kwan yin chan lin - zen mirror [eng/chi] - jan-feb 2013

7/29/2019 Kwan Yin Chan Lin - Zen Mirror [Eng/Chi] - Jan-Feb 2013

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Former President Nathan, members of Parliament,venerable monks and nuns, and all honoured guests.

I like to thank you all for coming here today to help

us celebrate the opening of this wonderful new build-

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It is really a humbling experience to be here to-

day, Im really delighted to be in the presence of

dignitaries, Mr. President, and all distinguished

guests coming from Las Vegas, Nevada. I noticed

that in recent years, the culture of Las Vegas has

found its way to Singapore. When I left Las Ve-

gas at the airport, they have slot machines. And

its 9100 milesI looked it up from Googlefrom

Las Vegas to Singapore. And then on the ride in

from Changi, I notice the casino, so I felt right at

home! It was like moment mind, I never left, Im

here in the casino area!

I remember in the beginning of our Zen Centre in

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This doctor was a friend of our founding teach-

ing Zen Master Seung Sahn. Somehow our ven-

erable founding teacher convinced this doctor

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everything. We would move all the furniture from

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the Dharma room and have practice. And then

when practice was complete. We would bring all

the furniture back in and load my car back up with

all the mats and cushions. We did this 3 times

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got a place and Zen Master Seung Sahn came to

give our dedication. This morning listening to the

other speakers and I was reminded of a couple of

things he said at that time, that in a gambling city,

I think that are very appropriate to repeat.

Zen Master Seung Sahn said in Las Vegas, there

are many desire and distraction. This city not

only tolerates these distractions, it actually exalts

them. So gambling, shows, alcohol, no problem.

But this Zen Centre now, must become like anoasis in a desert. A desert is a very dry place,

not much water. And all those, he said, who are

thirsty for the Dharma can come drink. We stay

at that particular place for another 10 years, and

then just last May we open also a really big Zen

Centre. Its near the Las Vegas gambling strip, as

they call it. So we do sitting practice, gambling

practice. No, just joking!

The important thing, out of all of this, is that thisplace appear due to the work and dedication

of people who see that everything is imperma-

nent. So going to casino having good time, is not

a problem. But if it controls your life, then it be-

comes big problem.

I leave you with one quote from a famous teach-

er. One time, a young monk was looking at his

teacher walking around in the temple. And he

kind of have this perplexed look on his face and

Thom Pastor, JDPSN

An Oasis in a Desert


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he went up to his teacher, the Zen Master, and he said, Master, everyday

we wake up at the same time, we work together here at the temple, we

also eat the same food, so how come you have the high seat and I sit

here? The Master said, Very simple, he said, I use the 24 hours and

you are used by the 24 hours.

Every teacher so far, has hinted that the true memorial monument, that

is this Zen Centre of our life, is right here. And this right here points to

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it was Just Do It! So whatever we are doing then helps this world, helps

this place, and helps spread the Dharma.

Buddha centuries ago said this world is an ocean of suffering. Turning on

the television, here in Singapore and watching the news, we see many,

many perilous situations prevail throughout the world. So let us all make

a vow to keep this still body, still breath, still mind and work together for

true world peace. Thank you.

Everybody comes into this world carrying nothing, Zen Master Seung Sahn has said. Everyoneleaves for someplace, also carrying nothing. We cannot take anything with us. Yet in between, every-

body wants things, chases things, and is attached to things very much.

These are the maxims which command Las Vegas. The spiteful snakes of sex, money, rich food and

power are the deities of choice here, insulated by an industry that not only tolerates them, but, in fact,

exalts them. The mouth of the lion is a wonderful place to practise.

- extracted from In Search of Neon Nirvana, Thom Pastor, JDPSN

Death Valley, Eastern California

The Mouth of the Lion is a Wonderfulplace to practise


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The Meaning of Dry shit on a StickA monk asked Zen Master Hyang Gok, What does Un Muns Dry shit on a stickmean?

Hyang Gok answered, The bright sun appears in the sky at midnight. Above

heaven, below heaven, without equal.

1. What does Un Muns Dry shit on a stick mean?

2. Is Hyang Goks answer correct?

3. Did you see the bright sun appear in the sky at midnight?

Commentary: You must go to a farm and ask the farmer, Where is the dry shit on

a stick?


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1354Shares

3650

Joseph Wu

Rosalind Ong Lay Eng & Family

To Date

Sponsors for Commencement ofConstruction of KYCL Zen Building

New Members

578


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Bi-monthly Issue / Issue No. 73

Spiritual Leader : Zen Master Seung SahnAbbot : Ven. Chi Boon

Chief Editor : Leow Wee Kheng

Publisher : Kwan Yin Chan Lin

Printer : Qiantai Printing & Publishing

Pte. Ltd.

[email protected]://www.kyclzen.org

Kwan Yin Chan Lin

Zen Meditation Centre21 Lorong 25 Geylang, Singapore 388299(T) +65 6392 0265 , +65 6747 6215

(F) +65 6392 4256

Pengerang InternationalZen Meditation Centre

Lot. 109 Telok Ramunia, 81620, Pengerang Johor(T) 0207 826 4848

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kwan yin chan lin - zen mirror [eng/chi] - jan-feb 2013

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