Silent Illumination
Originally appeared July 2014
The method of silent illumination is also known in Zen as shikantaza, from the Chinese zhiguan dazuo. In the West this has also become known as “just sitting.” If this method is used incorrectly, you may as well make tea by soaking stones in cold water.
We can all appreciate the straightforwardness of Sheng Yen, and since he is closer to our own place in time, we know he had an understanding of our world. Even though the human situation is the same no matter the time we find ourselves, sometimes the translation can interfere with understanding.
Read the Journal while listening

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