Chapter 4 Attachment: Let's talk about "Three Realms of Supporting the Empty" - Zen's method of observing the mind (chapter)

Those who are not seated now, take your seat quickly!From these details of work and rest in meditation, we can see the difference between layman and expert.It can be seen that it is not accidental that they have shaved their hair, put on this clothes, and studied here for so long.Comparing the two legs of you great laymen with them, you can see that they are really good at it.Their monks and classmates don’t care if they sit so hard for a whole day, so I often say, no matter whether you have the right way or not, sit with your legs first. I have legs, sit on them for seven days and seven nights. The principle of "prajna contemplation" is by no means in vain.look!No matter how good your knowledge is, you great lay Buddhists will collapse within a few hours of sitting here.snort!They practiced for a few weeks, and it is usually the same. Don't look at me sometimes telling them that they are so ineffective. It is measured by strict standards. After all, it is much better than your loose amateur "kungfu" .Several of you are old Buddhists, and you are about to become "Buddha fritters"!Theoretical names such as "Sanji Suokong" are often talked about without blushing. What is the "Sanji" of Sanji Suokong?Front, back, present.Because you can't make excuses in Sanji, now I have to give a convenient explanation.

It doesn't matter if we open our eyes or close our eyes, or listen to our ears or not, but let our messy consciousness, or any messy concept, feeling, perception Wait, intellectually, make an induction and divide it into three stages.For example: I am speaking now, and the deacon and classmate are pulling the curtains. The sound is heard, and it passes away immediately.Then, the voice, thoughts, thoughts or actions behind have not yet appeared, and you say now, and the present has already passed away, there is no present, but the "future" just mentioned did not come, but it came in an instant, and when you were about to say "now", It has now slipped away.The consciousness phenomenon of all life is like flowing water, and there is no way to distinguish the past, present, and future. All of them are self-generated from the "emptiness", so why do you deliberately go to the empty space?It has always been clean!Furthermore, taking a step back, the previous wave has passed, and the next wave will naturally be blocked if you don't pay attention to it.Don't let it come, isn't the middle empty?Sanji empty, let's take a look!It's that easy, if you can't even do the most basic, how can you learn from Buddhism?

Whether you are studying Taoism or Tantric Buddhism, or chanting mantras, visualizing, keeping the orifices, etc., the first thought passes, but the second thought does not come, and it will naturally block everything without any effort. Isn't it empty?To do this is to "suppress the empty space".However, some people think that the three times of emptying means reaching the state of no-mind, that is, they have obtained the Tao. Isn't this a mistake?Let me tell you, "No heart is the way, no heart is like a barrier." Don't say that you can't do three times, even if you can, it's not enough, the future still has nine bends and eighteen turns!For example, when I heard the three emptinesses, I immediately cut off the front and back, which is not surprising at all. If you want to cut it off, you can cut it off. This is "can break the Vajra Prajna Paramita". What is the difficulty?

The times are different now, and we have already entered the age of nuclear space. Our "Buddha-making factory" needs to speed up the creation of Buddhas. In the past, the pace of daily life in the agricultural era was slow, and the ancients could grind it slowly. Now everything pays attention to efficiency, and everyone must step up. Steps, don’t be slow in everything, work it out carefully, if you are a person who has achieved three levels of emptiness, don’t always stay in this pure state where the sixth consciousness is temporarily disguised, thinking that you can’t care about the external environment, it’s a "clear mind" If you don't see the phenomenon of "seeing the nature" and enlightening the Tao, then alas!Seeing your big-headed ghost alive, I am so sorry for my hard work.

Don’t mistakenly think that our sixth consciousness is the heart. Then you don’t even have a shadow when you study Buddhism and Taoism. The heart that truly penetrates the three realms is the heart of the whole body. Some intellectuals here don’t even understand this truth, sorry ?After what I have said, you may have doubts in your mind: "Since the real three-stage support for emptiness is to be truly empty of body and mind, then we have listened to the three-stage support for emptiness for a day, and other principles, all in vain. "No!It's not in vain, as long as you can cut off the sixth consciousness, congratulations!This is tantamount to "seeing the rice when blowing the soup", just like you cook a pot of porridge, the porridge has almost no content, and the outside is full of rice soup, where is the rice?invisible.When the porridge is served on the table, it is hot. You blow it to blow away the thick layer of rice juice on the outside, and you can see how many grains of rice are poured into the bottom of the bowl, although the rice grains are sparse. The weight is small, but there is still a little bit, which is not bad!But don’t think that this is the way.

"Buddha taught all dharmas to relieve all minds. I don't have all minds, so why use all dharmas?".There are eighty-four thousand Dharma-doors of Buddhism, and even countless Dharma-doors.All of them are designed to relieve our deep-rooted afflictions. The so-called chanting in Chinese Buddhism has a lot of mysteries in it. It is really difficult to sing well!Therefore, I told the students in this institute that the basics of singing and reciting have been learned, and I will point out the key points, and you will understand.Today I heard everyone singing Xiangzan, and it was barely enough. (Teacher sings): "Ma-he-" That's right, it's so natural and "peaceful"!Don't just bring up an idea and sing it out loud, really grasp the trick. The chanting of the superficial teaching is actually a great secret method. Most people who study Buddhism think that reciting a mantra is the secret school, the real Dharma.When the Buddha was alive, where did his old man want this kind of thing?It was only when Buddhism evolved into a specialized religion in later generations that the method of reciting secret mantras gradually formed. "door"; it is also a very important method among all kinds of practices; in ancient China, there are at least several hundred people living in the general forest ashram, and they often get up together in the morning, and everyone stands in front of the Buddha in a respectful, respectful and orderly manner. , that kind of simple and pure singing of the Mountain Forest School, without any coloratura skills at all, "Nan-wu-oh" was sung all the way through the morning class, and everyone calmed down effortlessly. , the beauty of which is indescribable.

Our physical body is the realization of the mind, but don't think that the brain is the mind. Usually we think that the thinking brain is just the function of body consciousness. Strictly speaking, it does not reach the scope of the sixth consciousness.Consciousness, this thing is very mysterious, but it cannot be attributed to the nervous system. Modern medicine still needs further research on this issue.Dr. Hong, is consciousness a function of the diencephalon?Does the diencephalon work?At present, medicine is still inconclusive.You think that the reaction of the brain nerves is the function of consciousness, but in fact it is just the change of body consciousness of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and body.The level of consciousness still needs to go deeper. As for what is going on with the seventh mana consciousness, it is even more difficult for ordinary people to imagine.

In terms of practice, if someone has reached the third level of the sixth consciousness level, it does not count, because your body is not empty, the blood in your body is still circulating, and you still have feelings, so don’t think that the sixth consciousness is empty. Maintain a little bit of clarity, make a fuss and think that you are empty, but the real three-time emptiness means that the body and mind are empty, "the heaven and the earth are of the same root with me, and all things are one with me". step. So, what if you sit quietly and practice until the Qi stops and the pulse stops?Many of you pay attention to unblocking the energy channels every day, so what!Immortal!From the mainland to Taiwan, I have looked everywhere for decades. Many people who study Taoism and esoteric specialize in teaching these methods. What about now?Unfortunately, those older than me all ran away, coming and going in a hurry, "a rain of flowers is a wind", without leaving a trace, they are all gone.No matter how well the Qi meridians are cultivated, and all the eight extraordinary meridians are opened up, so what?Be smart, everyone!The qi channel is opened, and the qi channel is stopped. This is to break through the deep-rooted obstacles of our body, to achieve a state of peace and harmony in the body and mind, so as to further obtain the achievement of prajna wisdom.

We ordinary people feel uncomfortable everywhere. We are greatly oppressed by the limitations of this body, and we are always surrounded by it. Your four elements are out of tune. After reciting the Buddha’s name, you are still in a mess. Ji Tuokong, "Nanwua—" The second and third thoughts stopped, "Mi" and "Tuo" couldn't get up, can you cut off the clean and clear sky?Even if it is cut off, it still doesn't count. It is necessary to hold the Qi and stop the pulse, the body and mind are empty, the same root as the heaven and the earth, all things are one, remain still, and have nothing to worry about.Are you home now? — just getting started.There are still big things to happen in the future, especially before you find the original face of the master of the universe, no matter how deep your meditation skills are, you will inevitably end up wandering endlessly in the dust of the three worlds. Emptiness, not the one mentioned above, but this one, understand?

Don't think that once the thought is cut off, it is a three-stage emptying, like this three-stage emptying, that is very easy, there is a method in Tantric Buddhism, and it is still a great method in the Baijiao. Just like the Dharma, "Buzz! Buzz!—" Recite mantras frequently, or sincerely worship Buddha like a ritual, and do it for a long time. It is easy to cut off the thought and empty it, isn't it?Back then when I learned this method, I respectfully made many offerings and made many kowtows, which was not easy to get.Later, I asked the teacher who taught the method, "Is this your Dafa?" The master said, "This is the supreme esoteric method." I asked again, "Is there any more?" "Oh, this is already a very high esoteric method. "I said: "This trick is just for fun here. It is commonplace in our Han area, and ordinary old women know it." The master listened.He was very surprised, because he actually knew that I was quite a "weird" person, I didn't talk nonsense, and if I said anything, I must have something to say.

Besides, you guys are playing Shaolin boxing these two days, so I told Master Changzheng: "You don't need to blow the whistle, you have to shout the password, "One!two!three!Four" is brave and powerful. After such a punch, I am exhausted and have no delusions and distractions. What is so strange? I said that this is a physical and mechanical effect. You do not understand science. Human consciousness and psychology are the same as those of physics. The effect of mechanics is the same. For example, if you clenched your fist tightly and concentrated the centripetal force to the extreme, over time, you will naturally want to let go. After a period of relaxation, you will naturally feel the need to close your palm. As long as you concentrate for a period of time, it will It is necessary to relax. It is natural to temporarily enter the ethereal and pure state of consciousness. I will learn all kinds of secret methods and Taoist methods that can help us achieve success in practice. There is a saying in Chinese Confucianism: "I don't know one thing, the shame of a Confucian." As long as there is one thing that is not understood, it is a shame for a Confucian. The same is true for studying Buddhism and Taoism. Eighty-four thousand methods, no matter whether they are in the world, should be learned and mastered In this way, the vast actions and vows of the bodhisattva way will not become empty talk. So, now in many temples, everyone likes to beat, chant and sing in such a "dengdengdeng... rumbling" way, as if to recruit the dead.Is this set of singing that has been handed down for thousands of years just like an opera for people to watch and entertain?Its basic principles cannot be ignored.Let’s talk about the practice of Tantra, have you really worked hard?How much offerings do you have to make!Ordinary people can't afford to repair it!What a thousand lamps, a thousand cups of water, simply at least twenty-one lamps, or seven lamps!And still want butter lamps made of milk!In addition, the daily "three white" support is even more indispensable. .What is Sanbai - white sugar, glutinous rice, white sesame.All the offerings last for one day, and they have to be replaced with new ones the next day.The tea supply should be changed two or three times a day, and there must be no sloppiness in the slightest. All these details and so on must be truly done one by one.Learning Tantra, how many people can really enjoy it!You are poor, just find a lama and sprinkle two drops of water on the top of your head, hey!Terrible, I poured it out!What a bargain! What's more, after formally studying the Fa, according to the practice method of the Yellow Sect Dawei De Vajra Rituals that I preserved in Qianlong's personal translation, a whole class of laws and regulations have been practiced, and I sit respectfully in front of the mandala. , beat the drum with one hand, visualize the deity in the head, and then make handprints with both hands besides ringing the bell and beating the drum. Did you say "Boom—" (the teacher slapped the table)——the consummation stage, do you think it is still empty?It must be empty, because you are exhausted, and when you are exhausted, you will become empty.Hey!This method is so ingenious, isn't the reciting and singing of Xianjiao also have the same effect?Waking up early in the morning with an empty stomach, standing in front of the Buddha, opening his mouth as soon as Yinpan knocked, "Nan-wu-" and "Nan-wu-" Woke up, scriptures, praises, verses, mantras, vows Wait, section by section, Wei Na beat the wooden fish rhythmically from the side "click, click, click...", and finally slowed down gradually, and then there was a "click", everyone was silent, nature was In the clear spirit of the morning light, everything returns to silence, and all delusions, distracting thoughts, emotions and desires disappear at the same time. Isn't this just three times empty? You usually don’t know this principle, and you have come across the Dafa and don’t know it. It’s so ridiculous to think that someone will teach you a supreme secret method and you can quickly achieve it.Therefore, many methods seem to be two different things on the surface, but in fact there are similarities in differences, and they are basically based on the same principle; even in Western Catholicism and Christianity, as soon as believers enter the church, they kneel before the cross, pray, and then "Amen "One sound, let me tell you, this is also Tantra!"Amen" in Christianity, "Allah" in Islam, and many other religions in the world, in their key prayers or some nouns, the opening sound is "A". After understanding the reason, it becomes clear that they are all the same thing!We all have it, we have it all the time, and we never leave it for a moment. Let’s take a look at it. After working outside for a day, I squeezed a purse into the car to go home. When I entered the house, I took off my shoes and threw the whole person on the sofa, phew!Oh my God!It's so comfortable, everything is out of the blue, it's gone!Sanji empty.But this is not the way!This is not a real three-time support, but you can learn how to work hard when practicing.But if you think this is the Tao, there is a saying in Zen called "false talk", then you will commit the crime in a daze. None of the 84,000 Dharma gates of Buddhism stem from this "Three Realms of Emptiness".Not only Buddhism, but any religion, who wants to make human's psychological consciousness return to tranquility, can only rely on the principle of three-dimensional support, so that it can be cut off from the past, present, and future, presenting a temporarily pure state of consciousness at the level of consciousness, so as to maintain a long-term existence. , is commonly called shamatha (stop).So, where does it stop?no end.Stopping is the cause, concentration is the effect, and slowly and long-term concentration will have unimaginable effects for ordinary people. Only then can we talk about a further level of hard work in the real Dharma. "Sanji Tuokong", the secret curtain that has been going on for thousands of years, now I have roughly opened it and told you about it.I don’t have any secrets here. In the space age where science is so advanced and developed, humans have already flown to the moon, and even newer space vehicles have already flown to farther outer space. We learn Buddhism and still be ourselves. What a big deal, what a great secret!Speaking of the current Buddhism, Zen Buddhism must be modernized, and Tantric Buddhism must also be modernized. When you really understand Buddhism, you will know that it is the most true, scientific, progressive, and open thing in the past, the present, and even the future. .Therefore, I often tell everyone that there is no Dharma here, and there is no secret at all. In broad daylight, everything is thriving and flourishing. It is clear, why don't you open your eyes! (Excerpt from "Ten Directions" Magazine Volume 3 Volume 6 Issue 7 Winter Vacation Zen Master Lecture)