Cultivating a Peaceful Mind
We have contact with many other people every day. During these frequent encounters with people, how can we avoid conflict? How can we avoid being influenced by external matters and keep our body and mind peaceful? Master Sheng Yen said that it is rather difficult to attain a peaceful, undisturbed state of mind. This peace of mind is similar to a mind that is pure and free of defilement, but it’s not entirely the same. To be undefiled means that one is not affected by the environment in a way that would make one’s mind impure; whereas peacefulness is relative to fluctuations. Our mind is influenced by our environment, stimulated by external objects, and subjected to temptations; when we struggle with conflicting thoughts and ideas, feel physical discomfort or want to satisfy our physical needs, then fluctuation or agitation may develop in our mind.
A peaceful state of mind is like a body of water. When no wind is blowing, the water is calm; but as soon as the wind blows, it will cause ripples on the water. When there is just a very gentle breeze, it will only slightly ripple the surface of the water. The stronger the wind, the bigger the ripples, even waves. Similarly, there are different degrees of peacefulness in our mind. To be peaceful is not easy because our mind is like a pool of water, and our environment is like the wind. Altogether, there are “eight worldly winds” which are gain, loss, social status, disgrace, praise, censure, pleasure and pain. Each of them has the capacity to stimulate or tempt us, thus exciting and disturbing our mind, making it impossible to remain peaceful. That’s why we first have to realize if our mind is that restless, if we are that frivolous, that fickle-minded.
To those who practice under my guidance, I often say: “You are too fickle.” Many will reply, “Master, I’m not fickle at all!” I tell them, “Though it doesn’t show very much in your actions, your mind is very fickle, very volatile. As easily disturbed as grasses in a breeze, your mind is disturbed. Doesn’t that mean you’re fickle? You shouldn’t let your mind be disturbed by external influences.” How can we remain unaffected by our environment? The environment is the environment, and we are who we are. Whenever we are annoyed or upset, or even when we feel satisfied, proud, smug and pleased with ourselves, we should keep a calm mind. That’s why in Chan Buddhism, keeping a calm mind is very important. With a calm mind, whatever our surroundings — be it ugly or beautiful, right or wrong, or whatever — we discern it easily, we are clearly aware of it, yet it does not affect us. We won’t lose our calm because of these external influences; we won’t become emotionally involved or let the environment affect our mind. We have a very clear understanding of who we are.
For example, if somebody scolds us, we should think it was because from their point of view, we deserved it. Or when someone praises us, should we think that under the circumstances we are worthy of praise? When we do the things we should be doing and others praise us, then that’s their own business. Why would we need the praise? But if we do something we shouldn’t and are rebuked, then there’s nothing wrong with that. We should be reprimanded, but whether rebuked or not we should mend our ways. When we are being justly criticized, we should be grateful. When we are being unjustly reprimanded, when somebody accuses us wrongly, why be angry?
After all, it’s their mistake, not ours. We have no regrets at heart; why should we be influenced and become agitated?
So we should keep a calm mind, remaining unperturbed at all times. Whatever or whomever we encounter, whatever happens to us, we keep a calm mind. We keep in mind what we should and shouldn’t do, think, or say, and are clearly aware of it all. If we say something we should say, then we don’t actually need any paise.
If we do things we shouldn’t do, yet nobody reprimands us for it, we should still correct our mistakes. And if we did the right thing, yet people still reprimand us, then that doesn’t really concern us. Others may criticize as they like; that’s just their point of view. This way, we are not influenced by our environment or by others, and we can keep a tranquil mind. This is what it means to have a calm mind. If we can keep a calm mind, it will be peaceful; this doesn’t mean our mind doesn’t react or respond, doesn’t make distinctions or has no activity. We still function normally but we are less moody, less irritable — our state of mind is not easily perturbed by others. That’s what we call a peaceful mind. I believe that after understanding this concept, after grasping this basic principle, we can at least try to learn how to keep a calm mind. The more we practice, the higher our achievement. The longer we practice, the better we get. Attaining a calm mind is not that difficult.
In conclusion, amidst the eight worldly winds, we must cultivate calm mind, remaining clearly aware of our environment yet not influenced by it. ————————————————————
MASTER SHENG YEN
Kindness and compassion have no enemies;
wisdom engenders no vexations.” For over thirty years, Chan Master Sheng Yen (19302009) devoted himself tirelessly to reviving the tradition of rigorous education for monks and nuns, establishing monasteries and centers of learning; teaching and leading Chan retreats worldwide; interfaith outreach, world peace, youth development, and gender equality. He also emphasized protecting the four environments we inhabit – the spiritual/mental, the social, the living, and the natural.
Master Sheng Yen taught in a concise, direct and practical manner, with an approach to understanding that people can easily relate to and apply in their daily lives. With disciples and Dharma heirs worldwide, He has planted the seeds for the continued cultivation of Chan in the world today and the future, for the benefit of all who wish to learn and practice this tradition.
OFFERING GUIDANCE ON CHAN PRACTICE IN THE US AND EUROPE
In September 1976, Master Sheng Yen was appointed board member and vice-chairperson of the Buddhist Association of the United States, as well as abbot of the Great Enlightenment Temple. This was the first time he had served as a monastery abbot.
In the same year, he worked together with Ven. Ri Chang to start a Sunday meditation class at Great Enlightenment Temple, offering guidance on Chan practice as a Chan teacher for the first time. Later, he also organized a meditation training class for young American practitioners. From then on, he started lecturing regularly on Chan practice and Buddhist study on invitation, sometimes at prestigious higher institutions in the US.
In 1977, Master Sheng Yen led the first sevenday Chan retreat at the Bodhi House in Long Island on invitation of his students, which was well received. In 1978 he brought this experience into Taiwan and introduced Chan meditation practice to a broader audience.
In 1989 John Crook, a British disciple, invited Sheng Yen to hold a seven-day Chan retreat in Wales. He was the first Chinese Buddhist monk to offer guidance on Chan practice for local people who found his teaching post beneficial and helpful.
From then on, he also offered guidance in other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia, Russia, Germany, and Mexico. On invitation of practitioners, Sheng Yen would travel far and wide to introduce the methods of Chan practice, sowing the seeds of the Dharma worldwide by sharing Buddhist wisdom and compassion in an accessible approach, transcending culture and language.
FOUNDING THE DHARMA DRUM RETREAT CENTER (DDRC), PINE BUSH, NY
In 1977 Master Sheng Yen founded the Dharma Drum Retreat Center in upper
New York State. The campus lies below the ecologically protected Shawangunk Ridge amid 125 acres of woods and meadowland. The newly acquired Retreat Center, though not yet renovated, soon became a major venue of Chan meditation retreats and annual meetings for practitioners in North America. In 1998, retreats featuring methods of practice of “huatou” and “silent illumination” were respectively held for the first time for practitioners to delve into a specific method of their choice and develop further insight. In 2000, the 49-day Chan meditation retreat was held for the first time. DDRC now has beginner’s meditation class, workshop, and retreats led by Master Sheng Yen’s Dharma heirs, seasoned teachers and the monastics.
If you are new to meditation and want to learn to clam your mind and body, we have a free online meditation class for beginners on 2/25. If you have some experience and want to deepen your practice in your daily life at your pace, you can try Stillness in Motion 2023 which is a non-traditional online program. You can find more details and register at dharmadrumretreat.org. We welcome your inquiry.