Watch this talk

Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

The title, description and transcript may contain inaccuracies.

The Yogacara Bhumi Sastra 4

Thich Nhat Hanh · December 4, 2011 · New Hamlet, Plum Village, France
Feedback

Sitting meditation is “sitting for happiness,” not to become a Buddha or to attain liberation, but simply “sitting for the sake of sitting.” Sitting in the Spring Breeze – to sit amidst the spring wind – is a symbol of a posture that is upright yet gentle, at ease. When sitting, it is enough just to be truly present, aware of each breath, body at ease, mind at peace, lips smiling, body-speech-mind in harmony in mindfulness. Walking, standing, eating, sweeping the house, or cleaning the toilet can all be meditation in action, bringing happiness in each moment of the present.

Practice does not stop at meditation but also includes service to society through the School of Youth for Social Service, guiding four basic areas:

  1. education
  2. economics
  3. health
  4. organization
    In the sutras and commentaries, all dharmas “co-arise” and do not arise or cease by themselves; body and mind “inter-are” like mother and child cells, the three vehicles and two truths are recognized through the drum chant: “The fifth watch has come, the Dharma door opens – May all aspire to ascend the platform of Prajna,” helping us to see deeply into dependent origination and ultimate wisdom. The twelve links of dependent origination are divided into six causes (ignorance, formations, consciousness, name-and-form, six sense bases, contact) and six results (feeling, craving, grasping, becoming, birth, old age and death), operating continuously in the past, present, and future.
read more