Chan/Bodhidharma/Baizhung
Fall - Fortnight 18 (Earth+Fire)
Feast/Dec
4: China, Chan's transition to "Agricultural
Chan" under Baizhang (720-814). Bodhidharma, and Baizhang who began the
tradition of self sustaining farming in Buddhist communities. "Agricultural
Chan" in China with self sustaining monasteries. Patience sitting, facing
walls. Farming as meditation.
Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma (c. 5th–6th century CE), the semilegendary founder of Chan Buddhism, introduced wallfacing meditation from India to China. Shugendo/Shingon goma fire ceremonies ignited inner fire, reflecting Pangu’s creation. His unique emphasis on direct mindtomind transmission shaped Chan’s simplicity.
Baizhang
Baizhang Huaihai (720–814 CE) pioneered Agricultural Chan, establishing selfsustaining monasteries with his Baizhang Rules. Shinto lamp ceremonies sustained enlightenment through farming, echoing P’anKu’s transformation. His distinctive “day without work is a day without food” mantra fused labor and meditation.
Xuyun
Xuyun (1840–1959 CE), a modern Chan master, revitalized
monasteries over his 119year life, blending tradition with resilience.
Shinto sacred ash and confessions united universal and personal, as with
Amaterasu’s retreat. His unique longevity and adaptability preserved Chan’s
agricultural spirit.
| Bodhidharma/Chan 5thc CE | Baizhang 8thc CE Baizhang & Agricultural Chan, Farming for Enlightenment | Xuyun d1959 CE (119yrs) Chan Monasteries |
| Shugendo/Shingon goma fire ceremony | Shinto lamp ceremony | Shinto sacred ash, Buddhist confessions |
| Pangu creates heavens, Susanoo or Nuwa kills dragon | P'an-Ku's bones turned to rock, flesh to earth, etc. | Amaterasu (Sun Goddess) retreates to cave |
3. Coming from within the Universal:
The inconceivable mind comes compellingly
to the forefront introducing, the new world of unity of the Personal and
Universal. The Universal is reflected within the Personal.
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| RITE | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| PRACTICE | Tanabata Star Festival | 1. Igniting the Inner Fire - Basic visualization of a flame
in the lower dantian.
Shugendo:
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2. Breath of the Dragon - Breathing techniques to increase
internal heat.
2. Fire Meditation - Watching or meditating near a fire
for purification.
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3. Mantra of Fire - Reciting mantras to energize with fire
energy.
3. Breath Control (Fukushiki Kokyu) - Deep belly breathing to stoke inner fire. |
4. Candle Gazing - Meditating on a flame for concentration.
4. Sacred Fire Walking - Walking over embers as a test of
faith and endurance.
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5. Fire Circle Meditation
- Visualizing fire for protection and purification.
5. Sun Gazing - Meditating on the sun for energy and transformation.
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6. Microcosmic Orbit - Circulating qi through Ren and Du
meridians.
6. Mantra of Fire - Reciting mantras associated with fire deities. |
7. Three Fires Cultivation - Balancing the internal fires.
7. Purification by Smoke - Using incense or smoke for spiritual
cleansing.
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8. Fire Path Breathing - Breathing along fire paths for
transformation.
8. Fire Offerings - Making offerings to the fire deity Fudo Myo-o. |
9. Inner Alchemy Fire Meditation - Using fire as a transformative
force.
9. Agni Yoga - Practices to ignite inner spiritual fire.
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10. Dantian Warming - Techniques to enhance life force
in the dantian.
10. Torchlight Meditation - Meditating with a torch or candle
for focus.
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11. Fire Phasing - Timing internal processes with natural
fire phases.
11. Heat Endurance - Training to withstand cold by cultivating inner warmth. |
12. Golden Elixir (Jindan) Practice - Creating an internal
elixir for immortality.
12. Moxibustion - Using heat from burning mugwort for healing. |
Shugyo Fast | Shugyo Fast |
| STUDY | Bodhidharma | - | - | - | - | Chan | - | - | - | - | Chan | - | - | - | - |
| MEDITATION | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Group 3: Fire (Days 31–45)
Theme: Transformation, passion, and refining
Shen (Neidan Stage 3: Refining Shen, Forming the Elixir). Fire aligns with
Zen’s intensity and Shugendo’s ascetic fire rituals.
Feast (Day 31): Prepare a Shojin Ryori meal with grilled vegetables, honoring fire’s transformative power.
Part 1: Jing (Essence) – Physical Practices
Focus: Physical actions embodying fire’s energy.
31. Learning from Bamboo
Basis: Zen’s metaphor of bamboo’s
resilience; Neidan’s inner strength.
Exercise: Sit near bamboo
(or visualize it), moving your body gently like its sway. Contemplate its
flexibility as a model for your essence.
32. Mindful Fire-Gazing
Basis: Shugendo’s fire contemplation;
Zen’s focus on the present.
Exercise: Light a candle and
gaze at the flame, letting its dance anchor your attention. Visualize your
essence burning away impurities.
33. Sweeping Ashes
Basis: Zen’s respect for remnants;
Dogen’s Tenzo Kyokun on using all resources.
Exercise: Sweep a small pile
of ash (or dust), contemplating Dogen’s words: “Even ashes are the Buddha’s
body.”
34. Raku Pottery Contemplation
Basis: Zen’s raku pottery
as a metaphor for transformation by fire.
Exercise: Hold a piece of
pottery (or visualize raku’s cracked glaze). Contemplate your inner fire
shaping your spirit.
35. Walking in Sunlight
Basis: Shugendo’s reverence
for natural elements; Neidan’s solar energy.
Exercise: Walk slowly in sunlight,
feeling its warmth. Visualize it igniting your inner fire, fueling transformation.
Part 2: Qi (Energy) – Mental Focus and Koans
Focus: Cultivating energy through fire-related
contemplation.
36. Koan: Dogen’s Fire in the Hearth
Basis: Dogen’s Shobogenzo:
“Fire is not hidden; it is always burning.”
Exercise: Sit in Zazen, contemplating:
“Where is the fire of my true self?” Let the question burn through distractions.
37. Breathing the Inner Flame
Basis: Neidan’s use of fire
to refine Qi.
Exercise: Sit, inhaling as
if fanning a flame in your heart, exhaling to spread its warmth. Visualize
Qi as a radiant fire.
38. Chanting Fudo Myo-o’s Mantra
Basis: Shingon’s Fudo Myo-o,
associated with fire and determination.
Exercise: Chant Fudo’s mantra
(as above), visualizing his fiery rope binding delusions.
39. Koan: The Moon in Fire
Basis: Zen’s use of paradoxical
imagery; Neidan’s alchemical fire.
Exercise: Contemplate the
moon burning in a fire. Ask: “How does the moon burn without being consumed?”
40. Contemplating Raku’s Imperfection
Basis: Zen’s wabi-sabi; Neidan’s
embrace of transformation.
Exercise: Visualize a raku
pot emerging from fire, its cracks glowing. Contemplate: “My imperfections
are my perfection.”
Part 3: Shen (Spirit) – Visualization and
Altar Work
Focus: Spiritual transformation through fire.
41. Fire Offering on Altar
Basis: Shugendo and Shingon
fire rituals; Neidan’s alchemical fire.
Exercise: Light a candle on
your altar, offering its flame to Fudo Myo-o. Meditate, visualizing your
spirit as a purified flame.
42. Visualizing the Golden Elixir
Basis: Neidan’s formation
of the Golden Elixir.
Exercise: Sit, visualizing
a molten golden orb in your heart, radiating light. Each breath refines
it, preparing for immortality.
43. Moon-Gazing Meditation
Basis: Zen’s moon as enlightenment;
Neidan’s reflective fire.
Exercise: Gaze at the moon
directly, then in water, then churn the water to dissolve its reflection.
Contemplate impermanence.
44. Goma Fire Purification (Fast Day)
Basis: Shingon’s Goma fire
ritual for purification.
Exercise: Light a small fire
(or candle) and burn a piece of paper with written distractions. Meditate
on your spirit ascending as smoke, preparing for bodhisattvahood.
45. Offering to Ancestors (Fast Day)
Basis: Buddhist ancestor veneration;
Neidan’s transcendence.
Exercise: Place incense on
your altar, dedicating it to ancestors. Meditate on life after death, visualizing
yourself guiding souls as a bodhisattva.
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