入定-讀書會拾穗1 Meditation – Study Group Insights1

南禪朋友好！

入定-讀書會拾穗

 

讀書會裡面純德社長說：他很驚訝師父把一些事公開。

我說：沒有關係，也不是有能力就什麼事都可以辦，看你往哪個方向寫。

 

西藏佛教裡面已經有公開拍過入定的記錄電影，好久了，

裡面有拍出他們如何教授入定的技巧還有那位電影主角格西還俗後的人生歷程。

純德提醒我說：那位格西入定三年，我看過已經忘記入定多久。

 

西藏佛教是一個很特殊的佛教傳法，因為漢傳佛教的入定經驗，指向入定能帶給人脫胎換骨的感覺，在西藏佛教的入定裡面竟然看不到。

 

反而，你會看到那是一種有技術性的傳承入定，而這種入定對已經有格西學歷的僧侶，影響竟然不大，這真是匪夷所思，

既使同樣的佛法在不同區域，展開屬於其地理性質的文化影響力，依然不是我們能了解的。

純德補充說：那已經太超過，太過分。

 

 我個人傾向把研究修行的眼界放大，會看到很大的不同視角，希望帶出視野大而內心充實的追隨者。

 

但也因為看得多讓我也想寫出個人的修持經歷當作有心研究佛法的大德們多一份參考。

 我始終不能明白，一個有格西學歷跟入定三年經驗的僧侶，為什麼沒有辦出任何事來，反而迷失在紅塵裡？

除了不能相信，這對原始教典系列與漢傳佛法的我們來說簡直是天方夜譚。

 我個人是比較佩服達賴喇嘛受西方教育的影響對佛法的誠實。其餘就尚待討論的空間很大。

 當然這只是我們讀書會的討論，也是屬於我們個人的，

如外界有什麼不同解讀就請理解。

半寄

 

Meditation – Study Group Insights

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

During our study group discussion, President Chunde expressed his surprise that I had openly shared certain matters. I replied that it was fine—having the ability does not mean one can accomplish everything. It depends on the direction one chooses to take.

 

A documentary on deep meditation (samadhi) in Tibetan Buddhism has been publicly available for a long time. It showcases how meditation techniques are taught and follows the life of a Geshe who later returned to secular life. Chunde reminded me that this Geshe had stayed in samadhi for three years, though I had forgotten the exact duration.

 

Tibetan Buddhism has a unique way of transmitting its teachings. In Chinese Buddhism, meditative experience is often described as transformative, leading to a sense of renewal. However, in Tibetan Buddhism, such an effect is rarely seen.

 

Instead, it appears to be a highly technical practice passed down through tradition. Strangely, for monks with the Geshe degree, meditation seems to have little impact. This is truly perplexing. Even though the same Buddhist teachings take on different cultural influences in different regions, some aspects remain beyond our understanding. Chunde added that this Geshe’s life after his returning to secular life seemed excessive and extreme.

 

Personally, I prefer to take a broader view when studying spiritual practice. This allows for different perspectives and helps cultivate followers with both a wide vision and a fulfilled heart. 

 

Because of this broader perspective, I also feel the need to document my personal experiences in practice as a reference for those sincerely studying Buddhism. 

 

I still don’t understand why a monk with a Geshe degree and three years of deep meditation didn’t accomplish anything significant. Instead, he got lost in worldly affairs. This is almost unbelievable—like a fairy tale—from the perspective of early Buddhist scriptures and Chinese Buddhism.

 

I particularly admire the Dalai Lama, influenced by Western education, for his honesty in Buddhism. As for the rest, there is much room for discussion. 

 

Of course, this is just our study group’s discussion and represents our personal viewpoints. We hope others can understand if they interpret it differently.

 

Master Banji

你在我心裏3 You Are in My Heart 3

你在我心裏3 

      超薦裡面最困難的事是面對驟然而去的生命，意外事件的發生往往令當事者靈魂深度驚懼。

再次讓嚇得魂飛魄散且沒身體依靠的靈魂感受安心，其困難度非筆墨能形容。

 

大家只要想像有身體的心理創傷症候群走過創傷的艱難，更何況沒有身體的！

 

而當我面對一個已往生待超薦的生命，

一個驟失摯友狂亂年青力壯的想沒目地的到山上發洩，唉⋯⋯。

 

經歷2年的迴向，其間往生者的媽媽還帶我去失事的山區，說就在這裡出事的，她在旁邊也拉不住，說完又是悲傷的哭泣。

（媽媽往生了，還跟在她自己小孩身邊）

總算，讓接受超薦的往生者回神，親口告訴我為何會在距離邊坡20公尺處掉下去。

 

而狂亂的青年，在3個月內瞞著大家要去山上，在line裡面不斷看到我的阻止，總算讓他服氣下來回學校。

這一些我看著長大的孩子們奔向前途，也完成另一章。

半寄

 

You Are in My Heart 3

 

The most difficult part of performing a requiem ceremony(releasing souls from suffering) is facing a life that has suddenly departed. Unexpected events often leave the soul in profound terror. 

 

To help a soul, frightened to the core and without a physical body to rely on, regain a sense of peace is a challenge beyond words. 

 

Just imagine how difficult it is for someone with a body to recover from psychological trauma—how much more so for a soul without one!

 

And when I face a departed soul awaiting deliverance— 

There is still one young, strong life, devastated by the sudden loss of a beloved friend, aimlessly rushing into the mountains to vent the anguish—sigh... 

 

The dedicating merits through prayers last for two years. The departed’s mother even guided me to the mountain where the accident happened. She pointed to the spot and said, “It happened right here. I was beside him, but I couldn’t hold him back.” After speaking, she cried with sorrow.

(Even after her own passing two years before the accident, the mother remained by her child’s side.)

 

At last, the soul receiving the requiem regained awareness and told me why he fell from the slope, 20 meters away from the edge.

 

The frantic young man, who had been secretly planning to head into the mountains for three months, kept seeing my messages on LINE urging him to stop. In the end, he was finally persuaded to return to school.

 

I watched these children, whom I had seen grow up, stride toward their futures—closing one chapter and beginning another.

 

Master Banji

你在我心裏2 You Are in My Heart 2

你在我心裏2

     大家看到我寫1的超薦故事也不要找我做超薦迴向，

因為我不是按照經文誦經而已，會根據經驗去看看實地的內容，對我來講都是很累的工作，是不對外開放的。

想退休了！哈

半寄

 

（有醫學院的教授中年年紀坐在家裡休息就走了！

我受託超薦，

結果「 他說：我不要死，我要活著」就這樣糾纏我半年，

我說：「你不要這樣，好歹你是醫學院教授，清楚肉體是有極限的。」

但是他不能接受！

誰在生死面前都是得低頭的，安魂曲難唱啊！）

 

You Are in My Heart 2

 

After reading the story of my blessing and memorial rituals, please don’t ask me to perform one for you. I don’t simply chant from scriptures. I use my experience to assess the actual situation, and to me, it is very exhausting work. I don’t offer this service publicly. I'm thinking of retiring! Haha.

 

Master Banji

 

(A middle-aged professor from a medical school passed away suddenly while resting at home! I was entrusted with the blessing and memorial ritual. He said, "I don't want to die, I want to live," and this troubled me for half a year. I told him, "You shouldn’t act like this. You’re a medical professor, you know the body has its limits.” But he couldn’t accept it! In the face of life and death, everyone has to bow. It’s hard to sing the requiem!)

 

你在我心裏You Are in My Heart

南禪朋友好！

你在我心裏

 

     三年前某醫學系登山社發生山難，是一個我看著長大的醫學院青年的摯友同學，在他的心裏這位山難的同學是醫學天才，其難受程度可想而知。

 

我陪他渡過心裏的創傷期，也幫忙迴向超薦，3年過去了，年青學生順利完成學業當小兒科醫生，昨晚1點收到他給往生的同學功德迴向金加過年紅包。

 

年青醫師的媽是台南讀書會的老師，這3年幫著迴向也給往生者紅包，一切人間至情展現無遺！

 

年青醫師總在忙祿完後 深夜憶著同窗生涯，點點滴滴⋯⋯。

 

本來過年要來的，我也ㄧ年沒看到他，回南部的高鐵上沒戴口罩，ㄧ家全染諾羅病毒，大年初二還得趕回台北值班，辛苦之餘，同學總在他心裏。

 

 憶往日，做超薦時竟然看到往生者生前已經往生2年的媽媽，在看不見的空間悲泣她的小孩的逝世，大受震驚的我，久久不能自己。 

 半寄

 

 

You Are in My Heart

 Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

Three years ago, a tragic accident struck a university mountaineering club, taking the life of a medical student. He was the best friend of a young medical student I had watched grow up. In his heart, this friend was a true medical genius, and the pain of losing him was beyond words.   

 

I accompanied him through his grief, offering support and performing merit dedications for the departed. Three years have passed, and he has successfully graduated and became a pediatrician. At 1 a.m. last night, I received a message from him, along with a merit dedication donation and a Chinese New Year’s red envelope for his late friend. 

 

His mother, a teacher at NanZen study group in Tainan, has also been offering merit dedications and red envelopes for the departed over the past three years—a true display of deep human compassion. 

 

Late at night, after long hours of work, this young doctor still reminisces about his dear friend, cherishing every memory. 

 

He had planned to visit me for the Chinese New Year, and I hadn't seen him in a year. However, on the high-speed rail ride home to southern Taiwan, he and his family caught the norovirus after forgetting to wear masks. Despite feeling unwell, he had to rush back to Taipei for his hospital shift on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Even in his exhaustion, his friend remained in his heart. 

 

I recall that while performing a memorial ritual, I was stunned to perceive the presence of the deceased friend’s mother—who had passed away two years earlier—grieving in an unseen space for her lost child. The vision shook me deeply, leaving me unable to regain my composure for a long time.

Master Banji

 

 

元宵節快樂🏮 Lantern Festival

南禪朋友好！

開學日及元宵節快樂🏮

 

     過年總要看看有些一年不見的大德們。

 兩個小女生跟她們父母來拜年禮佛，

小人一坐下，10秒內各自拆完日式座椅，躺平，開心到一副洋洋得意的樣子，根

本在說，我們兩個有備而來喔！

 

姐姐坐好後問我說：我媽媽說你最近很出名，真的嗎？審核的語氣。

 差一點噴笑的我說還好啦！

 打從娘胎看到長大的小女生七嘴八舌的，我管也沒有用。

 還是她媽媽的虎音厲害，哈！

 過兩天小朋友的外公說：

國小的老么常考個位數的分數，這外公心疼教授女婿的臉掛不住。

    剛滿80歲的桃紅老師開心的跟我說她十幾年前車禍開腦的日期，3次腦部手術的

日期、時間已經是第幾年了！

 數字精準到嚇一跳，

 桃紅老師家是客家的模範楷模，一家書香，

 車禍生病期間她兒子剛寫完博士論文，整個媽媽車禍生病期間都是他在照顧，羨煞她媽媽一票同事，

 直說一定要生個兒子，我說可以生出這麼好的嗎？

（有人不太識相）

 她大女兒（盧校長夫人）已上大一的兒子，剛兩歲半來的時候，

我說：小子你來了啊！

 他說：不准叫我小子！

 如今是貼心的年青人。

 剛考上台北陽明交大研究所的姊姊喜不自勝的坐在一旁傾聽。

同步恭喜俊得、韻如女兒考取台北商業大學研究所。

 半寄

 （屏東縣泰武山區隨拍）

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

Happy First Day of School and Lantern Festival! 🏮

 

During the Chinese New Year, it's always nice to catch up with those who we haven’t seen for a year.

 

Two little girls, along with their parents, came to offer New Year's greetings and pay respects at the temple. As soon as they sat down, within 10 seconds, they had already dismantled the Japanese-style chairs, lying flat, looking so happy and proud, almost as if saying, "We came prepared!"

 

After the older sister sat properly, she asked me, “My mom said you’ve become quite famous recently. Is that true?” She asked with a tone of scrutiny.

 

I nearly burst out laughing and replied, "Not really."

 

The little girls, who I’ve known since they were babies, were chattering away, and I couldn’t do much about it.

 

It’s still her mother’s commanding voice that is the most effective, haha!

 

A couple of days later, the little girl’s grandfather said, “The youngest often gets units digit scores in elementary school, and I feel sorry for my son-in-law, a professor, having to face that.”

 

single-digit

The 80-year-old Ms. Taohong Chen happily shared with me the exact dates of her car accident and brain surgeries from over ten years ago. She could even recall the precise times and how many years have passed since then, which was astonishing.

 

Her family is a model of the Hakka, a household full of scholars. During her illness from the accident, her son had just completed his doctoral thesis and took care of her the entire time. Her colleagues were envious of how well she was taken care of, and they jokingly said, “One must have a son!” I asked, "Can everyone raise such a good son?" (Someone just doesn’t possess discernment…)

 

Her eldest daughter (the wife of Principal Lu) has a son who’s now in his first year of college. When he was two, he came to visit, and I said, “So, kid, you’ve arrived!”

 

He quickly responded, "Don’t call me ‘kid’!”

 

Now, he’s a considerate young person.

 

His elder sister, who just got accepted into the graduate school at Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei, was sitting beside us, listening with joy.

 

Master Banji

 

(Photos taken in Taiwu Mountain area, Pingtung County)

 

 

（屏東縣泰武山區隨拍）

辯論 Debate

南禪朋友新春愉快！

        幾年前剛認識陳純德居士時，向我訴苦，他兒子是高中辯論社社長，他在業界很忙，每次都被他兒子辯到啞口無言！

 我說：簡單，跟我學半年，你再辯論輸他，招牌給你拆，哈！

從此，不再聞辯論失敗的話語。

純德目前兼任南禪竹科社團社長。

 至於我的；已說的已說，不可說的依然不能說，這不廢話嗎？

 祝福南禪讀者，行至天涯處，皆福智俱足。

 

半寄

 Happy Lunar New Year to our NanZen friends!

 

A few years ago, when I first met Lay Buddhist Chen Chunde, he confided in me—his son was the president of his high school debate club. Busy with work in the techology industry, he found himself repeatedly outdebated and left speechless by his son!

 

I told him, "It's simple! Train with me for six months. If you still lose to him in a debate, I'll let you take down my signboard—haha!"

 

Since then, I have never heard him mention losing a debate again. Chunde now also serves as the president of the NanZen Study Club in Hsiuchu Science Park.

 

As for me—what has been said has been said; what cannot be said will remain unsaid. Isn’t that obvious? 

 

Wish all NanZen readers wisdom and blessings wherever you go!

 

Master Banji

終點2 Destination 2

 

終點2

 

佛法修行者進入「宿命明 」（宿命明白）解決自身問題，

透過「天眼明 」（天眼明白）得知過去、現在、未來，

縱橫時空後得「漏盡明」。（漏盡明白）

 這是由於一種完全明白的狀態下清楚生命，解脱生命，

其間過程也完全涉及人腦智慧達到最高境界的展現，不由的從靈魂處發出讚歎，

 

到底是誰能發現與教導出這些極上品，天上人間祇佛陀。

半寄

 

Destination 2

Buddhist practitioners first gain the knowledge of past lives (pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇa) to resolve personal issues. Then, through the divine eye (dibbacakkhu), they see the past, present, and future. Finally, after moving across time and space, they achieve the knowledge of the end of defilements (āsavakkhayañāṇa).

 

This comes from a state of complete understanding, fully comprehending and liberating life. The process reflects the highest level of human wisdom, evoking deep admiration from the soul.

 

Who else could have discovered and taught such supreme truths? Only the Buddha, unparalleled in heaven and on earth.

 

                                                                                                                           Master Banji

終點1 Destination 1

 

終點1

佛陀建立的修行系統，從「無明」開端到「三明六通」作結束，頭尾呼應形成不

論就學術、就修行而言，都是架構完整的修行論述，其內容的雄厚堅強都是創世

紀的。

 

世上沒什麼宗教或學派是用實際修行的境界去做說明的。

 

無明一詞對於佛法是不知十二因緣的生死輪迴，那就由搞懂十二因緣去破解無明，

 

我個人覺得意識的認識是最大的問題，搞懂自我意識是非常困難的，或許修行的不能有所收穫都是跟自我意識無法勘破有關。

 

而意識在十二因緣裡的修持，

有修行者透過「修定」做強力的控制，達到寂滅的狀態，

有修行者透過「空」的認知反而加大意識的範圍。

這是有趣的兩條線，

一條愈畫愈小，

一條畫到時間、空間裡，

佛法的修行在這兩條線軸中又畫出分水嶺。

半寄

 

Destination 1

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

The system of practice established by the Buddha starts with ignorance (avidyā) and ends with the attainment of threefold knowledge (tevijjā) and six supernormal powers (abhiññā). This creates a complete and well-structured path, perfectly connecting the start and finish. Whether for academic study or practice, it’s a solid and comprehensive guide, a pioneer in the field of spiritual practice.

 

Few religions or philosophical schools explain their principles through the actual stages of spiritual practice and realization.

 

In Buddhism, ignorance means not understanding the twelve links of dependent origination (paṭiccasamuppāda) and the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra). To break free from ignorance, one needs to fully understand these twelve links.

 

Personally, I find that understanding consciousness is the hardest challenge. Understanding self-centered consciousness is extraordinarily difficult, and perhaps it is due to inability to break through their own sense of self that some people fail to achieve significant breakthroughs in their practice

 

When it comes to cultivating consciousness through the twelve links, there are two approaches. Some practitioners use deep concentration (samādhi) to gain control and reach a state of cessation (nirodha). Others, by understanding śūnyatā, expand their consciousness instead. These two paths are fascinating: one narrows consciousness down to minimum, while the other extends it across time and space. Buddhist practice, operating along these two axes, creates a distinct boundary line between them.

 

Master Banji

 

宿命明 Knowledge of Previous Lives

 南禪朋友好！

宿命明

在阿羅漢的世界裏，「宿命明」是必備款，而這種能力被神通字眼的描述掩蓋了真實意義。

 

以央掘魔羅為例，已證四果仍舊為其業力所苦說明聖者有能力時，回溯過去的生命史亦是當然的，

 

在過往的生命史中有緣的、業力的，在有能力後做出交代或結束必屬當然，這不是神通字眼就可以形容的。

 

在南禪讀書會有人問起神通的問題。

我說；別傻了，如果在宿命通中看到自己曾經是一隻小狗你真的會講出來嗎？（哈）

 

每一個人的生命史都不簡單，相信就是簡單的務農工作，也會有愚昧的人際恩怨，而在每個人生命的記憶裡，真的可以透過修行瞧見過去世的生活，那真的只能沉澱在聖者心裡。

 

我個人認知了修行一直是很個人的事，那些在修行道路會出現的神秘世界或許只是幫助修行人去解決自己的過去式問題而已，沒什麼好說的。

 （當然大家都必須對社會做出貢獻，但這是兩碼子事。）

反倒是，自己過去沒有解決的問題到底要不要解決？

那要怎麼解決才是一個大問題。

半寄

 

Knowledge of Previous Lives

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

In the world of Arahants, “knowledge of previous lives” is an essential ability, but its true meaning has often been obscured by the term "supernatural powers." 

 

Take Angulimala as an example. Even though he attained the fourth stage of enlightenment, he still suffered from his past karma. This shows that the enlightened, with their abilities, can naturally trace and understand their past life histories. 

 

Once the enlightened have the ability, they will inevitably resolve or end the good or negative karma in these life histories. This profound process cannot be reduced to the simplistic term "supernatural powers."

 

In the Nanzen study club, someone asked about supernatural powers. I replied, "Don’t be ridiculous! If your ability revealed that you were once a dog, would you honestly share that with others? (Haha)"

 

Everyone’s life history is far from simple. Even something as simple as farming may involve foolish disputes and karmic entanglements. Indeed, Buddhist practice can provide a glimpse into past lives, but such insights are meant to quietly stay in the hearts of the enlightened.

 

To me, spiritual practice is always a deeply personal journey. The mysterious experiences that arise along the path may only serve to help practitioners resolve their past issues, nothing more. There's nothing worth discussing. 

 

The bigger question remains: Should unresolved issues from the past be addressed? And how should they be resolved? That is the true challenge. 

 

Master Banji

 

P.S.: Modern academic studies of early Buddhist scriptures have clarified the stages of enlightenment with remarkable precision. May the Dharma never be buried under mere words.

 

 

 

四聖果 The Four Fruition

 南禪朋友好！

四聖果

佛法結集時迦葉尊者發現阿難沒證四果而遭拒絕。

阿難被拒的事讓我起了很大的探索興致。

渴望理解佛法證悟三果到四果之間的心、意識差距究竟是？

強烈的好奇不斷在內心驅使！

 

再來，又是如何在人體的證悟裡界定三至四果的表現！

「色愛、無色愛」再怎麼說都是表現在人體的修道裡，

對聖者而言，這種屬於人體的心理、精神層面竟然可以在修行裡面呈現得很清

楚，還可以認定，這鐵錚錚是驚天動地的事。

 

屬於外在看不見的心、意識修行吸引我想去親自觸摸著，甚至是掛在腦袋及心裏

的大問題，沒能親自感受的證悟內容，像紙上的佛法敘述永遠是紙上的地圖而

已！

 

三果至四果之間，真的是無色愛（五上分結）的不同而已，還是對理解能力的高

度不同也必須釐清楚，這太有趣了！

半寄

 

The Four Fruition

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

When the Buddhist teachings were compiled, Venerable Kāśyapa rejected Ānanda because he had not attained the fourth stage of enlightenment. This event sparked my great curiosity and desire to explore further.

 

I’m eager to understand the differences in mind and consciousness between attaining the third and fourth stages of enlightenment. This strong curiosity keeps driving me to seek answers!

 

Moreover, how is the transition from the third to the fourth stage expressed in human experience? The attachments to "form" and "formless realms" manifest through the human body during spiritual practice. Howver, to the enlightened, these mental and spiritual aspects become so clearly evident in their practice that they can be identified with certainty.

This is truly astonishing! 

 

The unseen cultivation of the mind and consciousness fascinates me. I want to personally experience and explore these unresolved questions that linger in both my mind and heart. Without direct experience, the descriptions of enlightenment in Buddhist texts remain mere maps on paper. 

 

Is the difference between the third and fourth stages simply about overcoming "formless attachment"  (the five higher fetters), or is it also about involving a significant leap in comprehension? This is incredibly fascinating!

 

Master Banji

（截圖自台大獅子吼

經文表達，就佛法而言還是各有各的喜好跟需求，

所以佛法是世上最自由的，

應該賦予更大的解釋空間才對，

當然不能違背佛法。）

The scripture in the screenshot shows that Buddhism addresses different preferences and needs, making it the freest teaching in the world. It should allow broader interpretation, as long as it aligns with Buddhist principles.