On Habitual Patterns

• Good-natured, even-tempered people are more accommodating and can get along with others where ever they go. However, being “accommodating” does not suggest that we should comply with whatever others say. Rather, we should keep a clear head as to the nature of the situation and use our own judgment. When things contradict the Dharma, (instead of going along,) we should stick to our own principles.

• Due to a lack of trials through hardships, those growing up under protective parents are most likely to become immature and weak in character. On the other hand those who have to fight for a living tend to be more courageous and capable. For example, the little monkeys held closely by their mothers might be smothered while those who live independently in the jungles survive well. This is also true in our practice: the best conditions for practice are adverse conditions. That’s why those who are most proficient in forbearance usually have experienced numerous circumstances that require their utmost tolerance. Therefore, adverse conditions should be regarded as challenging components aiding our practice.

~ Analects of Master Kuang-ch'in

The Tranquil, Constantly Observant Mind

Buddhas and the highest level bodhisattvas attain the patience that leads to complete nirvana. They reach the state in which “The mind stays tranquil but is constantly observant. The mind is observant but constantly stays tranquil.” This patience is higher than the tolerance of non-arising of phenomena.

The patience that leads to complete nirvana can be compared to water that is completely still. The tolerance of non-arising of phenomena can be compared to water that is slightly rippling.

It takes careful observation to detect the rippling, or else one will not see it. The water can reflect clearly. When a lake has no waves, all the views are reflected on the water. It looks beautiful. But if you look closely, you will see ripples. The surface of the lake is not perfectly still. This is like the state of bodhisattvas who have attained the tolerance of non-arising of phenomena.

In the state of bodhisattvas with the patience that leads to complete nirvana, there is no rippling at all as “The mind stays tranquil but is constantly observant. The mind is observant but constantly stays tranquil.”

~ Based on Ven. Master Chin Kung's 2003 lecture series on the Amitabha Sutra

Non-attachment in Meditative Concentration

In the Essentials, Master Ouyi’s commentary on the Amitabha Sutra, we read, “One does not give rise to attachments or wandering thoughts in various states of meditative concentration.”

We need to understand this statement to be able to progress toward our goal of enlightenment. One experiences joy when in meditative concentration, as the saying goes, “feeding on the joy one experiences in meditation.” Those who achieve meditative concentration often cannot advance to the next level because they are attached to the state of meditative concentration they are in.

Those who achieve the four dhyanas and the eight concentrations cannot transcend the Six Paths because they are attached to the state of meditative concentration they are in and will not let go of it. Attachment leads to greed, which is still a wandering thought.

This is to remind us to exercise wisdom. We can enjoy the state of meditative concentration but should not be attached to it. If we can achieve this non-attachment, there will be no adverse effects.

It is the same with our present situation. We can enjoy whatever we are experiencing but we should not attach to it. If discriminations and attachments arise in us, then we are wrong and will have trouble.

~ Based on Ven. Master Chin Kung's 2003 lecture series on the Amitabha Sutra

Please Listen Very Carefully

Several years ago in Singapore, I was listening to a live translation of a talk by my teacher, Ven. Master Chin Kung, on the Infinite Life Sutra. Venerable Wu Ping was translating for me and we were in the temporary Internet broadcasting room. My brother is a lively translator who becomes thoroughly absorbed in the mood of what is being said.

She had been speaking in a normal voice but suddenly her voice became soft as she said in an almost imploring voice, “Fellow practitioners please listen very carefully.”

It was magical—I instantly focused intently on what she was saying.

She continued the translation as Teacher said, “I have been giving lectures for forty years… Who benefited the most? I DID! I have not missed one lecture while the audience missed many.” I could imagine the audience laughing in delight with Teacher.

The underlying point that Teacher was making is daily study and learning. Very few of us have the good fortune to lecture for forty or fifty years but we can dedicate some time every day to the teachings. Find the teaching you like and then stick with it. We don’t need to jump from one book to another, devouring the words as we read because doing that we will quickly forget what we read.

We need to hear the ideas and principles repeated and rephrased. Gradually, the principles will sink in and, with practice, we will act on them naturally.

Releasing the Cows

One day the Buddha was sitting in the wood with thirty or forty monks. They had an excellent lunch and they were enjoying the company of each other. There was a farmer passing by and the farmer was very unhappy. He asked the Buddha and the monks whether they had seen his cows passing by. The Buddha said they had not seen any cows passing by.

The farmer said, "Monks, I'm so unhappy. I have twelve cows and I don't know why they all ran away. I have also a few acres of a sesame seed plantation and the insects have eaten up everything. I suffer so much I think I am going to kill myself.

The Buddha said, "My friend, we have not seen any cows passing by here. You might like to look for them in the other direction."

So the farmer thanked him and ran away, and the Buddha turned to his monks and said, "My dear friends, you are the happiest people in the world. You don't have any cows to lose. If you have too many cows to take care of, you will be very busy.

"That is why, in order to be happy, you have to learn the art of cow releasing (laughter). You release the cows one by one. In the beginning you thought that those cows were essential to your happiness, and you tried to get more and more cows. But now you realize that cows are not really conditions for your happiness; they constitute an obstacle for your happiness. That is why you are determined to release your cows."

~ Told by Master Thich Nhat Hanh