On July 27, Venerable Hui Lun, the Deputy Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, visited Fo Guang Shan Miami and presented a unique lecture on the "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch – Zen for Everyday Life." The talk revealed the essence of Chan Buddhism and its practice in daily life. The lecture was simultaneously translated into English, allowing over 60 attendees who spoke both Chinese and English to experience the true meaning of Zen for everyday life and share in the joy of Dharma.
The Venerable explained the essence of Chan Buddhism and the practice of Humanistic Buddhism through the "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch." Drawing wisdom from the "Instructions on Sitting Meditation" by Chan Master Dao Yuan, he discussed the four major benefits of sitting meditation: harmony of body and mind (mental and physical well-being), joy brought by Dharma (spiritual happiness), mental clarity (refreshing of the spirit), tranquility and peace (inner calm), and clear mindfulness (right mindfulness in daily life). He also shared the wisdom from the "Lotus Sutra," saying, "The Eye of the True Dharma, the marvelous heart of Nirvana." This refers to the Buddha's mind, which is capable of knowing, feeling, and illuminating, like a camera and a flashlight for life.
The lecture was not only a teaching of the Dharma but also a spiritual baptism. The attendees deeply felt the subtle teachings of Chan and realized that every moment in daily life is an opportunity for practice, bringing Buddhist wisdom into each person’s heart. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, they were able to find inner peace and clarity.
Venessa Amirati, a Spanish-speaking local attendee, shared that after listening to the talk, she had a deeper understanding of "Zen in everyday life" and how Chan is practiced in every moment of action, standing, sitting, and lying down. Shiller expressed gratitude to the Venerable for connecting profound Chan wisdom with daily life, helping him understand the true meaning of "the mind is the Buddha," especially the importance of "concentration and wisdom in balance, and purity in the mind," which made him realize the significance of inner peace and mindfulness, and strengthened his confidence in practicing.
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