Discussing Buddhism, Explaining Zen, Understanding Life

Author: Shiran
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Enlightenment to Buddhist principles, wisdom in living, clarity of mind through simplicity, broad-mindedness and tolerance, eliminating delusions and attachments, and cherishing gratitude and righteousness. Buddhism teaches us that repentance is about cutting off the emotions of hatred, love, jealousy, and flattery to cleanse the mind. This is true repentance. It is not merely crying in the Buddha hall that constitutes repentance. Crying is an emotional release. After crying, when the mind becomes calm, it is simply because one is tired from crying and has forgotten other matters. Do not think that kneeling before the Buddha (or God) and crying, feeling a sense of peace after repentance, receiving divine inspiration, or the blessings of Bodhisattvas—these are actually just the effects of exhaustion, not the response of the Buddha or Bodhisattvas. If you doubt this, just wait a few hours—once you are full and your energy is restored, your temper will return! Pay attention to understanding what true repentance truly is. After repentance and when the mind is cleansed, then one can practice concentration (samatha), insight (vipassanā), and meditation (dhyāna). The Circle of Awakening (《》) states: "Seeking the mind of superiority, three pure views." However, ordinary people often do the opposite: they seek concentration, insight, and meditation without first repenting, resulting in increasing chaos. They cannot concentrate, nor can they find stillness. First seek repentance, purify the mind, and when you reach the realm of goodness, as the Chinese say, "To do good is joyful," a sense of joy arises in the mind, and the body becomes light. Then seek concentration, and it becomes easier.