A Quest to Discover Meditative Concentration, while Nourished by the Dharma Teachings
On 10th September 2022, approximately 15 Fo Guang Club members gathered at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland for One Day Meditation Retreat. The event started off with Venerable Miaoyu leading the participants to experience a meditation in motion – Taichi. With a series of slow-paced and organised movements coupled with regulated breathing, the participants felt streams of energy circulating in their bodies, which gave a perfect warm-up amid chilly weather.
Subsequently, the participants immersed themselves in a quiet setting and transcribe The Ten Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Upholding the words of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Cultivation is a pressing matter, but one must first make vows, the youth members were introduced to the power of making good and strong vows, while they were connecting themselves with the moat of Dharma teachings with the calligraphy pen in their hands. In conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the attendees were treated with a Special Set Lunch. They enjoyed having meal in silence, without the distraction of phone nor chatter, which brought their focus back on the food solely.
After Eating Meditation, the attendees embarked on a journey of minimising distractions and focussed on the view right in front of them while doing a Walking Meditation at the courtyard. Following this mindful movement meditation, the participants were brought indoor to their seats and meditate under the guidance of Venerable Nengchang. Sitting in a tranquil and peaceful environment accompanied by occasional birds’ chirping, the attendees were getting accustomed to a steady rhythm of breath counting, while they searched for calm within themselves.
When Venerable Nengchang and Venerable Nengchien were asked on the recommended frequency of meditation by one of the participants during the Q&A session, they answered that it varies between different individuals and the stage of cultivation. “However, you will have to start somewhere. Having 5 minutes of meditation daily is better than doing a single 30-minutes-session per week, as consistency is the key to shape a habit,” Venerable Nengchien added. The Six Paramitas, namely Giving, Morality, Patience, Diligence, Meditative Concentration and Prajna, were introduced to the youth members. These Six Paramitas are the Way to transcend this shore with its affliction, delusion, and suffering, and crossing to the other shore of purity and tranquillity, where no afflictions appear, and all suffering has ended.
“My body and mind have had a good rest, and I have gained a lot from the meditation event today. Apart from learning movement meditation and mindful meditation, I was introduced to the Dharma treasures such as the Ten Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and the Six Paramitas, which I will hold on to my life,” said Youth Member, Serena. One Day Meditation Event ended with a high note with a beautiful quote from both Venerables. “Humans are akin to the different shapes of moon that we see every night, sometimes the Earth’s shadow will be casted on the moon; and sometimes it gets partially covered by the clouds. The power of cultivation lies in our ability to uncover our hearts from these obstructions, with the strength of practice and persistence, we will eventually find a heart alike a full moon, which illuminates oneself and the others”.
