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The Living Tradition of Zen Practice
We sit in meditation not only for ourselves, but for our ancestors, our parents, our grandparents, and our descendants; our solidity, our ease, and our smile are gifts offered to all generations, in accordance with the insight of interbeing in the Avatamsaka Sutra. Each step of walking meditation is the same—not poetry, but a profound truth: one solid step brings benefit to all. Reconciling with an elder brother or younger brother in the Dharma is to reconcile for the Buddha, for our teacher, for our parents, and for our children and grandchildren. Every activity—scrubbing pots, chopping wood, cooking, smiling, making peace—is a practice of interbeing with all; each victory over delusion, anger, and craving is a collective victory for the whole community.
Master Khuong Tang Hoi (early third century) was the first in Giao Chau—Vietnam—to clearly record the thought and method of Mahayana meditation, including:
- The six paramitas: generosity, mindfulness trainings, inclusiveness, diligence, meditation, and insight.
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The six terms of breathing: counting, following, calming, looking deeply, returning, and resting.
Meditation is to remove the five hindrances (sensual desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, doubt) so that the mind becomes upright and unified, like a mirror that has been cleaned so that the true light can shine forth.