Cultivation of Concentration and Chan Meditation for Realization of the Way (Part 1)

Synopsis

In the Dharma-ending age, sentient beings possess meager merit. Living in an era of advanced information and technology, they face intense competition, significant life pressures, chaotic thoughts, and impure minds, while lacking the environmental conditions conducive to cultivating concentration. Furthermore, sentient beings tend to favor broad knowledge and clever speech, exhibiting frivolous minds. Consequently, it is exceedingly difficult for them to cultivate meditative concentration (dhyāna), and their concentration power is generally very weak. Yet, meditative concentration is precisely the crucial factor in the practice and realization of the Buddha Dharma. It is one of the important Threefold Training of the Undefiled (trīṇi śikṣāṇi) emphasized by the Buddha, serving as the key to attaining liberating wisdom. Without concentration, there is no wisdom. Therefore, to attain liberation, cultivating concentration is an urgent matter.

This book introduces several specific methods for cultivating concentration, including reciting the Buddha's name (Buddhānusmṛti), regulating the breath, seated meditation and bowing to the Buddha, reciting sūtras and mantras, visualization, and more. All are practical methods for focusing the mind at one point, combining stillness and activity. They are highly practical and flexible. The book also discusses the importance of meditative concentration and addresses the significant factor hindering it: the heavy clinging mind (prapañca). Reducing this clinging nature and subduing afflictive hindrances (kleśa-āvaraṇa) are crucial. It further explains how to transition from cultivating concentration to investigating Chan (C. can; J. zen), and how to ensure genuine awakening without error. Additionally, it presents some experiential insights from actual cultivation and contemplative practice for learners' reference, aiming to help them continually improve the quality of their practice and realization, ensuring genuine realization of the Buddha Dharma and the attainment of true wisdom.