Listen to the sound, sharing in the wisdom of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva: 3000 people practiced sound meditation
At Dharma Drum Hong Kong branch monastery’s invitation, Venerable Chi Chern gave dharma teachings in the form of Chan Art workshop and lectures in the Queen Elizabeth Stadium of Hong Kong.
【News from DDM Hong Kong】 From October 16th to 22nd, at Dharma Drum Hong Kong branch monastery’s invitation, Venerable Chi Chern (繼程法師) gave dharma teachings then led the 5-day intensive retreat for sixty-odd practitioners on the Sydney Leong Holiday Lodge on Lantau Island.
On Oct. 23rd and 24th , held in the Queen Elizabeth Stadium of Hong Kong for the first time, the Chan Art workshops and lectures were conducted with the theme of “Listen to the sound, sharing in the wisdom of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva”. More than three thousand participants enjoyed the relaxation of body and mind through learning dharma teachings and practicing sound meditation.
Leading a five-day retreat in Hong Kong for the first time, Venerable Chi Chern clearly and orderly shared the methods of
“fine-tuning three aspects during three different stages in meditation”(三時調三事) and “six wondrous gates” (六妙門) for practicing meditation. Guided by Venerable Chi Chern’s integrated framework, participants could naturally immerse themselves into the Chan methods.
In a very humorous tone, his talks often amused the audience so much that they would burst into laughter. At such restful atmosphere, he encouraged the participants to practice the method by relaxing the mind and body, rather than making Chan practice in the intensive to-do-list.
One of the participants, Mr. Hanpeng Liu (劉漢鵬) was very thankful to Venerable Chi Chern for his explanation of the complete Chan learning-map, clarifying the points that have been easily misinterpreted so as to help him regain a sense of relaxation and put sedulous effort into practice.
In the mornings of October 23rd and 24th, the additional Chan Art workshop and lecture were hosted by Venerable Changzhan (常展法師), Director of Dharma Drum Hong Kong, and Venerable Changlin (常霖法師). By practicing walking meditation, chanting mantras and sitting meditation, the participants practiced and experienced more of awareness, concentration and relaxation.
During their practices, the participants heard a low-pitched rumbling sound, the resonant boom of the drum permeated by the crisp chimes of the gong along with a sand hammer rattles softly; all of which to aid practitioners’ better concentration. Later on, Venerable Changzhan reminded the participants to listen attentively, to be aware of the sensation beneath our feet whenever we’re walking or just standing still, as well as allowing our bodies and our minds to still in each present moment. A while afterwards, Venerable Changzhan shouted aloud, putting everything to a stop. In the midst of an abrupt silence, the participants could still feel a “voice of no-voice” in their minds. Venerable Changlin shared that meditation is actually not restrained by any specific frame of time and space. As long as they remain aware when they walk, stand, sit and lie down, all of which are practicing Chan.
The afternoon workshop was opened with the surging sound of the Chan Drum; followed by the Tang Drum Player, Zhang Yisheng’s (張藝生) guidance, the participants patted each other as a form of massage, experienced relaxation then return to their own breathing contemplation meditation; thereafter, together with Dharma Drum Tea Chan team, the artist, Zeng Wentong (曾文通), served tea for the participants and guided them to feel Chan in the tea.
Along with the rhythmic sound of drumming, the members of the DDM Tea Chan team slowly walked around the field and offered tea to the participants. (Photo provided by DDM, Hong Kong)
How can Chan and Art connect with Buddhadharma after experiencing sound meditation and tea Chan? In the evening of the talks, Venerable Chi Chern brought everything back to the core spirit of Buddhadharma and encouraged the participants to reflect on its significance. In his interpretation of "The Lotus Sutra's Universal Gate Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva", Venerable Chi Chern pointed out that if sentient beings have to be delivered in a certain form or body, Avalokitesvara Boddhisattva would manifest himself accordingly in that certain form or body to deliver. He would manifest himself in all possible ways, without any fixed form or body, answering prayers from all over.
In this regard, Venerable Chi Chern urged the participants to heartfelt comprehend the sutra and keep the essence in mind, followed by practicing Bodhisattva-hood. This way, everyone could become a Bodhisattva who urge to benefit others in daily life. The power of such aspiration of becoming Bodhisattva is so powerful that it can be extended to different eras and space. The manifestation-body of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva would therefore appear in the real world in the endless vista.
Texts: Dharma Drum Monthly (法鼓雜誌)
More info of Dharma Drum Monthly Photos: Dharma Drum Hong Kong
Translation: Hugo Su
Editing: DDM Australian Editorial Team; Elenda Huang; John Wu; Christine Huang