Words on
the way of Zen
Reflections on practice, tradition, and the everyday path of Zen.
Zen Poetry: If the Mind is Like a Tree, It Accords with the Way
The Tree Before the Gate — Tang Dynasty, Chan Master Longya Judong
ReadMaster Xuyun: The Mind is Like the Void
Long ago there was an elder practitioner who had lived for many years within a large monastic community. He was even-tempered and broad by nature, and always treated others with kindness. He often urged people to “let go, let go.” Someon...
ReadZen Meditation | One Thought Turns the Light Inward to Reveal One’s Original Nature
Question: "You say that sudden awakening and gradual cultivation are the two paths, the way of all sages. If awakening is sudden, why bother with gradual cultivation? If cultivation is gradual, why speak of sudden awakening? Please expla...
ReadThe Path of Awakening II (Luang Por Pramote)
Luang Por Pramote
ReadLuangpor Teean Mindfulness (Sati) in Motion: A Collection of Links
[http://www.mahasati.org.tw](http://www.mahasati.org.tw/) — Taiwan Mahasati Meditation Society [http://blog.sina.com.cn/mahasati](https://www.douban.com/link2/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.sina.com.cn%2Fmahasati) — Luangpor Teean Dynamic Medita...
ReadAyya Khema: Self-Acceptance
It's strange — most of us don't really know how to love ourselves. You'd think it would be the easiest thing in the world, since we're constantly preoccupied with ourselves. We always care about how much money we make, what we've achieve...
ReadA Practitioner's Meditation Journey in Myanmar
Going to Myanmar for meditation practice came about when I learned that Longzang Fashi from the Beijing Chan Village was taking several disciples there. I happily signed up to join them. After arranging my visa and flight, I set off on D...
ReadAjahn Chah's World of Meditation
Ajahn Chah (1918–1992) was born into a large farming family in the Lao-speaking region of northern Thailand. From age nine to seventeen, he served as a samanera (novice monk), and at twenty he was ordained again. In 1946, he spent a brie...
ReadMahasi's Discourses in Yangon, Myanmar
A discourse given by the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw in Yangon, Myanmar, circa 1950
ReadA Guide to Meditative Absorption (Samadhi) by Burmese Pa Auk Sayadaw
Today I’ll share the foundational principles for practicing anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) to cultivate stable concentration. Buddhist meditation practices generally fall into two broad categories: samatha (tranquility meditation...
ReadWorking with Common Problems in Meditation (Bhante Gunaratana)
Bhante Gunaratana, The First Lesson in Calm — Mindfulness of Breathing, Chapter 10: Dealing with Problems
ReadA Treasury of Q&A with Teacher Goenka
Abandon false illusions and step toward the truth. May we continue, step by step, toward the true goal.
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