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Đồng Tổ Tố Cánh Chay
Chanting sutras is not to pray to an external deity, but to “water” the seeds of wisdom and compassion already present in our store consciousness. Each line of the sutra is made of the substance of insight and love, awakening the peace, liberation, and happiness that are latent within us. When chanting, we need mindfulness and concentration so that the words of the sutra can truly penetrate deeply; we should not chant mechanically just to finish, but allow our mind to be in harmony with the meaning of the sutra, like Dharma rain nourishing our wisdom and compassion.
Comparing the storms outside with the “inner storms” — sadness, anger, pain, disappointment — we must learn how to keep our body and mind safe. We close the six sense doors to protect the mind during the tempest:
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose
- Tongue
- Body
- Mind
“Closing the doors” does not mean shutting them tightly, but redirecting the objects of our attention; for example, replacing a harmful CD with listening to sutras or beautiful music, in order to keep the mind at peace.
The three main elements that help us deal with the inner storms are:
- Mindfulness of impermanence — recognizing that all emotions will pass.
- Mindfulness of concentration — focusing on wholesome objects, avoiding wrong concentration.
- Mindfulness of insight — contemplating the root of delusion that creates suffering.
With mindfulness and concentration, insight will arise, helping us survive, learn, and transform our suffering into well-being, making us stronger and more able to share peace with others.
