Silent Illumination and Hua-Tou

Hi Stuart,

Yes, practicing the hua-tou is starting to become very simple now that I am starting to get it right. I'm just back. Sitting alone in a large Chan Hall is front of a seven tons Buddha statue feels a bit different than in my bedroom. I could investigate with more intensity for one hour and a half. Reminds me of South Chinese temples, but brand new and much cleaner.

The place is managed by Hsing Yun's Fo Guang Shan organization, but the temple is open to all Buddhists as it also belongs to an association of various Buddhist traditions. I don't know much about their organization and don't care much anyway, but they are the only group here in Geneva that can conduct serious funeral ceremonies or other practical rituals lacking in meditation centers (important for the Asian local Buddhist community). They are very broad as far as practice is concerned, but seem to have a Linji Chan heritage. Some of the nuns living there are very nice and like to chat about all kind of subjects, from peak meditative experiences to Chinese food or fine tea.

Kind regards,

Alex

Hi Alex,

I am very glad to hear that you have settled into the practice and feel confident about what you are doing. You sound like you are jumping in fully. Great.

Hsing Yun and his Fo Guang Shan organization is the biggest Buddhist organization in Taiwan. He has centers all around the world. There is some competition among the three or four biggest name Buddhist leaders in Taiwan. Of course, one of them, Sheng-yen died a few months ago.

All the best,

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Yes, I feel confident now. Thanks again for spending the time to explain me the subtleties of the early stages of Kanhua Chan. I can now feel the doubt sensation clearly and it can get pretty intense when a momentum builds up. I Look forward to see how it will develop in the coming days or weeks.

Fo Guang Shan seems to be a very powerful organization. My wife brought me to their Emperor Liang Repentance Ceremony a few months ago for her father who passed away last year. After two days of intense sutra chanting and rituals in a totally asian environment, I could not believe that I was in Europe - lol. From what I can tell, the late Sheng-yen was more into Chan practice per se, while Hsing Yun seems to be more involved with social and political issues. But I read some of his English translations of Zen articles and it is obvious that he knows his stuff.

Kind regards,

Alex

Hi Alex,

It is wonderful to hear that you feel confident about doing the h-t practice. Having confidence in your ability and really, faith that you can do it, is important.

I am not sure that Sheng-yen was any more into Chan practice than is Hsing-yun, but you can get that impression from reading his works translated into English. It is hard to know who these teachers are until you spend a lot of time around them.

I hope you continue working diligently and steadily with the h-t.

All the best,

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Yes, I continue to work diligently and steadily with the hua-tou. It also seems to come back on its own when I just sit in silence. It means that it is gradually taking its roots in the unconscious mind.

I'll keep you posted.

Kind regards,

Alex

Hi Alex,

Agreed- the h-t is taking root with you. I have found the the h-t has particular strength if I consciously bring it to mind while eating
and using the toilet as well as the last thing at night as I go to sleep.

Please remember, do NOT work on the h-t when life situations call for all your attention:driving a car or bicycle, crossing busy streets, using power tools,...any thing that could be dangerous to your self or others. It is easy to forget this caution when getting into this practice.

All the best,

Stuart