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FALL 2008 at USC

(Here we point to some external links to enhance understanding of the technique/topic or simply for leisure reading.)

1. Belly Breathing: 1, 2, 3, 4

2. Benefits of Practicing Zen: 1

3. Arm-dropping Motion Zen: 1, 2, 3

4. Turtle Breathing Motion Zen (A Visual Guide): 1

5. Dealing with Difficult People and Malicious Comments: 1, 2

6. Su Dongpo (Su Shi)'s story: 1

7. Gratitude: 1, 2

8. Arm-twisting Motion Zen: 1

9. Body Earthquake Motion Zen: 1

10. Five Poisons: 1; Five Obstacles (in Yoga Sutra): 1

11. Leg-kicking Motion Zen: 1

12. Heart Opening Exercise: 1

13. Repentance: 1

14. Atlas "Motion" Zen: 1

SPRING 2008 at USC

1. [Class 1, 2/5/08] Handout

2. [Class 2, 2/12/08] Handout

3. [Class 3, 2/19/08] Handout

4. [Class 4, 2/26/08] Handout

5. [Class 5, 3/4/08] Handout

6. [Class 6, 3/11/08] Handout

(No meeting on 3/18 due to spring break)

7. [Class 7, 3/25/08] Handout

FALL 2007 at USC

1. [9/18/07: Harmonize daily life through meditation] --- Handout 1

2. [9/25/07: Tuning into Eastern thinking - the concept of Chan] --- Handout 2

3. [10/2/07: Chan (Zen) in religion] --- Handout 3

4. [10/9/07: Cause and Effect] --- Handout 4

5. [10/16/07: Five Poisons] --- Handout 5

6. [10/23/07: Excerpts from the Diamond Sutra] --- Handout 6

7. [10/30/07: The science of Chan] --- Handout 7

8. [11/6/07: End-of-semester gifts & group pictures]

(Weekly group meditation will continue on 11/13 and 11/20. No meetings afterwards.)

SPRING 2007 at USC

1. [1/23/07: Is Zen a Religion?] --- Handout 1

2. [1/30/07: Be in the Present] --- Handout 2

3. [2/6/07: Do not analyze] --- Handout 3

4. [2/13/07: Special session] --- "Life of Buddha", BBC production (You can watch it here)

5. [2/20/07: What are we missing?] --- Handout 5

6. [2/27/07: Do not seek or search] --- Handout 6

7. [3/06/07: Free discussion and Q&A] --- Handout 7

8. [3/20/07: For the scientific mind] --- Handout 8

(Starting Tuesday 3/27, a weekly group meditation will continue at same time same place. No syllabus.)

FALL 2006 at USC

1. Aug 29, 2006 --- Handout 1

* Our mind guides our words, actions, and perspectives. Zen meditation purifies our body and mind so that we are no longer enslaved by our mind. We become master of our mind.

2. Sep 5, 2006 --- Handout 2

* Zen Buddhism emphasizes self-cultivation. Our Master said, "Do not idolize me. My teachings only point out a way. It is you that need to be willing to practice, witness and benefit. Otherwise, teachings are teachings; you are you."

3. Sep 12, 2006 --- Handout 3

* Buddha said "The cause of human suffering is five poisons --- greed, anger, infatuation, arrogance and suspicion." These five poisons can be reduced and eventually eliminated through the purification of body and mind in Zen meditation. Our Master also laid out some guidelines that help to rid of five poisons.

4. Sep 19, 2006 --- Handout 4

* Dr. Emoto shows by his experiments that our words and intention can affect water crystals (his book). Since we are essentially water, we can really improve our relationships with people and environments by purifying our intention. More good intentions and loving kindness, more peaceful life and world as a whole.

5. Sep 26, 2006 --- Special session

* With guest speaker Donald Hwong.

6. Oct 3, 2006 --- Handout 6

* The Dalai Lama says, "Genuine compassion is based on a clear acceptance or recognition that others, like oneself, want happiness and have the right to overcome suffering. On that basis one develops some kind of concern about the welfare of others, irrespective of their attitude to oneself. That is compassion."

7. Oct 10, 2006 --- Handout 7

* According to Oct 2, 2006 TIME magazine, 50 million Americans are suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders. Zen meditation can detach you from things that bothered you and gives you a better sleep.

8. Oct 17, 2006 --- Special session

* Watched DVD "God and Buddha: A Dialogue", featuring enlightening conversation between Robert Thurman and Deepak Chopra, about Vedanta and Buddhism. Robert Thurman is a religion professor at Columbia University and an American Buddhist (perhaps better known as father of Uma Thurman). Deepak Chopra, MD, is a recognized leader in the field of mind/body medicine as well as a Vedanta practitioner. His books include three NY Times #1 Best Sellers.

9. Oct 24, 2006 --- Handout 9

* Zen is the truth, the power and the wisdom of the universe, the source of all life forms. It includes human beings, various forms of other lives, as well as all the changes and transitions from birth to death as they are merely phenomena of Zen. "Zen" is just a word, one of the many different names by which people call the Truth. So do not be attached to the semantic differences.

10. Oct 31, 2006 --- Handout 10

* One of the most well-known four verses in Diamond Sutra goes "Neither Buddha nor God can be approached via eyes and voice. Worshiping Buddha with ego, one will never perceive Buddha (Tathagata)."

11. Nov 7, 2006 --- Handout 11

12. Nov 14, 2006 --- Handout 12

* This is the last meeting of the semester. We thank you all for coming, and wish you a happy holiday season and wonderful practice on your own. Keep up with the good work! See you soon.

SPRING 2006 CHINESE SESSIONS at USC

(Note: All handouts are written in Chinese)

1. Jan 17, 2006 --- Class 1

* "A practice a day keeps the doctor away." ................. Zen meditation.

2. Jan 24, 2006 --- Class 2

* "I breathe, therefore I am." ................ Belly Breathing.

3. Jan 31, 2006 --- Class 3

* "(Confucius) What the small man seeks is in others; what the superior man seeks is in himself." ................... Chakras in our body.

4. Feb 07, 2006 -- Class 4

* "(G. Sheehan, MD) The mind's first step to self-awareness must be through the body." ..................... Navel Chakra and Zen Exercise.

5. Feb 14, 2006 -- Class 5

* "(J. Rippe, MD) Exercise alone provides psychological and physical benefits. However, if you also adopt a strategy that engages your mind while you exercise, you can get a whole host of psychological benefits fairly quickly." ..................... Zen Exercise II.

6. Feb 21, 2006 -- Class 6

* "It is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all." ..................... The significance of practicing Zen.

7. Feb 28, 2006 -- Class 7

* "All good things come to those who 'practice'." ..................... The Heart Chakra for us to practice.

8. Mar 7, 2006 -- Class 8

* "(Confucius) Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." ..................... The story of Bodhidharma who came from India to China with Heart Zen.

9. Mar 21, 2006 -- Class 9

* New Zen Exercise and the Zen Chakra.

10. Mar 28, 2006 -- Class 10

* We watched a video featuring teachings from the Master and sharings from fellow practitioners.

11. Apr 4, 2006 -- Class 11

* "One's first step in wisdom is to question." ..................... The Q&A session and others.

12. Apr 11, 2006 -- Class 12 (last session)

FALL 2005 at USC

1. Sep 14, 2005 --- Class 1

* Sitting postures, mudras, and key principles concerning Zen meditation. Read more.

2. Sep 21, 2005 --- Class 2

* How is Belly Breathing different from commonly used Chest Breathing, and why is Belly Breathing more effective? The word "Chakra" is already used frequently in the US. But what exactly does it mean? Read more.

3. Sep 28, 2005 --- Class 3 (last session)

* Introducing one more chakra (besides the Navel Chakra covered last week): the Zen Chakra. Also, what are some of the efficient methods to get rid of wondering thoughts? Read more.

FALL 2005 CHINESE SESSIONS at USC

(Note: All handouts are written in Chinese)

1. Aug 30, 2005 --- Class 1

* What is Zen? What are some of the scientifically approved benefits of Zen? And what are the principles of practicing Zen? Read more.

2. Sep 6, 2005 --- Class 2

* Breathing correctly is important --- introducing the Belly Breathing. Also, presenting the Zen philosophy that can be applied to everyone's daily life to enjoy the true happiness at every moment. Read more.

3. Sep 13, 2005 --- Class 3

* Introducing the Navel Chakra. Also highlighting some effective techniques to help overcome soreness and numbness encountered when practicing Sitting Zen. Read more.

4. Sep 20, 2005 --- Class 4

* How do we reduce or even eliminate random thoughts that tend to come up frequently when we meditate? Also introducing the Zen exercise Turtle Breathing which helps greatly in cultivating breathing. Read more.

5. Sep 27, 2005 --- Class 5

* Having difficulty finding the Navel Chakra? This Zen exercise may help you. Also, emphasizing the importance of positive intents and positive words, supported by a scientific research. Read more.

6. Oct 4, 2005 --- Class 6

* Special guest speaker sister Young-Lien is coming in town!

7. Oct 11, 2005 --- Class 7

* Reviewing the second chakra we have learned so far: the Root Chakra. Covering a new Zen exercise that's related to the Root Chakra. Telling the story of Buddha, an engaging story that presents an intimate portrayal of an enlightened being. Read more.

8. Oct 18, 2005 --- Class 8

* Introducing a new Zen exercise (Arm-dropping exercise) and a new Chakra (the Heart Chakra). The "Ten Bearings of a Zen Practitioner" are important guiding principles for everyday life as well as for spiritual practice for Zen practitioners. Read more. Supplemental reading here.

9. Oct 25, 2005 --- Class 9

* The story of Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of the Chinese Zen, who brought Zen from India to China. Another Zen exercise: leg-kicking exercise. Read more.

10. Nov 1, 2005 --- Class 10

* Introducing the Zen Chakra: the source of wisdom. "What's the ultimate purpose of practicing Zen?" by the Master. Read more.

11. Nov 8, 2005 --- Class 11

* Practicing the Zen Chakra, and presenting the story of Hui-Neng, the sixth patriarch of the Chinese Zen. Read.

12. Nov 15, 2005 --- Class 12

* Purification, wisdom, consummation, and enlightenment --- What are they? Read.

13. Nov 22, 2005 --- Class 13 (last session)

* The story of Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian. Also our future activities! Read.

SPRING 2005 at USC

1. Feb 03, 2005 --- Class 1: Introduction & Belly Breathing

* What are some of the benefits of Zen meditation? Let's see what TIME and SCIENCE Magazine have to tell us...

* Lineage: Where do the Zen teachings come from? It should be traced back to 2,500 years ago...

2. Feb 10, 2005 --- Class 2: Our Energy Points --- Chakras

* Breathing deep or shallow affects greatly our longevity. Want to know the secret of breathing that can lead to long life?

* What are Chakras? This word is from Sanskrit meaning energy points. They are invisible, but observable and sensible...

3. Feb 17, 2005 --- Class 3: Navel Chakra

* There are overall ten important charkas in our body, and Navel Chakra is the main switch to all other charkas. It is so important that it deserves a further examination...

4. Feb 24, 2005 --- Class 4: Zen Buddhism

* A brief introduction gives a historical view of Zen School of Buddhism and the ultimate meaning of Zen...

5. Mar 03, 2005 --- Class 5: Zen Exercise ?!

* These well-designed Zen Exercises can let you experience meditative state through dynamic moves. Besides, Zen Exercises in general relax muscles of our body and enhances energy circulation.