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Dharma talk At China National
The session begins with a chant of the name of Avalokiteshvara to generate the energy of compassion, penetrating the body and mind for transformation and healing. In the West, while universities offer degrees in Buddhist studies, they often provide only theory without the practical skills to handle suffering. Young people and intellectuals, unsatisfied with traditional church teachings and facing spiritual hunger, turn to practice centers not for scholarship, but for concrete methods to transform conflict, anger, and fear. Devotional practices alone are insufficient; meditation and mindfulness are required to radically uproot negative emotions. This approach has allowed for the modernization and renewal of Buddhism, making it accessible to Christians, Jews, business leaders, and police officers who seek relief from stress and loneliness.
Chinese Buddhism possesses a tremendous resource of wisdom, yet there is a vital need to renew the tradition to satisfy the needs of the younger generation. Relying solely on devotion, such as burning incense and praying for outcomes without personal practice, does not resolve deep suffering or relationship conflicts. The practice must be engaged, utilizing tools like loving speech and deep listening. A vow of Samantabhadra is encouraged to study and practice in a way that renews Buddhism for the current time, moving beyond the glory of the past to become a resource of peace and happiness for the nation and the world.
Regarding Chinese temples, the atmosphere of sanctity is often disrupted by tourists; a proposal is made that visitors should practice walking meditation and silence to maintain the spiritual beauty. The practice of walking meditation draws inspiration from both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. From Theravada, there is mindfulness of the four positions: standing, sitting, walking, and lying. From the Linji lineage, the “miracle of walking on earth” is derived from the insight of being free and not bound by form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharma. Regarding the modernization of Buddhism, true insight is recognized and reinforced by the Sangha, whereas inauthentic teachings are naturally abandoned. Novice monastics are advised to focus on strict practice of precepts and mindfulness within the monastery rather than engaging in public relations. Finally, the understanding of the Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination is discussed in the context of The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, interpreting primitive texts through the light of Mahayana.