PICTORIAL BIOGRAPHY OF THE VENERABLE MASTER HSU YUN

Continued from issue #74

COMPOSED BY THE VENERABLE MASTER HSUA-HUA

Illustrated by a Student of Prajna
Translated by Bhiksu Heng Yo

WALKING AND SITTING MEDITATION AT KAO MIN MONASTERY IN YANG CHOU #40

      Kao Min Monastery, at San Cha River, was a Bodhimanda at which Dhyana meditation was exclusively practiced. The majority of experts in this field have emerged from this "foundry." The regulations are strictly adhered to there, making dragons coil up and tigers lie down. Although the members of the sea-like assembly numbered several hundred people, never was the slightest stray voice or sound to be heard. It was a Pure Aranyaka1 in every respect. In the year 1882, the Master came here to participate and bowed to the Venerable Master Lang-hui. Because he diligently cultivated still contemplation, he made progress and gained skill.

The Gatha says:

Rousing one’s essential energies

refers to the ascetic practices;2

Not giving up both night and day

is just the Mahayana.

Within the Prajna wisdom hall

contemplate sovereignty,

And at the Buddha selection field

see who is successful.
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1from the Sanskrit word aranya, or forest, a pure and still place set away for cultivation

2the dhuta practices, of which the Buddha taught twelve.