The Way of Chan with Guo Gu

I vow to deliver innumerable sentient beings.I vow to cut off endless vexations.I vow to master limitless approaches to dharma.I vow to attain supreme Buddhahood."The four great vows are the heart of the Bodhisattva altruist path of awakening, and probably the most meaningful thing we can do.” Guo Gu On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he continues his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.Join us on Mondays from 6:30-8:00PM Eastern. Click here for the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88987548741... More information can be found at: https://tallahassee.chan.org/events.

"The Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma, Sangha – is your true nature, and the most important thing you can do in your life is to activate this true nature…foster it and bring it to fruition." Guo Gu

On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he continues his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.

Watch the Dharma Talk at https://youtu.be/K4DZl3HyfP8?feature=shared

“I vow to transfer all merit to others.” Samantabhadra

“At the core of it all, it’s about relieving suffering for oneself and others, and the primary obstacle to that is self-referential grasping.” Guo Gu

The Tenth Vow of Samantabhadra is the culmination of the Bodhisattva path. This involves being engrossed in this world because it is through interaction with the world that the bodhisattva flourishes.

In this powerful conclusion to Guo Gu’s talks on the Ten Great Vows of Samantabadhra he raises the bar for our practice and shares his own awakening story to show that it can be done.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To confess and repent of all one's misdeeds

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood.

============================================ Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.

“I vow to harmonize with all sentient beings.” Samantabhadra

“We are all interconnected on an unimaginable level.” Guo Gu

There exists an intrinsic connection between Buddhahood and sentient beings—we are not separate but fundamentally interrelated. The principle of harmonizing offers a compelling model grounded in the profound concept of “interfusion,” or mutual inclusivity, presenting a meaningful alternative to the dominant capitalistic and individualistic paradigm. Guo Gu illustrates how this interconnected way of being can be realized through the Bodhisattva path, specifically by practicing the Six Perfections, the Four Methods of Conversion, and the application of Skillful Means.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To confess and repent of all one's misdeeds

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood

============================================

Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST.

Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.

“I vow to always study the teachings of the Buddha.”

-Samantabhadra

"Samsara is the playground of full liberation, nirvana. This is where we perfect our practice.”

-Guo Gu

The first seven of Samantabhadra’s vows prepare us for the core eighth vow: to follow the Buddha in study and all that it entails—to emulate his wisdom and follow his practice as a Bodhisattva. In the process, we discover that there is far greater freedom and potential within us if we can let go of our attachments, and that the only thing that truly matters is helping others.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To confess and repent of all one's misdeeds

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood.

============================================

Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.

“I vow to request that Buddha’s dwell in the world.” Samantabhadra

“When you don’t have a stallion, a donkey will do.” Guo Gu

As Buddhist practitioners, we read and study the profound practice of following the Buddha from 2,500 years ago. His teachings are so powerful that they continue to influence millions of people in countless ways. Since attaining enlightenment is believed to be much more likely under the guidance of a living Buddha, we aspire to cultivate sufficient merit—through generosity, virtue, diligence, patience, wisdom, and meditation—to meet the next Buddha, Maitreya, when he appears on Earth. To practice under a Buddha and awaken is our deepest aspiration.

Short of that, we must ensure we are doing everything possible to be receptive and ready for a teacher to manifest in our lives now.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To confess and repent of all one's misdeeds

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood

.============================================

Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.

“I vow to request the turning of the Dharma Wheel.” Samantabhadra

“Of the three turnings of the Dharma Wheel none of them are called Making Us Feel Better…the full potential of the Buddha Dharma is not peace, not bliss, but freedom.” Guo Gu

“The turning of the Dharma Wheel” refers exclusively to the Buddha’s teaching . Just as the mythical Chakravartan wielded his sword to subdue his enemies, the Buddha turned the Dharma Wheel to overcome all kleshas.

There were three turnings of the Dharma Wheel, each covering a different approach to overcoming vexations. The 1st turning, which took place over the first 7 years of the Buddha’s teaching, aimed to dismantle the sense of self. The 2nd turning focused on the teaching of emptiness. The 3rd turning, sometimes called the “perfect teaching,” emphasized the interdependence of all existence.

With an impassioned plea, Guo Gu reveals what he believes the 4th turning of the Dharma Wheel will be and how we can help bring it to fruition.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To confess and repent of all one's misdeeds

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood.

============================================

Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.

Merit and The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

“I vow to rejoice in the merits of others.”

Samantabhadra

“In order to really rejoice in the merits of others we have to be selfless.”

Guo Gu

Merit shapes our connections with other sentient beings and is built upon recognizing the goodness in others. People serve as mirrors, revealing what needs to be done in our practice by exposing how the self manifests—through arrogance, liking, disliking, othering, judging and other ways. By gaining distance from these habitual tendencies, we can begin to truly see the goodness in others.

Guo Gu shows how we can use our One-Minute Chan practice to practice seeing the goodness in ourselves and others; building new neural pathways that will then lead to merit.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas
2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas
3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas
4. To confess and repent of all one's misdeeds
5. To rejoice in the merits of others
6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma
7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world
8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha
9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs
10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood.

Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at tallahasseechan.org/events/.

“I vow to repent all karmic obstructions.” Samantabhadra“

Awakening is right in this moment.” Guo Gu

The Buddha taught that the foundation of everything is liberation - we are already free. What obstructs us from experiencing this is that when the six sense faculties come into contact with six sense objects, our habitual tendencies – our karmic obstructions - cause us to reify and solidify our sense of self.

In order to properly receive the ultimate teaching of liberation and emptiness we have to clear the mind of its self-referentiality. This is achieved through the practice of repentance. Repentance serves as the vehicle that bridges the gap between conventional reality and the ultimate truth of liberation, allowing us to simultaneously recognize emptiness while repenting our transgressions.

Tonight we are fortunate to have Guo Gu break down one of the most important texts in the whole East Asian tradition: The Repentance Ritual Pursuing the Lotus Samadhi, as laid out by Zhiyi, the founder of the Tiantai school of Buddhism.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To repent all karmic obstructions.

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood.

============================================

Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.

“I vow to make ample offerings to all the Buddhas.” Samantabhadra

“Supporting the Three Jewels so that people can engage in practice is the ultimate object of offering.” Guo Gu

The third vow of Samantabhadra, “To make ample offerings to all the Buddhas,” builds upon the first vow. If we truly honor and respect all Buddhas, recognizing that all sentient beings have the potential for awakening, then making offerings becomes a natural expression of this understanding, encouraging us to transcend our self-centeredness and cultivate generosity, reverence, and humility. In essence, this vow guides us to use every encounter and action as a practice of generosity. By reflecting on our interconnectedness, we recognize that what we give was never truly “ours” to begin with. It arises from the conditions and contributions of countless beings. This understanding naturally fosters a feeling of humility and gratitude, generating great merit and creating conditions conducive to awakening for ourselves and others.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To confess and repent of all one's misdeeds

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood.

============================================

Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.