You might have heard that in 1997 I had a chance meeting with a Tibetan Buddhist Master which started me on a path of spiritual discovery and a search for the meaning of my life. Since that time, I have travelled to visit, or invited teachers to come visit and lecture. Being a beginner I still have many questions about the technical terms used in Buddhism.
In my personal studies I have read many Buddhist books, among them are those of Master Sheng Yen. His use of modern terminology to explain Buddhist concepts has been very beneficial to my studies. In 2001 a friend invited me to Taiwan to meet with Master Sheng Yen and hold a public discussion. At the time I felt that I didn't properly understand Buddhism and didn't have the nerve to hold a public discussion with a well-known master, so I declined.
In 2003 I stopped working for a half year and took time to study. The friend in Taiwan once again invited me to have a public discussion with Master Sheng Yen. This time I accepted. The main reason was to take the opportunity to meet with Master Sheng Yen and ask several question that I had been contemplating.
I was very appreciative to have this opportunity to share my limited understanding of Buddhism through the discussion. Afterwards Master Sheng Yen asked that, if I had time, to join him in a 10 day meditation retreat of Silent Illumination he was holding in upstate New York. I'll never forget this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The 10 day meditation retreat truly was a life-changing experience and was very different from the 2 week Tibetan Buddhism meditation retreat in Qinghai. The people in Qinghai were very affectionate. Though it was a closed retreat there were still a lot of people taking care of me day and night. For example, they would bring food and drink, and all I needed to do was sit there every day for 2 weeks.
The Chinese Chan (Zen) meditation retreat in upstate New York was very different. We got out of bed at 4:00 a.m. each morning to begin the meditation sessions. Each session is 45 minutes long with 10 minutes in between for resting. Aside from meals and cleaning, you are only spending these 45 minute sessions of sitting or walking meditation. 10 days of complete silence. This is the first time I have lived among a group of people and have had no one request pictures or autographs. In the last 20 years, aside from when I shut myself up at home and don't go out, this is the first time that I've spent a long period of time, with no interruptions, to concentrate and focus inwardly, to develop my self-awareness.
70% of the participants were westerners. There were many famous phychiatrists and biologists among the group. But here everyone has equal status. Everyone is the same, each with their own set cleaning chores such as cleaning the latrine, sweeping or mopping the floors -- even showering was scheduled. To me this 10 day experience is one I will never forget.
I've met Master Sheng Yen twice in an exchange of learning. The experiences have been uploaded on to the "Come Together" website. You are most welcome to take a read. The English Translation will be posted up as soon as it's completed.
無名問無明
http://www.cometogetherfoundation.org/index_talks_shengyen.php
象岡禪十的前與後
http://www.cometogetherfoundation.org/index_zen.retreat.php
