Summer Retreat Instructions of 1965
The method of peaceful dwelling (安居) can be understood in terms of both practice and principle. In terms of practice, it refers to the three-month, ninety-day period where one does not leave the monastery's territory to stay overnight—that is called "peaceful dwelling." In terms of principle, there is the Mahayana and the Hinayana.
In the Mahayana, the Great Perfect Enlightenment (大圓覺) is one's own true field of experience. If the mind dwells on worldly matters, that is called "breaking the peaceful dwelling." Even if the body leaves the monastery, as long as the mind abides in the mirror-like wisdom, it is not considered breaking the summer retreat. This is why Manjushri Bodhisattva could spend the summer in three different places yet never be guilty of breaking the retreat—because within the Great Perfect Enlightenment, he had never moved a single step.
In the Hinayana, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness—contemplating the body, feelings, mind, and phenomena—are one's own field of experience. If the mind strays from these mindfulnesses, that is called "leaving the territory." Thinking about worldly wealth, sex, fame, food, or sleep means being tangled by the five desires, like being bound by demons. Although such a person may not technically "break the peaceful dwelling," their afflictions, karmic bonds, and mental sores remain unhealed, and the ninety days are truly wasted.
There is a story of a monk who dwelled peacefully under a tree. Suddenly, a worldly thought arose in his mind. The tree spirit said, "Monk, why have you developed a festering sore?" Hearing this, the monk immediately blamed himself and repented. The spirit said, "Monk, apply ointment to the wound well." The monk then dwelt again in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The spirit said, "Monk, your wound has healed." Thus, the moment a single thought arises, even spirits and ghosts know it. How could one whose mind clings to worldly matters ever stay close to the noble beings, or truly dwell in purity alongside others?
Today, those who practice Buddha-recitation take the six-character sacred name as their own field of experience. If the mind departs from the six characters, that is called "breaking the peaceful dwelling." Those who practice Chan meditation should take one single meditation topic (話頭) as their field of experience. If they stray from it, that is called "breaking the summer retreat." Hence it is said, "Even a moment of absence is like being dead." How could one whose mind is preoccupied with the five desires avoid breaking the retreat?
If one does not follow the practice with clear understanding of both the letter and the spirit, the practice becomes nominal and lacks substance. Then inevitably, during those three months, one must bear the blame of merely wasting time and idling away the ninety days in vain.