Theory and Practice of Chan Meditation, Lecture 1

Cultivation of Awareness

I. Preface

These days, stress and sorrow seem to be everywhere. Almost everyone falls into one of two camps: those riding high on the four worldly fortunes—gain, honor, praise, pleasure—and those weighed down by their opposites—loss, disrepute, blame, pain. Fortune shifts back and forth, yet the shadow of suffering never quite lifts. When the Buddha came into the world, he offered a remedy. If his Dharma is a universal truth, this remedy must work, must hold up to scrutiny, and must dispel the shadow in the heart.

II. The Remedy for the Mind

(1) Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha was staying at the Jeta Grove in the Anathapindika Garden near Shravasti. (2) The Blessed One told the bhikkhus: "There is a single path that purifies all beings, carries them beyond sorrow and grief, ends vexation and suffering, and leads to the attainment of the true Dharma. It is the four foundations of mindfulness. What are these four? (3) The foundation of mindfulness directed to the body, the foundation of mindfulness directed to feelings, the foundation of mindfulness directed to the mind, and the foundation of mindfulness directed to mental objects." (4) When the Buddha had finished speaking, the bhikkhus, having heard his words, rejoiced and faithfully put his teaching into practice. (Samyukta Agama 607)

○ Name: The Single Vehicle Path There is no second path to purification—this is the one straight road.

○ Effect: Purifies All Beings It brings beings to ultimate purity:

1. It carries them beyond sorrow and grief (loss, disrepute, blame, pain; gain, honor, praise, pleasure): through the power of discernment, right view is established.
2. It ends vexation (the defilements of the desire realm): through the power of worldly practice, right mindfulness becomes continuous.
3. It ends suffering: through the power of supramundane practice, right mindfulness remains continuous, and through insight one sees there is no self.
4. It grants the true Dharma: one comes to know the noble path and its fruits directly and truly.

○ Method: Practicing the Four Foundations of Mindfulness The foundation of mindfulness directed to the body, the foundation of mindfulness directed to feelings, the foundation of mindfulness directed to the mind, and the foundation of mindfulness directed to mental objects.

III. Practicing the Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Practicing the four foundations of mindfulness is to cultivate awareness in everyday life. When you clearly and continuously know the movements of your body, you are practicing the foundation of mindfulness directed to the body. When you clearly and continuously know the arising and passing of your feelings, you are practicing the foundation of mindfulness directed to feelings. When you clearly and continuously know the changes of your own mind, you are practicing the foundation of mindfulness directed to the mind. When you clearly and continuously know the selflessness of your body and mind, you are practicing the foundation of mindfulness directed to mental objects.

This clear, easeful knowing is awareness. When awareness flows without interruption, it is called "continuous right mindfulness." As awareness grows unbroken, the body grows light, the heart grows light, and joy arises. Further, within that joy, sustained awareness sees directly into the impermanence and selflessness of body and mind.

IV. Conclusion

The method for cultivating awareness is simple, and it is safe. It begins right here in daily life: start by knowing the movements of your body, patiently observing every action as a scientist might observe an experiment—looking deeply into your own inner world. This is where afflictions arise, and this is where they come to an end. In time, insight into the true nature of life unfolds, and one becomes a person who is liberated and at ease.