讲到禅修，人们都认为禅修需要打坐、闭目养神等而不知道禅修的目的是什么，怎么样是禅修？我们应该了解禅定与经常实习禅定。

  如今，禅修在世界上已经成为很普遍的修行方法。世界上有许多人，或许是东方人，或许是西方人，都被禅修所吸引，有很大的感兴趣。然而，在这许多禅修的人之中，只有少数人真正了解禅修的目的。

  实际上，禅修(bhaavana)包括止禅(samatha)和观禅(vipassana)，其修行理论和具体修法在阿毗达摩及其注疏(如《清凈道论》（visuddhimagga）里都说得非常清楚，只是大家由于无知、邪见或懒惰而不愿意去学而已。正如明珠被弃于大路上被千人踢万人踩，却没有遇到真正识货的人一样。可为之深深叹息！禅修的真正目的，在于获得开悟。不但实现自己的目标，也要帮助其他一切众生实现他们的目标，这是整个禅修唯一的目的。

  佛法修学要领不出戒定慧三学。所谓因戒得定，因定发慧。而此三学中，犹以“定学”为修行之枢纽。所谓“定”者，既是使心止于一处。不攀缘于外之五尘境界，而专注于内心之起心动念，进而能于境缘中，依然保持观照与觉性。如是动静一如，方为得佛法修行之真实受用。

  禅堂的设立，即是帮助大家能够收摄身心。而大家一起共修，更是能达到互相提醒的作用。禅堂中更涵盖了三学一体的功效。进入禅堂，依规而行，是为戒学。一句话头，绵密不断，是为定学。进而凈化身心，豁然开朗，业障消除，是为慧学。如是慧开则自然福德增长，念佛亦由此静慧之功，而更为得力。

  湛山精舍的禅堂马上就要开始了，由广东南华寺的法师专业为大家教授禅堂1000多年的规约和方法。

  湛山禅堂作为湛山精舍的禅修场所，为了保证大家的修行，养成有序的修行习惯，兹奉达义大和尚命，略定禅堂规矩与时间如下：

  （1）禅堂中不许交头接耳

  （2）禅堂中不许带手机等电子设备

  （3）堂中法器，不得擅自触碰。

  （4）入禅堂中需听堂中法师指引，不得自作主张。

  时间：

  2017年4月15日开班：

  每日下午7：00 -- 8：00 （每周一休息）

  7：00 -- 7：20 ——行香喝茶

  7：20 -- 8：00 ——止静

  地点： 地藏殿二楼

  喜欢禅修者敬请大家，关注、报名，免费学习。可以随到随学。

  When people talk about meditation, they may conjure an image of someone sitting with crossed legs and eyes closed, without having any idea of the purpose of meditation and what meditation is. We should explore the meaning of it and put it into practice.

  Meditation nowadays has gained great popularity around the world, in both the east and the west. A lot of people are intrigued by it, but few know the true purpose of meditation.

  Bhaavana (meditation in Sanskrit) includes samatha and vipassana. Its theories and methods are explained in detail in Abhidharma and Treatises (such as Visuddhimagga). It is a shame that people are reluctant to learn it because of ignorance, heretical views and laziness. These precious teachings are like an abandoned pearl, trampled by passers-by without any wise man to recognize its value. The true purpose of meditation is to attain enlightenment. It is not only about attaining our own goals, but also about helping others to attain their goals as well. This is the sole purpose of meditation.

  The gist of Buddhism practice is comprised of three components: upholding precepts, practicing concentration and developing wisdom. By upholding precepts, we attain concentration, which helps develop wisdom. Among these three components, concentration is the pivot point. Concentration means focusing on training our minds, instead of clinging onto our senses and the outward environment. As a result, we can practice self-reflection and self- realization, no matter whether we are on the move or staying still. This is the ultimate benefit we aspire to get from our practice.

  The meditation hall is set up to help practitioners focus on their body and mind. The group session is a means for practitioners to remind each other to practice deligently. It follows the guidelines of the three components. The rules and rituals in the session represent the precepts that we have to abide by; to be mindful of the query helps us to concentrate; in turn we can purify our minds and eradicate our karma, which is the learning of wisdom. Hence we will be able to accumulate benevolent merits. This practice also makes chanting more skilful and effective.

  Cham Shan Temple is launching its Meditation Hall, where Chan Masters from Nanhua Temple in Guangdong, China will teach the 1000-year-old rituals and methods of meditation.

  To ensure an ideal environment for meditation and help practitioners to establish good practice habit, the following rules and time are set up by Venerable Master Dayi Shi:

  1. No chatting in meditation hall

  2. Cell phone and electronic device are not allowed in the meditation hall

  3. Do not touch any instrument in the meditation hall

  4. Follow the instruction of Chan Masters. Do not exercise your own discretion.

  Time: Class starts on April 15, 2017

  Every day (except Monday): 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

  7:00 pm – 7:20 pm walking meditation and tea tasting

  7:20 pm – 8:00 pm meditation

  Venue: Dizang Hall second floor

  For those who are interested, please sign up. Free of charge. Can join anytime.