Zen Master Seung Sahn always taught that we need to have a strong center. But how do we develop a strong center? More importantly, how do we use this strong center in our daily life to help ourselves and others? I want to share a case of one of our students with you.
Recently, one of our five-precept students who had immigrated to Canada came back to join evening practice at the zen center. Before immigrating, he had practiced together with us for quite some time. In Canada, he works as an architect. It was very difficult to get a job in Canada, so this job is very important for him and he treasures it. However, his boss is a little harsh to the employees. Even though this student is an architect, he is required to sweep the floor and even clean the toilet. He told me that although life is not easy, fortunately he has learned Zen Master Seung Sahn’s teachings and he keeps on practicing, so he is able to pass the hard days.
I asked him: "Why are you willing to clean the toilet? How do Zen Master Seung Sahn’s teachings help your life? Without support from the zen center, how do you practice every day?"
He answered: "Because zen center teaches us that do whatever we do 100% and not be calculating. I keep on doing 108 bows every day. Sometimes I might miss one or two days, but then I would make it up on Sunday. Sometimes when I am bowing, my daughter will come and hold me, then I carry her on my back and bow together with her."
This is a strong center. This strong center is like a roly-poly toy; however you push it, it rights itself back to the original point. Our practice is to learn to be a roly-poly toy. When others push you, you just follow. If my boss asks me to sweep the floor, I just sweep the floor, and then I return to my center after the floor has been swept. Returning to the center means returning to this moment. At this moment, you have already done what should be done. This is “just do it” and not calculating about life. Actually, when you are not calculating, this is already a great merit, because it means you have no trouble, no thinking, and no checking. So, when your daughter holds you when you’re bowing, you won't take her as an obstacle, and you won’t complain. Instead, you bow together with her. A person with a strong center can easily become one with any situation.
Then one day, this student's boss asked if he wanted to go to Taiwan with the boss for a meeting, and the boss suggested that he could stop by Hong Kong to visit his family and friends. So, this time his return to Hong Kong is an opportunity given by his boss. At first, this student seems to be exploited, but what he gave to his job was not wasted. Exploitation became a very good opportunity in the end. If we are not calculating about the “cause”, and we do not mind doing what is necessary, then the end “effect” will not fail us. Therefore, I encourage everyone to put more effort into this primary cause. The primary cause is to return our mind to practice the basic methods. If any problems appear, try not to criticize the outside situation; return to our methods and calm our mind. Then, we will find that we are very willing to give, and give happily, in any situation. And the result, or the “effect”, will not be a sacrifice, but a reward for us. If you can put effort into the methods, then whenever any situation appears, you only return to the methods. Then slowly, slowly, you can attain wisdom and help all beings. Your action is already a teaching to others.
