January 1, 1978
by Heng Ch'au
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We spent New Year's
Eve sitting in ch'an on a muddy road next to a cauliflower field. I had
this thought: A new year, a new mind. There is no time, there is no measure.
Whether sitting in meditation or spinning in the busy affairs of the world,
all discriminations are false coverings. Everything returned to "O"
(zero). Right now it's perfectly
all right to completely let go and put it all down. Why don't I resolve
today to be "right on" in every thought, word, and deed, and
not be the least bit pretentious. What ever is holding me down is an illusion.
My attachments can melt like snow in hot water with a single thought for
the Way. I can truly be free and happy and make it my job personally to
deliver all beings from suffering so we all get perfect enlightenment
together. Yippee ! Happy New Year ! Disciples of the
Buddha, the Bodhisattva, -Avatamsaka This morning we read
The Buddha Speaks the Sutra of the Ultimate Extinction of the Dharma.
It is a detailed account of the conditions and changes that will appear
just before the Proper Dharma disappears from the world. (See Dharma Master
Sure's translation of this Sutra in the prefatory pages of The Shurangama
Sutra, Volume I . pg XIV-XVI.) I knew I had heard
it before, long ago. Tears began to come to my eyes as I remembered dreams
and visions of the very things the Sutra describes that will come about. Somehow it became
as clear the sound of hammer hitting steel that this bowing pilgrimage,
the entire Sangha, and the Master were all woven inextricably together
in a deep and vital vow to protect and uphold the Orthodox Dharma. Our
job was to prevent this Sutra from coming true. Truly the "pulse
of the Patriarchs hangs by a thread." He further makes
great vows, vowing -Avatamsaka Sutra Impermanence Things aren't
always what they seem No one stays
and nothing lasts-- Take heed, my
friends, for who can tell? |
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