During the third ZOOM discussion of LFBS course P10 on September 2, 2025, we reviewed all of the teachings on “Initial Breakthrough” mentioned in Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and switched to a reading from a very early translation of Dorje Pamu’s The Dharma of Concentration (DCCV), Contemplation, and Visualization.
Next week, Tuesday September 9 at 6:00 pm Pacific Time, we will continue our study of concentration (Samatha) and contemplation (Vipashyana) in Pamu’s DCCV as background material to help us better understand the zen meditation methods provided by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in the Great Dharma of Zen Meditation.
HOMEWORK P10-The Great Dharma of Zen Practice, Lessons Two & Three: We deferred discussing the rest of Lesson Two on zen mantras and Lesson Three on the actual zen practices until after we finish the background material on concentration and contemplation provided by Dorje Pamu in her book The Dharma of Concentration, Contemplation, and Visualization. Because of the nature of the translation, this session was not recorded.
The following are some of the matters covered in both the Buddha Master’s writings on “Initial Breakthrough” in Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and Dorje Pamu’s on concentration. The quotes in large blue type are from His Holiness. There were no videos made of this class. You may still enroll in the course and request a ZOOM link to join us for the next discussion on September 9. There will be no class on September 16.
What must be understood before you can abide in prajna?
“Now, before you realize this state [prajna], you must first understand the state of initial breakthrough into the truth of your original appearance. What is called “initial breakthrough” is divided into seeing, awakening, dhyana, and wisdom. This is very profound. There are those who first see this original appearance and then awaken to it. After first seeing it, they do not recognize what they saw. Eventually, some happenstance moves them to introspect, and they immediately understand. There are those who first awaken and then see. They first understand this truth of original appearance. Most of you now belong to this category of those who first awaken and then see. . . As I said a moment ago, you have a little bit of related understanding, but you have still not seen it. That is what is meant by first having a state of awakening to and later seeing and realizing the truth.”
What is the primary purpose for studying Buddhism?
“The primary purpose of studying Buddhism is to be able to transcend the cycle of life and death, which cannot be achieved without learning to practice concentration and contemplation.”
This and the following quotes are from the introduction to the opening chapter of Pamu’s The Dharma of Concentration, Contemplation, and Visualization.
What is meant by concentration and contemplation?
“Concentration means imperturbability or that which cannot be disturbed; contemplation means to cultivate correct knowledge and correct mind; . . . All who have successfully attained enlightenment or have become buddhas and bodhisattvas have practiced concentration and contemplation in order to realize truth and achieve buddhahood. Any departure from the cultivation of concentration and contemplation will cause you to lose the Way so that you can achieve no realization at all! Therefore, concentration is the basis for realization and contemplation is the foundation for acquiring the correct knowledge and mind necessary for enlightenment.”
What are the three basics of Dharma?
“. . . when we speak of dharma, we all know that we must first begin with the three basics which are: belief, vow, and action, the actions being the three basic trainings: precepts or morality (Sila), concentration, and wisdom. It all begins with belief. Only when you believe or have faith in your guru or vajra master, the dharma, and yourself, can you make a vow and then carry it out throughout your practice or actions.”
Dorje Pamu also explained what was meant by all three of the basics and why this Dharma was being taught at this time.
September 2, 2025: P10-Lesson Three- Shamatha/Concentration-What Is Concetration?-1
August 26, 2025: P10-Lesson Two-Examples of Zen Practice, Video of ZOOM discussion (Questions 10-16).
August 19, 2025: P10-Lesson One-Background & Introduction, Video of ZOOM discussion (Questions 1-9).
CLICK for introduction and actual text used for The Great Dharma of Zen course-P10.
CLICK to enroll in P10 at LFBS.
CLICK to register for ZOOM.
Add comment