Ten Thousand Buddhas Repentance and Chan meditation
According to Venerable Master Hsuan Hua’s instructions, The City of Dharma Realm holds a three-week session of Ten Thousand Buddhas Jeweled Repentance and a three-week session of Winter Meditation Session, which are extremely precious. The Venerable Master had taught us that the merit and virtue of the Ten Thousand Buddhas’ Jeweled Repentance is innumerable; all the buddhas had bowed to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Jeweled Repentance. Additionally, in order to become a Buddha, one must participate in Chan sessions and do sitting meditation! Each incense during the Chan session lasts 60 minutes for sitting meditation; walking meditation lasts 20 minutes. The rules of the Chan Hall is strict and impartial, allowing inner reflection and stilling of one’s thoughts. Bowing in repentance, chanting buddha’s names, and paying homage to the sagely virtues of the buddhas, one cannot help but bring forth a sense of shame and a mind of repentance and reform, praying for the great kindness and compassion of the buddhas and control one’s false thoughts in addition to bring forth the foremost sincerity in making our vows. It is said that the inconceivable merit from sincerely repenting and reforming allows one to experience the grace and mercy of all buddhas.
Chan Investigation and Sitting Meditation
Investigating Chan and sitting meditation is to purify one’s mind and allow one to see one’s original buddha nature. The first requirement is to sit in full-lotus position, endure any and all pains that ensue, get rid of one’s temper and habits, and to introspect with proper thought, day after day, year after year, life after life, kalpa after kalpa, not forgetting our original resolve, diligently practice. And we are fortunate to have encountered a wise advisor to guide us in our daily practice according to the Buddhadharma and to cultivate according to one’s vows. Day by day with consistency and regularity, one can eventually break through and have some accomplishments. Indeed this is not an easy process and is not for the faint of heart.
