Who are the Buddhas?

Master Linji (?-867 AD) is the spiritual ancestor of our lineage (Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh tradition). In this course, we will be introduced to his essential teaching as given in the Records of Linji. We will explore this teaching with respect to the teaching given in the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, master Hui-Neng (638-713 AD) and the teaching as applied in the Plum Village tradition. We will have a chance to discover our full potential of our original nature, which empowered our life with its full potential for happiness and joy.

In the first week, the historical development of the Platform Sutra and the teaching of master Hui-Neng will be introduced and practiced. The key teachings of the sutra are also used to untie our personal limitations and difficulties.

In the second and third week, the life and the essential teachings of master Linji will be introduced under the light of the Platform Sutra. Different practices of the Plum Village tradition will be discussed with respect to the insights offered in the Records of Linji, thus we can clearly see a continuation of transmission in the Zen lineage into the present era beginning from the time of master Hui-neng.

Throughout the course, the basic practices of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and other practices will form the core practices which help the practitioners to have a deeper understanding of the teaching given in the course and be able to apply these insights for their daily practice and issues. We will also have time for transforming our body through the practice of integral Tai-Chi as a foundation for a deeper mind body transformation. Any participant is invited to take part in any week of the course, but it will be best to follow the complete presentation if his or her time schedule permits.