THE CHAN FOREST SUBTLE DHARMA TEACHINGS

DAWN THROUGH THE TREES

THE PRECIOUS LIGHT

Most of the time we choose to walk through wooded areas when there is plenty of daylight and we no doubt appreciate all the magnificent forms of life that we find there. We feel elated and feel we are communicating with nature. That is an error.

What we are actually doing is capturing the illusory images with our mind and our Id and Ego are carresing that scene as if we own it. That, my friends, pales to insignificance when one understands and sees the truth.

We may at times walk through the woods when all light has gone and there is darkness and we hurry cautiously to get to the other side. We may even see grotesque shapes and even figures that menace us and we sometimes fear the presence of something evil. We fail also then to see the truth and only occasionally are we present when the dawn breaks and lights up in that moment the darkness.

Once again we fail to see the truth, beautiful and liberating though the light may seem.

The Dharma is really like that; no matter if we walk in the light or the darkness of Samsara, the human creature fails to see the truth.

Sometimes when we are fed up with the darkness and the dawn of Dharma breaks for a moment we run to it, failing to see the truth.

Some spend their lives chasing the light and never find the awakening moment because they are too busy searching. They run too fast. Everyone wants to get to that light no matter whether it is Chan, Dao, Mahamudra or one of the Vajrayana glows.

We must learn to walk softly and slowly in the forest whether it is darkness all around us or light and we must learn first how to see, and that requires a basic understanding of Dharma.

Remembering that the cognitive mind is the enemy and that the light comes only when you are "no-mind" prepared we present basic Dharma knowledge and advanced knowledge here. In the Advanced section you will find that we teach the basic introduction for many paths, but we reserve the advanced teachings and particularly the methods of meditation only or those who are really prepared and have set aside all the impediments.

I can only point the way and if there is a pit into which you fall and if I am present and you stretch out your hand I can pull you out, but I cannot walk the path for you. As you learn stillness, patience, determination, perseverance and a true introspection without dissonance then.

I cannot teach you Buddhism for that is a terrible bog of sectarian words and expedient means trapping the unwary, as Buddha warned. I can only teach Buddha Dharma for as long as breath remains in this mind-body.

Strive on with diligence.

RECENT WORD TRAVELS IN THE DHARMA WORLD

The various sections are continually being revised and we must thank all those whose texts are being used without credit given.

We believe that Dharma, except perhaps when presented in books, should be freely given without any Identity compensation, and trust therefore there will be no offence.