The Path of Awakening: Teachings from Zen Master Hongren

The Mystery of Origin and the Nature of Emptiness

In the vast, boundless expanse of the Dharma realm, the inquiry into existence is both profoundly empty and infinitely significant. To ask about the nature of the self is to touch upon the very essence of emptiness itself. I, Hongren, entered this world without a name and without a lineage, a wandering spirit seeking a vessel for the Dharma. My mother, a woman of the Zhou family, endured immense suffering and social shame because of my unexpected arrival. I recall that as a young spirit seeking a place to dwell, I encountered a young woman washing clothes by the river. I asked her if I might find lodging, and she, in her innocence and kindness, agreed without consulting her father or brothers. This karmic connection led to my birth, a vessel prepared to await the Fourth Patriarch, Zen Master Daoxin.

When I was born, I was nameless and unwanted. My mother, facing the deep shame of an unwed pregnancy, initially cast me out of the home. Yet, through the turning of Causal Conditions, she eventually sought me out again. She raised me with immense tenderness and care, and it is entirely due to her maternal grace that I was able to grow, become a vessel for the Dharma, and eventually meet my teacher. I owe a debt of gratitude to her that can only be repaid through my absolute devotion to the Buddha and my commitment to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Call of the Dharma and the Path of Diligence

My mother and I lived a life of profound hardship, begging for food and working as servants to survive. We did not care for worldly reputation or the judgments of others. My mother eventually understood that our life was governed by destiny, and when a great monk invited me to join the monastic order, she joyfully sent me forth. I knew then that my primary purpose in this life was to seek the Dharma from Zen Master Daoxin. At the age of thirteen, I was ordained under his guidance. I laboured diligently during the day and practised meditation with intense focus as the sun set. My master, seeing my sincerity, provided me with the most profound challenges, guiding me step by step toward the fruits of practice.

My life in the monastery was not without its trials. As a late arrival, I was not initially welcomed by my fellow disciples. They were cold and sometimes unkind, but I remained unmoved. I knew I was there to learn the Dharma, and the opinions of others were not an obstacle to my cultivation. I remained vigilant, knowing that one wrong step could lead to a fall. I treated every moment with the utmost care, constantly refining my meditative concentration and cutting off every rising thought and intention. I understood that to achieve success, one must be as steady as a mountain, unmoved by the fluctuations of the world.

The Refinement of Concentration and Service

I rarely spoke to others, preferring to remain in deep meditation. My appearance grew more dignified as my practice deepened, and eventually, followers began to seek my guidance. This brought a new challenge: balancing service to the public with my own daily practice. I served the community with all my heart, but I found that after a full day of speaking, I would become drowsy. To overcome this, I refused to lie down to sleep. From the closing of the temple gates until the next sunrise, I would sit in meditation, maintaining my concentration through the night. I never allowed myself the comfort of lying down, for I knew that the path to true cultivation requires constant, unwavering effort.

As the years passed, Master Daoxin grew old and entrusted the leadership of the school to me. I led the community with diligence, but I was always concerned about my lead disciple, Shenxiu. While he was intelligent, he carried an air of arrogance that I could not help but worry about. In contrast, I observed Huineng for a long time and saw that he was truly qualified to carry the lineage. I secretly transmitted the robe and bowl to Huineng, instructing him to head south. I kept this secret for decades, even after the master had passed, believing in Huineng's wisdom to face the trials ahead.

The Subtle Trap of Arrogance

When I finally passed away, I was surrounded by a vast assembly of disciples, followers, and government officials. As they knelt in collective prostration, I felt a flicker of pride—a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of satisfaction. It was this tiny, hidden trace of arrogance that prevented me from reaching the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Instead, I remained in the twenty-eighth heaven. I did not realise it at the time, but even the smallest attachment can be a barrier to the ultimate goal. I had achieved much, yet this subtle pride kept me from the final destination.

For over a thousand years, I remained in the celestial realms. It was only through the compassionate intervention of a virtuous lay practitioner—a high-level being appearing in the form of a woman, whom we now know as Practitioner Su—that I was finally guided to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I share this story with you now to serve as a reminder: arrogance is a subtle poison that must be guarded against at all times. Do not let even the smallest trace of pride take root in your heart. Practise with sincerity, maintain your meditative concentration, and always keep your focus on the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, ensuring your rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.