This month’s theme is the second of the “threefold training”: meditation, also known as samadhi. We invite everyone to explore Buddhist teachings related to the practice of meditation with the aim of being able to stay calm and mindful whether in stillness or in action. December will continue with the third of the “morality, meditation, wisdom” threefold training.
What are the nine abidings of the mind? A bhikkhu trains his mind to inner abiding, continuous abiding, stable abiding, near abiding, well-adjusted abiding, stillness, deeper stillness, one-mindedness, and samadhi. These are the nine abidings of the mind (i.e., nine stages of meditative concentration).
– Yogācārabhūmi-Śāstra
「一切禪定攝心，皆名為三摩提，此言正心行處。」
「菩薩不取亂相，亦不取禪定相，亂、定相一故，是名禪波羅蜜。」
—《大智度論》
“All forms of meditative concentration practice resulting in collected mind may be called samadhi, the state of right-mindfulness.”
“A bodhisattva is neither attached to chaos nor concentration; the non-duality of chaos and concentration is the perfection of meditation.”
– From The Treatise on Perfection of Great Wisdom by Nāgārjuna
"Those who are truly committed to seeking the supreme path can accept any difficulty; even facing hurricane and scorching sun, their minds remain settled, patient, and content.”
“Realizing the true nature of the mind, one sees that tranquility and wisdom are inherently unified, which is the highest state of meditation."
– Grand Master WeiChueh, from “Lectures on Trust in Mind”
「不住相即是定，不住法即是慧。」— 見護法師
“Non-attachment to all appearances is samadhi; non-attachment to all dharmas is prajna.”
On 10/14, Dharma Master Jianhu, Dean Huang Zhiyang of Huafan University's College of Arts, and Professor Zhan Xiankun of National Kaohsiung Normal University explored the convergence of Buddhism, Daoism, and art from the perspectives of Zen, calligraphy, and paintings, respectively. Master Jianhu delivered an insightful talk titled 'Life as Painting, Painting as Life,' using verses from the Avatamsaka Sutra to illustrate the reality of life through the metaphor of painting. Dean Huang's unique teaching methods have inspired college students to develop a love for calligraphy. Professor Zhan delved into the spirit of Chinese Zen as expressed in both classical and modern paintings. Attendees were immersed in this feast of art and spirituality, eager for more!
