Words on
the way of Zen
Reflections on practice, tradition, and the everyday path of Zen.
Why Should We Stay Away from People with Heretical Views
We now turn to the second guideline. Do not associate closely with heterodox brahmins, Niganthas, and their ilk; nor with those who compose secular literary works; nor with those who praise and extol non-Buddhist texts; nor with adherent...
ReadEnd-of-Life Mindfulness Has Two Key Points
I believe end-of-life mindfulness has two key points: first, you must learn to recite the Buddha’s name properly. Reciting the Buddha’s name is the foundational practice, whether you are at home or in the intensive care unit. The very fi...
ReadYou Must Learn to Grasp the Underlying Principles Within Concrete Matters, or You Will Only End Up with Pointless, Fruitless Asceticism
Fundamentally, every offering placed on the altar serves a symbolic function; within each tangible form lies an underlying principle.
ReadEach Thought Illuminates True Principle, Each Mind Quells Illusory Dust
When we cultivate the Śūraṅgama Samādhi, there are two principal methods: the first is contemplative insight into principle, and the second is practical cultivation through conduct.
ReadReciting This Sacred Name Has the Broadest Reach, Is Easiest to Take Up, and Is the Most Straightforward Practice
All Mahayana Pure Land sutras present the diverse array of practices for rebirth in the Pure Land, which vary widely in their form. Holding the Buddha’s name is one such practice.
ReadThere Is Great Medicine Within the Human Body
When our body and mind are beset by all manner of distress and illness, we should know that Amitabha Buddha long ago refined for us a single perfect remedy—the Agada medicine. We need only recite with sincerity; without spending a single...
ReadWith Wholehearted Diligence, Other Forces Can Respond to You
Using this metaphor, "When a person cultivates with wholehearted diligence, seeking the Way without ceasing, the fruit will surely ripen, and no wish will go unfulfilled." Please pay attention, everyone: this "wholeheartedness"—the supre...
ReadThorough analysis of the material world ultimately reveals it to be nothing but emptiness
When Wuxiu heard the Bodhisattva speak these words, he knew that seeking to foretell the length of his own lifespan was meaningless, so he requested guidance on what to do. The Bodhisattva then imparted this teaching: "You should underst...
ReadBecause of Inner Non-Seeking, Wealth Can Come Effortlessly
This is the core teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Why is the poor son able to "integrate the Provisional Teachings into the Ultimate Truth" and inherit all the wealth of the wealthy elder? The key lies in "attaining without seeking" — this i...
ReadMeat-Eaters Sever the Seeds of Great Compassion and Buddha-Nature; All Sentient Beings Will Turn Away from Them on Sight
You teach sentient beings in the world to cultivate samadhi, and then to sever the taking of life. This is called the second definitive, pure, and luminous instruction of the Tathagata, the Buddhas of the past, and the World-Honored One.
ReadContinuously Committing Acts of Theft in Your Heart Leads to the Complete Loss of All Your Merit
Teachings of All Buddhas
ReadAlthough the Sin of Breaking Precepts Is Eradicated Through Sign-Based Repentance, Its Inherent Worldly Karmic Offense Still Remains
Master Ouyi stated, “Although the sin of breaking precepts is eradicated through sign-based repentance, preventing one from falling into the three evil paths, its inherent worldly karmic offense still persists. Even after repentance, thi...
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