Commentary on Je Tsong-kha-pa’s Lam Rim Chen Mo By Venerable Jih-Chang English Commentary Book 4, ver 3.0 Chapter 5 The Meditation Session & Chapter 6 Refuting Misconceptions about Meditation Printed by BW Monastery, Singapore For use by students of the monastery only Purpose: This book (version 3) contains the translation of Master Jih-Chang’s commentary of the Lamrim Chapter 5 “The Meditation Session” and Chapter 6 “Refuting Misconceptions about Meditation”. It is for use by BW Monastery students only. It serves to facilitate students' understanding of the Lamrim as explained by Master Jih-Chang. Student Feedback: The translation of Master's commentary in this book is still a draft and will be improved. All students are welcome to provide your feedback to improve the translation. Kindly submit your feedback via the feedback form that is available in the BW Monastery web page, where this book can be downloaded from. References: Before each paragraph of the translated commentary, the following references are indicated to help students in learning the commentary: - Page number of the English Lamrim Book. An example of this is “Lamrim text book Vol 1, P93” - Track number of Master Jih-Chang’s audio recording. An example is “22B, 10.24” - Page and line number of the Chinese commentary book. An example of this is “Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P202, L12”. Translator’s Notes: Parts with red text are notes inserted by the Translation Team. Contents Chapter 5: The Meditation Session 3 ~ 188 Chapter 6: Refuting Misconceptions about 189 ~ 314 Meditation CHAPTER 5: THE MEDITATION SESSION 4 Lamrim Vol 1 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Outline 2. A brief indication of how to sustain the meditation a. The actual way of sustaining the meditation 1) What to do during the actual meditation session a) Preparation b) Actual session i) How to sustain the meditation in general ii) How to sustain the meditation specifically c) What to do at the conclusion 2) What to do in between meditation sessions a) Restraining the sensory faculties b) Acting with vigilance i) The foundations upon which you act ii)Acting vigilantly with respect the foundations c) Appropriate diet d) How to practice diligently without sleeping at the wrong time and how to act properly at the time of sleep Lamrim Vol 1 Chapter 5 5 [Lamrim Text Vol 1, P93; 22B, 9.51; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P202, L8] Well, let us continue. Now that we know to rely on a virtuous teacher, relying on a virtuous teacher requires preparation. So, proper preparation is required before and after. At the time of practice, [let’s] briefly go over the concept. Nowadays, too frequently we randomly speak of meditation, meditation. Yet, we actually don’t even know how to do it. Once we go over the following concept, then we will know, wow! So this is how meditation should be. By then, when we talk about meditation, it will not be too late! See below. [Lamrim text book Vol 1, P93; 22B, 10.24; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P202, L12] 2. A brief indication of how to sustain the meditation How to sustain the meditation has two parts: It just briefly explains the outline of applying the teaching here. What is the method? What is the reasoning? The reason for applying the teaching is such, and this is how to go about it. Now, let’s take a look at the text. [Lamrim text book Vol 1, P93; 22B, 10.41; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P203, L1] 1. The actual way of sustaining the meditation (Chapter 5) 2. Refuting misconceptions about meditation (Chapter 6) First is to clarify the actual method of sustaining the meditation. Second, as for various misconceptions, they have to be refuted, this is very important. If the misconceptions are not removed, your advancement is Lamrim Vol 1 Chapter 5 6 impossible. For instance, it is the same with our cooking now. With cooking, either rice or vegetables, if you don’t clean the dirt and the pesticides off before hand, sorry! Taking food this way will kill you. This applies to anything [we] do – it is the same for our meditation now. There are many erroneous concepts blocking us, after much effort, alas! No advancement. In fact, not having advancement may be a fortunate thing. Actually, your [erroneous] advancement leads to downfall because it is erroneous practice! Just like this above example, without removing the pesticides or soil from your food, leaving it there without cooking it may be fine, but once you cook it as is and eat it, even if it doesn’t kill you, you will at least become seriously ill. Therefore, the next chapter on refuting misconceptions is very important! Now, let’s read it further, one [chapter] at a time. The actual way of sustaining the meditation has two parts. [Lamrim text book Vol 1, P93; 22B, 11.42; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P203, L10] a. The actual way of sustaining the meditation The actual way of sustaining the meditation is explained in two parts: 1. What to do during the actual meditation session During the actual meditation session, what should be done? [Lamrim text book Vol 3, Pg 94; 22B, 11.47; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P203, L12] 2. What to do in between meditation sessions Lamrim Vol 1 Chapter 5 7 What to do between sessions? Usually, when we refer to meditation, for instance, we talk about morning and evening sessions, prostrations to Buddha, recitations of Buddha’s name, and sitting meditation. Then what to do in between the morning and evening sessions? What to do after sitting meditation? The author clarifies every detail for us. Once you have true understanding, by then the unmistaken recognition will arise – ah, within 24 hours, every minute can be properly utilized [in meditation]. This is with regard to time. As for engaging in tasks, no matter what you engage in, they all can be meditation. Such goodness! During meditation, of course, after the session, it is still the same [mindfulness of the teaching]. The same applies to meals and while sleeping! Nowadays we are so pitiful! No need to mention when we have meals or sleep, even during the actual session, we are unable to meditate. We sit there with a wandering mind, even during the morning or evening sessions. Sigh, how pathetic! Now let us see what the author tells us. Well, let us continue, this actual meditation session is divided into three parts. [Lamrim text book Vol 1, P94; 22B, 12.47; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P204, L8] 1)What to do during the actual meditation session The actual meditation session is divided into three phases: (1) the preparation; (2) the actual session; and (3) the conclusion. This says that prior to meditation, what type of preparation is needed. With this preparation, then what should be done during the actual session, and how to dedicate at the end. The author covers every part very clearly! In fact, our ancient Chinese masters all [gave the Lamrim Vol 1 Chapter 5 8 teachings] in the same way, without any exception. Not to mention the profoundness of the great scriptures, for The Lesser Meditative Serenity and Insight by Tian-tai school, I believe it is the most simple [meditation training]! It is very clearly described: before meditation, what should be done; followed by the preparation for the actual seated session; and then, [what to do] after the session - the [reference from Chinese lineage are] entering, abiding, and exiting, all three are specified very explicitly! “Entering” is the preparation, “abiding” is the actual session, and “exiting” is the conclusion. [Lamrim text book Vol 1, P94; 22B, 13:32; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P205, L1] Hence, with all encompassing, complete, and stainless teachings, definitely abide by these complete steps. It absolutely is not like our meditation now: “Ah! You don’t need to distinguish, just dwell in tranquility.” How can it be that simple! Buddha already achieved beyond the tenth level Bodhisattva - the last mortal lifetime as a Bodhisattva. It is beyond the tenth levels and above the equal-to-ultimate- enlightenment. [With this achievement] Buddha still needed to experience a long period of austerity! How can we by knowing one statement and consider it as thorough understanding, wouldn’t that be a big misconception? This is very clear. Now let’s move on, next it refers to the preparation for the actual meditation. [Lamrim text book Vol 1, P94; 22B, 14.16; Original Commentary Script Vol 3, P205, L7] a) Preparation The six aspects of preparation are the activities of Ser- ling-ba. Lamrim Vol 1 Chapter 5 9 Here are six aspects. Remember this next statement! All of this reveals that our teaching here is from a perfect lineage, it is definitely not like our reckless way now. Also, after we listen to this teaching, [we] should know that some will tell you this, others will tell you that. You have to evaluate the lineage that they rely on. Back when I was study, the usual conceptual teaching was placed in the beginning, yet this [Gelug] lineage is not so. In formal teachings, the teacher would always specify that this lineage is from so and so Master. He would make it very clear – so and so is my teacher, and that teacher’s teacher is so, and trace it back to Venerable Atisha or whoever. Then the rest of the preceding lineage you all know, so it will not be mentioned here. Here, do not neglect this statement of the author! Thus, when we are engaging in actual study, if you just want to acquire some worldly knowledge, it is fine to just do some casual chatting; whereas if you are seriously trying to study profoundly, this concept [about following proper lineage] is very crucial.