This is the Chinese character for Mindfulness This

This is the Chinese character for Mindfulness This character, written in bronze script, 金文 jin wen, dates to the shang dynasty, 1766 -1111 BCE. Thus, from the history of Chinese writing we learn that the concept of mindfulness has been inherent in the language and lifestyle for almost four millennia. mindfulness 1

More than 90% of Chinese characters Are a combination of a phonetic 聲 a pictogram 形. o h P c i t e n In this ancient character for mindfulness the phonetic is at the top. m a r g o t Pic t/mind r a e h of And a pictogram showing a heart/ mind is below. mindfulness 2

古代人以心為思維器官, 故後沿用為腦 的代稱 In ancient times, people guessed Bone oracle script 甲骨文 jia gu wen that the flesh heart was the organ of thought and so the character for heart 心 came to include the functions of the brain [and by extension the mind]. Bronze script 金文 jin wen Seal script 小篆xiao zhuan In the book Illustrated Account of Chinese Characters, compiled by Guang Hui Xie the definition on page 164 notes: Standard Script 楷体kai ti Pictograms of heart/ mind … In ancient writing systems 心 has the shape of a heart. People in ancient times mistook the heart for an organ for thinking, so the character 心 is also a cover term for thinking, ideas, and feelings… mindfulness 3

The Chan* School of Buddhism 禪 *Founded in China by Patriarch Bodhidharma during his time in Loyang from 516 -526 CE. 禪, Chan, is part of the transliteration for Dhyana, which means quieting thoughts. The Japanese pronunciation of Chan is Zen. mindfulness 4

以心印心 以 yi 心 Using the mind 印 yin to seal 心 xin the mind xin The method by which a Buddhist Chan Master transmits his teachings to a qualified disciple is non-verbal. mindfulness 5

This character for mindfulness is from AN Inscription on a bronze cauldron Named for the duke of mao, 毛 公 鼎, dating from the Zhou dynasty, 828 -782 BCE. Although the top part of the character is the phonetic, giving the character its pronunciation, the phonetics were chosen for their meaning in addition to their sounds. This phonetic’s meaning is NOW over the MIND brings us to the concept of MINDFULNESS. mindfulness 6

Duke of Mao The portion of the inscription inside The Duke of Mao bronze cauldron, 毛 公 鼎, That includes The Character for Mindfulness reads: bronze cauldron, 毛 公 鼎 夕敬念 王 …each evening respectfully be mindful of the king. Written by the Duke in praise of King Xuan of the late Western Zhou period. 西周晚期的宣王時期。 mindfulness 7

Thus, the classical Chinese concept of Mindfulness could be described as deliberate focus on someone or something out of a sense of duty or social obligation. For example, Ø The citizen is mindful of his king; Ø The child is mindful of his parents, and so forth. mindfulness 8

These few ancient characters and their verifiable dates show that the concept of mindfulness dates before the advent of Buddhism in China. * Thus, *about 70 CE when Buddhism’s concept of mindfulness was introduced into China, there was already a character for it and a classical concept of it. mindfulness 9 9

A note on proposed dates when Shakyamuni Buddha lived. Mahayana Buddhist calendar The Mahayana Buddhist calendar is based on a Zhou Dynasty (1122 -255 BCE) text called Records of Unusual Events , 異 記. That record described astrological events that pertained to India and occurred both when the Buddha was born and when he entered nirvana. This period of time was the Zhou Dynasty in China. Thus Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth is placed at about 1024 BCE, in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of King Zhao, 昭 王 (1052 -1001 BCE) of the Zhou Dynasty thus determining that The historic Buddha, Shakyamuni lived in the 11 th century BCE, making him more or less contemporary with Moses and Ramses II. mindfulness 10

A note on dates when Shakyamuni Buddha lived. [continued] Theravada Buddhist calendar records that Shakyamuni Buddha was born in 560 BCE, thus determining that The historic Buddha, Shakyamuni lived in the 6 th century BCE making him more or less a contemporary of Confucius (551 -479 BCE). mindfulness 11

A note on dates when Shakyamuni Buddha lived. [continued] Contemporary scholars place Shakyamuni Buddha’s life Contemporary scholars in the 4 th or 5 th century BCE. For example, in Dr. Peter Harvey’s Introduction to Buddhism, he suggests dates of about 480 -400 BCE, basing these dates on historic records pertaining to King Asoka, thus determining The historic Buddha, Shakyamuni lived in the 4 th or 5 th century BCE making him more or less a contemporary of Socrates 469 -399 BCE Plato 427 -347 BCE. mindfulness 12

For the purposes of this brief exploration of the Buddhist concept of mindfulness, we have chosen to consider that this concept entered China when the Mahayana Buddhist sutras began to enter China and to be translated and explained in the language of the people there. The advent of the Buddhist concept of mindfulness impacted the classical concept and broadened the scope of the practice of mindfulness 13

Confucius, 孔丘 kong qiu, respectfully called Teacher Kong, 孔夫子 kong fu zi, lived in China from 551 -479 BCE. An anonymously authored text called Standards for Students, 弟子規 di zi gui about 450 BCE, is attributed to the Confucian tradition. In this text, mindfulness is described as part of the process of learning. The way to success in your studies Is to focus attention on three: Trust to your eyes, mouth, and mind. Believe these are all that you need. mindfulness 讀書法　 有三到　 心眼口　 信皆要 14

Mencius, 孟子 meng zi, (about 370 -280 BCE) was a Follower of Confucian Philosophy Mencius said, Humaneness pertains to a person’s mind; Righteousness pertains to a person’s path. How lamentable is it • to neglect the path and not pursue it; • to lose this mind and not even know to search for it! 孟子曰：「仁，人心 也；義，人路也。舍 其路而弗由，放其心 When people’s chickens or dogs get lost, people know to go searching for them. 而不知求，哀哉！人 有雞犬放，則知求之； But when people lose their minds, they do not even know to go find them again. 有放心，而不知求。 學問之道無他，求其 The path of learning is nothing more than seeking for our lost minds. ’ 放心而已矣。」 from Gao Zi Section 11 of Mencius. 孟子 告 子篇第十一章 mindfulness 15

Here’s one that he made up in the Confucian style about how to maximize mindfulness. Master Hua, 1918 -1995, skillfully introduced Confucian and Daoist concepts in his Buddhist teaching. The Three On’s 三種在上 X X X On the road. 在路上. On the loo. 在廁上. On the pillow. 在枕上. mindfulness 16

Another method of Mindfulness in the Confucian tradition focuses on stages of life. When one’s vital energies are not yet settled, the restraint is on sex. As a youth 血氣未定, 戒之在色. When one’s vital energies are strong, Prime of the restraint is on fighting. life 血氣方剛, 戒之在 鬥. When one’s vital energies are in decline, the restraint is on obtaining things. Old age 血氣既衰, 戒之在得. mindfulness 17

Lao zi, 6 th century BCE, 聖人不積. 既以為人己愈. 既以與 人己愈多. 天之 道. 利而不害. 聖 人之道. 為而不爭. -excerpt from the Treatise on The Way and Virtue, 道 德 經 Dao De Jing A sage does not accumulate things. The more he does for others, the more he feels he has. The more he gives to others, the more he receives. The Way of Nature is to benefit and not harm. The Way of the Sage is to be as he is and not contend. mindfulness 18

The first Buddhist sutra The translation of this sutra marked the beginning of translated in China centuries of gradually bringing the Buddha’s teachings from the Mahayana tradition from India into China and getting them translated into Chinese. was the It also marked the introduction of the About 70 CE marked the introduction of the Sutra in Forty-two Sections, Buddhist perspective on mindfulness Buddhist perspective on into Chinese culture and language. 四 十 二 章 經. mindfulness In the Eighteenth Section of this sutra, into Chinese culture and language. It was co-translated, 同 譯, the Buddha defines about 70 CE during the Eastern Han, 後 漢, by two monks from India— Master Kashyapa-matanga, 迦葉摩騰尊者, and Master Gobharana, 竺法蘭尊者. MINDFULNESS mindfulness 19

The Eighteenth Section of the Sutra in Forty-two Sections: The Buddha’s meaning was: All aspects of mindfulness are basically empty. My method is not being mindful that you are mindful 念 等 本 空 mindfulness and even the thought of that “not being mindful” is not there. My Dharma is called a mindfulness that is mindful The Buddha said: that is both mindfulness and yet not mindful. that is both mindfulness 佛 言. My method is mindfulness and non-mindfulness. that is both mindfulness and non-mindfulness. 吾 法 念 無 念 念. It is practice that is both practice and non-practice. 行 無 行 行. It is words that are both words and non-words. My method of practice is effortless. 言 無 言 言. Attachments become empty. Even that emptiness It is cultivation is empty. Even the shadow of “non-cultivation” that is both cultivation and non-cultivation. does not remain. 修 無 修 修. mindfulness 20 念 無 念 念.

All aspects of mindfulness are basically empty, 念 等 本 空. [continued] Those who understand are near to it; 會 者 近 爾. those who are confused are far from it! 迷 者 遠 乎. It is not accessible by communication in language. 言 語 道 斷. It is not grasped through concrete examples. 非 物 所 拘. If you miss it by a hairsbreadth, you will lose it in an instant. 差 之 毫 釐. 失 之 須 臾. mindfulness 21

No small task that— “not to be mindful that you are mindful. ” That definition of mindfulness requires a method— some directive on “how to. ” Here’s a modern verse on “how to. ” But for most, this verse is as cryptic as the Buddha’s definition! Whether walking, standing, sitting, or reclining, Never be apart from this. 行 住 坐 臥 If we depart from this. 不 離 這 個 離 了 這 個 We have gone amiss! -by Master Hua 宣 公 上 人 mindfulness 便 是 錯 過 22

During the Tang Dynasty, 618 -907 CE, a four-year-old lad from Wen county (later renamed Yong Jia) entered monastic life. In his formative years he studied and mastered the Buddhist teachings and he meditated regularly. Upon awakening, he needed to have his enlightenment certified and so he sought out Venerable Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch. After the Patriarch verified his awakening, Great Master Yong Jia composed a Song of Certifying to the Way. mindfulness 23

The following stanzas of the Song of Certifying to the Way reflect the Buddha’s description of mindfulness. Do not seek the true, Do not cut off the false. Comprehend that both dharmas are empty; they have no attributes at all. Without attributes there is no emptiness, either, and yet emptiness is not negated. That is the absolutely true attribute of all Buddhas. 不 求 真, 不 斷 妄, 了 知 二 法 空 無 相 無 空 無 不 空, 即 是 如 來 真 實 相. mindfulness 24

Elder Master Hsu Yun, 1840– 1959, a contemporary sage, also composed a song. His is called Song of the Skin Bag, 皮袋歌 Elder Master Hsu Yun’s Song of the Skin Bag, reflects the great vigour and inspiration that he applied to developing mindfulness, and echoes the Buddha’s description of mindfulness and what results it can bring. mindfulness 25

Song of the Skin Bag, 皮袋歌 Doubt not the Buddha. Doubt not the Dharma. Inherent insight lets us know clearly what we see and hear. Bore through the paper. Pierce the cowhide. Make your mind perfectly bright and free from error. 佛不疑。法不疑。 了了聞見是良知。 穿紙背。透牛皮。 圓明一心莫差池。 亦返源。亦解脫。 Return to the origin. 還元返本天真兒。 Reach liberation. Go back to the source and retrieve your inherent innocence. mindfulness 26

Song of the Skin Bag, 皮袋歌 [continued ] Open your heart. Be truthful to all. Encourage people to guard what is proper. 瀝心腸。披肝膽。 奉勸世人應守正。 Don’t think my words are idle. Don’t fail to pay attention. Great cultivators will surely see their own natures. 莫當閒言不記心。 大修行人必見性。 mindfulness 27

無不無。空非空。 Nothing is nothing. 透露靈機妙難思。 Emptiness is not empty. As our magnificent potential reveals itself, its wonder is hard to imagine. When you arrive, You will not have toiled in vain. The impacts from your planting of causes will be over. 到這裡。不冤枉。 因地一聲是了期。 Then you truly will be A Great Hero. All ten titles will fit perfectly As you become a teacher of many generations. 方才稱。大丈夫。 十號圓明萬世師。 mindfulness 28

The Buddha’s methods on the practice of mindfulness are found in many teachings. One set of lessons is shared by all Buddhist traditions. Thirty-seven Aspects of the Way 三 十 七 道 品 mindfulness 29

Thirty-seven Aspects of the Way 三 十 七 道 品 Four Dwellings in Mindfulness 四 念 住* 1. dwelling in mindfulness of the body 身念住 Contemplate the body as impure. 2. dwelling in mindfulness of feelings 受念住 Contemplate feelings as suffering. 3. dwelling in mindfulness of the mind 心 念 住 Contemplate the mind as transitory. • dwelling in mindfulness of dharmas 法念住 1. Contemplate dharmas as being devoid of self. 觀身不凈 觀受是苦 觀心無常 觀法無我 2. * Also rendered as 四念處 mindfulness 30

Thirty-seven Aspects of the Way Five Roots 五根 1. root of faith 2. root of vigour 3. root of mindfulness 4. root of concentration 5. root of wisdom Four Bases of Psychic Power 四神足 1. zeal 欲神足 2. vigour 勤神足 3. mindfulness 心神足 (心神專一) 4. reflection 觀神足 信根 精進根 念根 定根 慧根 Five Powers 五力 1. power of faith 2. power of vigour 3. power of mindfulness 4. power of concentration 5. power of wisdom Four Types of Upright Diligence 四正勤 1. Evil that has not yet been done is kept from being done. 2. Evil thoughts that have already been generated are cut off. 3. Good roots not yet grown are caused to grow. 4. Good roots already grown are caused to grow further. mindfulness 信力 精進力 念力 定力 慧力 未生惡法令不生 已生惡法恆令滅 未生善法令出生 已生善法令增長 31

Seven Limbs of Enlightenment 七 覺 支 1. choosing a method (dharma) 2. vigour (diligent in practice) 3. joy (in practice experience) 4. rejecting (afflictions) 5. giving up (letting go of thinking and attachments) 6. samadhi (concentration) 7. mindfulness Thirty-seven Aspects of the Way 擇法覺支 精進覺支 喜覺支 除覺支 捨覺支 定覺支 念覺支 Eightfold Upright Path 八 正 道 1. upright views (looking) 2. upright consideration (listening) 3. upright speech (saying) 4. upright occupation (doing) 5. upright living (being considerate of others) 6. upright vigour (doing what is proper) 7. upright mindfulness (being aware) 8. upright concentration (being stable) mindfulness 正見解 正思惟 正語言 正行為 正業（正命） 正精進 正意念 正禪定 32

The Seven Limbs of Enlightenment 七 覺 支 provide a practice centering on Mindfulness shared by all traditions of Buddhism. This practice is an effective means of psychotherapy applied by oneself to oneself. mindfulness 33

The Seven Limbs of Enlightenment 七 覺 支 Method of Practice 7. being mindful 念 so that upon becoming aware that one is mentally depressed, 心沈時, one applies these three limbs: 2. choosing a method, 擇 3. being vigorous in practicing it, 進, and 4. experiencing the outcome of joy, 喜 2, 3, 4 are proactive and positive 七念：心沈時，念用擇、進、喜以起之. to give impetus to practice (when depressed or lacking motivation) mindfulness 34

The Seven Limbs of Enlightenment 七 覺 支 Method of Practice 7. being mindful 念 so that upon becoming aware that one is mentally flighty, 心浮時, one applies these three limbs: 4. letting go, 除 (getting free of negative emotions) 5. concentrating, 定 (samadhi) 6. renouncing, 捨 (giving away positive benefits) 4, 5, 6 are quelling and quieting to place restraint on habits (when hyper) 七念：心浮時，念用、除、定、 so that concentration and wisdom 捨以攝之，覺令定慧均等。 develop equally. mindfulness 35

7 limbs of enlightenment 7. Mindfulness (aware of one’s moods) 1. choosing a method (dharma) 2. vigour (diligent in practice) 3. Joy (in practice experience) 4. rejecting (afflictions) 5. giving up (thinking and attachments) 6. samadhi (developing concentration) mindfulness 7. Mindfulness at all times to perceive what is needed 1, 2 and 3. Proactive and positive to give impetus to practice (when depressed) 4, 5 and 6. Quelling and quieting to place restraint on habits (when hyper) 36

The Seven Limbs of Enlightenment 七 覺 支 Method of Practice Mindfulness remains the constant in this method of practice, which enables and empowers practitioners to maintain mental balance. mindfulness 37

Moral Aspects of Mindfulness found in the Thirty-seven Limbs of Enlightenment mesh with the Confucian tradition. Yan Yuan asked how to be humane. 顏淵問仁， Confucius answered: Restrain yourself and return to propriety. 子曰：「克己復禮。」 Analects Book 12, Section 1 Online link: http: //ctext. org/analects/yan-yuan mindfulness 38

Moral Aspects of Mindfulness found in the Confucian tradition If it’s not proper, don’t look at it. If it’s not proper, don’t listen to it. If it’s not proper, don’t speak about it. 非禮勿視、非禮勿聽、非禮勿言 This means to discipline yourself. It means to be mindful Ø in keeping your mind free of improper thoughts, Ø in keeping your body from acting in improper ways, and Ø in keeping your mouth from uttering improper speech. mindfulness 39

More popularly depicted as… mindfulness 40

Moral Aspects of Mindfulness correlate among Buddhism Confucianism Daoism mindfulness 41

BUDDHISM Confucianism DAOISM Five Precepts Five Constants Five Primal Energies 不 殺 生 Refraining from killing 不 邪 陰 Refraining from 仁 Humaneness 禮 Propriety 元 性 Primal nature 元 神 Primal spirit inappropriate sexual behaviour 不 妄 語 Refraining from 元 氣 false speech 信 Trustworthiness Primal breath 不 偷 盜 Refraining from stealing 義 Righteousness 不 飲 酒 Refraining from intoxicants, 智 Wisdom drugs, etc mindfulness 元 情 Primal emotion 元 精 Primal essence 42

And, finally, in the Buddhist practice of mindfulness, we look to the sages, who serve as awesome role models. mindfulness 43

In the Ten Samadhis Chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra* Bodhisattvas’ practices of mindfulness are described. A brief quote is included here. *The Avatamsaka, 華 嚴 huayan, Sutra was the first teaching Shakyamuni Buddha gave upon his Awakening. What he said was so profound that most did not understand it initially. So the Buddha then began gradually to use analogies, parables, examples, and stories, 公案 gong an, as appropriate, to explain fundamental truths. mindfulness 44

The Bodhisattva performs the work 以 憶 念 作 佛 事. of the Buddhas 為 清 淨 眾 生 故… through mindfulness, for the sake of purifying living beings… He performs the work 以 方 便 覺 悟 作 佛 事. of the Buddhas 為 令 眾 生 不 矢 念 故. through skillful enlightenment, for the sake of keeping living beings from losing their mindfulness. He performs the work 以 夢 中 現 相 作 佛 事. 為 令 眾 生 恆 正 念 故. of the Buddhas by appearing in dreams, for the sake of ensuring that living beings will eternally maintain proper mindfulness. Excerpt from the Ten Samadhis Chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra, describing functions of mindfulness used by Bodhisattvas. mindfulness 45