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The door of Ch’an is entered by Wu. When we meditate on Wu we ask “What is Wu?” On entering Wu, we experience emptiness; we are not aware of existence, either ours or the world’s.
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The Fourth Picture | Ox Herding at Morgan's Bay
In this picture, the ox herder has caught the ox and has gotten the rope around it, but it is still wild and resistant. The ox wants to wander in the fields and eat grass.
This picture refers to the person who has continued to practice diligently after seeing his self-nature. He now has two eyes open, and they won’t close again. His eyes may get heavy at times and not see things clearly, but they are always ready to open wide again.
At this stage the person has control of his vexations. Vexations may still rise in the mind, but they are controlled in body and speech. Although thoughts of hate might emerge, the person could not be driven to harm someone, whereas an ordinary person still has the potential to harm others. There might be thoughts of lust, but they would not carry over into words and actions. Such a person truly maintains the precepts.
Is someone at this stage qualified to be a teacher? If there is a master around who is more advanced, the person should continue to study with him. However, if there are no other masters, the person should try to help those who have not yet reached his level.
Where do you stand in these pictures? Where is your ox? Seeing your self-nature is not an easy thing to do, is it?
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Venerable Sheng Yen is a well-known Buddhist monk, Buddhist scholar, and educator. In 1969, he went to Japan for further studies and obtained a doctoral degree from Rissho University in 1975, becoming the first ordained monk in Chinese Buddhism to pursue and successfully complete a Ph.D. in Japan.
Sheng Yen taught in the United States starting in 1975, and established Chan Meditation Center in Queens, New York, and its retreat center, Dharma Drum Retreat Center at Pine Bush, New York in 1997. He also visited many countries in Europe, as well as continuing his teaching in several Asian countries, in particular Taiwan.
Sheng Yen taught in the United States starting in 1975, and established Chan Meditation Center in Queens, New York, and its retreat center, Dharma Drum Retreat Center at Pine Bush, New York in 1997. He also visited many countries in Europe, as well as continuing his teaching in several Asian countries, in particular Taiwan.
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