We finished our ZOOM classes of P10-“The Great Dharma of Zen Practice” with Lesson 10 and a discussion of the actual methods of zen practice taught by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. This included the three mantras transmitted by His Holiness and the various methods He gave us to actually do zen meditation along with methods to overcome obstructions and other Dharmas we needed to put into practice to advance with our practice.
The following represents a few of the questions associated with this lesson and the simple answers I gave when taking the course with Gesang Rinpoche. You should read The Great Dharma of Zen Practice or watch the video for the December 2 class to understand the Buddha Master’s teaching on this.
What are the names of the three mantras the Buddha Master recommends chanting before engaging in zen meditation practice and what do they each do?
1-The Altar Area Purification Mantra that removes impurities from the altar areas and dispels evil energy and spirits that might harm us. 2-the Mantra to Remove Obstacles, Enter Samadhi, Purify Karma, and Contemplate Emptiness to temporarily remove one’s karmic forces. 3-the Mind Quieting Mantra or the Mantra to Read the Minds of Others to help attain quietude.
What are the four major obstacles to meditation practice?
Sleep, mental distractions, wild fancy or improper thoughts, and lack of focus.
How can we progress to enter the pure dharmakaya?
Through non-attachment.
What are the two great mind essences must be put into practice to advance your accomplishment, and where can these practices be found?
The “Xiaman Magnificent Oceanic Mind Essence” and the “Most Magnificent Bodhi Emptiness-Practice Oceanic Mind Essence” from the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation.
The Buddha Master also told us who could and who could not be transmitted these mantras and gave us various ways to enter meditation and how to remove obstructions to practice.
December 2, 2025: P10-Lesson Ten-Examples of Zen Practice, Video of ZOOM discussion (Questions 17-35).
November 25, 2025: P10-Lesson Nine –Shamatha/Concentration-III-Concentration & Intensifying Effort and IV-The Six Forces, Mindfulness, Introspection, Effort, & Familiarity and the Four Mental Engagements.
November 18, 2025: P10-Lesson Eight-Shamatha/Concentration-III-Concentration & Intensifying Effort and IV-The Six Forces, Hearing & Thinking.
November 11, 2025: P10-Lesson Seven–Shamatha/Concentration– II-Stages of Sthiti-7-9.
November 4, 2025: P10-Lesson Six- Shamatha/Concentration– II-Stages of Sthiti-6 and Five Obstacles and their Antidotes.
September 23, 2025: P10-Lesson Five- Shamatha/Concentration– I-Methods & II-Stages of Sthiti-1 to 5.
September 9, 2025: P10-Lesson Four- Shamatha/Concentration- I-What Is Concentration-2?, Prerequisites, and Methods.
September 2, 2025: P10-Lesson Three- Shamatha/Concentration-I-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.
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