Do not Practice a Seven-Day Watch Session

你不要打「表七」

During the Chan session, it is better not to bring your watch. Once you have your watch, you will be checking the time, and the Chan session will become a “watch session” or “time session”! You must forget about time. If you are without a “self,” how can there still be a concept of time? Time and space should both be empty; only then will you have a response. This is called, “Letting go of mind and body and moving towards bodhi.” Those who have completed the Chan session should continue to work hard at your practice. Those who have not should start to be more hardworking. After all, the most difficult aspect in any undertaking is the beginning.

打禅七的人最好都不要戴表，你戴着表就会常常看时间，这不是打禅七，而是打「表七」、打「时间七」了！要忘了时间，自己都没有，怎么会有个时间？时间和空间都要不存在，这才相应，这叫「身心放下，趋向菩提」。打过禅七的人继续来用功，没有打过禅七的人就要开始用功，所谓「万事起头难」在这个难的地方下手用功，所得到的才是真正有价值的东西。

If, however, we work hard to overcome the difficulty of initial startup, we will get something really valuable in return. All of us should strive to turn ourselves around, and not be as confused as before. We should strive to leave deluded thoughts and feelings far behind, and aspire towards nirvana. Then we get to see the Buddhas of the three times. During the Chan session, whether it be for the duration of a single sitting period, or even better, from morning till night, you should let go of your false thoughts and worldly defilements. The Shurangama Sutra says, “When the mad mind stops, just this stopping is bodhi.” If your wild and untamed mind is stopped, bodhi will manifest. Do not search for bodhi outside; it is within your own nature.

各位要努力转过身来，不要像过去那样颠倒，要远离颠倒梦想，究竟涅槃，才能见到三世诸佛。禅七期间无论坐一支香也好，一天到晚都来参加打七更好，总而言之，要把你的妄想、尘劳放下；《楞严经》说「狂心若歇，歇即菩提」你的狂心能停止，菩提自然就现前；不要到外边找去，都在你自性里边。