DDM Abbot President Came to Hong Kong to Give a Lecture on "Blessings and Wisdom – The Way to Freedom"

After a lapse of four years, Dharma Drum Mountain Abbot President Venerable Guo Huei once again visited the DDM Hong Kong Centre to give a special lecture based on DDM's annual theme "Blessings and Wisdom – The Way to Freedom" on the evening of July 8. The Abbot President delivered Buddhist teachings to nearly 300 participants and volunteers. These talks specifically related to how to practice Samatha and Vipassana in daily life, thereby cultivating blessings and wisdom and achieving a happy life by cultivating a peaceful mind, body, family and actions.

The Abbot President pointed out that, when practicing Samatha and Vipassana, we can apply the 16-Chinese character meditation practice method: namely, "where the body is, there is the mind; be clearly aware of the sensation of relaxation, relax the whole body". One should practice this method from time to time in daily life. Regardless of whether you are walking, standing, sitting or lying down, you must concentrate on doing only one thing and be clearly aware of the process. Chan teachings can be applied anywhere, as long as you can combine work and regulation of the mind at the same time.  

Modern people live a fast-paced life; as a result, they are easily influenced by the outside world. Therefore, we should focus more on cultivating a "carefree mind". The Abbot President advised the assembly to practice protecting the spiritual environment, so that their minds will not be defiled. The Abbot President went on to state that "all dharmas are created by the mind". We shouldn't allow our individual thoughts to affect our surrounding environment.

The Abbot President reminded the assembly that real happiness lies in physical and mental health, particularly in maintaining peace and stability of the mind. This peace of mind can be achieved by practice; however, we don't necessarily have control over our body since we don't know when it will get sick. As long as we have correct concepts, we will not blame and complain about others. When facing significant difficulties, we should remember to rekindle righteous thoughts and recite the holy names of "Amitabha Buddha" and "Guanyin Bodhisattva", praying that they could give us blessings and strength, thereby cultivating a peaceful body and mind.

At the end of the lecture, the Abbot President gave everybody who attended the assembly a "Six Paramitas Wooden Ruler Bookmark", which served as his good wishes of "Blessings and Wisdom – The Way to Freedom". He encouraged everyone to keep in mind: "By cultivating blessings and wisdom, everyone can be healthy and at peace. By practicing the six perfections and myriad deeds, everyone can have freedom of body and mind." By actively practicing generosity, keeping precepts, practicing patience, being diligent, practicing meditation, and developing wisdom, one can not only bring infinite hope to one's own mind, but also positive energy to the society.


Text: Minru (敏如)
Photo: Dharma Drum Mountain Hong Kong Centre Publicity Group (法鼓山香港道場文宣組)
Translation: James
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL