Master Jiangong
Abbot, Texas Pagoda Chan Monastery
When visiting Zen centers or monasteries, some Buddhist practitioners often ask a common question: "Master, we understand the merits of Buddhism and the importance of meditation. However, our lives are too busy, and we have difficulty finding time to study Buddhism and practice meditation. What should we do?
First, it's important to understand: “Chan is the mind of Buddha”. Buddha represents the awakened one, so Chan means the awakened mind, the mind free from confusion. If we can make the awakened mind our focal point for cultivation, use daily routines as our means, refrain from clinging to the six-sense organs, and remain unaffected by sensory experiences, our concentration and wisdom will grow, our delusions and afflictions will be quelled. In this way, every moment becomes a time for meditation!
We can incorporate meditation into our daily lives. For example, the time spent preparing a meal is like a meditation session. Devoting our attention solely to cooking without distraction is the same as a period of meditation. Similarly, enjoying the meal with a pure heart and cleaning up afterward provide additional opportunities for meditation.
The same principle applies to other activities, such as mindfully enjoying a cup of tea, going to the bathroom, doing housework, responding to emails, driving a car, and so on. Therefore, spaces such as the kitchen, dining room, bathroom, office, and car can all serve as our meditation sanctuaries. Even everyday items such as chairs in a restaurant, the toilet in a restroom, office chairs, and car seats can serve as our meditation cushions.
Once, when he was busy building a temple with the Grand Master all day long, a disciple asked the Grand Master whether monks should spend more time on studying Buddhism and meditating. Master smiled and said: "This work is indeed meditation and Dharma." The disciple had a realization: practice is not limited to any specific form, but rather depends on whether the mind is clear, understanding, and in command. Grand Master Weichueh frequently taught "Wherever we are, that is where the mind is", emphasizing the practical application of meditative insights in daily life, regardless of the circumstances. Meditation emphasizes the balance of practice and understanding. By understanding the principles and methods of meditation and letting right understanding guide our practice, we can gradually progress toward profound liberation. If we don't apply these teachings in our lives, our study remains useless talk.
We all experience action and stillness in our daily lives and inevitably encounter sensory experiences when dealing with life’s challenges. How can we calm our minds and be our own masters? How can we stop being driven by external conditions and losing sight of our pure mind?
By understanding the interaction between our sensory faculties, experiences, and consciousness, we can recognize how our thoughts and karmic influences manifest. Our senses and experiences can sometimes lead us astray, making it hard to stay present and aware. But don't worry, there's a solution! Have you ever felt like you're losing touch with reality? Just return to pure awareness in the present moment. The Shurangama Sutra mentions twenty-five methods for realizing perfect wisdom. We can use our senses, experiences, and consciousness as entry points for practice. By realizing our inherent nature through introspection, we can discover a gateway to enlightenment.
As Buddhist disciples, we use our senses to experience the world around us. However, the crucial difference between enlightenment and delusion is understanding that sensory experiences arise due to dependent origination and are inherently empty. It's important to stay mindful of the present moment. Our minds can function without attachment, seamlessly transitioning between engagement and detachment. We always return to the mindfulness of the present moment, which transcends ignorance and worries.
Although stillness and action states may seem like opposite conditions, the same pure awareness is present in both. Grand Master Weichueh often taught us "When in action, perfect all actions; When in stillness, rest all thoughts.” Meditation is not just about sitting quietly; it's about maintaining a clear and pure mind, unaffected by dynamic or static circumstances. This mindfulness enables us to navigate life with stability and discernment. This focus allows for ease in both stillness and action, leading to samadhi and prajna. It also helps us eliminate delusions and afflictions.
When we incorporate meditation into our daily lives, we will be in perfect harmony and be free at all times. Whether we are in stillness or action, leisurely or busy, receiving guests or seeing off friends, all these states are the Way. Although our outer environment undergoes myriad changes and transformations, the state of our mind always dwells in suchness and is always clear and mindful.