Bodhi Mind Reflection
The Brighter Pearl
Bobby Brooks (Fa Bao 法寶)
There are three Chan/Zen writings and stories that have been the most inspirational to me.
The first is the Horse Farmer story. I initially heard it in 7th grade social studies class about world religions. I was 12 at the time and it was the first religious story I’d heard that had made sense. I didn’t know at the time that it was the beginning of my spiritual journey. I discovered meditation shortly afterwards and it was something that just felt right and provided relief from the noise in my head.
The second is the Ten Ox Herding Pictures. I understand them to be about becoming free of the opinions, fears, beliefs and close mindedness that had kept me in a state of ignorance and moving beyond to an unlimited place of mystery and wonder. It is still my favorite.
The third is a poem:
I have a bright pearl
Long covered in dust and fatigue
Today the dust is gone
And the brightness reveals itself
Illuminating the whole world
I’ve known the dust and fatigue for far too long. But then, one breath at a time, the dust starts to clear and the fatigue begins to lift. The pearl gets brighter!
When I let go of something and remember it’s what happens in the moment, I find a quiet joy and happiness in the journey. It’s then I’m able to be there for others. Not in a forceful way but in a compassionate way.
菩提心旅
一顆明珠
Bobby Brooks (Fa Bao 法寶)
回首漫長的修行路上，有三個禪門公案或法語，不僅帶給我啟示，且對我的修行產生很大的激勵作用，那就是塞翁失馬公案，十牛圖頌，和宋朝茶陵郁禪師的悟道詩。
首先是塞翁失馬公案， 我是在我七年級社會課世界宗教的單元中第一次聽到這個故事，對當時十二歲的我來說，這是我聽過最能讓人信服的宗教故事。當時的我並不知道這個公案開啟了我的修行之門。沒過多久，我接觸到打坐，我馬上能夠感受到打坐的利益，因為它能夠停止我腦中紛飛的雜念。
其次是十牛圖頌，我了解它的目的是要我們調伏凡夫如牛一般的這念心，它用循序漸進的方式幫助我們放下心中的我執，煩惱，畏懼，和無明，帶領我們契悟本心，最後騎牛歸家，到達自在無礙的奇妙境界。 十牛圖頌一直都是跟我最相應的佛法道理。
最後是宋朝茶陵郁禪師的悟道詩《一顆明珠》
我有明珠一顆
久被塵勞關鎖
今朝塵盡光生
照破山河萬朵
我對塵勞一點也不陌生，但求能在有生之年能夠一點一點地去除妄心，擦亮心中的明珠。
當我運用空性的道理，放下心中的妄想執著時，我深深感受到修行帶給我的寂靜與快樂。而後，我期許自己能推己及人，圓滿利他的菩薩行。