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BSPG News and Meeting (No. 173)
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Edited by Stony Brook Buddhism Study and Practice GroupNews
1. We will be joined by a monastic of the Chinese tradition during the meeting this week. The reverend bhikkhu came from Taiwan and currently lives in Texas.
2. For retreats in Chan Buddhism held this summer, please visit: http://www.chan1.org/activities.html#retreats. For Vipassana retreats, please visit: http://www.dhamma.org/cgi-bin/appForm.cgi
Meeting
303 Student Activities Center
Thursday, 3/21/02, 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Please be on time!
Words from the Suttas/Sutras
"Who in the world
is a man constrained by conscience,
who awakens to censure
like a fine stallion to the whip?Those restrained by conscience
are rare --
those who go through life
always mindful.
Having reached the end
of suffering & stress,
they go through what is uneven
evenly;
go through what is out-of-tune
in tune."
-- Samyutta Nikaya I.18, Hiri Sutta, "Conscience"
Quotes of the Week
"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion."--The 14th Dalai Lama
Book Review: Master Sheng-yen's Subtle Wisdom: Understanding Suffering, Cultivating Compassion Through Ch’an Buddhism
by D.K.There is something wonderful and complete about the directness and simplicity of the methods of Chan Buddhism. We often hear the word Chan, or Zen, but can we really understand the direct meaning of this word? Chan, in one sense signifies meditation, and specifically absorption in meditation. However, there are various types of meditation and varying degrees and states of meditative concentration. Though, the direct clarity of the experience of Chan is something unique. Yet, Chan is not separate from other meditation methods, states, or traditions of Buddhist practice—it is fundamental to everything. Inexpressible through words and not-graspable with thought, the subtlety of Chan, the way of illuminating insight, is so deep and wonderful. All methods, all traditions, all characteristics of Buddhism flow from it. And further, “Chan is all phenomena… all dharmas are Buddhadharma.” (p. 23)
Subtle Wisdom by Master Sheng-yen is an explanation and introduction to the approach of Chan Buddhism. He uses his penetrating insight to illustrate the history, traditions, methods, and stages of experience of Chan practice. This book, compiled from many lectures and Dharma-talks by Master Sheng-yen, presents the practice through examples of his personal history, including his experience of the monastic life, his understanding of the teachings of great masters like Xuyun and Laiguo, and the overall importance and detail of Chan methods. In explaining the traditions, views, and uniqueness of Chan, Master Sheng-yen clarifies the subtleties of this wisdom--reminding us that essentially, Chan is living with a mind that is free of vexations.
Flowing from an insight into Chan, is an understanding of suffering, and an endless devotion to helping others free themselves from their own vexation and emotional turmoil. Thereby wisdom and compassionate action are one: “They are like two wings of a bird, working in harmony so that the bird can soar through the vastness of the sky.” (p. 125) Compassion is the essence of Chan, the foundation of enlightened living, as the Buddha has shown us.
Subtle Wisdom is a gift of the Buddha’s insight, a direct investigation into the mind, expressing the path of peace and liberation for all sentient beings.
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