"Prajñā is wisdom; pāramitā is perfect accomplishment or stages of practice. Practicing prajñā leads to perceiving the emptiness of the five aggregates, and its purpose is to liberate all suffering. Thus, perceiving emptiness is prajñā, while transcending suffering is pāramitā."
The functions of our six faculties and six consciousnesses are, in essence, the holistic functioning of the mind. When unified concentration is attained, the six faculties interpenetrate, and their functions become unobstructed. This is a highly advanced state of cultivation." Thus, even if suffering beings cannot cry out, Avalokiteshvara still perceives their anguish and manifests accordingly to offer relief.
I was already familiar with the huatou method, but the master’s detailed explanations gave me even greater clarity and confidence. As I immersed myself in practice, the huatou arose continuously—neither too tight nor too loose—and wandering thoughts ceased to arise. My entire being merged into the inquiry, the process clear and illuminated, the mind at ease as the doubt stirred by the huatou grew ever more pervasive.
Silent Illumination, championed by the Sòng dynasty master Hóngzhì Zhèngjué (宏智正覺), had faded in China but endured in Japan as "just sitting" (shikantaza). Master Shèngyán, through direct engagement with Hóngzhì’s teachings and Tang-era Chán’s living spirit, recognized this method as an ancient skillful means.
The *Diamond Sutra* is a core scripture of Mahayana Buddhism, centered on the concept of *emptiness ..
Starting from the foundational principle of "regulation of three factors in three meditation phases"..
"Lotus and Mud" illuminates the interdependent nature of existence through its central imagery, guiding readers to approach life's contradictions with the Middle Way's balanced perspective. This philosophy carries both profound depth and practical significance, reminding us that while we aspire toward the sublime, we must also embrace and understand the seemingly imperfect—for it is these very elements that make wholeness possible.
The essay "Wind and Tree" examines the relationship between the mind and the external world through the imagery of wind and tree, revealing how our mental states interact with perceived phenomena. At its core, it explores the dialectic between "mind" and "emptiness," offering insight into finding inner peace amidst an ever-changing world.
Written with poetic economy, this essay illuminates life's deepest questions. It moves beyond philosophical abstraction to practical wisdom, reminding us that life's value resides not in duration but in depth of meaning—a truth realized only through the twin lights of wisdom and compassion.
This collection of poetic verses encompasses explorations of life's essence, perspectives on birth and death, meditation practices, and profound inquiries into Buddhist philosophy. Through these writings, Venerable Jicheng not only demonstrates his deep understanding of the Dharma but also conveys the wisdom of meditation and life's meaning in concise yet potent language.
