The Sixth Zen Ancestor Hui Neng was an illiterate wood cutter. As a young man he subsisted by gathering dead wood in the nearby mountains to sell to town merchants to heat their businesses.
One day in town, an itinerant monk was reciting the Diamond Sutra. Hui Neng was close by and heard the following phrase: “Abiding Nowhere, wisdom mind arises.”
This simple line was to change the course of his life.
Not unlike a child prodigy in music or some other discipline, the young “Eno” (his given name) immediately experienced the essence of Buddha’s teaching on a primordial level.
After receiving the robe and bowls signifying his “dharma transmission” from the Fifth Ancestor, the parting words to Eno who was now Zen Master Hui Neng were very plain and simple: “Don’t be in a hurry to teach. Just cultivate that place of not being moved by anything.” Goso Gunin, the Fifth Patriarch, sensed that due to Hui Neng’s humble origins he could be overcome by intellectual argument from Buddhist scholars and monastics. Development of the day to day function of the dharma was essential.
Experiencing this precious life is paramount, all else is just so much words and clever speech.
This succinct biography of Hui Neng points to profound principals necessary for the realization of our true self. Allow me to share a few with you.
Crave nothing. This includes any idea of enlightenment or special state of mind. To be empty of desired outcome or intention and to be present to what we encounter in each moment amply defines the sanskrit word “prajna” (wisdom). Not holding on to anything is the true active love of all human beings. By learning to let go through a focused meditation practice, your mind will eventually become like the stillest of waters, without a ripple, free from the three poisons of anger, ignorance and greed.
As human beings, we easily become attached to things and ideas. When thoughts come up, simply observe them with a non clinging perspective. By trying to suppress them, you will deplete your energy and exhaust yourself in the process. Utilize the breath techniques outlined in the previous teaching, eventually these emotionally tinged thoughts and concerns will dissipate.
Perhaps you have success while sitting on your meditation cushion only to spiral back to your anxious and nervous mind when engaged in your day to day procedures. Just make a habit of sustaining your attention on what you are doing in the present moment. It’s almost humorous to think something along the following: “I can’t wait to get out of this meeting and go home and meditate. I am so stressed.” Ha-ha.
The Heart Sutra instructs that “All dharma are marked with emptiness and in this emptiness, no form, feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness.” Please do not confuse this with a glib disdain for family, friends, whole world situation etc.
As I have previously posted, the Buddha taught tranquility and wisdom in that order. First find this still point. It is similar to the fulcrum on a grandfather clock Not moving. From there, making important decisions, helping family members, and indeed helping this world is then possible.
Ji Haeng Zen Master – Desert Dragon