In this episode I am once again joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen.

Gilbert recalls his discipleship under renowned Chan Master Sheng Yen, shares stories of gruelling retreat, private 1-1 exchanges, profound spiritual insights, mystical visions, and supernatural powers.

Gilbert gives an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasises the importance of both study and practice, and illuminates the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness.

Gilbert also details his process of becoming a Dharma Heir, defends telling stories of spiritual experiences, and reflects on his difficulties as an American in being accepted as a genuine teacher of Chan Buddhism.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep284-adventures-of-a-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez-2

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:51 - Becoming a disciple of Master Sheng Yen

04:49 - Eat bitter in your practice

05:54 - Loss of faith

08:21 - Profound encounter with the bodhisattva Quan Yin

12:48 - A contract of the heart

13:39 - A private meetings with Master Sheng Yen

18:30 - Receiving inka transmission from Master Sheng Yen

19:47 - A real master is a chameleon

22:36 - Master Sheng Yen’s compassion and mission

25:49 - About Chan Buddhism and emptiness

29:19 - The Heart Sutra

33:07 - We awaken people

35:10 - Master Sheng Yen’s emphasis on study

36:42 - Study and practice

38:33 - A reading from Daoxin

39:37 - Meditation experiences and a humbling lesson

45:39 - It’s a joke and a sham

47:34 - Becoming a Dharma Heir

49:54 - Everything is mind

51:03 - Special experiences and transcending pain

53:10 - Hearing one’s heart beat

53:38 - A state of ultimate bliss

55:08 - A famous master, a loyal attendant, and Gilbert’s powerful realisation

01:01:03 - Catching the bug

01:06:26 - The bug whisperer

01:08:44 - Why share stories of spiritual experiences?

01:10:17 - Gilbert’s biggest realisation

01:16:22 - Communicating with animals and entities

01:19:58 - Seeing peoples’ past and future lives

01:20:36 - Working with ghosts

01:21:39 - How to calm down a ghost

01:22:54 - Dealing with heaven dwellers

01:24:30 - Concerns about being accepted as a dharma heir

01:28:45 - Anti-Western prejudice

01:30:31 - Growing acceptance from the Taiwanese sangha

01:32:55 - The death of Master Sheng Yen

01:37:07 - A final encounter with the master

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Previous episode with Gilbert M Gutierrez:

- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=gilbert

To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit:

- https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists 

- https://mind-work.mn.co/  

- https://riversidechan.org/   

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James