..续本文上一页ength in the abdomen in breathing, that the exhalation be done in a very slow smooth and gradual way or a very slight contraction of the anus on exhalation (this should be so slight it may be more felt as an intention than as a physical contraction) be performed.

　　AWARENESS

　　Do not concentrate on any particular object or attempt to control thoughts, emotions, or any modification of consciousness. By simply maintaining proper posture and breathing the mind settles by itself without fabrication. When thoughts, feelings, etc. arise, do not get caught up by them or fight them. Simply permit any object of mind to come and go freely. The essential point is to always strive to wake up from distraction (thoughts, emotions, images, etc.) or dullness and drowsiness. Letting go of any thought is itself thinking non-thinking.

　　DIFFICULTIES AND EXPEDIENTS

　　The art of right awareness may seem difficult and the description given above is idealized. If you are finding difficulties discouraging, talk about it with others. In zazen our fears and doubts are brought up, we may panic, get angry, cry or even laugh. Yet, we do return to Zazen again and again to face these terrors that haunt us in our every day life. As we do face our horrors of our self, we do see them for the Dharma that they are. Through the practice of Zazen, we are able to in an inapt way experience Emptiness and Enlightenment. As we sit, we let go of thoughts and ideas, we see how we have attached ourselves to the past and to the present. We may feel the tension of this attachment like an ship trying to pull away from the pier with may ropes holding it in place. Some ropes snap very violently others just ravel away. Zen elders state to just allow it to just happen.

　　How should a beginner begin their study of Zen Buddhism

　　First, it is always necessary to become familiar with the language of Buddhism. If you are not familiar with the language of Buddhism how can your friends help you and teach you about the mysterious nature of Mind

　　 If you, for example, don”t know what gold looks like, how can you begin your search

　　 You need, for instance, to learn the Four Noble Truths, understanding what they mean. You need to know that the Four Noble Truths pertain to the nature of Mind, that when Mind blindly clings to its manifestations it comes to experience suffering, or the same, disharmony (dukkha). Beginners should be familiar with the canonical works of Buddhism called the Tripitakas. In addition they should read Mahayana scriptures of the Mahaprajnaparamita class, most important the _Heart Sutra_ and the _Diamond Cutter of Doubts_. In addition, students should read the foundational Sutra of Zen Buddhism which is the Lankavatara Sutra. Other Sutras such as the Shurangama, the Vimalakirit Nirdesha, and the Shrimaladevi Sutra, are also extremely important to read. As for Zen texts in particular, it is important to read orthodox material such as the _The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma_; _The Platform Scripture_ by Hui Neng the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism; _The Zen Teaching of Huang Po_ and _The Zen Teaching of Hui Hai_. Beginners should avoid modern books on Zen if they do not teach Mind doctrine. Beginners should first ground themselves in orthodox Zen classics and traditional Buddhist literature avoiding non-Mind doctrine publications. In so doing they will be able to reach the fruit of the path sooner and come to know the joy of breaking the bonds of rebirth. In reading proper and accepted books on Zen Buddhism there will be no karmic error created either, and thus no future cause for regret. Historically, in China, Zen literature was by far the most widely published and read. Traditional Zen masters studied all the major Sutras and were very skilled in commenting on the arcane princ…

《What is Zen Buddhism

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