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On July 6, Hsi Lai Temple hosted a Dharma talk in the Auditorium, led by Venerable Hui Lun, Deputy Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Monastery. The talk, titled "The Sixth Patriarch's Platform Sutra: Humanistic Life Chan," explored the profound teachings of Chan and Humanistic Buddhism. The lecture was also simultaneously translated into English. Attendees included Venerable Hui Dong, Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, and Alex Wu, President of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Chapter. The event drew 250 in-person participants and 120 online viewers.
Venerable Hui Lun began by explaining the essence of Chan, likening its discovery to Newton's discovery of gravity—both existed long before they were recognized. He referenced the Buddha's "Flower Sermon" and Venerable Mahākāśyapa's smile, highlighting that every sentient being possesses an innate "Chan mind," or Buddha nature. The plaque behind the preserved body of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng at Nanhua Temple in Guangdong, China, bearing the phrase "True Face," succinctly captures this essence.
Tracing the lineage of Chan, Venerable Hui Lun noted that the founding master of Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, is the 48th patriarch of the Linji (Rinzai) lineage. Venerable Master Hsing Yun emphasized discovering one's innate awareness through daily practice. Venerable Hui Lun encouraged everyone to recognize the sacredness of Humanistic Buddhism.
Quoting the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, "Dharma can only be found in the world, and enlightenment cannot be attained away from it," Venerable Hui Lun explained that the ultimate goal of Humanistic Life Chan practice is to recognize one's original mind and see one's true nature. This understanding reveals the non-dual Buddha nature. Amidst life's various disturbances, practitioners should avoid discriminatory thinking and constantly return to their innate pure nature.
The practice involves avoiding evil, doing good, and purifying one's mind. It further develops into the cultivation of non-doing and non-attachment. In this world, one should cultivate a Bodhisattva's selfless spirit, developing the enlightened intention to benefit all beings and help others succeed. Venerable Hui Lun drew parallels between the BLIA members' creed and the Bodhisattva path's "Five Paths and Ten Grounds," encouraging everyone to follow Venerable Master Hsing Yun's teaching: "With a mind transcending the world, engage in worldly enterprises."
Venerable Hui Lun also explained the third section of the Platform Sutra, "Resolving Doubts," emphasizing that the Sutra states there is "no merit" in giving if it is done with attachment. The merit of worldly deeds can vary, but the merit of one's true nature is unchanging and infinite. Therefore, merit should not be sought through the act of giving itself, but rather through the intention behind it. Different intentions result in different levels of merit, which is a crucial understanding for all practitioners.
Quoting the Chan saying, "A special transmission outside the scriptures, not relying on words and letters," Venerable Hui Lun emphasized that the profound truths of the Buddhas are not dependent on written texts. "The moon is not in the pointing finger; the Dharma is in the mind," he explained, indicating that language and words are merely tools to open the door to the Dharma. All truths are inherent in one's own mind and should be realized through self-awareness.
Venerable Hui Lun concluded with a verse, wishing everyone diligent practice: "The inexhaustible spring at the foot of the mountain supplies the companions in the mountain; each brings a ladle, all attain the full moon." He expressed his hope that everyone would eventually realize the full moon of enlightenment.
(Photos by Chihcheng Chang)
