Chan Magazine Spring 2010

February 3, 2010

Today is a special day. The man who changed our lives left his physical form on this day last year. Let us remember him and his teachings. Even though he is not physically with us, his teachings live on in our lives.

Shifu would have wanted us to continue benefiting sentient beings through our practice, in accordance with causes and conditions, without thinking of self and others or gain and loss. Shifu also taught us to remember the source of the water—the Three Jewels—as it quenches our thirst and that of others. This was the way he lived his life using buddhadharma. Even though our practice is poor, we must try, each in our own way, to repay our gratitude to Shifu and the Three Jewels by helping others.

Let us reflect on his last teaching to us:

Busy with nothing, growing old.
Within emptiness, weeping, laughing.
Intrinsically, there is no “I.”
Life and death, thus cast aside.

Looking out the window just now as I write this, I share with you my feelings...

Here or there, within or without—you are everywhere.
Twenty-eight years of emptiness, I wipe away my tears.
Outside the window, the sun shines, wind blows.
Silent—everything is perfect in itself.

Three prostrations to Shifu...

May you all be well,

Guogu

Contents

From the Editor

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment
   The second of three articles by Chan Master Sheng Yen

Ink and Water
   Interview with Ven. Chi Chern by Buffe Laffey

Huatou vs. Silent Illumination
   Retreat talk by Guo Ru Fashi

The Past
   News from the Chan Meditation Center and DDMBA

The Future
   Retreats, classes and other upcoming events

Chan Center Affiliates