Question: The meaning of practicing Zen is too profound. Buddhist friends say that only practicing the Pure Land and chanting Buddha’s name is the quickest and most convenient way, and it can bring karma to rebirth. Zen Buddhism can only be practiced by people with advanced faculties. What method should I practice?
Answer: My opinion is that if you cannot strictly abide by the precepts, repent of all the bad karma you have created in this life, and never do it again, no matter how many times you recite the Buddha’s name and scriptures a day, you are just forming a bond with the Buddha and cannot leave the three realms. When I gain human body again in the future, I will still have the opportunity to get close to the Dharma, that’s all.
“Bringing karma” refers to the karma of the past life. Only by repenting of the sins committed in this life and never committing them again can one take the karma with him into the next life. The teachings on the Four Pure Purities say, “If you burn a lamp on your body, burn a knuckle on your body, and put an incense stick on your body, I say this is a person who has accumulated debts without beginning, and will pay them all in one moment.” It refers to the karmic debts from the past life, which will be eliminated. It does not mean that burning a lamp, burning incense sticks, and then creating karma can also bring karma to rebirth.
Just imagine, a person who can only recite the Buddha’s name in this life but cannot stop killing, stealing, sexual intercourse, drunkenness, and practicing the ten good deeds has not yet completed his current deeds. How can he carry his previous deeds with him when he is reborn? Those who practice Zen are also those who recite the name of the Buddha. The photos and portraits of the ancestors of the Zen sect, including the master of Zen Buddhism, Master Xuyun, are all eminent monks holding rosary beads, eyes hanging down, and chanting the name of the Buddha. Sitting cross-legged and meditating is a way to purify your mind. “Zen” means quiet contemplation. Calm down and think about the sins you have committed in the ten evil karma, sincerely repent, recite Buddha in your heart and dedicate it to the sentient beings who have been harmed by you, and never do it again. Having confessed your sins, It also eliminates distracting thoughts, which can be regarded as a good way to practice Zen. As long as you are focused and undistracted, and your heart is extremely sincere, you will be able to move the heaven and the earth, and there will be a time when “the willows are dark and the flowers are bright again.”
Referring to the huatou of the sentence “Who is chanting the Buddha’s name?” is to teach you to keep your thoughts at the moment before the sentence is recited – the place where there is no thought, and to extend it infinitely. When you are mindful (referring to the Buddha’s true identity) without thinking, like a cat waiting for a mouse, you may be enlightened at any time. When you practice successfully, you will naturally taste the wonderful flavor, “yourself” This state of “eating to satisfy yourself” cannot be expressed in words. With this kind of concentration, enlightenment is right in front of you.
Chanting the name of the Buddha is also a way to purify the mind. Use one thought of the name of the Buddha to replace other delusional thoughts. If the thoughts run away, then bring them back and continue to chant. Over time, the chanting of the Buddha will become pieces and strings. When there is no one and no self, the wisdom of the Samadhi of the name of the Buddha will appear. Front – Chanting Buddha’s name is also Zen.
Practicing Zen and chanting Buddha’s name are both ways to cleanse one’s mind. They are both methods of purifying the mind. They are one, not two, and two but not two. There are different methods for seeking verification, but the purpose is the same. Whichever method you think is suitable for you and which method is effective, choose which method. Once you choose a method, stick to it. Don’t change to another method if you don’t leave the realm for three days. Traveling all day and night is like standing at a crossroads, not knowing which way leads to Chang’an. You walk east and come back, and you walk west and have doubts. In this way, you will never reach Chang’an. “There is no superior method, only the best method.” The method that suits you is the best method.
Cultivation is about our wrong words and deeds. Whether it is meditation or chanting the Buddha’s name, it is a way to help you achieve enlightenment and wisdom. It is a helper. The most important thing is to work hard on abstaining from the ten evils and practicing the ten good deeds. If you are really determined to do so, If you do it, and if you can persevere, you will have attained the Tao. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will be happy, gods, dragons and eight protectors will be respectful. You will gain the Tao and be helped by many people. One day you will have wisdom appearing in the blink of an eye. You must know that it is the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who are blessing you.
Over the past ten years or so, Master Miaofa and I have met dozens of people who sincerely observe the precepts and practice good deeds. After being enlightened by Master Miaofa, they can develop five eyes and six senses in a single thought, each with their own characteristics. They did not meditate, nor did they chant the Buddha’s name all the time. Instead, we should firmly uphold the precepts and practice good deeds. When the time comes, someone will naturally enlighten us (including Buddha and Bodhisattva enlightening us in dreams).
Once wisdom appears, ignorance is self-defeating, and it is natural to transcend the three realms and achieve fruition. If you do not uphold the precepts and continue to do the ten evils, but only rely on meditation to achieve some evil wisdom, you will lose your way and have little help. Soon your blessings will be gone, your wisdom will be lost, and you will eventually fall into hell.
People who not only believe in the Dharma but also start observing the precepts after hearing it are those with superior roots. People who have been persuaded by others to become Buddhas and return to the right path are also people with superior roots. As long as they are diligent and do not retreat, they will surely achieve success in this life. “Four Purities and Clear Instructions” says that prostitutes, widows, thieves and butchers may all be Bodhisattvas and Arhats coming again, but they are just confused and not aware of it. Once they turn around, they will definitely achieve success.
Enlightenment and wisdom are not acquired through practice but through cultivation. “Diligent cultivation of precepts, concentration, and wisdom” must “quench greed, ignorance, and delusion.” No matter which sect or sect, without these ten words, you will not achieve Buddhism. These ten words are also the ticket to the Western Paradise.
Kai Hui Gao
The law is indeterminate, the law and precepts are the basis, and repentance of sins and karma is true.
While walking, standing, sitting or lying down, recite the Buddha’s name and persevere without losing your mind.
The only thing I want to do is to seek my teacher, and when I arrive, there will be another village full of bright flowers and dark trees.
