(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD) A Zen-style room is deliberately simple, and is the product of both strict attentiveness and concentrated insight. Such a state
Category: Human Interest
Anything that does not fit into to any of the other specific categories and is of general interest!
‘Virgin Mary’ and the Ancient Chinese Art of the Missing Mother and Baby
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD) ‘The young baby is held firmly, and nurturing, caring eyes gaze over the child. The well-behaved baby occasionally suckles milk,
Qianfeng Daoist Meditation Hand Positions
The phrase ‘手掐子午’ simply translates as ‘Close the meridians of the hands’, which in and of itself, tells use very little about the practice itself. This is typical of the Chinese Daoist tradition which requires a careful instruction received from a qualified master.
Lanxi Peasant Woman Raises an Abandoned African-Chinese Child Named Bobby
This is the Story of His Chinese Grandmother Original Author Yu Jun (俞俊) (Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD) Translator’s Note: This is an English translation
How Old Is The Term Taijiquan? (13.7.2013)
‘The body of Henning’s article may be considered a rehash of the old ‘Wudang’ vs. ‘Shaolin’ mythology, with the facts (where they can be established), presented in a logical, if not meandering fashion; dates, names of emperors and portions of lineages, etc. China’s ‘Self Strengthening’ movement is mentioned near the end, as the final impetus for the association of Zhang Sanfeng with the development of Taijiquan – but oddly enough, Henning (who has written in military journals), does not acknowledge that this movement developed in China as a response to the rampant Western Imperialist aggression typical of the time. Curiously Henning makes no reference to the pre-Song uses of the term ‘Taiji’ which are known to refer to the practice (and usage) of martial arts. It is ironic therefore, that Henning would refer to Chinese myths and legends as ‘ignorance’, when so much of his historical omissions and oversights could well attract a similar criticism.’
Sunyata: The Beautiful Emptiness! (9.2.2012)
‘To understand this developmental process, an assessment of ‘emptiness’ (sunyata) must be undertaken. It is clear that in early Buddhism emptiness refers to the lack of the presence of greed, hatred and delusion, as well the abandonment of the notion of a permanent self. It is an emptiness that marks the absence of delusion. Delusion is no longer present in the mind or perceived in the environment (in relation to the mind). The mind does not create the conditions that lead to the desire of external entities or attachment to those entities. It is true that no further karma is produced but that the karma relating to the world and the physical body continues until it is fully burnt off (at the point of death), and there is no more re-birth. The nirvanic state has present within it certain powers of the mind, and perfected knowledge. This concept of nirvana exists as an escape from the physical world of samsara. It is viewed very much as an antidote to the suffering experienced within ordinary life.’
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 