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Prajna Forest Monastery: Feb, 2025

《題西林壁》

宋 · 蘇軾


橫看成嶺側成峰,遠近高低各不同。
不識廬山真面目,只緣身在此山中。

Viewed from the side, a range; from the end, a peak.
Far, near, high, low, each view is unique.
Unable to recognize Mount Lu's true face,
Because one is within the mountain's embrace.
- "Inscription on the Wall of Xilin Temple" by Su Shi
本月的主題是「十二因緣」中的「無明、行」二支。見護師鼓勵大眾認真學習、思惟這二支的重點,以及它們如何影響我們現在的生活。
This month’s theme is the first two links of the twelve links of interdependence, “ignorance” and “volition”. Shifu encourages everyone to think about the roles and effects they play in our current life.

法語一滴 A Taste of Dharma

知見立知,即無明本;知見無見,斯即涅槃
— 《楞嚴經》
To establish knowledge from knowing is the root of ignorance. To know without attachment to views is nirvana.
– Śūraṅgama Sūtra
「無煩惱人則不生,是故知煩惱為生因。煩惱因緣是無明,無明故,應捨而取,應取而捨。何者應捨?老、病諸苦,因緣煩惱應捨,以少顛倒樂因緣故而取。持戒、禪定、智慧,諸善根本,是涅槃樂因緣,是事應取而捨。
—《大智度論》
Without afflictions, there would be no birth. Therefore afflictions are the cause of birth (and death). The cause of afflictions is ignorance. Due to ignorance, one abandons what should be taken up and takes up what should be abandoned. Aging, sickness, and all sufferings, along with the afflictions that are their causes and conditions, should be abandoned. Yet, one takes them up due to a small amount of deluded pleasure. Upholding precepts, meditative concentration, and wisdom—these roots of goodness are the causes and conditions for the bliss of Nirvana. These should be taken up, yet they are abandoned."
– Treatise on the Perfection of Great Wisdom, scr.80

近期開示 Latest Teachings

Stories of Great Zen Masters
初級佛學班:不在乎不要怕
半日禪: 法念處 1-4
將在本月陸續播出
Awakening Hour 晨觀暮覺

般若禪林點滴
Prajna Forest Monastery Update

紅茶初開, 心正則行, 步步踏實

近期活動 Upcoming events

☉ 晨觀暮覺 每周日上午美西時間6點 - 閱讀詳情
☉ Awakening Hour Weekly Meditation on Sundays 6AM PST - Read More
☉ 半日禪 2月15日下午美西時間1點 - 閱讀詳情
☉ Half Day Meditation 2/1 1PM PST - Read More
☉ 初級佛學班:不在乎不要怕 - 播放清單
☉ Stories of Great Zen Masters - playlist

活動及反饋
Past Events and Feedback

We are delighted to share that our new Zen class, Stories of Great Zen Masters, officially began on January 9, 2025. Guided by Shifu’s teachings, this class explores the wisdom and insights of renowned Zen masters, offering profound lessons for our daily practice.
Our first sessions have been filled with engaging discussions and thought-provoking questions from students eager to deepen their understanding. The lively exchanges have enriched our collective learning, making each session both insightful and inspiring.
我們非常開心能和大家分享一個好消息!我們的全新禪修課程《禪宗祖師的故事》已經在2025年1月9日正式開課啦!這門課程由見護師父親自帶領,深入探索禪宗祖師們的智慧與洞見,希望能為大家的日常修行帶來更多啟發與靈感。
在剛開始的幾堂課中,學員們積極參與,提出了許多有趣且深刻的問題,課堂上的討論也特別熱烈,充滿了智慧的火花。這些交流不僅讓大家對禪修有了更深的理解,也讓每一堂課都變得更加豐富有趣。期待接下來的課程!

課堂討論

在這次的討論中,我們小組找出了專心聆聽的幾個關鍵要素。首先,專心聆聽需要我們專注當下,全神貫注於對方的話語,並保持不評判的態度,避免在對話中打斷對方。此外,運用肢體語言,例如眼神接觸和點頭,也能有效表達我們的專注與尊重。 然而,儘管我們認識到專心聆聽的重要性,實踐過程中仍然面臨不少挑戰,而找到有效的解決方案並不容易。以下是我們討論的主要挑戰與對應方法:
1. 分心(內在與外在)
分心是專心聆聽的一大障礙,無論是內在因素如疲勞、個人壓力、雜念干擾,還是外在因素如時間壓力、事情繁多及電子設備的干擾,都可能影響我們的專注力。為此,我們建議,若對話至關重要且無法延後,可以練習將注意力重新導向當下,讓自己回歸到對話的核心。
2. 意見分歧
當遇到與自己意見分歧的情況時,分歧可能引發防禦性反應,進而影響人際關係。對此,我們可以嘗試接受「意見不同是正常的」,並在適當的時候禮貌退出討論或保持沉默,以避免衝突升級,維護關係的
3. 理解困難
語言障礙、口音較重或不熟悉的話題,都可能讓我們在傾聽時感到理解困難。為了解決這個問題,我們可以透過專心傾聽展現對講者的尊重,並適時總結所理解的內容,以確認自己是否準確掌握了對方的意思。
4. 先入為主的觀念與解決問題的慾望
偏見、刻板印象及過去經驗可能讓我們在對話中產生錯誤假設,影響溝通效果。因此,我們需要提醒自己專注於完整傾聽,在表達意見或提供建議之前,先充分理解對方的立場與感受。 透過這次討論,我們更加意識到專心聆聽的價值與挑戰。專心聆聽不僅能提升溝通的品質,也能加深人際關係的理解與連結。我們鼓勵大家在日常對話中持續練習,讓每一次交流都變得更加有意義與和諧。
The members of our group deeply resonated with the shared experiences, particularly the challenges and frustrations that arise when deep listening is absent in intimate relationships—whether between parents and children, teachers and students, friends, or colleagues.
A recurring theme in our discussions was the profound impact of miscommunication. Some stories revolved around communication during crises, such as COVID-19, while others highlighted everyday disconnects that strain relationships. These miscommunications often lead to regret or missed opportunities. For instance, one young woman shared her struggles in adapting to a new culture after relocating to Malaysia, reflecting on the misunderstandings inherent in cross-cultural communication. Another story involved a father who tearfully recounted how his insistence on not getting an mRNA vaccine became the final straw that fractured his relationship with his son.
At its core, mindful listening requires more than simply hearing words—it demands a deep attentiveness to emotions, cultural contexts, intimacy, unspoken thoughts, and disparately held beliefs. Through our discussions, we realized that this practice is not only about understanding others but also about turning inward, listening to our own hearts and minds, and seeking healing. Buddhist wisdom, as Shifu has been teaching, provides invaluable guidance on this inward journey.
Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on and discuss mindful listening. It is a transformative practice, one that we hope will foster deeper connections with ourselves and those around us.

Happy Lunar New Year!