Sunday November 1: Zazen-Only Practice Session Invitation
This session of zazen-only marks the beginning of our late fall study of the Buddha's teaching of "mind-only" (aka, "mere-perception").
Greetings,
Our upcoming Sunday group practice session will be offered from 10:00 to 11:15am Central Time. Rather than the usual dharma talk, this Sunday we will practice zazen together for most of the hour-and-a-quarter session. Wiggle bells will be provided for posture adjustments about every 25 minutes. We will recite the "Heart Sutra" together at 11:10am (see below for the sutra).
You are invited to attend.
This session of zazen-only marks the beginning of our late fall study of the Buddha's teaching of "mind-only" (aka, "mere-perception"). In November and December, we will offer five talks on this topic, connecting the principle of mere-perception with the awakening and post-awakening processes. This is a vital teaching for relying on and abiding in the Bodhisattva Vows. See below for the schedule of talks.
Still, you might wonder, "Why study something like mere-perception? Why not do zazen-only and always?"
We find a similar question and a detailed answer in Woncheuk's commentary on The Sutra that Explains the Profound Meaning:
Answer: The All Inclusive Commentary says, "All the sutras say that for one for whom there is mere-perception, they examine consciousness and abandon external objects. When external objects are abandoned, the deluded mind ceases. When the deluded mind ceases, then one realizes the Middle Way."
Therefore, a sutra says, "If one has not yet realized that objects are mind-only, two types of discrimination arise [i.e., of self and other]. When one realizes that objects are mind-only, then discriminations cease and do not arise. Know that all dharmas are mind-only and abandon the characteristics of external objects. From this, discriminations cease and one awakens to the equality of true emptiness."
Deluded people give birth to discrimination through their voracious desires for the sensation of contact with objects. They cling to every pleasure without letting go and freeing the mind, throwing themselves into the birth and death of samsara in the ocean of the three realms. Their suffering is severe and bitter without the causes for liberation.
Therefore, the Tathagata compassionately and skillfully taught the imperative that all dharmas are mere-perception so living beings would abandon external objects. When external objects are abandoned, deluded consciousness accords with the cessation of afflictions. When deluded consciousness is extinguished, nirvana is verified.
Thus, a sutra says, "It is like a good worldly doctor who dispenses wondrous medicine for the illnesses of the assembly. All Buddhas are also thus, teaching mind-only for this reason."
You are welcome to attend any or all of the upcoming sessions and to study along with us. The complete text for this study period is here (page numbers for the sessions are below in parentheses).
Upcoming Sunday Sessions
November 1: Zazen (0)
November 8: Introducing Mere Perception (pp. 1-6)
November 15: Mere Perception and Objects (pp. 7-13)
November 22: The Selflessness of Dharmas (pp. 14-20)
November 29: Matter and Perception (pp. 21-24)
December 6: Karma and Waking Up—One-Day Retreat (pp. 25-30)
This first session is open to all subscribers. Following sessions will be open to paid subscribers.