29.般若堂習禪制 Training under the Chan rules of the Prajna Hall

般若堂習禪制

鏡老人時有啟發。法師年逾倈期。戒律精嚴。宗教並通。令公多參講座。以利游方。命往國清禪寺。參學禪堂制度。至方廣寺。習法華經。卅四、五歲二年。住國清寺。習經教。時至茅庵伴鏡老人。

宣化偈曰： 十方聚會般若堂。習學無為見性王。 還佛場中考功過。誰得心空及第歸。

Training under the Chan rules of the Prajna Hall

At that time, the Venerable Master Ching gave instructions to the Master to develop his understanding. The Venerable Ching, who was over eighty years of age, maintained the moral code strictly, was conversant with the Teachings, and had penetrated the practice of Ch’an meditation. He would often have the Master attend the Sutra lectures. Since it was beneficial to visit other monasteries. he told the Master to go to Kuo Ch’ing Dhyana Monastery and participate in the Ch’an system of meditation practiced there. He also advised the Master to go to Fang Kuang (Expansive) monastery to study the Dharma Flower Sutra. From age thirty-four to thirty-five, the Master stayed at Kuo Ch’ing Monastery and studied the teachings of the Sutras. On occasion, he would visit the Venerable Master Ching at his hut.

The verse says: The assembly of the ten directions gathers in the Prajna Hall, Practicing the unconditioned to see the supremacy of the nature. Within the Buddha Selecting Hall they are tested for success. Those who attain the mind’s emptiness are ranked as number one.