Illuminate your mind !
-
Silent Illumination is a sets of meditation and afterthoughts sharing
in the school of Chan
especially with Lingji and Soto Zen
the purpose is through long period of meditation ,sees one unperturbed nature of mind
and tap the serenity of mind to sees the messy and intertwining of daily activities.
take for example ,
one gets up from bed ,start hunting for his/her towel and toothbrush when he/she should place it at the proper place before bedtime
that is misalignment from the previous morning
thru daily activities , we distinguished the "I" in our daily lives is ever changing and have no permanent nature
and gain deeper wisdom into the deep serene nature of mind resting in the
inner heart -
The modern problem of extreme environmental destruction was not a concern in Dogen Zenji's time. On the contrary,people realized their debt to the natural environment and lived in harmony with that environment. The Buddhism of Dogen Zenji was preached in such conditions. We can easily imagine that Dogen Zenji felt close kinship with and affection for the mountains and rivers of his environment.
The grass, trees and the forest are also transient. Thus they are no other than Buddha-nature. People and things, body and mind are transient. Thus they are Buddha-nature. The land, mountains and rivers are transient. Therefore they areBuddha-nature.
[Shobogenzo, "Buddha-Nature" (Bussho)]
Dogen is treating the question of Buddha-nature here. He discovers Buddha-nature in the grass, trees, groves and forests as well as the land, mountains and rivers. He says that the plants, mountains and rivers are impermanent. He moreover states that this very impermanence signifies Buddha-nature, and he recognizes its great value.
Transience (mujo) is a fundamental tenet of Buddhism, an important matter thatcannot be omitted in any discussion of Buddhism. It is the starting point of Buddhism, and no one can rightly be called a Buddhist if he or she does not feelthis aspect of its teaching. Dogen Zenji continues:
http://www.sotozen-net.or.jp/kokusai/soroku01.htm -
First of all I would like to explain what I mean by actuality. In a way the fact that we are gathered here to celebrate Dogen, having come from distant countries and cultures, is in itself proof of DogenÂ’s actuality. However, this is not the actuality I am talking about.
Dogen's thought here and now neither implies trying to make what was actual 800 years ago relevant today, nor trying to find similarities between the past and present situations (the so-called ebb and flow of history). What it means is to grasp the actuality which is always actual, at all times and over and beyond time. The here and now which was manifest for Dogen during the Kamakura era in Japan is manifest for us in Europe during the Third Millennium. We must not look for something in Dogen's thought which has remained relevant for us despite changes in time and circumstance, but rather, for what is enduringly actual regardless of changing circumstances and times. The actuality I am talking about is not influenced by the changing times but, because it is unconditioned by circumstance, it floats and flows with time.
I say this because some people do confuse the actuality of the present with passing trends. Today in Europe, Buddhism, and especially Zen, is much in vogue. The word «Zen» is used to give flavor to the most diverse and eccentric activities - massage, psychotherapy, martial arts, relaxation techniques - and is sometimes even used to promote commercial products. This type of actuality has nothing to do with Dogen's here and now and will disappear with the passing of the fashion. It saddens one to see people lend themselves to this type of easy success, but I don't think this should cause undue concern, as it is an actuality which is doomed to a quick death and will not leave any trace. The actuality of Dogen's thought, like every other authentically religious vision, has nothing to do with short-lived trends or criteria for success. It is the ever-present here and now which cannot be influenced by success or failure and has no need of other props to make it actual.
This does not mean to say that it is a disembodied here and now or separate from time and space. «Here» really means where I am now, and «now» really means in this concrete moment. However, since «here» is the place of every space and «now» is the moment of every moment or all time, there is no need to use artifice to bring about something which is enduringly actual thanks to its intrinsic nature. The problem is not one of making Dogen's thought of yesterday actual today, or making his thought of there actual here. It is not a question of making something actual which, with the passing of time, has lost its freshness and vivacity and become obsolete. Rather it is a matter of drawing on the inexhaustible and unchangeable vitality which is manifest always and everywhere, here and now. This is the meaning of «attaining Old Heart» (mokoshin), to use the expression chosen as the title of this celebration ; this is Dogen's thought here and now.
In the same way as there is no need to employ artifice to render actual that which is naturally so, neither is there any need to immobilize that which is enduringly actual simply because of change. To attain Old Heart does not mean to behave as in past times, to imitate past behavior without taking into account present conditions. For example, to grasp the enduringly actual sense of nourishing oneself, the Old Heart of the vital function of nourishment, does not mean eating in exactly the same manner as those who had originally grasped that essential spirit. That would just be religious folklore. To imitate the manner in which the ancients ate will not suffice to keep that enduringly vital Old Heart beating. We must allow that Old Heart to beat in our manner of eating here and now. We must not confuse life-giving respect with embalming rigidity.
http://www.sotozen-net.or.jp/kokusai/sympo2001/en/06.htm -
"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout our entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.
http://www.seaox.com/thich.html
vietnamese zen carries on the legacy of chan from the song dynasty and ming
which a another excellent blend of chan for the modern people -
What I mean by making good use of one's life is doing things that can benefit oneself and others. So if each physical lifetime is likened to a piece of clothing or a house that one has, then when one is in possession of the house, one makes good use of that house, and then while one is wearing a piece of clothing, one takes good care of it so it can perform its proper function."
-Chan Master Sheng Yen -
Promoting and Building a Pure Land on Earth
In China, for almost a century, people have had the impression that Buddhism is just a religion of ghosts and deities devoted to asking favors from gods, worshiping the Buddha, and praying for a better rebirth of the dead. Buddhism has been confused with folk religions and therefore criticized by intellectuals as a form of superstition. What¡¦s more, many Buddhists have made seeking an early rebirth in a Buddha-land elsewhere their sole goal in life, thus making the general public regard Buddhism as a passive, escapist religion.
For most of his life, Master Taixu (1889/1890-1947) promoted "humanistic Buddhism" and "engaged Buddhism." My teacher Master Dongchu inherited Master Taixu's goal in promoting engaged Buddhism, and started Humanity Magazine; Master Yin-shun also inherited Master Taixu's goal. I, too, inherited Master Taixu's goal. So I have been promoting the vision of a "pure land on earth," in the hope that people will practice Buddhist teaching in their daily life, and thus turn our world into a pure land.
I will now quote one of Master Dongchu's articles, "The Essence of Engaged Buddhism," to explain that concept:
1. Putting ethics into practice
According to The Sutra of Shingalaka's Homage to the Six Directions, ethics means taking responsibility for one's interactions with others. Those interactions include the relationship between parents and children, teachers and students, employers and employees, husband and wife, and friends. Each individual plays multiple roles in these interactions, and must be responsible for the roles they play.
2. Putting morals into practice
A Buddhist should keep the five precepts and uphold the ten virtues. The five precepts are: not to kill, not to steal, not to engage in sexual misconduct, not to speak falsehood, and not to take intoxicants. The ten virtues include abstention from three kinds of bodily evils, four kinds of inappropriate speech, and three kinds of mental evils. Because the abstention from drinking alcohol is included in the five precepts, many people choose only to uphold the ten virtues. However, this is a misconception, since the ten virtues are derived from the five precepts.
3.The practice of right awakening
Right awakening entails the practice of the eightfold noble path: right view, right aspiration, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Right view refers to the Buddha's fundamental teachings of the Four Noble Truths, eightfold noble path, twelve links of dependent origination, etc., plus the four inducements and six perfections of Mahayana. If we really see with our eyes and hear with our ears, and apply the right Buddhist views to the practice of morality in our daily lives, as well as mastering the skills of concentration, we can attain liberation. Right aspiration requires thorough understanding, and incorporation into one¡¦s very being. Right view and right thought transcend the scope of ethics and morality because right view is about seeing suffering, emptiness and no-self in human existence; this alone constitutes an awakened attitude toward life. Right speech, right action, right livelihood, and right effort are consonant with ethics and morality. Therefore, we have to practice and promote the four inducements¡Xgiving, acting beneficially, intermingling, and speaking kindly¡Xin order to benefit ourselves and others, win people over to Buddhism, and bring about a pure land on earth.
(A lecture given to a gathering of Dharma Drum upholders cherishing common aspirations, at the Chan Meditation Center in New York on November 13, 2004.) -
Our Compassion Father of this aeons noted the faculties of the various sentient beings .
He give the teachings to people of different capabilities
To those who are excellent in spiritual faculties , he gave the teaching of
contemplation of the mind which branch into Zen , Mind-only school and Tientai School.
To those who are dull-witted or weak in meditation aspect , He introduced the Buddha remembrance or chanting which becomes the Pureland School and the
Esoteric school.
To those who are past visualisation master in meditation ,He introduced the Esoteric school of visualisations .
What is the purpose of Buddhist practice ?
to gain insight in the arising and cessation of thing ,and "jump" out of this samsaric existence
Be it Buddha remembrance,recitation or meditation , one embarked on a journey of self-discovery .
In the explosion of wild thoughts and ideas during meditation , there resides a peaceful mind that one can relies upon .and Samadhi(deep concentration) can be achieved.
My past experience is that if one wish to meditate , should try to go hilltop and nature reserves and observes one arising and cessation of thoughts
Do not force, but let thoughts come and go .Take note of that and let it pass
eventually the deep-seated mind will finds it way to lead you and seeing things from another perspective without the 3 poison clouding our main motives in life .
You would feel everyday is a happy day to work , the lectures by bosses are nothing but vibrations of the particles and nothing to entrap you from the emotion aftermath of a scoldings.
When rational sets in ,Its time for the compassion part , to fulfil our Bodhi vows to help others , thereby improve our "fu bao" at the same time .
The words here are some of my past teacher who taught me in both meditation and chanting.
Hope it helps people reduces another 5 years of endless hunting for guidance
Homage to Guru Rinpoche Guru Padmasambhava
Om Ah Hung Benza Guru Pema Siddhi Hung
"Every day is a good day .Every year is a fine year"
Ven master Shengyen -
u mean can throw away the four noble truths and eight noble paths?Originally posted by bohiruci:
"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout our entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.
http://www.seaox.com/thich.html
vietnamese zen carries on the legacy of chan from the song dynasty and ming
which a another excellent blend of chan for the modern people -
If you are in zen , u know the four noble truth , noble eightfold paths are tools for purifications.Originally posted by laoda99:u mean can throw away the four noble truths and eight noble paths?
zen is seeing your true nature ,the true nature that All Buddhas relied upon
In a dharma assembly , Buddha Sakyamuni did not speak a word .The assembly was inpatient and start to talk among themselves .Buddha Sakyamuni hold a flower in his hand and smile to the assembly .
Maha Kasyapa understood the meaning of the Buddha smile
Dharma is transmitted beyond words -
For me, the text above seems to tell me: anything goes, as long as it suits me.....Originally posted by bohiruci:If you are in zen , u know the four noble truth , noble eightfold paths are tools for purifications.
zen is seeing your true nature ,the true nature that All Buddhas relied upon
In a dharma assembly , Buddha Sakyamuni did not speak a word .The assembly was inpatient and start to talk among themselves .Buddha Sakyamuni hold a flower in his hand and smile to the assembly .
Maha Kasyapa understood the meaning of the Buddha smile
Dharma is transmitted beyond words -
If you cannot apprehend zen , do not force yourself .Originally posted by laoda99:u mean can throw away the four noble truths and eight noble paths?
The four noble truth and eight noble paths are still excellent sets of guidelines to follow upon for liberation from samsara
IN FACT
the eight noble path consist of
PERFECT Thoughts
PERFECT Understanding
PERFECT Meditation
PERFECT Mindfulness
PERFECT Speech
PERFECT Action
PERFECT Livelihood
PERFECT Effort
-
well ,have to be carefulOriginally posted by laoda99:For me, the text above seems to tell me: anything goes, as long as it suits me.....
a mahasattva or Higher Bodhisattva does not overlook Karmic forces
If it is wrongdoing ,He will not do it
becos Karma still governs them
that is what Chan Buddhism mention bu4 mei4 yin1 guo3 (not to overlook the law of cause and effect)
Once there is a wolf immortal in the assembly of Ma zu Chan master talk .After the talk , Patriach Ma zu already sensed that wolf immortal is no ordinary being
and after the assembly left ,questioned ,"Who are you and why have you came?"
"I was a Chan Master in my past life ,and when being raised upon the question ,"Does one falls into the jurisdiction of Law of Cause and Effect when One have awakened to the higher stage of Bodhisattva ?
My answer is no .Due to the perplexity and wrong answer ,I was reborn as a wolf-immortal.May I beseech you to help me understand the truth of this question."
Patriach Ma zu answered one does not overlook the law of cause and effect(bu mei ying guo)
the Wolf Immortal thanked Ma zu and give up his wolf body and seek reincarnation.
Ma Zu Patriach buried the remains of the wolf immortal and this story is passed on down for several years till now ..... -
"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth. "
My comprehension is, since the truths and paths are merely guidelines....i can find liberation on my own by discarding these also. No need to follow what, becoz in life i can find my own way.Originally posted by bohiruci:If you cannot apprehend zen , do not force yourself .
The four noble truth and eight noble paths are still excellent sets of guidelines to follow upon for liberation from samsara
IN FACT
the eight noble path consist of
PERFECT Thoughts
PERFECT Understanding
PERFECT Meditation
PERFECT Mindfulness
PERFECT Speech
PERFECT Action
PERFECT Livelihood
PERFECT Effort -
splendidOriginally posted by laoda99:"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth. "
My comprehension is, since the truths and paths are merely guidelines....i can find liberation on my own by discarding these also. No need to follow what, becoz in life i can find my own way. -
Guidelines are still important because without guidelines you will not know how to start.Originally posted by laoda99:My comprehension is, since the truths and paths are merely guidelines....i can find liberation on my own by discarding these also. No need to follow what, becoz in life i can find my own way.
For example some people think that by drinking alcohol it will bring 'liberation', but this is not liberation but suppressing it and it will come up again.
Therefore the Buddha, from his own Experiences having been enlightened and liberated, shows us the way to liberation. -
yes ,or else will be crazy zen , and those who dun follow guidelines ,far from achieving enlightenment ,but becomes a new cult leaderOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Guidelines are still important because without guidelines you will not know how to start.
For example some people think that by drinking alcohol it will bring 'liberation', but this is not liberation but suppressing it and it will come up again.
Therefore the Buddha, from his own Experiences having been enlightened and liberated, shows us the way to liberation. -
"Deluded starts from beginless kalpa"
"Awakening in a flash......"
6th Patriach Hui Neng Platform Sutra Prajna Chapter -
To add on: Indeed, guidelines are like signposts that direct us to Truth, but liberation and enlightenment is still personal. No one can do the liberation for us other than ourselves.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Guidelines are still important because without guidelines you will not know how to start.
For example some people think that by drinking alcohol it will bring 'liberation', but this is not liberation but suppressing it and it will come up again.
Therefore the Buddha, from his own Experiences having been enlightened and liberated, shows us the way to liberation.
The finger that points to the moon is not the moon itself
Don't mistake it, and carry the signpost home, hang it on your wall, admire it, show off about it.. it defeats the purpose. That is why we should not make it into an absolute truth, because by making it into an absolute truth we are simply identifying a belief into to become part of the ego. -
Yes indeed... in a flash... that transcends time..Originally posted by bohiruci:"Deluded starts from beginless kalpa"
"Awakening in a flash......"
6th Patriach Hui Neng Platform Sutra Prajna Chapter -
What is the Great Mahayana Contemplation of Visualisation and Stopping meditation ?
A set of meditation based upon the Theravada form of meditation from Visuddhi Magga and the mahayana meditation of Emptiness
in Visuddhi Magga ,it mention the 6 visualisation of a body in rotting state
Swelling State
Bluish-Green State
Blood oozing state
Maggot feeding state
and finally the white bone state
the purpose of contemplation is to eradicate the beginless kalpa of
Lust of the impure body .One sees the white-bone of all sentient beings ,thereby extinguishing eventually the lust that propels the rebirth of one in samsara
Mahayana meditation includes the visualisation of light coming out from the white bone and light "born" Buddha image from there .
and the deeper reminder that whatever the body is , it is inherently emptiness
(form is emptiness ;emptiness is form )
Then comes the arising and cessation of past ,present ,future of things
starting from the nation we live in , next our universe, the one we like ,the one we hate most till ourselves
the past of them , the present of them , the future of them
this is the part of the wisdom-appearing which if ones carries on for many years,one goes on a deeper meditation into the state of samadhi
the next few posting will be drawing on the Theravada famous teaching of meditation Visuddhi Magga b4 i proceed to the Mahayana method
stay tuned -
tat's what's happening now........Originally posted by bohiruci:yes ,or else will be crazy zen , and those who dun follow guidelines ,far from achieving enlightenment ,but becomes a new cult leader -
splendid? but it contradicts your next post abt crazy zen leh?Originally posted by bohiruci:splendid
u mean chaotic is splendid?
pls explain.... -
there is no need to explain , if you know what is right and what is wrong .Originally posted by laoda99:splendid? but it contradicts your next post abt crazy zen leh?
u mean chaotic is splendid?
pls explain....
dun need for me to spend long post to debate -
splendid....ur taichi skills are good =)Originally posted by bohiruci:there is no need to explain , if you know what is right and what is wrong .
dun need for me to spend long post to debate
u post something controversial, and when someone response, u leave it hanging....
simply splendid....
~clap clap clap -
just PM uOriginally posted by bohiruci:there is no need to explain , if you know what is right and what is wrong .
dun need for me to spend long post to debate 