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"Happiness in the Present Moment and the Pure Land in Each Breath"
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A harmonious Sangha brings simple yet profound joy: from the sitting meditation sessions with the solid sound of the wooden bell and the three rounded sounds of the bell, to the young novices who have just been ordained but practice earnestly, all nourish the collective happiness. Every effort—translating Dharma talks, translating sutras and Vinaya, keeping meditation schedules, guiding walking meditation—when done out of “liking” rather than “trying,” becomes a precious spiritual gift for the Sangha.
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Sitting meditation and walking meditation are arts to be cultivated:
- Meditation is not a duty, but a privilege and a gift: we are “artists” harmonizing our breath to taste the joy of the Dharma from the very first moment.
- Striking the wooden bell, sounding the bell, leading chanting, and guiding meditation must be done with utmost seriousness, careful preparation, and wholeheartedness; it is necessary to train small groups and standardize language (for example, “in-breath”/“out-breath”) to maintain quality.
- Walking meditation is a miracle—each step celebrates life, and should be gently invited, never forced.
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Dharma joy in the present moment—living happily in the here and now: not chasing after future projects but recognizing and celebrating the conditions already present: sitting together, a cup of tea, sweeping the meditation hall, the sound of falling snow… This is truly “Pure Land in the here and now,” investing in a beautiful past and nourishing the future.
