from Sogen
Dajian Huineng is our sixth ancestor in China. He lived 638-713 CE. He was a householder, supporting himself and his mother as a woodcutter. The story goes that one day, he heard a monk reciting this line from The Diamond Sutra: “Let your mind function freely, without abiding anywhere or in anything.” Upon hearing this, Huineng was awakened. After his death, one of his students wrote about his life and teachings in The Platform Sutra, which includes these words to householders: “Good friends, if you wish to practice, it is all right to do so as householders. It doesn’t require living in a monastery. If you live in a monastery and don’t practice, you are like those people in the Western Buddhaland who think bad thoughts. And if you practice at home, you’re like the people here in China who perform good deeds…the Dharma is in the world…don’t run away from the world.” Please don’t doubt that you can awaken by practicing right where you are. At home, at work, doing chores, running errands. And of course at Sangha Jewel. Morning services, evening services, retreats, sesshins. All are offered in support of your practice. So please dive in and practice wholeheartedly right here in the world. And keep going!