Shakyamuni Buddha Statue in Namdroling Monastery (image from Flickr)

15th Day, Fourth Month, 2136 (7 June, 2009): Today is the Anniversary of three miraculous events: the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Buddha of this aeon.

This day is so sacred that the result of any good deed or religious practice multiplies ten million times in effect. This also applies to negative actions.

Skillful ways we can accumulate merit include:

Outer (Actions):
– Do not eat meat
– Feed and save the lives of animals
– Do not speak lies
– Do not steal
– Do not indulge in any intoxicants

Inner (Thoughts):
– Put aside angry thoughts; practice patience
– Put aside jealous thoughts; practice joy
– Put aside thoughts of hatred; practice love

As the Buddha taught: “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.”

Prayer (Sacred/Secret):
– Join practice at your local center
– Recite the Mantra of the Buddha: Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha
– Carry through any practice you have been given by your religious guide

The image above was photographed in the shrine in Orgyen Dungag Shedrub Osel Dargye Ling Temple, the “Golden Temple,” located in Namdroling Monastery, Bylakuppe, South India.

Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka of 180-feet is unfurled over the high school dorm in Namdroling Monastery