Ch'an - the Road Back Home - Welcome!

Hi everyone!
This is to welcome you to a series of teachings in 12 Chapters by Master Hui Re on Ch'an Meditation. The sections will be split into digestible bite-size chunks for your convenience and to keep things straightforward.
We welcome your enthusiastic feedback and input.
These precious teachings are mainly focused on the essence of meditation in a practical way.
May all those needing meditation guidance benefit!
May we all ever steadfast walk the path...
Amitofo!



INTRODUCTION
Part 1

The Ch'an Meditation Lineage

Eastern meditation started in the 5th Century BCE with the awakening of Sakyamuni Buddha. After this the great Indian monk Bodhidharma entered China, leaving to this day 2000 years of meditation history. The meditation propagated at Nan Hua Temple is the meditation of the Ch'an School, being the wonderful result of the effect of Chinese culture on the teaching of the Buddha. In the past, this had a deep and powerful effect on the philosophy, literature, arts, architecture, and so on, of both China and her neighbours, Japan and Korea. In the future, its effects on Europe and the Americas will be similar. Buddhism and meditation are the spiritual legacy of humankind, and it is certainly worthwhile investigating this, to extract the essentials we now require.

Principles and Concepts of Meditation:

1 The Thought of Meditation: The virtue of maintaining a balanced and even mind, putting an end to mundane thinking, and to develop the thinking of the saints.
2 The Culture of Meditation: The growth and increase of confidence, unconditioned kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.
3 The Lifestyle of Meditation: The practice of a simple, grateful and regulated life. Living contentedly and ethically.
4 The Use of Meditation: Using it joyously, to become full of life. Everywhere is the right place, as there is no limit.
5 The Spirit of Meditation: Fearlessly taking on responsibilities and putting them into practice. Knowing that this Mind is the Buddha.
6 The Goal of Meditation: Entering into the realization of wisdom, freedom and awakening. Living with wisdom, as a free human being.

Stages on the Path of Meditation:

1 Path of Preparation: Practicing toward strong personal integrity, having gratefulness and modesty.
2 Path of Faith: Sincerely taking refuge in the Triple Gem, the Buddha, Dharma, and Samgha. Actively stopping unwholesome actions, and performing wholesome actions.
3 Path of Goodness: Developing Right Knowledge and Right View, benefiting society according to circumstances.
4 Path of Precepts: Relying on and upholding the Buddha's ethical precepts, being content without seeking fame.
5 Path of Meditation: Leaving the Five Hindrances and Five Desires, which hinder our spiritual development. Being clear and alert with every thought.
6 Path of Wisdom: Correctly seeing the pure Original Nature, and purifying remaining negative karma.
7 Path of Seeing: Forever eliminating dualistic differentiation. The negative emotions of desire, anger and delusion are slight.
8 Path of Cultivation: Removing grasping at self. Developing Great Compassion that seeks to benefit the entire world.
9 Path Beyond Learning: Complete Unsurpassed Awakening, beyond views, beyond no cultivation and without anything to attain.

In learning Buddhist meditation, emphasis is placed on actual practice. Right View guides practice, so that one does not inadvertently follow a wrong path. Otherwise one's cultivation is blind. Thus, the practice is based on the Bodhisattva mind of the Mahayana, the Great Vehicle, and the clear stages, goals and practices of all schools of Buddhism. Beginners start at developing personal morals and integrity. They then learn to develop and practice the awakened mind that has love for themselves, others, and the whole world. On preparing the requisite virtue and wisdom, one can attain and confirm the highest mind of enlightenment, accomplishing the Perfect Unequalled Enlightenment.

Master Hui Re is giving beginner retreats in JHB

Retreat Program for 2008

We are last getting settled in our big old house in Honeydew. We are ready and eager to start teaching the Buddha Dharma and meditation.

Master Hui Re will start beginner teachings in July 2008.

The teachings will consist of Chinese tea and a Dharma talk, Q & A, and meditation.

No previous knowledge of Buddhism or previous meditation experience is required.

To begin with Master Hui Re will teach basic Buddhist concepts and meditation so that practitioners have the necessary background to understand and practice Pure Land Buddhism. Teachings will be recorded and will be available on CD or can be downloaded from the Internet after the classes. The teachings will be progressive: you will need to come to every class (or most classes) as each class will build on and progress from the previous class. Of course, if you miss an occasional class you can listen to the CD to catch. up.

Dates of sessions: Sunday 13 July and Sunday 27 July

Times: 8h30 for 09h00 – 12h30.

Address: 249 Beyers Naude Drive opposite Garden World. Its about 17 kilometers from Cresta

Dress: Comfortable, loose, modest clothes. Make sure your shoulders, midriff and knees are covered. Wear pants as you will learn to set cross-legged.

Cost: Suggested donation: R50 per person.

We will provide a snack in the middle of the session. Unfortunately we do not yet have staff support to offer lunch.

Please RSVP by Thursday 10 July.

Office Number: 0877201215

Ben Le: cell 0824540682

email: aca.benle@gmail.com

Maxine: cell: 0823403220

email: aca.maxine@gmail.com

Namo Amitofo

Benefits of Pure Land practice

Extracts from a talk by Master Hui Re given during the Pure Land retreat of July 2007

I would like to share with you some of my experiences and accomplishments on my Pure Land Buddhist path. They are not something that I have striven for. They are just things that come without you even knowing it.

Let me tell you what I have attained from these six characters: "Na Mo A Mi To Fo." My Pure Land practice has allowed an internal eye to open. I now see how precious the Pure Land is. I understand its treasures. This genuine Dharma eye is nothing other than the 48 great vows of Amitabha Buddha. These are the 48 basic, essential vows. The essence of the Pure Land path, its Dharma, relies totally on these 48 Great Vows. If you can deeply understand and see these 48 vows very clearly your true Dharma eye will open.

The eighteenth vow is the most important of all the vows. This is the eye within the eye. It states that those who want to come to Amitabha's Pure Land, whether they are good or bad, regardless of their ordinariness, need only want to come to His Pure Land and recite His name ten times, to attain rebirth in His Pure Land. He will accept all such beings to his Pure Land. He promises that if he does not accomplish this he will not attain realisation, great enlightenment.

In the Pure Land all you do is spiritual cultivation and practice. Everyday you think only about the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. You purify all 6 roots. You work constantly, purely toward attaining Buddhahood at an extremely fast rate. So every time Amitabha Buddha accepts someone to His Pure Land, he is making him or her a Buddha. Can you think of anything more beautiful?

Thus the proper understanding with which to recite the Buddha's name is an understanding of these 48 great vows. If you do not think about the vows, if you do not believe them or understand them as you recite, your recitation will be flavourless, lifeless. But if you recite with an accurate, genuine understanding and belief in the vows then your recitations will be full of life and joy

These 48 great vows are the fountain of the pure Land. The Dharma springs from these 48 great vows like a warm water fountain. When you discover the truth about these 48 great vows, it's like discovering a fountain in your heart. All your faith, understanding and experiences will flow from this fountain in your heart. It will never stop from that moment onwards. If you have deep faith in this path, in Amitabha Buddha, you will know the method to follow to achieve your result. You will recite continuously. Thus you will gain liberation. As you recite the Buddha's name, if you have that great faith, Amitabha Buddha's vows are there, at that moment. If you achieve real faith in the Pure Land you will chant joyously all the time. You will never stop chanting because you know, you have that guarantee in your mind.

My unwavering faith and my proper practice have arisen from my understanding of these 48 great vows. Because of my faith and my practice I have achieved the benefits I was seeking. I have attained assurance on this path. Although I am still a normal sentient being, I know I will be reborn in the Pure Land. The most important practice is to rely on the original vows and to chant the Buddha's name. Rely on the vows. Keep the Buddha's name on your lips and in your heart all the time. Since I have entered these vows deeply, so that they are with me all the time, it is as if those 48 vows are my 48 vows. I am swimming in the ocean of the Buddha's vows. Even though my body is sitting here in this world, my mind swims in the ocean of vows. What are the 48 great vows? They are Amitabha's mind and heart. My mind swims in his mind, my heart in his heart.

The second thing I want to tell you is that I have accomplished the karma that will force me to be reborn in the Pure Land. I will go to the Pure Land when I die. In Buddhism it is said, "as is the cause, so is the effect". Because I have planted the karma that will send me to the Pure Land, the effect must be that I go to the Pure Land. I am guaranteed of this. I know I will go to the Pure Land. There is no obstacle, no obstruction, there is nothing that could happen that will prevent me going to the Pure Land

When you enter deeply into the 48 great vows you uncover a fountain in your heart that never stops pumping. You will never ever be able to stop it. It will never be cut off. Your heart will just open up. Your Pure Land mind will just open up. When Amitabha Buddha opens up in your heart, it is as if you have a permanent connection to the internet. You can go anywhere on the net. It's all just Amitabha Buddha wherever you go Amitabha Buddha is right there with you.

If you are connected with Amitabha Buddha you have the entire Pure Land resources at your disposal. If you have a problem, just send a thought and help will come. You will get instructions on what you must do.

You used always to be alone, even in a crowd. Now, even when you are alone, you have an infinite host of Bodhisattvas around you all the time. You have a great and powerful host always surrounding you. Always helping you. You will never be alone again.

Why is this body still sitting here? My job is not yet finished. My mission is not yet accomplished.

Translated by Ben Le, abridged and edited by Maxine

Master Hui Re's teaching

Amitabha's vows

Call my name.

I will know you

I will save you.

When you die,

my light will purify you.

You will be reborn in a lotus flower

as a saintly being.

If I fail to achieve these goals,

I will not become a Buddha.

Thus I vow.

(From the July 2007 Pure Land retreat, Master Hui Re. Translated by Ben Le, edited by Maxine)

Advanced Pure Land Retreat. December 2007

Advanced Pure Land Retreat

28 December, 2007 – 3 January, 2008

(Please Note, the dates have changed)

This is a Pure Land Buddhist retreat for advanced meditators. Applicants need to have been mediating for at least a year, and be able to sit upright, back unsupported for an hour if possible. It would be best if they were familiar with Pure Land teachings and practice and have a good knowledge of basic Buddhism.

Retreatants have the option of participating for three to eight days. The first three days will be held at Nan Hua Temple and will be a traditional Pure Land chanting retreat (Including chanting of the Amida Sutra in Chinese and other traditional Chinese practices). The next five days will be held either at the Temple or at Ch’an Lin Meditation Centre (depending on the number of participants) under the guidance of Venerable Master Hui Re, who has just completed an intensive, extended Pure Land practice retreat at Ch’an Lin.

Instruction will be in Chinese with English translation.

All retreatants begin on the first day (Friday 28 December) or the third day (30 December).

Practices include walking and sitting meditation, prostration practice, Dharma talks and morning and evening Pure Land services. All sessions are compulsory.

This is a rigorous, challenging retreat, sittings are long, and retreatants need to be in excellent mental and physical health.

We sincerely hope that causes and conditions will allow you attend.

Dates: 28 December, 2007 – 3 January, 2008

Bookings and enquiries:

Venerable Jue Kai: (013) 931 0009 ext 308, Monday to Friday, during office hours

Email: nanhuainfo@gmail.com

Maxine: (013) 931 0009 ext 282, Monday to Friday, during office hours

Email: maxine.fine@gmail.com

Intermediate Purland Retreat in October

Intermediate Pure Land Retreat: 19-21 October 2007

Master Hui Re has agreed to hold a Pure Land Retreat from Friday 19 Oct to Sunday 21 October, 2007

Who may attend? Pure Land practitioners or people interested in Pureland practice who have attended at least one other Pureland retreat at Ch’an Lin in 2007.

Cost: R300 for 3 nights.

If you wish to attend, please contact Maxine: (013) 931 0009,
email: maxine.fine@gmail.com

Intermediate Pure Land Retreat: 19-21 October 2007

Please join the Master at South Africa's Pureland.

CHAN AND PURELAND RETREAT

Friday 14 -Sunday 16 September 2007

(Public Talk 13 September at 7pm)

Retreat with Master Hui Re

Meditation Master from Nan Hua

Chinese Buddhism is divided into two great schools: Ch'an (Japanese: Zen) and Pure-Land. Pure-Land Buddhism is the most universal Buddhist practice of China, Vietnam and Japan. Countless aeons ago, a king developed such compassion and such great desire to address the problems of the world that he devoted his considerable powers to developing a realm in which ordinary, unhappy, struggling beings could practice in excellent conditions and unfailingly attain endless peace and joy. The realm is called Sukhavati, the Pure Land, Realm of Utmost Bliss. The king became a Buddha called Amitabha, Buddha of infinite light and life. Ordinary people can attain this realm by forging a connection with Amitabha.

Pure-Land practice assures the attainment of ultimate peace and happiness, as well as bringing joy and relief immediately, in this very life. Practitioners learn to calm themselves and are better able to handle the difficulties of life. They develop love, compassion and wisdom, and experience improvements in physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Fear and anxiety fade as faith in this practice grows. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn about a spiritual path that brings relief from everyday misery, greater acceptance and understanding, and a heart that can love all beings.

Spend a weekend with the famed Taiwanese Chan and Pure-Land MASTER HUI RE, resident meditation master of Nan Hua Temple's Chan Forest Meditation Centre. MASTER HUI RE is one of the few Eastern teachers to bring this practice to the West. He teaches Pure-Land practice in conjunction with Ch'an (Zen) practice. MASTER HUI RE is soon returning to continue teaching at the main Temple in Taiwan. This is a blessed opportunity to attend one of his last retreats in this country. MASTER HUI RE will explain and teach the simple practice of connecting with Amitabha Buddha, through sitting and walking meditation, bowing and chanting (mantra recitation).

WEEKEND RETREAT SCHEDULE

Retreats commence on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. They may be attended on a residential or non-residential basis. The daily programme includes inspiring and illuminating Dharma teachings, sitting and walking meditation with instruction and guidance, space for questions, sharings and practical exercises, as well as Chi gong sessions. The schedule varies according to the specific needs of each retreat. Periods of noble silence are observed.

FRIDAY:

Evening session from 19h00 - 21h00

SATURDAY:

Daily programme 09h00 - 16h00

including tea and lunch breaks

Evening session from 19h00 - 21h00

SUNDAY:

Daily programme 09h00 - 16h00

including tea and lunch breaks

COST

RESIDENTIAL :

Price includes 2 nights shared accommodation in lovely garden cottages and delicious vegetarian meals. Dana (you decide amount) for teachers is appreciated.

Residential: R650

NON-RESIDENTIAL: Price excludes accommodation,

but includes tea and vegetarian lunches. Dana (you decide amount) for teachers is appreciated.

Non-residential: R400

Deposit of 50% is payable upon reservation of place for residential retreats, and balance payable in cash or cheque upon arrival. Deposit to be paid into bank account, details of which will be provided. If booking is cancelled, deposit is forfeited.

Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination. It is possible to come early and/or stay after the retreat. Special rates for retreatants participating in our conducted retreats, who wish to stay longer in our self-catering cottages, are R200 per cottage per night.

GENERAL

SCA is a non-smoking space. Retreatants to uphold the 5 Buddhist Precepts (see Code of Conduct). We hope you can join us on the retreat. You don't have to be a Buddhist, because anyone can benefit from the Buddha's teachings. Number of places limited, so early booking is advisable: phone (044) 533 0453 or email satchitanand@global.co.za for further enquiries and bookings.

J SAT CHIT ANAND namaste to you Buddha-to-be!

Monthly Meditation Retreats at Nan Hua Temple

The cold days of winter are here again and often at this time of mid-year, there is a feeling of fatigue and loss of energy. Summer and the joy of long vacations are so far away. However, there is a way to recharge your batteries. Come to Nan Hua Temple for a stimulating meditation retreat. The monthly retreats start on Saturday morning at 10h00 and go through to Sunday lunch. One night stay-over is spent in the comfortable chalets at Nan Hua Village. All meals are vegetarian and so this also provides the body with a chance to detox and revitalize.

These retreats are suitable for all adults, whether you have meditated before or not. The program includes sessions of gentle relaxation meditation, traditional Ch'an (Zen) style meditation, (full instructions provided).You will also be introduced to other Eastern Buddhist practices for transforming your life, alsoTai-Chi and Walking meditation. A traditional Tea Meditation with the Master is held on Sunday morning, as well as a Q & A session, where your questions about the why's and wherefore's of life can be discussed.

We invite you to take this opportunity to become energized, refreshed and better able to cope with your stressed, busy lifestyles. The next monthly meditation retreat will be over the weekend of 9 & 10 June 2007.
Dates for the rest of the year are as follows:
July: 14 - 15 Aug: 11 - 12
Sept: 8-9 Oct: 13 - 14
Nov: 11 - 12 Dec: 8 - 9

To book your place on one of these retreats, please contact;
Venerable Jue Kai on (013)931-0009 or e-mail: sjkai69@gmail.com
For further enquiries ONLY:
Telephone Maxine on (013)931-0009 or e-mail : maxine.fine@gmail.com

Please note that each retreat only has 25 places, so we recommend that you book well in advance to secure your attendance. We can also sponsor your attendance, if you are unemployed, a student or a senior citizen without sufficient income.

Nan Hua Temple - Pure Land Retreat

Venerable Master Hui Re

Chan Lin Meditation Centre
-
Nan Hua Temple

Dear Pure Land practitioners and others,

Master Hui Re has agreed to hold a 5-day Pure Land meditation retreat at the Ch'an Centre in the middle of the year. He has decided to hold 2 retreats: one for Chinese and a separate one for Westerners.

Master has asked me to find out from everyone what dates are most suitable.

I propose some time in the 2^nd half of July. Please send me the dates you prefer as soon as possible. I will do my best to accommodate everyone, working with the dates I receive first.

I do not have prices yet but expect it will be pretty cheap – as usual. As accommodation is limited and all shared, please will you contact me asap. It will be strictly on a first come first serve basis.

When the dates are set, I will send interested people an application form. Payment must be made in advance as usual.

Many thanks for your interest and help.

Amitofo

Maxine