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The Great Sutra Treasury – Southern Transmission 22
Only two letters remain unread — each must be written “just enough” for the recipient, not so long as to become tedious, nor so short as to lack meaning. Composing a walking meditation letter is itself the practice of quán cơ (observing the recipient’s capacity): contemplating a specific person, understanding their psychology, circumstances, and experiences so that the writing is in harmony with them. Two key principles are:
- khế lý (in accordance with the Dharma, not contradicting impermanence and non-self)
- khế cơ (truly beneficial for the reader)
Some exemplary letters:
-
Mike wrote to his parents
- The tone is very natural, without Buddhist jargon, using “taking a walk” instead of “walking meditation”
- Connected to Christian roots: “Peace on Earth, good will to all” helps his parents receive it easily
-
Sister Chan Duc wrote to her mother
- Intimate, recalling what mother and daughter have already agreed upon, avoiding the feeling of being lectured
- Compares a 100 km pilgrimage to a leisurely stroll, each step is a joy
-
Dieu Hao wrote to Dieu Thuan
- Using a photo of walking meditation as a condition to evoke memories, sharing how to “hold the breath” to reduce wandering thoughts
- Advises to stop and enjoy the scenery, observe the trees and kitchen smoke
-
Francis (in French) wrote to Clodie
- Expresses gratitude for the postcard, offers back the daily joy at Plum Village
-
Takes a “promenade sous bois” with ecological meditation phrases:
• “Cette terre est” (inhaling for three steps)
• “notre mère” (exhaling for three steps)
• “Il faut la protéger” (three steps)
– Sensing the sacred earth, solid and supportive for the soul
-
Vien Quang wrote to his mother, blending ancient and youthful writing styles
- “Respectfully visiting mother,” compares mindfulness to a mother supporting her child’s first steps
- Weather, sunlight, and cold are evoked to remind us to “cherish what is present”
- Other letters (Viet, Nhu Phuoc, Dong An, Thanh Luong, Brother Hoang…) all draw on personal memories, failures and transformation, affirming that walking meditation is “simple yet profound,” bringing peace right in each step
At the end of the session, the Sanskrit–Pali question “Kim nu khalu bhavati tathāgataḥ param maraṇam iti?” (Does the Tathagata still exist after death?) and its variant “na bhavati ca na ca hoti” clarify the four ways of contemplating “existence,” “non-existence,” both, or neither — all of which are ultimately unhelpful.