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I am very happy to experience my 1st Chan-7 retreat in Taiwan- Chung Tai Chan Monastery. It was a great blessing to see Venerable Master Wei Chueh and Abbot Jian Deng Master. There are no words to fully express it all. One just has to experience it to really understand. I highly recommend anyone who wish to deepen his/her Dharma practice to attend the Chan-7 retreat at Chung Tai.
With Abbot Jian Tan’s encouragement, I took the golden opportunity to temporarily leave all mundane affairs and acupuncture work behind, travel across the globe to devote a week-long silent retreat. I was so ready and excited to share this journey with my mother, Upasika Wang, and with so many dharma brothers and sisters. This was a journey to remember.
There are many things to say about the retreat, I don’t know where to begin. But these are the moments to share:
At the initiation of the retreat, when 1,200 practitioners gathered together to chant the Buddha’s name “Namo Fundamental Shakyamuni Buddha” (3times) that moment my eyes suddenly welled up with tears. A feeling of deep gratitude and joy suddenly came over me. The chant was so pure and sincere that everything else -wondering thoughts, vexations- vanished. Like a lion’s roar, all the other animals in the jungle who heard it would fear its sound and surrender to it. The chant is to praise the Buddha’s great compassion. And it is to awaken the Buddha within us.
On day 1 of the retreat I still felt a bit jetlagged then as the retreat progressed I began to adjust comfortably. Every morning upon rising at 4:15am and before each sitting meditation I raised a thought of gratitude. In walking, eating, brushing teeth, I try my best to be mindful in the moment of action. When my mind did wander away, I catch it, bringing it back to the breath.
As the retreat progressed I felt more comfortable and light, my mind calmer still and I experienced a few good sessions of meditation. In one of the good session, it seemed like it went by in a flash and then the bell rang faintly. Mind was so calm that I wanted to continue sitting but I was aware of people around getting up for walking meditation. I tried moving my body, but I couldn’t feel the body and it wouldn’t move. It felt weightless, without any sensations. Slowly and gently I integrated with the body and breath, opened my eyes, moving the fingers one at a time. Gradually all the sensations returned.
Venerable Master Wei Chueh’s koan stories were lively, funny, and enlightening. Master’s mind is crystal clear. One can tell His pure awareness through his talks that’s direct to the heart. And His enlightenment to spread the Buddha’s teachings around the world is truly amazing and aspiring.
Venerable Master’s presence gives me great comfort and peace. At dinnertime- after the retreat was over- I had the opportunity to offer a portrait to Master Wei Chueh as an expression of my gratitude and utmost respect. The Master kindly accepted the painting. Of all the artworks I have done to date, I can truly say that this offering to the Master is the most meaningful.
Abbot Master Jian Deng’s dharma talks during the retreat were very practical. What resonated with me was when Master said:‘Ordinary people are habitually attached to the functions of the mind, that is why it is so difficult to stop. Now we are here in the retreat to return to the Essence of the mind. To realize the Essence of the mind, let the pure awareness manifest itself naturally and settle there. ’ How profound, and how blessed it is to hear it.
From the talks it inspires me to practice diligently and never regress.
As we were leaving, I remember standing at the gate, looking back and thinking “gosh, Chung Tai Monastery is like the grand canyon of monasteries. ” The fine architecture is one-of-a-kind in the world. It attracts people near and far to see it. Anyone who sees the majestic and elegant Buddha statues and hand-painted walls would be in awe. But what appeals me the most, more than anything is the pure teaching of the Buddha that makes the monastery. The enlightenment of Venerable Master Wei Chueh, all the Shifus, Upasakas, Upasikas, and cultivators who uphold the Dharma is what makes the monastery. It is the pure land on earth.
I’ve learned so much from this retreat and will continue to practice diligently, serve others, and use my art as a skillful means. Amituofo.
(很高兴我能够第一次在台湾参加中台禅寺的禅七。对我而言，能够看到导师
上惟下觉老和尚和见灯和尚是一个很大的福报，没有言语可以充分表达我的感受，一切尽在不言中，这是每个人需要亲自体验才能够真正理解的。我极力推荐任何希望进一步提升自己修行的中台行者皆应把握因缘参加中台禅寺的禅七。
在普德精舍住持法师的鼓励下，我把握了这一次难得的机会，暂时抛开所有的俗事和针灸工作，从美国飞到地球的另一端，一心投入在禅七当中。禅七前，我已完全准备好，并非常兴奋地要与我的母亲传慧及其他师兄分享这一段旅程，一个难忘的旅程！
起七时，当一千两百位学员齐聚一堂，念诵 “南无本师释迦牟尼佛”时，就在那一刻，我的眼睛顿时涌出了泪水，感到深深的感激和喜悦。那佛号是如此的真诚，顷刻间，一切妄念和烦恼顿时消失，像狮子的吼声，令丛林中的其他动物畏惧并臣服。念诵佛号是在赞美佛陀的大慈悲，也是在唤醒我们本具的佛性。
禅七的第一天，我仍有点时差，过后渐渐地的开始进入状况。每天在凌晨四时十五分打板起床。每次静坐前，我都心生感恩，不管在走路、吃饭、刷牙，我都尽量照顾自己的念头。当我的心跟着妄念攀缘时，我就把心收回来，回到数息法门上。
随着时间的流逝，我身体变得更舒适、更轻，心也更平静，并坐到几支好香。其中一支好香，时间似乎一下子就过去了。我当时的心是那么的平静，虽然我还想继续坐，但身边的师兄已起坐准备行香。我试着移动自己的身体，慢慢地找回身体和呼吸、睁开眼睛并移动手指，跟着大众行香。
禅七开示时， 老和尚所开示的公案既生动有趣，并富有启发性，一听就知道 老和尚是从真心说法，直指人心。 老和尚将佛法弘扬到世界各地的智慧确实令人敬佩。
老和尚给了我莫大的安慰和安全感。在禅七后的晚宴中，我有机会供养一幅 老和尚的肖像以表达我对他的感恩和最崇高的敬意。在所有我所做过的艺术作品中，这幅肖像是最有意义的。
禅七中，住持见灯和尚的佛法开示非常实用。和尚说：“一般人习惯性地靠在起心动念上，因此念头不易歇息下来。现在，禅七中就是要回到心之体，要契悟到心之体，让清净觉性自然的现前、安住。” 这句话的道理非常深，令我很受用，能够听到这样的法很有福报。 见灯和尚的开示激励我要精进用功，永不退转。
当我们准备离开的时候，我站在大门口，回头看了中台主体，便起了一个念头：“中台禅寺堪比拟寺庙中的大峡谷。”它建筑的精美是世界上独一无二的，吸引了远近的人来参访，任何人看到了雄伟而优雅的佛像，以及殿堂里的手绘壁画都会肃然起敬。不过，最吸引我的地方还是中台禅寺的佛法。 惟觉老和尚的智慧与所有秉持佛法的法师和居士是促成中台禅寺的因缘，这里是人间净土！
这一次禅七让我受益良多。我会继续精进用功，为他人服务，并用我的艺术作品作为一个方便的法门 ，利益他人。) |