Words on
the way of Zen
Reflections on practice, tradition, and the everyday path of Zen.
Venerable Gangxiao: Buddhist Lecture, What Is the Dharma?
What is the fundamental essence of the Dharma? What is the proper cause for taking up Buddhist practice? All Buddhas of the ten directions give the same answer to this question: the root of the Dharma is truth. As the saying goes, "What ...
ReadProfessor Lin Chongan: Theory and Practice of Meditation — Lecture Six: Observing Non-Self
Dhammānupassanā (contemplation of mental phenomena): After establishing serenity, observing non-self is the path to ending suffering.
ReadGe Ming: Buddhists, Unwholesome Teachers in the World, and the Three Refuges
In the Buddha’s teachings, the Three Refuges are the deep, abiding orientation of a practitioner’s heart toward the path of liberation and awakening. It’s not blind attachment to internal or external groups, nor a lifelong pledge of alle...
ReadVenerable Gangxiao: Buddhist Lecture on Contemplating Life
Today I'm going to ramble on a bit about life. Of course, life is a huge topic, so for a little monk like me to ramble on about it feels a bit out of place. And in front of all of you, it feels even more absurd—many of you are my parents...
ReadProfessor Lin Ch'ung-an: Theory and Practice of Chan Meditation, Lecture 5: Observing Dependent Origination
After cultivating calm (samatha), observe the arising and cessation of dependent origination. Only when calm and insight (vipassanā) are practiced together can suffering come to an end.
ReadProfessor Lin Chong'an: The Theory and Practice of Zen Meditation, Part 4 — Observing Sensations as Wind
Mindfulness of feelings (vedanā-upassanā).
ReadChan Practice | Samadhi and Prajñā Held in Balance (II)
"According to your judgment, within the gate of cultivation after awakening, the meaning of samādhi and prajñā held in balance has two kinds: one, the samādhi and prajñā of self-nature; two, the samādhi and prajñā that follow characteris...
ReadAppreciating a Zen Verse: Countless as Sands, None Attains Awakening — The Fault Lies in Seeking the Path of Words
Chan Master Dongshan Liangjie (Tang Dynasty)
ReadMaster Gangxiao: Lectures on the Mahāyāna One Hundred Dharmas Treatise, Part 7
Now, the sixth consciousness. What is it exactly? It's the function of discerning mental objects, and it depends on the faculty of manas. Note: the root the sixth consciousness relies on is the seventh consciousness, manas. Take this era...
ReadProfessor Lin Chong'an: Theory and Practice of Zen Meditation, Lecture 3: The Sutra of the Six Similes of Life
Theory and Practice of Zen Meditation, Lecture 3: The Parable of the Six Creatures Sūtra 【Key Point】: Mindfulness of the Body 【Scriptural Basis】: Sūtra 1171 from the Saṃyukta Āgama
ReadProfessor Lin Chong'an: Theory and Practice of Zen Meditation — Lecture 2: Principles and a Method of Practice
The Theory and Practice of Zen Meditation, Lecture Two Principles and a Method of Practice
ReadContinued Records of Guanyin's Spiritual Inspiration
Lay follower Mao Lingyun
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