The first One-Day Zen Retreat of this year started at 10:00 a.m. on May 26 and concluded at noon on May 27.  Venerable Ta Yu gave a profound and stimulating teaching to the attendees at the retreat.

Some people said that practicing Zen is very difficult because it talks about instant enlightenment.  Yet, a typical person without certain instinct cannot even achieve the gradual enlightenment taught by Master Shen-Shao.  Therefore, many people practice with different methods of other sects.  This is the reason why Pure-Land is very popular and prosperous.  Even an uneducated old lady who doesn't know how to read and write can recite Amitabha's name and practice Pure-Land.  Amitabha Sutra describes the magnificent Western Paradise Pure-Land adorned with Seven Jewels Lotus Pond and Pure Gold Ground, which attract many people wishing to be born here.  To the people living in this degenerating era of Buddha Dharma, practicing Amitabha's Pure-Land is thought to be the safest and fastest way among all methods.  Some people say that they can only recite Amitabha's name because their instinct is not good enough and when they can recite Amitabha with a clear and concentrated mind for seven days, they will be able to reach the Western Paradise Pure-Land.  However, it is really not easy to maintain a clear and concentrated mind while reciting Amitabha.  A practitioner should not give up and look down upon oneself.  Those who have so-called bad instinct may well be the first one to get enlightened and achieve Buddhahood.  A practitioner should not be arrogant and look down upon others.  A person who was looked down upon by you may become a Buddha before you.  If you have bad connection with him/her you might lose any chance to receive his/her teaching when he/she becomes a Buddha.  A practitioner should not become negligent, should practice diligently every day in order to avoid failure because of procrastination.

When we practice, we should search the fundamental issue.  The doctrine of Zen sect talks about pointing directly to our mind and attaining Buddhahood by seeing the nature of mind.  Amitabha's Pure-Land method also emphasizes the reciting of Buddha's name until reaching a clear and concentrated mind.  Every method is inseparable from the mind.  Mind is the origin of practice.  We should start our practice from the origin that is the purification of our mind.

When Master Da Zhu Hui Hai came to learn with Zen Master Ma Zu Dao Yi, Master Ma Zu asked him, "Why do you come here to visit me?"  Master Hui Hai replied, "I am here to seek Dharma.  Please help me to settle my mind."  Master Ma Zu said.  "I have nothing here.  What Buddha Dharma do you want?  Why do you abandon your own treasure and leave home to wander?  What are you doing/"  Master Hui Hai asked, "What is Hui Hai's treasure?"  Master Ma Zu answered, "The one that asks me right now is your treasure.  You already have everything.  You don't need to acquire anything from outside."  As soon as Master Hui Hai heard what Master Ma Zu said, he was enlightened instantly.  After the enlightenment, Master Hui Hai stayed with Master Ma Zu for six years.  After six years he went back to his old master and wrote a commentary named "The Key to Instant Enlightenment and Entering the Path".  Someone brought that commentary to Master Ma Zu.  After Master Ma Zu read it, he told his disciples that, "There is a large and brilliant pearl (Da Zhu) in Yue Zhou (the county where Da Zhu residing).  Da Zhu is liberated."

The main purpose of "The Key to Instant Enlightenment and Entering the Path" is to show us how to discover the inner treasure in our mind.  This book mentions that instant enlightenment is the only way to liberation.  What is instant enlightenment?  Instant means to clear up all false thoughts instantly.  Enlightenment means to perceive that nothing is obtainable.  If you can meditate for twenty-four hours without having any wandering thoughts, then you have entered a tranquil state (Samadhi).  There are great and tiny Samadhi.  Reaching Samadhi does not mean you are liberated but it will help us on practicing liberation.  We should practice from the origin, which is our mind.  If your practice did not reach certain level, you will end up in the transmigration in the six realms after you die.  How do we know mind is the origin?  Lankavatarasutra said, "When our mind arises, all Dharma (phenomena) arises.  When our mind ceases, all Dharma (phenomena) ceases."  Thus, mind is the origin of all.  If we can cultivate our mind to make it pure, then we become Buddha.  A wise person tames his mind, not his body.  When our mind is well tamed, our body is tamed as well.

Although the foundation of practice is not to seek or obtain, there will be no driving force if we do not want to pursue or gain anything in the course of our practice.  However in our seeking and obtaining we need to realize that nothing is permanent so that we will not develop attachments to all the Dharma.  If we do not want to pursue or gain anything from the practice, we could easily fall into "Ignorant Nothingness" and get lost in a demonic state.

Each one of us has a brilliant pearl, but we don't know how to take it out and use it, while we constantly search outside.  Buddha said, "Do not pursue Buddha far away at Vulture Peak.  Vulture Peak resides within your mind.  Everybody has a Stupa at Vulture Peak.  Everyone should quickly practice beneath that Stupa."  Many people say they want to go to India on a pilgrimage, especially to visit the Spiritual Vulture Peak.  Because Buddha expounded many doctrines on Vulture Peak, they could accumulate a lot of merit if they worship, practice or recite Sutra on Vulture Peak.  Vulture Peak is not sacrosanct in itself, Buddha Dharma made Vulture Peak sacrosanct.  Therefore, not every one has to go on a pilgrimage to Vulture Peak.

You ought to have awareness when you practice Zen.  It's better to be aware that you have wandering thoughts than if you are not.  To meditate (practice Dhyana) is to cultivate Samadhi.  Then what is Samadhi?  Dhyana is to extinguish false thoughts.  Samadhi is to see the Buddha nature within oneself.  Meditation can make our mind clearer and clearer.  We know how to face and handle things when our mind is clear.  Meditation allows us to attain Samadhi. . Through Samadhi, we are able to unfold our wisdom.