New Chan Forum 7

Everyday Mind

In reply to a question "If every sentient being is innately a Buddha, how can they be ordinary?", Shifu used an analogy from the sutras, that of gold ore in a mine. Before it has been refined, it is still not in a form we would call gold, even though the essential content of gold is inside. All of us may have the gold content, but it has yet to be refined. What is vexation? Vexation is comparable to the stones and rocks mixed with the gold in the ore.

In this issue of New Chan Forum we have focused on aspects of Chan in the modern world and tried to address the problems of even glimpsing the gold when we are so surrounded by vexations. Through their honesty of expression our articles may act as signposts. We should like to thank our contributors.

The Bristol Chan Group is continuing to provide a meeting place for meditation, teaching and discussion. Last February, John Crook and Ros Cuthbert led a day workshop inspired by the teaching of the visionary painter Cecil Collins. We have printed some of the one-minute drawings in this edition. Ros is planning another workshop in the Summer.

In May we are pleased to welcome Martine Batchelor who will be leading a two day non-residential retreat for us. Details of this and retreats at Maenllwyd are on the last page.

This is the final issue for the present subscription to New Ch' an Forum. We hope you agree that our journal is something different and worthy of your continued support. We have plenty of interesting and important material to publish which is relevant to the practice of Buddhism in the West. However we need your practical support (in money) in order to be able to continue publishing New Chan Forum. Please complete the form enclosed with this issue and send it to us, together with your subscription, as soon as possible. We plan for our next three editions to be in Autumn 1993, Christmas 1993 and Spring 1994.

• New Chan Forum issue 7