Yun Lin
Temple
2959 Russell St., Berkeley
CA 94705 U.S.A.
Tel: (510) 841-2347
Fax: (510) 548-2621
EMail: Yun Lin Temple |
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According to His
Holiness Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun, the supreme leader of Black
Sect Tantric Buddhism at its present fourth stage, the historical
development of this tradition can be divided into four succeeding stages:
The First Stage: Black Sect Tantric Buddhism has a long-standing
history. It originated from the indigenous Bon religion, also known as
Black Sect, before the introduction of Indian Buddhism. This primitive Bon
religion represents the first stage of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism. Today
there are still believers of the Bon Religion in remote regions of Tibet.
The Second Stage: After its introduction into Tibet from India,
Buddhism quickly flourished and became the dominant religion. Through time
Tibetan Tantric Buddhism was evolved into five different traditions:
Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug, and Bon. The Bon religion of this second
stage is the convergence of first stage Bon with Buddhism. This stage is
represented by the Menri Bonpo Monastery, located in the Solan region of
northern India. The 33rd Abbot of Menri Bonpo Monastery, His Holiness
Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche, is the supreme leader of Bon religion (the
first and second stages of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism). The Bonpo Menri
Monastery has a representatives in the religion department of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama's exile government, representing the Bon religion as one of
the five traditions. The Bonpo Menri Monastery also has branch monasteries
in Tibet, Sikim, and Nepal.
The Third Stage: As the various traditions of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism
spread into China, Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug still retained its
religious purity by maintaining its Tantric Buddhist essence. From the
perspective of comparative religions, these four traditions are considered
to be pure Tantric Buddhism. From the perspective of comparative cultures,
these four traditions encompass the cultural inputs of India and Tibet.
Only the Black Sect absorbed traditional Chinese philosophies and
ideologies, as well as its folkloric culture, such as Taoism,
Confucianism, Ying-Yang philosophy, Eclecticism, I-Ching, feng shui,
holistic healing, divination, folklore and Exoteric Buddhism. These were
all amalgamated into the basis for the formation and development of the
third stage of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism. Therefore, from the
perspective of comparative religions, Black Sect Tantric Buddhism in China
is not purely Tantric Buddhism. From the perspective of comparative
cultures, Black Sect Tantric Buddhism encompasses the cultural inputs of
India, Tibet, and China.
The Fourth Stage: In the past three decades, Professor Lin Yun has
successfully introduced Black Sect Tantric Buddhism to the West. By
incorporating modern western knowledge of medicine, physiology,
psychology, architecture, ecology, the study of colors, social sciences,
along with theories established by Professor Lin-Yun himself, such as the
Theory of Ch'i, the Theory of Ling Particles, and the Theory of
Multi-Causes of Karmic Generation, etc., Professor Lin-Yun has been able
to clarify and expand the ancient Buddhist teachings, Chinese
philosophies, and folkloric cultures to the West. This is the current
fourth stage of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism. |
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Professor Lin-Yun is a native of
Taichung, Taiwan. His intention was to establish the first Black Sect
Tantric Buddhist temple in his native Taiwan. However, since he has taught
for many years in the United States, he received the support of many
disciples living there. That in addition to the maturing of other karma,
in 1986 Professor Lin-Yun founded the Yun Lin Temple in the well respected
academic city of Berkeley, California. This is the first Black Sect
Tantric Buddhist temple at its fourth stage set up in the West. In 1993,
the Cultural Center of the Yun Lin Temple was also set up in Berkeley. In
1994, the second temple – Lin Yun Monastery was established in Long
Island, New York, and it moved into its eight-acre current site in 1996.
In the meantime, the worldwide establishments of numerous sanctuary
shrines known as Yun Shi Jing She were also set up. The fourth stage of
Black Sect Tantric Buddhism seeks to modernize the ancient Buddhist
religion by reforming through contemporary concepts in order to interpret
doctrines of the past. It does not promote the strict adherence to
disciplines of a ritualistic, reclusive, monastic life-style. Instead, it
emphasizes the convergence of Buddhist spiritual principles with the
realities of everyday life. Therefore, Professor Lin-Yun does not
encourage, nor does he oppose leaving the mundane life to become monks and
nuns, because he believes that leaving the mundane life is only one of the
ways to spiritual attainment, but certainly not the only way. Professor
Lin-Yun encourages the disciples of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism to
diligently pursue their professional careers in the mundane world and
contribute to the well-being of society. In their spare time, disciples
should pursue religious beliefs, foster spiritual lives through meditation
and self-cultivation, assist the needy with loving hearts, avoid negative
and sinful conducts, and help others in acts of compassion.
The Yun Lin Temple sponsors a variety of activities which include regular
classes taught by Professor Lin Yun on topics ranging from Ch'i, I-Ching,
Feng Shui, Tang Dynasty Poetry, Calligraphy, Holistic Healing, Folkloric
Cultures and various meditation methods. Yun Lin Temple also sponsors
teachings and initiations given by high lamas and Buddhist masters, as
well as lectures given by scholars and professionals. The Temple also
serves as the site for matrimonial ceremonies and birthday celebrations.
In addition, the Temple regularly publishes a subscription newsletter.
Black Sect Tantric Buddhism and its followers have always regarded other
religious faiths with both an open mind and the utmost respect. Thus,
friends of all religious faiths are always welcome to participate in the
activities of the Yun Lin Temple, Lin Yun Monastery, and the Yun Shi Jing
She shrines all over the world. |
