There are many Chan topics that can be investigated

有很多话头可以参

There are many Chan topics that can be investigated. The Japanese investigate nonexistence. They look into that idea. The Chinese investigate, “Who is mindful of the Buddha?” Some people investigate, “What was my original face before my parents gave birth to me?” or “What is nothingness like?” You can use whichever topic you prefer. There is a saying: “Sitting for a long time, one attains Chan. Staying in the same place long enough, one develops affinities. You must be patient and not be edgy or impatient, overcome by greed for quick results. We should dedicate our time and effort, progressing bit by bit each day in our cultivation. Do not expect to succeed instantly. You must continue to put in effort and endure pain in the legs. To end the cycle of birth and death is not a small matter. You must have genuine patience.

有很多话头可以参，日本人参「无」，他说无，无?，像中国人参「念佛是谁」，他念「无」。在中国参「念佛是谁」参「谁」，有的参「父母未生以前的本来面目」在父母没有生我以前，我的本来面目是什么样子；有的又参「如何是没有了的？」有种种话头，看你欢喜参哪一个就参哪一个。久坐就有禅，久住就有缘，你要有一种忍耐心，不要躁进，什么叫躁进呢？就想贪图快，愈快愈好。我们修道要认真拿出工夫来，拿出时间来，是一点一点成就的，一天一天成就的，不是立刻就能成就，所以要继续努力。腿痛要能忍得住，我们要了生死脱轮回，不是一件小事，所以要拿出真正的忍耐心。