mettavalokanaya_buddhist_magazine_january_2021.

All Dharma practice is the
practice and training of the
mind. As mentioned before, we
need to focus on the gradual
path to Enlightenment as it was outlined
in our systematic Buddhist training of
Four Stages. We must study, practice
and realize the Dharma systematically
and gradually. We should do it step by
step without being hasty or impatient.
We need to treat it as a holistic and
Zen Meditation
Cultivation of Compassion….
comprehensive spiritual program. This
system itself is perfect and complete,
and you can do it in accordance with
your level of understanding and
awareness. As Milarepa once said,
“Do your practice slowly, so that you
could reach Enlightenment quickly and
effortlessly!”. To deal with ourselves,
our own mind — which is the greatest
enemy of all. Its objective is to deal with
other people or other sentient beings.
It’s about performing all compassionate
activities in order to benefit all sentient
beings. These Bodhisattva actions have
to be done collectively, without any
slightest notion of personal gain or
fame.
Avatamsaka teaching shows us
the way to be harmoniously co-existent
with one another. It is a glorious world
of sharing, interconnectedness and
integral harmony. It is a wondrous
pure land of love and forgiveness. This
system of Four Stages (Agama, Prajna,
Dharma-pundarika and Avatamsaka) is
the principle axis of my Zen cultivation.
It is a gradual and affirmative path
to Perfect Enlightenment. From Zen
cultivation that leads to the attainment
of egoless-ness, and then the natural
generation of loving kindness and
compassion. While you are learning
and practicing — there must be some
stages involved; but when you attain
the realization of the Dharma, you’ve
transcended all stages or paths. There
are the two sides of the same coin.
If you have time, I suggest you
follow the system slowly but surely.
You have to do it step by step, one
step at a time. But if you really have no
time, I suggest you just choose one of
them and study/practice it deeply and
thoroughly. This system of Four Stages
is specially designed in such a way
that will enhance and smoothen your
spiritual evolution. It is just like growing
a tree; you must start from the root, the
trunk, and then its branches and flower
and fruits. This is the progressive chart
of Zen practice. You can enter into this
Zen zone from different entry points,
but the stages of the path remain the
same and unchanged. Well, it depends
on our affinity and karmic connection!
We have built a network of connection,
awaiting everyone’s willingness to be
linked together. An integrated platform
of unity can definitely be built. It should
be a co-creation by all and for all.
Didn’t I tell you before that
“Without a sheep, there can be no
wool”? First of all, you must ask
yourself, “Why do I want to meditate?”
Ask it vigorously until the answer pops
up. Sit down and meditate only when
you’ve found a convincing answer.
Everyone need to ask themselves: WHY
do I want to do this? Why? Find out the
Why, seek your own answer; only then
you could be truly kind and genuinely
compassionate — do you understand? :
I am just kicking the ball back to them,
demanding them to investigate Zen
and find out the answers themselves.
Remember: “Without a sheep, there can
be no wool”! In short, they come to me
with a reason. This reason will manifest
as the end result of Zen, and their
questions will bring out the ultimate
answers at the end — do you get it?
It depends on our karmic connection
or affinity, it really depends! I am the
WIFI of Zen, it really depends on you
whether you want to connect with me
or not. This is an all-inclusive method.
It contains all methods and transcends
them at the same time. Sometimes I
use some words; sometimes there are
no words at all. Sometimes I scold,
shout and beat; sometimes I will be
using some methods of love and care.
It depends on whom I meet and their
level of acceptance and mental faculty.
Zen cultivation doesn’t start from
your Zen sitting; it has to begin with your
doubts, your big questions. After you’ve
generated your questions, then you
need to investigate it wholeheartedly
and thoroughly! In order to do the
investigation, you need to sit down
Taiwan
Most Venerable Dharma
Master Hsin Tao (Chan
Master Hsin Tao)
Progressive
Zen
Meditation
Practice….
and meditate. Everyone with problems
can and should sit down and meditate.
Even those who think that they don’t
have any problem — since this attitude
might be the greatest problem of all!
That’s Ok as well. Come and enjoy some
beautiful scenery here — we have big
blue sky, beautiful ocean, green trees
and wonderful mountains. This is a pure
sacred place that will make you happy
and joyful. Just come and check it out
for yourself.
10 l Mettavalokanaya l January l 2021 2021 l January l Mettavalokanaya l 11