Ep284: Adventures of a Chan Master - Gilbert M Gutierrez 2
Dec 13, 2024
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Gilbert M. Gutierrez, a Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen, shares fascinating insights from his spiritual journey. He recounts his rigorous training, mystical visions, and the essence of Chan philosophy. Gilbert discusses the doctrine of emptiness, the balance of study and practice, and highlights the compassion of Master Sheng Yen. He also reflects on his unique experiences as an American teacher in the Chan community, emphasizing the importance of personal narratives in fostering understanding within spirituality.
Gilbert M. Gutierrez emphasizes the rigorous journey of discipleship under Master Sheng Yen, highlighting profound spiritual encounters and personal transformations during intense retreats.
In discussing Chan philosophy, Gutierrez underscores the critical balance of study and practice, particularly illuminating the Buddhist concept of emptiness as a connection to existence.
Reflecting on his role as a Dharma heir, Gutierrez shares the challenges of acceptance as a Westerner in Chan Buddhism, stressing the importance of authentic practice.
Deep dives
Transformative Discipleship
Gilbert M. Gutierrez reflects on his transformative journey as a disciple under Master Sheng Yen. He describes the defining moment when he realized the depth of wisdom Master Sheng Yen possessed, which answered the unarticulated questions he had long sought. After deciding to become a disciple, Gutierrez participated in a rigorous seven-day retreat where he faced significant physical and mental challenges. Through endurance and humility, he discovered that the practice of Chan required exertion and faith, ultimately experiencing a powerful moment of liberation that solidified his commitment to the path.
The Essence of Chan Philosophy
Gutierrez provides an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasizing the dual necessity of study and practice while illuminating the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness. He conveys that emptiness is not simply a void but an all-encompassing conceptualization that reconciles existence and non-existence. The teachings he received from Master Sheng Yen included a deep understanding of various Buddhist schools of thought, paving the way for a nuanced exploration of the nature of mind. Chan practice, rooted in compassion and mindfulness, enables practitioners to awaken to their true nature and develop a profound sense of interconnectedness with all beings.
The Journey of a Dharma Heir
Gilbert shares the rigorous process of becoming a Dharma heir, which involved an intense personal commitment and dedication to the teachings of Master Sheng Yen. Initially grappling with self-doubt as a Westerner seeking acceptance in a traditional Buddhist context, he learned to transcend these limitations through authentic practice. The solemnization of his role as a Dharma heir was not merely an accolade but a responsibility to uphold the teachings and guide others. This path shaped his experience, compelling him to teach and share insights that may assist others in awakening to their own potential.
Embracing Challenges and Mystical Experiences
Throughout his retreats, Gutierrez encountered various challenges that tested his resolve, including physical ailments and inner turmoil. He recounts moments when he faced intense discomfort during meditation, which led to significant breakthroughs in understanding himself and his practice. Moreover, he describes mystical interactions with nature, such as his ability to connect with a dragonfly, symbolizing the deeper realizations of interconnectedness among all beings. These experiences served as powerful reminders of the importance of sincerity and openness in practice, ultimately illustrating how one can harmonize with the environment.
The Legacy of Master Sheng Yen
The legacy of Master Sheng Yen profoundly impacted Gutierrez's practice and understanding of Chan Buddhism following the master’s passing. He emphasizes that true understanding of a master transcends physicality and is rooted in the essence of their teachings, which continue to live on through sincere practitioners. Gutierrez recounts a personal experience where he felt Master Sheng Yen’s presence, reinforcing the idea that true connection with a master is not confined to the physical realm. His reflections on the master’s teachings and approach to life highlight the significance of embodying the tenets of compassion, wisdom, and humility in daily interactions.
In this episode I am once again joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen.
Gilbert recalls his discipleship under renowned Chan Master Sheng Yen, shares stories of gruelling retreat, private 1-1 exchanges, profound spiritual insights, mystical visions, and supernatural powers.
Gilbert gives an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasises the importance of both study and practice, and illuminates the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness.
Gilbert also details his process of becoming a Dharma Heir, defends telling stories of spiritual experiences, and reflects on his difficulties as an American in being accepted as a genuine teacher of Chan Buddhism.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep284-adventures-of-a-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez-2
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Becoming a disciple of Master Sheng Yen
04:49 - Eat bitter in your practice
05:54 - Loss of faith
08:21 - Profound encounter with the bodhisattva Quan Yin
12:48 - A contract of the heart
13:39 - A private meetings with Master Sheng Yen
18:30 - Receiving inka transmission from Master Sheng Yen
19:47 - A real master is a chameleon
22:36 - Master Sheng Yen’s compassion and mission
25:49 - About Chan Buddhism and emptiness
29:19 - The Heart Sutra
33:07 - We awaken people
35:10 - Master Sheng Yen’s emphasis on study
36:42 - Study and practice
38:33 - A reading from Daoxin
39:37 - Meditation experiences and a humbling lesson
45:39 - It’s a joke and a sham
47:34 - Becoming a Dharma Heir
49:54 - Everything is mind
51:03 - Special experiences and transcending pain
53:10 - Hearing one’s heart beat
53:38 - A state of ultimate bliss
55:08 - A famous master, a loyal attendant, and Gilbert’s powerful realisation
01:01:03 - Catching the bug
01:06:26 - The bug whisperer
01:08:44 - Why share stories of spiritual experiences?
01:10:17 - Gilbert’s biggest realisation
01:16:22 - Communicating with animals and entities
01:19:58 - Seeing peoples’ past and future lives
01:20:36 - Working with ghosts
01:21:39 - How to calm down a ghost
01:22:54 - Dealing with heaven dwellers
01:24:30 - Concerns about being accepted as a dharma heir
01:28:45 - Anti-Western prejudice
01:30:31 - Growing acceptance from the Taiwanese sangha
01:32:55 - The death of Master Sheng Yen
01:37:07 - A final encounter with the master
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Previous episode with Gilbert M Gutierrez:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=gilbert
To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit:
- https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists
- https://mind-work.mn.co/
- https://riversidechan.org/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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