..续本文上一页 not to encounter any state during meditation. There is nothing at all, just emptiness. Do not be shocked or happy. Reactions such as shock or happiness can cause you to become possessed by demons, as in the fifty skandha states listed in the Shurangama Sutra.
Question: Why should we meditate as we study the Buddhadharma
Venerable Master: We meditate so that we can study a countless number of sutras and open the boundless wisdom inherent in our self-nature. There are countless Dharma doors in our nature, but people tend to disregard the foundation and chase after the superficialities. We look for answers outside of ourselves, failing to realize that we should reflect.
Question: Please tell us again about the difference between entering samadhi and sleeping.
Venerable Master: During samadhi, a person remains very aware while sitting straight up. His body does not move around and his head does not nod or tilt. This is the state of being still and yet always reflecting, reflecting and yet being always still. When asleep, you are not at all aware, you snore thunderously, and your position is completely the opposite of the stillness of samadhi.
Question: “It is better to study nothing for a day than to seek knowledge for a thousand days.” What does this quite mean
Venerable Master: “Not knowing when to quit the studying of different terms, we only trap ourselves by counting sand in the sea.” Who is seeking knowledge for a thousand days
Who is studying nothing for a day
We should not keep on doing others” laundry.
Question: A kind of “Contemporary Chan” is popular now. I hear people achieve rather quick re
Venerable Master: I am old fashioned and do not understand this contemporary question.
Question: While meditating, what should we be contemplating
Venerable Master: Nothing specific. “Let your mind be nowhere.” If there is anything specific, then you would be dwelling there. Dwell nowhere.
Question: Is there any difference between your method of meditation and that of Ajahn Sumedho
If so, how are they different
Venerable Master: “There is only one path at the source, but there are many expedient entries.” We are all people. Our faces look different. We all have minds, but we do not all think the same. You cannot make everyone uniform in every respect. The same principle applies here.
Question: Please briefly introduce meditation as it is taught at Gold Mountain Monastery.
Venerable Master: You will find out when you come toGold Mountain Monastery. To begin with, we train ourselves to sit in the full lotus position. This position is called the vajra position, which can subdue demons.
Question: You just talked about how the full lotus posture is equivalent to a gold pagoda and a half lotus position is equivalent to a silver pagoda. Now, will you please discuss meditation
Venerable Master: Do not be too anxious. You will only bite off more than you can chew. If you cannot sit in full lotus yet, sit in half lotus. The faster you want to go, the slower you will get where you want to go. Study one day at a time. You cannot graduate from college right away.
Question: How do we ask “Who is mindful of the Buddha
”
Venerable Master: You should investigate, “Who is mindful of the Buddha
” instead of asking it. Investigation is like drilling a hole. We will understand when we drill through. Before you do, you will not understand by asking the question. This method takes us to the point where language ceases to function and the mind stops thinking. No one can describe it. What others tell you is not it.
Question: It is generally said that the precepts help us enter samadhi and develop wisdom. Why does the Chan school only talk about cultivating a balance of samadhi and wisdom until we perfect our enlightenment and conduct
Venerable Master: They can say whatever they want. It is also okay for some to talk only about precepts, or samadhi, or wisdom. It is not definite. It all depends on each inpidual”s goals and principles. There is no set standard.
《7· Questions and Answers on Chan》全文阅读结束。