Sunshine Ch'an Temple (A memoir): June 2011

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Summer Retreat August 18th to August 25 2011

A 7 day Cha'n Retreat will start on August 2011,
under the instruction of Master Chieh Harne aka Master Henry,

Pre-registration is not required, if you wish to come for a short time drop ins will be welcome.

Sunshine Zen Centre
11148 Sunshine Coast Highway 101
Tel 604 883 1167

~*~

Thousands of years ago, the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
He realized that all sentient beings possess inherent Buddha nature with the potential to achieve ultimate freedom, eternal peace and perfect enlightenment

Ch'an, widely known as Zen in the West, is directly seeing one's true mind, which is the mind of the Buddha.

The object of ch'an training is to realize the mind for the perception of (self-)nature.

No Attachment to Dust

Zengetsu, a Chinese master of the tang dynasty, wrote the following advice for his pupils:

Living in the world yet not forming attachments to the dust of the world is the way of the true Zen student.

When witnessing the good action of another encourage yourself to follow his example. Hearing the mistaken action of another, advise yourself not to emulate it.

Even though alone in a dark room, be as if you were facing a noble guest. Express your feelings, but become no more expressive than your true nature.

Poverty is your treasure. Never exchange it for an easy life.

A person may appear a fool and yet not be one. He may be only guarding his wisdom carefully.

Virtues are the fruit of self-discipline and do not drop from heaven themselves as does rain or snow.

Modesty is the foundation of all virtues. Let your neighbours discover you before you make yourself known to them.

A noble heart never forces itself forward. Its words are as rare gems, seldom displayed and of great value.

To a sincere student, everyday is a fortunate day. Time passes but he never lags behind. Neither glory nor shame can move him.

Censure yourself, never another. Do not discuss right or wrong.

Some things though right, were considered wrong for generations. Since the value of righteousness may be recognized after centuries, there is no need to crave an immediate appreciation.

Live with cause and leave the results to the great law of the universe. Pass each day in peaceful contemplation.

Biography

Resident Teacher
Chien Harne a.k.a Master Henry

Dharma Master Henry was born in Taiwan, he followed Buda Shakyamuni, & Bodhidharma's teachings and founded the Sunshine Ch'an Temple on the Sunshine Coast of BC, Canada.

As a Monk he ordained & trained under the Ch'an Sect with two different Ch'an Dharma Masters in the Lineage of Master Hsu Yun - Empty Cloud.

In 1996 after a short period in Toronto , with the help of others purchased a forested piece of land on the beautiful and peaceful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada, he settled by himself with the intention of deepening the practice in solitude, afterwards a plan was conceived to build a Cha'n Temple . Master lived in a small cabin for many years following his meditation practice, and always opened the door to people from all walks of life, countries and was an inspiring Teacher to those who came to learn and practice Ch'an.

For a number of years Master Henry also traveled to Hong Kong and Taiwan to teach Ch'an Budism to Monastics & people . His autenthic & sincere approach to the core of Buddha's teachings & his exceptional personality touched the hearts of many fortunate beings.

Master Henry left his body on February of 2021

Only One Heart

Gaze into the Emptiness, the illusory changings of this world.Enter the Emptiness. Others have. It’s not so hard.Is there any place that’s unreachable when you make the effort?Don’t be left behind because you’ve confused yourself over this.

Here! Let me rap you on the head with my stick!Shut up, foolish face! Stop talking a minute!Don’t be so quick to argue!The mystery is so exquisite! It can’t be discussed!
Yes, I recite the Buddha’s name… or is the Buddha reciting mine?What’s the recitation for anyway?There’s only One Heart and It’s in the Pure Land.The Buddha is my own True Nature.

The Buddha and me! We’re one, not two. So are you!You’re chanting to this? You are this!Come, hold on to this reality! Don’t be swept away into illusion.History is an endless lie.
Let today be the day that the clouds and fog lift.Don’t let a wisp of them remain.Let your body live here, but keep your spirit evanescent.See that when it’s free,It can’t be bogged down into those old familiar truth

Venerable Cha'n Master Hsu Yun

BODHIDHARMA

Bodhidharma is the 28th Patriarch of Buddhism in an uninterrupted line that extends all the way back to the Gautama Buddha himself. Bodhidharma also known as "The Wall-Gazing Brahmin". Bodhidharma is credited as the First Patriarch of Ch'an in China. Bodhidharma transmitted his Mind-Seal of Dharma to China: " When Master is pointing out the Mind directly, you discover your own Original Nature is no different from Buddha's". Bodhidharma's Buddhist Master, Prajnatara, was the 27th Patriarch of Indian Buddhism, taught Bodhidharma for many years, gave him Mind Transmission, made him the 28th Patriarch, and gave him the name Bodhidharma. Following the instruction of his Master to transmit Dharma to China, Bodhidharma traveled east to Southern China in 526 A.D.