During the fifth ZOOM discussion of LFBS course P10 on September 23, we continued reading from a very early translation of Dorje Pamu’s The Dharma of Concentration, Contemplation, and Visualization (DCCV). We continued our discussion of the various “Methods of Concentration,” including the Murky and Wild Forms of Contemplation and how to deal with various obstructions encountered in the process such as dizziness, ambition, chaotic minds and falling asleep. When dizziness descends on you, you must use the power of samyagjnana (right knowledge) to examine this erroneous obstruction, then you should contemplate on the virtues of the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Holy Sangha) and the Mind of Bodhi. When chaotic minds appear, you should deal with it by strengthening the power of samyaksmrti ( right remembrance or mindfulness) and cultivate benevolence to return the mind to the related cause. If you are still unable to overcome these obstructions after using all these methods, it means that the screen of karma is too thick and heavy to you. In such case you should temporarily come out of the meditation. Only when you feel better in mind and spirit do you return to meditation and re-start your cultivation. We also discussed the first five stages of Sthiti or Mential Abiding: The Memory Abode, The Waiting Abode, The Secure Abode, The Near Abode, and The Regulating Abode.
On Tuesday November 4 at 6:00 pm Pacific Time, we will continue with Lesson Six of 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. This class will continue to study the “Nine Stages of Sthiti or Mental Abiding” that happen while we progress in our meditations and may proceed to how Pamu indicates we can intensify our efforts at concentration using the Six Forces and Four Mental Engagements.
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, these sessions are not being recorded.
September 23, 2025: P10-Lesson Five- Shamatha/Concentration- Methods & Stages of Sthiti-1.
September 9, 2025: P10-Lesson Four- Shamatha/Concentration- What Is Concentration-2?, Prerequisites, and Methods.
September 2, 2025: P10-Lesson Three- Shamatha/Concentration-What Is Concentration-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.
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