind ignores almost everything of what is being taught. No wonder it initially appears difficult to understand!
I am told that we are looking for an understanding beyond intellect and words. Also that the mere accumulation of information is not useful, and neither is rote memorization.
I am told that the correct way of realizing a teaching, and not just obtain a varnish, is through a threefold process: listening, contemplating, meditating. But I understand little of this and believe less, so I prefer to hold to the habitual, time-honoured system of learning. Fast, as fast as possible, casting about for a seemingly fool-proof “how to” recipe and a new "technique" in a few easy"steps".

We believe that:
If you are reading this page, chances are you are interested in the option of studying and learning to waken up. If that were the case, we offer you a document specifically prepared for just that: learn how to study a text that will guide you in the spiritual path.

This way of studying is TOTALLY DIFFERENT from the methods you were taught in grade school, college, universiy.

You can dowload the text "Realizing a Dharma Teaching" here. Good learning and realizing!

Below, a traditional invocation that gives a few clues on the capacities of Manjushri (Skt: Manjushri, Tib: Wylie transliteration 'jam pal dbyangs', Tib. phonetic Jampel Djang), embodiment of non-conceptual, unconditioned, transcendent Wisdom. This Wisdom is what we aspire to develop using, among many others, the methods described in the above mentioned document.

I bow to Manjushri, embodiment of Wisdom,
My teacher and protector
In his heart, a dharma text, his perception of phenomena as they are
In his right hand a flaming sword that completely cuts away the roots of ignorance

His intelligence shines like the sun
It is not affected by hallucinations or shadows of ignorance.
With the loving compassion of a father for his only son,
He teaches in sixty different forms
To all beings, prisoners in samsara's jail,
Blind in the darkness of their ignorance,
Immersed in unceasing suffering.

Manjushri, let the radiation of your transcendent wisdom
Clarify the darkness that clouds my mind.
Illuminate my intelligence and my wisdom
So that I be able to understand the words of Buddha and its commentaries.