Dharma Wheel

Will wrote:The latest from Bhikshu Dharmamitra:

As for rumors of my demise, they're still somewhat premature. They finally let me out of the hospital again Thursday... Still feel like merde, principally because I've got some mystery infection they still haven't figured out, even after dozens of tests and exotic diagnostic procedures.

Still aspiring to pull off some phoenix act, get out a few dozen more translations, and maybe even start giving Dharma talks again, this with the intention of clarifying numerous misperceptions western Buddhists cherish about the Path. So, even as horribly painful as this whole process has been (and continues to be), I'm not giving up, period.

Though still plenty messed up, I'm feeling much, much better, being able, taking it slow, and with the aid of a cane, to take quite long walks even several times per day and the supposed "infection"... seems to be a mere matter of night sweats and middling fevers, known initial side effects from a couple of the 3 immuno-suppressant meds I'm taking on top of about 25 other temporary subsidiary meds.

Re your update question, not good, not bad: They keep pulling me back to hospital, 3x inpatient, for drains, biopsies, etc. Never a dull moment, but I try to just surf on it. Recovery seems to be a long rocky road repeatedly blocked by karmic obstacles. Oh, well...

BuddhaSoup wrote:I'm curious as to how Ven. Bhikshu Dharmamitra is doing these days, post liver transplant. Very hopeful that he is well and happy. I have been reading excerpts from his excellent "The Essentials of Buddhist Meditation By Shramana Zhiyi (Chih-i)" and have been enjoying the insights the Venerable presents in his translation of this (IMO) important text.

I tried to google his name for an update, with no luck. Does anyone have any feedback on how is his health, and how he is doing generally? Thanks in advance.

Huifeng wrote: He's doing pretty well, all things considering. Thus, back to his old full time translation schedule. His latest batch of translations are now with the semiofficial proof reading team, to send in feedback before revision and then on to print.

The path of the Buddhas, the lords among the Āryas,
is subtle, sublime, extremely difficult to comprehend,
and not such as can be realized through thought’s calculations,
As such, it is a region coursed in only by the wise.
Its essential nature, from its origins on forth to the present,
is quiescently still and devoid of any production or extinction.
From its origins on forth to the present, it is that emptiness
wherein all sufferings and torments are utterly extinguished.
It departs distantly beyond all of the destinies of rebirth
and is characterized by its identity with nirvāṇa itself.
In it, there is no middle and no end.
It is not such as can be described through words and phrases.
It transcends the three periods of time
and, in character, is comparable to empty space.
This region wherein the Buddhas course
is that of purity and profoundly quiescent cessation.
This is such as verbal descriptions find difficult to approach.
So too it is with the practices coursed in on the grounds.
If even describing them remains such a difficulty,
how much the more so would it be to reveal them to others.
The wisdom of the Buddhas
abandons the pathways accessible to the mental factors,
cannot be conceived of by thought or described in words, and
is not a place wherein aggregates, sense realms, or sense bases exist.
One can only come to know it through wisdom
as it is not such as can be reached as an object of the consciousnesses.
It is as difficult to describe as tracks of travel through the air.
How then could one succeed in revealing any characteristic marks?
The meanings associated with the ten grounds are just like this.
They are not such as a mind not boundlessly vast can ever know.
Although these matters are inherently difficult,
one brings forth vows, coursing thence in kindness and compassion.
One’s gradual fulfillment of practice on the ten grounds
is not such as one might arrive at through thought.
This sort of practice on the grounds
is subtle, sublime, and especially difficult to perceive.
One cannot know them through thought
and must take on the powers of the Buddhas to describe them.
You should all now attend to this with that reverence
wherein everyone joins together in listening single-mindedly.

If one fails to personally course in goodness himself, and yet nonetheless expects that he might cause others to dwell in goodness simply by explaining such dharmas for their sakes, this would be a complete impossibility.

Will wrote:

To all whom it may concern:

Thought I'd go ahead and pen myself what I hope will be the final installment of the Dharmamitra / Heng Shou updates heretofore so graciously authored by my dear sister.

I was for the first time able only yesterday (6/20) [2010] to get up and walk around in monks robes. By coincidence, this day happened to correspond to the 15th memorial ceremony commemorating and celebrating the marvelous bodhisattvic life of my dear late guru, the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua.

Many thanks to all those many people who supported my rescue from a deep chasm of black karma and supported my recovery in so many ways. I am so deeply grateful for all your efforts on my behalf.

Should still take another 6 months to recover completely, but as it stands now, all signs point to the likelihood of genuinely restored health and the ability to continue my life's work of translating sacred Buddhist texts.

With best wishes for the happiness of all, I am ever your friend in Dharma,
Bhikshu Dharmamitra / a.k.a Heng Shou

Will wrote: It has been four years now and that liver is acting up. He will get it thoroughly checked out in June.

So kindly call upon your healing, restorative thoughts and powers for Ven. Bhikshu Dharmamitra!

May he serve the Triple Jewel for many years longer!

Will wrote:On behalf of Dharmamitra, he is always grateful for kind, healing thoughts & wishes from all.

Please continue them, for another bothersome karmic illness event is transpiring now.