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Author Archives: zenandsewing
Finding a teacher
Do you have the aspiration for enlightenment Don’t look to clever minds Men with lots of degrees who write books Find a simple man or women someone who sits by the water and feeds the fish Someone who feeds the … Continue reading
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Sengzhao before Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma is traditionally given credit for bringing Buddhism to China and is considered the first ancestor of Chan Buddhism. But before him there were others. One of them was Sengzhao, a disciple of Kumarajiva and was a principle translator. His … Continue reading
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The core of Chan/Zen
The core of Chan/Zen is found in the intuitive understanding of beyond the beyond. This is expressed in many teachings. In the Heart Sutra it’s expressed in the first few lines: Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Also in the … Continue reading
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The wisdom of nature.
You hear the gentle babbling of the brook. The wind blowing the branches. You see the clouds floating by They all speak more wisdom than all the volumes spoken by men and women. Listen and watch They tell the secret … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, Chan, Uncategorized, Zen
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What is the Last Word.
In the Mumonkan, case 13, Tokusan Holds His Bowls Ganto says Tokusan is renowned but he doesn’t know the last word. Later he says “Our old man has got hold of the last word! This led me to contemplate the … Continue reading
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Silent Illumination
Silent Illumination is the practice of just sitting. You can read about it in a book on Master Hongzhi’s teachings titled ‘Cultivating the Empty Field.’ Also in ‘The Method of No-method’ by Master Shen Yen. It’s a simple … Continue reading
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Ego
We have six senses: Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching and mental functions. Ego sits on top of these and attaches to the objects of these senses. It causes desire for things we see, touch or any of the other functions. … Continue reading
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Daily practice
Zen Buddhism is very simple. I try to keep my mind still and free from wandering thoughts. I practice the following daily May all beings practice compassion May all beings have sympathetic joy for others May all beings live in … Continue reading
Posted in Chan, meditation, Uncategorized, Zen
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Book of Equanimity
Case 69 – translation by Gerry Sheshin Wick. Attention! Nansen addressed the assembly, saying, “All Buddhas of the three times don’t know of it, but cats and cows know of it.” One interpretation: the Enlightened life is simple like that … Continue reading
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Who am I?
People keep busy with trivial and mundane things so they don’t have to look deeply into this.
Posted in Buddhism, Chan, Uncategorized, Zen
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zenandsewing 