Saturday Service (Tai Chi, Meditation and Discussion)
3 January 2009
15 participants joined the English sub-chapter morning service consisting of Tai Chi, meditation and group discussion.
During motive meditation Venerable Miaoyu asked us to focus on family, friends and the people we admire and cherish. She asked us to reflect on why we appreciate, cherish and love them. She reminded us that it is important to tell them how appreciated and cherished they are, but advised against attachment – not to “hold them inside” and become too dependent upon them.
In the group discussion Venerable Miaoyu asked the New Years Day pilgrimage participants to share their experience with other members of the group. Members shared their thoughts about taking part in a new experience with a large group of like-minded participants; the reminder of being humble and respectful to Buddha; the physical impact of the prostrations; and their personal focus on why they were there and wishing to take part in the pilgrimage.
The Venerable went on to talk about one of the key missions for Fo Guang Shan in New Zealand – propagating and localising Buddhism to suit the unique aspects of New Zealanders. For example in China, Buddha is usually shown as plump, happy and prosperous looking. However in Thailand Buddha is represented in a thinner form as this is seen as more suitable for their culture. How he is depicted does not matter – it is what he represents that matters. Fo Guang Shan aims to take the Chinese example and modify it to suit the Kiwi way. It is Fo Guang Shan’s wish to gift the Temple to New Zealand as a spiritual home for those that want to take part in it.
Picking up on the earlier motive meditation session the venerable talked about attachment and used the example of how some people cannot get through their day or week without taking part in some sort of ritual – like a habit that cannot be broken – too attached. She mentioned that it is great to have focus, determination and commitment to establish good habits, the right attitude, methods and thinking; but we also need to obtain the wisdom to be flexible and adaptable so our world does not cave in (or we experience significant stress) when we cannot take part in the established ritual / habit. With this we can adapt to the impermanent nature of the circumstances of our lives.
When we first begin something we do need to be very conscious and apply ourselves to learn the right way, have the right will. Eventually it will become internalised so that the way of living our lives becomes natural and normal; like driving a car. When first learning to drive a car you have to diligently apply yourself to everything that is required to actually drive a car / watch out for other traffic and pedestrians / abide by the road rules / navigate to where you want to go. As time goes by all the many aspects required of driving a car from one point to another becomes so natural that at times it is almost subconscious. New habits are hard to form at the beginning and you have to practice and be mindful.
The Venerable discussed with the group about the wish to detach from something or someone. Do not attempt to take control of it – this will only lead to you think even more as you struggle to control it. Rather she advises us to think in terms of “letting go”, “freeing yourself” from whatever you want to detach from, opening the door of your heart, to accept yourself and others.
There was also a discussion about religion and the role it plays in your life. Does it come before or after family / work / study / friends? The Venerable encourages us to think of religion first – as our priority. After all this is what guides us in all aspects of our lives – encourages us to be calm, to apply ourselves, to be gentle, to appreciate others, be respectful, wise, compassionate in our everyday lives. It builds resilience and is something to rely on as a guide when the going gets tough - it grows inner strength to handle the difficult times.