When we practice Chan, we settle our confused thoughts and learn how to let go. We learn how to let go of our active mind, of that mind which constantly produces something. We learn how to let our mind become like a raincoat. When the rain drenches it, the raindrops simply glide off and don’t cling to it. The deep purification process we undergo through our Chan practice makes our mind relaxed and clear. When we return to our daily lives and our work, we will have a more comprehensive outlook on things, and a more expansive heart. “No Self” does not mean that that I don’t exist, but rather that there is not one singular place called “I,” and thus, that there is no place that is not “I.” Letting go does not mean that we don’t do anything anymore, but that once we have let go of our self-grasping, we come back to life again and can make a much greater contribution to our society, our country and all of humankind.

Dharma Master Hsin Tao
(Translated by Maria Reis Habito)

簡單生活

禪不是神秘的事情，不是複雜的事情；禪，是簡單樸實的生活，越簡單，越能體會到單純的快樂！禪，是真善美的生活，真－一切都真，善－一切皆善，美－一切都美好！禪，是回歸本來，回到最原始的自己，是最安穩、最自在、圓滿俱足，不需外求的生命！

我們在禪修中沉澱妄念，學習放下，放下有為的心、造作的心，讓心像雨衣一樣，雨水滑過雨衣，卻不會留在雨衣上。經過禪修的洗滌，我們的心會放鬆、清楚，回到生活與工作，會有更全面的視野與心量。「無我」不是沒有我，而是沒有一個地方叫做我，沒有一個地方不是我；「放下」不是甚麼都不做，而是放下我執後，重新提起，我們可以對社會、國家、人類，做出更多的貢獻。

─── 心道法師