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Post by Shi Da Dao on Aug 23, 2021 8:06:47 GMT 1
Studying the immense Huayan Sutra, I was taken with the continuous mentioning of the familiar Buddhist term the 'Ten Directions' - which denotes North, South, East and West (1-4 directions), Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest (directions 5-8) and the Zenith (the highest point) and Nadir (the lowest point) - (directions 11-12). This is the Buddhist concept that covers every conceivable direction. In the late 1980s, I was discussing with Richard Hunn about the principle of right action and how this relates to 'legitimacy' of action. Richard Hunn surprised me with his directness of understanding. He said that if my mind is 'still', 'clear', and 'all-embracing' - then the Bodhisattvas residing in the 'Ten Directions' will sanction all my spiritual practice and morally guide any action taken in the world to assist others. Richard Hunn also explained the concept of 'skill in means' (explained more fully in the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra) whereby a Bodhisattva may enter non-Dharmic situations to 'rescue' individuals and groups from the mire of habitual deluded existence. As these non-Dharmic situations can be difficult, unjust and arduous, etc, yet all the Bodhisattvas will combine their collective spiritual power and focus this force toward the situation at hand! This power is accessed through a pure and robust spiritual practice.
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Nov 9, 2021 4:04:48 GMT 1
身心精華, 分裂南北. 清除堵塞, 團結一致.
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Nov 15, 2021 23:52:00 GMT 1
Richard Hunn in Kyoto Japan (post-1991) with his new partner 'Taeko Watani'. Although having no direct input into Richard's in-depth and highly specialised research about Chinese Ch'an Buddhism in Japan, (as this is not her particular area of expertise), Taeko did extensively support Richard in every other way including emotionally, physically (often accompanying Richard on field trips to obscure and well-hidden temples and assisting in photography and note-taking, etc), and materially. When Richard was first showing signs of his illness with cancer, Taeko purchased a tranquil (ancient) Samurai cottage within which Richard would continue to work for a time, or sit quietly to meditate (see third photograph. Taeko also paid for Chinese TCM doctors and Qigong Masters to treat Richard in his last days - as this was his wish. Help comes in many different ways. Richard had to leave the UK in 1991 to remove highly negative and hindering influences from his life - this he did and Taeko Watani was a major aspect of this reformation of his life in a new country! Indeed, the happy couple were married on November, 17th, 1997 - just six years after he had left the UK for a 'new' beginning!
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Nov 22, 2021 9:21:45 GMT 1
Email: For Your Files - How I Realised 'Enlightenment' or the More Modestly 'Self-Awareness - This Experience Cleared the Path for Me to Encounter You! (22.11.2021) Dear Gillian What is interesting is that after decades of effective inner and outer martial arts practice, I have arrived at a profound 'stable' state of mind, body and spirit (whatever that is). This journey has traversed many inner and outer levels or states of being. Mostly, this has included a logical approach to physical training motivated by 'doubt' a) in the process itself, and b) in my ability to keep-up the practice or c) to carry-out the prescribed practice correctly. This 'doubt' was inward whilst the physical 'outer' Chinese martial arts techniques were superb and highly effective. This 'doubt' (which ceased to function about 14-years-ago in c. 2007) acted like a force of magnetism drawing my 'uncertain' inner-being toward to the solid and stable outer-structure of the martial arts techniques and how they might be used in self-defence (function) and mind and body health and fitness (longevity). There is now a great awareness. A great all-embracing sense of psychological being that appears to be united with mind, body and environment. This unity I term 'spiritual' because all this seems 'transcendent'. Of course, whilst being driven on by the inner doubt to practice physical martial arts (as a form of 'armouring' against external attack), I also committed myself to intense Ch'an meditative practice as a means to 'uproot' this doubt which all motivating throughout my entire life to 'take action' in many different arenas - it also contained an element of 'weakness'. As I interpreted this 'weaknesses' as a major problem that a) held me back in a state of fearful 'non-action', or b) sabotaged physical actions so as to render all exertion completely pointless! The mind 'cleared' and 'expanded' - it became all-embracing so that the body stopped appearing to be 'outside' of it and took its place entirely within psychological awareness. Although I had my initial experiences of the realisation of a 'still' and 'empty' mind with its awareness expanding and embracing all things around 1990 - it took another 15-years for this experience to settle-down (2005), and about another two or three years for all vestiges of 'doubt' to completely dissolve (2007/8). What did happen around 1990, however, is that my physical use of outer Chinese martial arts technique deepened, expanded and matured, and since the time of 'teaching' in my own right (as opposed to 'training' under a teacher) - I have never lost a fight in the training hall. (Around a year before this experience, I was following a strict Chinese (Mahayana) Buddhist 'monastic' regime and sitting in meditation for hours a day practicing the hua tou 'Who is hearing?' Suddenly, whilst sitting in my 'cell' and without warning, my mind 'ceased to move' becomingly utterly and completely 'still'. This was accompanied by deep sense of permanent ecstasy! My Chinese teachers correctly taught me with 'silence' - whilst my Western teacher Richard Hunn (1949-2006) - my Western Ch'an teacher - correctly taught me with words! Ironically, he drew my attention to the authentic Chinese Ch'an texts. 'Neither be attached to the (realised) inner void - nor hindered by (the 'external') hindering phenomena'. It was deep within the 'silence' of my Chinese Ch'an Masters (including Chan Tin Sang [1924-1993] that I discovered the poignant meaning of Richard Hunn's spiritually 'vibrant' words. This is how I knew that Richard Hunn was correct in his understanding. Later, this dual instruction [into non-duality] led to the next shift in perspective This occurred a year later after a further period of intense practice, and was a product of a complete change or 'turning about' [see the 'Lankavatara Sutra'] at the deepest essence of the mind. It was such a profound and important 'first principle' that I nearly omitted it from the list of all the important events! I was once meditating sat on the ground outside 'returning' all sensory data 'back to its 'empty ground' essence - when a cool and refreshing Summer's freeze blew gently across my face. Suddenly, my mind instantaneously 'turned the right way around' immediately abandoning its previous 'inverted' functionality and appeared to 'expand', assume an 'all-embracing' position of being, whilst this 'new awareness' thoroughly permeated the physical-body and penetrated the physical universe throughout the past, present, and future! This permanent shift in psychological and physical manifestation changed 'me' from the DNA-chemical foundation upward and influenced all the views and opinions I now hold!) This includes not only transforming the experience of sparring with students (which is now unified experience premised upon wisdom, loving kindness and compassion) - but also manifested within the otherwise 'brutal' realm of 'honour fights' whereby unknown and unfamiliar individuals suddenly turn-up at my training hall and (disrespectfully) ask to spar! They wish to gain fame and fortune through 'out of control' violence which involves (for them) the 'beating' and 'exposing' a local (Chinese) gongfu teacher! How did this happen? I think whereas my opponents were still motivated by a deep and profound sense of 'doubt' (often involving a profound 'self-hatred') - I no longer experienced this 'doubt' which 'divides' human-beings during combat. Doubt by this time in my life had become nothing more than a profound sense of enhanced 'awareness' full of compassion and understanding. This is all held in place by a physical (martial) ability that can use 'gentleness' just as easily as 'harshness' to 'control' or 'regulate' physical interactions. Signed: Adrian Chan-Wyles [陳恒豫 - Chan Heng Yu] (22.11.2021) - '釋大道' (Shi Da Dao) Witnessed and Authenticated by Yau, Gee-Cheuk [邱芷芍] (22.11.2021) - 'Gee Wyles' - Wife of Adrian Chan-Wyles
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Feb 13, 2022 14:45:40 GMT 1
ParaphernaliaI was talking to Richard Hunn during one of his yearly visits to our home in Sutton (probably around 2000) – about the dire state of higher education in the UK and how I had been an academic advisor to a person who was completing a Master’s Degree in ‘Business Administration.’ One of the questions that needed answer was ‘How would you arrange the furniture in an office?’ When I told Richard this, he simply replied with one-word ‘Paraphernalia’ (Greek: 'σύνεργα'). Today, this word is used to mean ‘this and that’, or ‘odds and ends.’ It can also refer to a collection of ‘unconnected’ things all jumbled together with no apparent rhyme or reason for the gathering. This was an apt assessment of the point I was making regarding the structure of some ‘modern’ degrees, or academic courses that pass as ‘degrees.’ Of course, the word ‘paraphernalia’ has a much more interesting history than just this definition – being ancient Greek’ in origin. In the original Greek the root word is ‘Para-pherna’, (neuter plural), Although paraphernalia was plural in Medieval Latin, it can take either a singular or plural verb in English. The word is comprised from: A) ‘Para’ - which translates as ‘besides’, ‘apart from’, ‘distinct from’, ‘different’ and ‘beyond’, etc, B) ‘Pherna’ - which translates as ‘dowry’ - from an object which is ‘carried’ (pheren). The term ‘Parapherna’ (Greek: 'παράφερνα') comes into English from Medieval Latin as in Roman law this term refers to "a woman's property besides her dowry”, (a term originally related to ‘pheren’ - ‘to carry’) that is, all the property the woman brings with her which remain solely in her own possession and in her own control - and which does not belong to her husband when married (this was often comprised of the 'antiferna' or 'anti-pherna' [αντίφερνα] - which are the gifts given to the bride by the groom and his family - prior to the marriage taking place). This is distinct’ from the ‘dowry’ - which is the sole property of the women's husband – passed from the father of the bride to the husband of the bride without any legal interruption. The Greek term for ‘carrying’ the dowry (‘pheren’) as an object - appears to have become associated with the object of the ‘dowry’ itself (‘pherne’). In 1736 the word is recorded as being extended to ‘Paraphernalia’ - with the added ‘lia’ - implying the different (‘para’) carrying (‘pherna’) of types (possibly through the added Latin suffix ‘lia’) - with the word 'Paraphernalia' now pertaining to ‘apparatus’, ‘equipment’ and ‘odds and ends’, etc. From the 18th and 19th centuries legal systems around the world started to address the issue of ‘equality’ and ‘equity’ regarding the rights of women – rendering the Roman ‘dowry’ law redundant. Note: I notice that modern Greek writers tend to spell ancient Greek words using 'f' instead of 'ph'. Pherna (carry. dowry), for instance, is spelt 'ferna.' (To clarify, the Greek letter 'φ' is used which in its ancient form is pronounced 'phi' or 'phei'. The modern Greek language, however, pronounces 'φ' as 'fi'). They state that in the English tradition (which myself and Richard Hunn were educated within), ancient Greek words are conveyed through the medium of the 'Roman' (Latin) alphabet. Therefore, the convention is used whereby all words of an obvious 'Greek' origin are spelt with a 'ph' (instead of a 'f' or 'th') so as to distinguish these words from their purely 'Roman' counter-parts. As modern Greek people generally do not access their own language through the 'foreign' medium of the Roman alphabet - this English convention appears a little odd and strange to them - as does the continuous fiddling with and extension of 'meaning' pertaining to Greek-derived words. As for ourselves, when English-educated scholars 'look' at a text - we can tell straightaway if we are reading terms derived from the ancient Greek language simply by noting the convention of the spelling of the words themselves. This is required as British people speak an amalgam of at least five different historical languages involving Celtic, Greek, Roman, German and Scandinavian as well as those languages linked to the more recent British empire such as Chinese (various dialects and dialects), Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Arabic as well as West Indian and African dialects and languages, etc. To summarise, the word 'parapherna' refers to all the possessions of a woman that still belong to here even after being married and entering her husband's home - which does not include her dowry - which remains the exclusive property of the husband. The word 'antiferna', however, refers only to the gifts or presents granted to her by the groom (and his family) and not her possessions in total - once she is married and enters her husband's home - excluding the dowry which remains the exclusive property of the husband. From this tortuous legal road we then end-up with the word 'Parapernalia' which abandons all reference to a 'woman', 'marriage' and a 'dowry' and comes to mean merely 'odds and ends' or 'this and that.'
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Feb 16, 2022 7:44:02 GMT 1
Books by Charles LukThank you for your email. We have no direct input in the publishing or re-printing process. When Richard Hunn (1949-2006) was alive - he was able, with a moderate success, to guide his publishing contacts in this direction, but this field has diversified immensely since that time, with individual publishing houses taking it upon themselves to re-print without the permission of the Luk family (primarily because no one can locate either Irene Luk - the elderly daughter of Charles Luk [1898-1978] - or any of her off-spring). I am told that the dilemma exists that on the one-hand these books remain extremely 'popular', whilst on the other 'there's no money in their re-publication' - and that is where the situation stands. It seems to be the case that PDFs are being scanned, uploaded and passed around and that second-hand versions are being sold through Amazon and e-bay, etc. Best Wishes Adrian
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Mar 19, 2022 9:12:31 GMT 1
Richard Hunn - Shaolin"As and when we finally develop an ‘online’ presence,” Richard Hunn explained to me at some point in 2004, “It must remain ‘non-attached’ from sensory phenomena – as if a devout lay-person or monastic is very carefully and minutely upholding the Vinaya Discipline!” In other words, Richard continued, following the example of how Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) dealt with the everyday world, neither attached to ‘void’ and nor ‘hindered’ by phenomena! This is not a ‘denial’ of the outer world, but neither is it an ‘indulgence’ of external (or ‘internal’) sensory stimulation. Just how the senses are managed comes down to the extent with which the ‘wisdom’ capacity of the mind has been developed. There is a perfect ‘balance’ the internal and the external – the inside of the body with the outside of the body and the external world it interfaces an interacts with and through. Neither attached to the void nor hindered by phenomena. Master Xu Yun’s biography is full of the application of this thinking. On the other hand, and this is a tricky ability, Master Xu Yun definitely ‘interacted’ with the physical world, but was never over-powered by that world. Richard Hunn was always curious about how Master Xu Yun (who was living in the far away province of China’s Yunnan region at the time), said ‘nothing’ about the 1928 destruction of the Shaolin Temple (in Henan) by the Nationalist government. Richard would ponder, “Imagine a devout Protestant living in the UK saying ‘nothing’ about the destruction of Canterbury or St Paul’s Cathedral in their biography! “Imagine a devout Catholic saying ‘nothing’ about the destruction of the Vatican!” The Shaolin Temple is believed to be the epicentre of the historical interaction between the Indian Buddhist monk – Bodhidharma – and the devout Chinese Buddhists inhabiting the temple at the time (around 520 CE). Around 1,408 years later, this by now famous temple was ‘destroyed’ and the physical and spiritual centre of Ch’an Buddhism was snuffed-out. This should have warranted a few words – but Xu Yun was either ‘quiet’ about the matter because such a silence better protected the best interests of the Dharma at the time – or those around him understood that the best way to protect Master Xu Yun was to tactfully ‘omit’ or ‘place to one-side', anything Xu Yun had to say. There are many such incidents throughout Master Xu Yun’s life. Ch’an practitioners never lose site of the empty nature of the foundation of the mind (or human conscious-awareness), even when deeply immersed within the minutiae of the world! The capacity of ‘developed’ wisdom dictates as to the depth or shallowness of the involvement of the outer-world.
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Apr 9, 2022 12:29:51 GMT 1
Testing the Waters.Richard Hunn said "Buddhism really is not all about 'smiling monks' and feeling good about yourself!" We were stood in the Borders Bookshop in Kingston at the time, during September, 2002 if memory serves me right. Although now long-gone - this use to be an extraordinary bookshop stocking cutting-edge books on a bewildering variety of subjects. Buddhism, of course, was a best seller and well represented, but most of the books on the subject inverted or reversed the Buddha's message - seeking to 'magnify' the very ego the Buddha sought to uproot! Indeed, the type of 'inner struggle' and 'sheer despair' most genuine spiritual development entails is not a subject that can be so easily packaged and turned into a commercially viable subject! True Buddhist practice, that is a practice which is geared toward uprooting the deeply embedded traits of greed, hatred and delusion does not sit well with convention or the habits of a regular or stable lifestyle! A total transformation of one's being is often not a smooth transition from one acceptable and comfortable manifestation to another! Buddha certainly did not embrace the conservative elements of his society and culture - as his entire philosophical method is nothing short of a dramatic 'show-stopper'! The challenge for each of us who embarks upon this journey - and is serious about its ramifications - is 'how' and 'where' this transformation takes place. Everything must be given-up and existence turned inside-out and started again!
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Jun 4, 2022 16:08:43 GMT 1
Dear Panda Many - if not all - of the spiritual paths were developed thousands of years ago before modern-thinking was prevalent throughout the world. Modern thinking was known but remained in isolated pockets of discontinuity. One of the first things Richard Hunn said to me in 1989 is that the Ch'an Gong-An method was formulated BEFORE the modern world was developed and all its machinations had a chance to assail our senses! Modern life is much more intense and complex - and so the Hua Tou was developed. Having said that, the Hua Tou probably dates back to the 12th century and Ch'an Master Da Hui (1089-1163) - although he referred to this development as 'Kan Hua' or ' Look Word', etc. Overtime, 'looking at the words' of the gong-an in a specific and certain way eventually developed into the 'Hua Tou' or the 'examination of where each word (that is its 'head', 'origin', or 'beginning') arises from within the deep psychic fabric of the mind'! The term Hua Tou should probably be better transliterated as 'Word Beginning', or 'Word Origin' - as that is the meaning of the Chinese term 'head' - or that which comes first (with the term 'word' symbolising 'where ALL thought and feeling arise')! The true experts are able to 'return' all six sense-data simultaneously to the empty mind ground in an instant - so that the surface mind activity is 'stilled' and the empty mind ground is perceived (which is the exact mid-point between perception and non-perception). With regards to the damage that modern life can and does 'ingrain' on the mind and body - quite often modern medical science is the answer rather than spiritual training - although access to good medical care is often an issue. This has to be said because it is true. However, although Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) did benefit from superficial medical care - he certainly was not subject to psychological or psychiatric care - both of which were in their infancy and not very well-known in China at the time (many Chinese scholars interested in the early work of Freud were concerned about certain 'racist' elements - before Freud was proven incorrect, etc). Master Xu Yun witnessed the sack of Beijing in 1900 (which saw Western and Japanese armies murder 50,000 people), and between 1931-1945 he witnessed the barbarism of the Imperial Japanese Army! I suspect he saw much more than he reported or committed to paper! His answer was always longterm withdrawal from the world and the engagement in intense meditational practice! Best Wishes Adrian
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Aug 5, 2022 8:58:38 GMT 1
Of course, quite often it is said that 'being free' is a relative concept - simply because many of use are 'trapped' in circumstances (quite often of our own making) from which we cannot extract ourselves as quickly as we became embroiled! Such is life and there is probably no other way of living - for as soon as we 'move' in any direction - there is the reality of old situations giving way to new and often unpredictable realities (as expressed throughout the 64 chapters of the Yijing)! Even if we try to stay artificially 'still' and wilfully prevent our bodies from moving - there is always the danger that our circumstances will change due to forces shifting beyond and out of our immediate control! Change really is the key to it all! Of course, non-attachment helps from a position of adjustment and pliability. Although our mind might be 'still' our bodies and environment still change and there is nothing we can do to stop this quite often 'natural' process! A mind that is 'still' possesses the capacity to perpetually 'reflect' the world surrounding the six senses. Such a mind 'reflects' without 'grasping'. This is interesting in the internet age as the human mind is attached to the digital screen with the power of two magnetised pieces of metal attracted to one another! The mind today appears unable to disassociate itself from its 'new' environment - when in fact this is exactly what is needed! In the time of the historical Buddha, the human mind appeared just as entranced by the world of Brahmanic religiosity - and the Buddha stated the unthinkable - namely STOP being enthralled by it all! Each generation mistakenly thinks its particular predicament is the most important of all - but it is not. Each generation is simply the next challenge to the reality inherent in the Buddha's method. Just as Richard Hunn once sat in a bedsit applying the huatou method whilst observing strangers traverse through his living space (so that they became like waves cascading in and out on a beach) - we must apply the Ch'an method so that our minds are clear and bright in every situation!
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Oct 6, 2022 2:09:43 GMT 1
Richard Hunn once explained that the 'Dao' (道) operates everywhere and has been present at all times - from before the Court of Henry VIII to now! The 'Dao' is the integration of the realised 'void' with the understood 'form' - so that there is no duality and no contradiction in operation. Initially, the outer world has to be given-up so that the 'void' can be seen clearly and in an uninterrupted manner. This includes the birthing and dying process and everything that unfolds inbetween. In the photograph above - Richard Hunn is 'playing the guitar' in Kyoto, Japan - a family leisure activity that seemed to be very popular in that country in the late 1990s and early 2000s. On October 1st, 2006, Richard Hunn passed away from Cancer aged 57-years old. This transition occurred sixteen years ago - today. His final words were 'Let's go to the bookshop and purchase some Wordsworth!'
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Oct 23, 2022 16:19:46 GMT 1
Richard Hunn – Change in the Mind and EnvironmentThe manner in which Richard Hunn viewed ‘form’ and ‘void’ suggests that what seems to physically exist is in a continuous state of flux! His opinion was that he only appeared to be ‘here’ - with ‘here’ being conditioned by all sorts of material considerations – considerations that will ‘change’ and never stay the same! I think this is why he valued the ‘Yijing’ (易經) - or ‘Book of Changes’ - a challenge passed onto him by his teacher - Charles Luk (1898-1978). Apparently, Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) thought the Yijing (Richard referred to this book as the ‘Yiking’) was useful but that he could not be seen to be endorsing a Confucian (or Daoist) text which many mistakenly viewed through the superstition of ‘divination’ - rather than an advanced text that charts ‘how’ material conditions continuously ‘transform’ and ‘change’. The material world seems to be always ‘here’ - but science explains that ‘here’ is a relative concept – just as the majority of stuff in the universe is ‘empty’ space! Of course, although we appear to inhabit a permanent and stable (physical) universe – we know that (physical) matter comes into existence through natural processes – and falls apart because of exactly the same natural forces! Matter may seem ‘permanent’ and although we may spend a lifetime living within this environment – we know (through science) that one day it will end! This refers to the external world – but we experience existence inhabiting a living vehicle which possesses a finite existence – a reality we will personally experience when the time arrives (either naturally or unnaturally). Therefore, seeing through material reality is the prime function of the hua tou (so that the empty mind ground is perceived and united with) – whilst the Yijing offers a process for the human intellect to come to terms with material reality and fathom just how transition operates from one state to another! Humanity has used this knowledge for developing martial arts, medicine and politically controlling society – but as far as Ch’an development is concerned – the thoughts that traverse the surface of the mind serve as a ‘barrier’ to the perception of the empty mind ground! This psychological ‘change’ must be understood if the hua tou is going to successfully fulfil its function of ‘seeing through’ this movement. In reality, the movements of the thoughts that traverse the surface of the mind equate with the movements that traverse the surface of the material world (which the six senses perceive)! The ‘change’ on the surface of the mind ‘mirrors’ the ‘change’ within material reality (and vice versa). I spent hours discussing this concept with Richard Hunn (face-to-face) and through long distance telephonic conversations – and the written word. However, Richard Hunn conveyed a genuine Ch’an transmission and insisted that intellectual understanding was only confirmed with success achieved within seated (hua tou) meditation and Ch’an Dialogue interaction! Richard Hunn was not interested in unnaturally sustaining any material set of conditions that are destined to ‘change’ and ‘alter’ completely – leaving nothing of its former existence! A genuine Ch’an Master is like an opening and shutting-door that shows ‘direction’ and ‘method’ - but which is continuously ‘not here’ - simply because the student possesses a tendency toward ‘attachment’ and mistaking this ‘attachment’ for spiritual ‘attainment’! The Book of Change should be carefully studied whilst the bias of authors and translators being completely ignored. Furthermore, the Chinese language text of the Yijing is now available online so that interested individuals can ‘check’ and ‘clarify’ certain and specific extracts of the Yijing – to ensure the ‘meaning’ being conveyed through non-Chinese languages is ‘correct’ and retains the ‘intended’ meaning inherent in the ancient text!
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Mar 22, 2023 8:09:40 GMT 1
Richard Hunn once said: "Many Western people dress-up as 'Buddhists' and keep presenting themselves to me for 'Judgement'!" I asked: "Why would they do that?" Richard Hunn replied: "Oh - they mistakenly assume that economic security in the outer world (which grants materially endless 'choice') equates with the permanent transformation of the thought processes within the deepest layers of the mind achieved by the Buddha (whilst living in abject poverty) - or any number of materially impoverished Chinese Ch'an adepts!" I was immediately reminded of the Buddha's instruction contained in the Lankavatara Sutra - regarding the 'turning about' (in the deepest aspects of the mind) and the fact that all is 'change' in the outer (material) world (as the Theravada Pali Suttas so beautifully explain). Whatever the case, a genuine Chinese Ch'an Master is careful NOT to fall into the Tiger Trap of ego and outer display of ego! Bodhidharma even stood-up to an Emperor of China - who was well-dressed - but nevertheless 'unenlightened'. The outer (material) world is always 'present' to the six senses - but the manner in which it is 'present' is always insubstantial. Material objects may seem eternal - but given a long enough time span - all things come to an end - even our own pretence!
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Mar 22, 2023 17:46:13 GMT 1
Richard Hunn said: "Try it out. Set up a 'free' forum and see what happens. Copy type extracts of Xu Yun's Dharma Words and aim for 'self-empowerment' - no organisation, no membership and certainly no fees. Of course, work on the premise that nothing lasts forever and be prepared to shut it all down at the drop of a hat. Non-attachment all the way!" (September - 2004). Next year this forum will be 20 years old. Richard Hunn passed away in 2006 - so he only saw two years of development - but the method he established has been maintained - more or less. He provided much of the very first material - and checked the direction and quality of everything the original contributors added. He would ring me (in London) from his home in Kyoto - usually late at night in the UK - to suggest an addition or alteration here and there. Remember, the internet was relatively 'new' for all of us and the older generation still adhered to many of the pre-internet methodology. Although Richard Hunn was a great writer - he struggled to master the early emailing system! Perhaps we all did at the time. Still, whenever the time comes to shut it all down - I am sire you will be the last to know. A little bit of Ch'an humour!
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Post by Shi Da Dao on Mar 24, 2023 6:14:09 GMT 1
I asked Richard Hunn what, in his experience, is the most difficult 'attachment' Ch'an practitioners possess? He answered 'Their ethno-centric predicament.' He then added 'Westerners really do "think" they are "Westerners" - and Easterners really do "think" they are "Easterners"!' Even in the old days - well before the internet - Richard Hunn traversed through diverse ethnic groups - and this is how he acquired his advanced knowledge of the history and usage of the Chinese language. He clarified 'During the Reign of Henry VIII (in England) and the Rule of the Ming Dynasty Emperors (in China) - two eras thousands of miles apart that historically overlapped - the Empty Mind Ground remained exactly identical within each part of the world!' This reality remained exactly the same for all time and in all places. This being the case, the issue of 'self-identity' is interesting as it gets to the crux of the matter! If we are not prepared to 'penetrate' the conditioning that makes us who we think we are - then how are we to realise the Empty Mind Ground? Transcending this conditioning should not be mistaken as artificially giving up 'living' or 'abandoning' self-identity per se - but rather signifies a realignment of the psychological processes a) with themselves, b) with the physical body and c) the material environment both inhabit!
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