Ox Herding at Morgan's Bay: The Ten Stages of Mental Development in Meditation

The Ten Ox Herding Pictures, originating from the Chinese Chan (Zen) tradition, vividly illustrate the different stages of meditation practice. Venerable Sheng Yen provides a comprehensive explanation of the pictures in simple and accessible language. Meditation is a path of self-exploration and spiritual elevation, capable of alleviating life's anxieties, troubles, stress, and various negative emotions. It enhances our inner self-control, freeing us from the influence of external circumstances and transforming us from passive to proactive individuals, serving as a tonic for mental well-being.

The Ox Herding Pictures can become our philosophical companions on the journey of self-discovery, serving as guides for meditation and spiritual growth. They are sources of wisdom, manifestations of our self-reflective Zen mind, from which we can continually draw inspiration, maintaining the initial intention of meditation and serving as our reliance on the path of practice.

Venerable Sheng Yen emphasizes the integration of practice into daily life and life into practice. Applying the results of meditation to life leads to happiness and contentment. Transforming life's problems inwardly, one continuously elevates the realm of self-cultivation through meditation. Just as the Sixth Patriarch Huineng said: "Seeking Nirvana apart from the world is like searching for a hare's horns or a tortoise's fur—there is no such thing to be found."

About the Author:Master Sheng Yen

Master Sheng-yen's life journey is truly inspiring. From his early days as a novice monk in Langshan, China, to his time performing deliverance rituals and serving in the army, and finally returning to monastic life and being ordained by Master Dongchu, his path was marked by resilience and dedication to the Buddhadharma.

Throughout his life, whether in solitary retreat, studying in Japan, spreading the Dharma in the USA, or founding Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM), Master Sheng-yen always found a way forward, guided by his compassionate vows and Chan wisdom. His perseverance and commitment to the practice of Chan Buddhism shone through even in the face of hardships.

Since 1976, Master Sheng-yen has been teaching in the United States, leading numerous meditation retreats and giving lectures to students in North America, England, and Taiwan. His teachings have touched the lives of many, guiding them on the path of Chan practice and the Buddhadharma.

Cultivating Self-awareness and Exploring the Zen Mind to Manifest Buddha Nature

The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures are classics in Zen culture, depicting the spiritual journey of practitioners in a visual manner. These images represent the mental and emotional changes a practitioner undergoes from initial confusion to ultimate enlightenment, serving as a guide and inspiration throughout the practice of Zen. Each picture symbolizes different stages experienced by the practitioner, from the initial seeking and discovery to the eventual awakening and liberation. At its core, these images illustrate the inner realms of spiritual cultivation and the transformations and realizations experienced by the practitioner on their mental journey. Venerable Sheng Yen emphasizes the integration of practice into daily life and life into practice. Applying the results of meditation to life leads to happiness and contentment. Transforming life's problems inwardly, one continuously elevates the realm of self-cultivation through meditation. Just as the Sixth Patriarch Huineng said: "Seeking Nirvana apart from the world is like searching for a hare's horns or a tortoise's fur—there is no such thing to be found."

The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures represent the ten stages of Zen practice, as follows:

1. Seeking the Ox : The practitioner begins the search for inner truth and tranquility.

2. Finding the Tracks : Discerns signs and traces within the mind.

3. Seeing the Ox : The practitioner first glimpses the essence of the mind.

4. Catching the Ox : Starts to control and understand the driving forces within.

5. Taming the Ox : Tames the impulses and desires within.

6. Riding the Ox Home : Guides the mind back to its origin, finding the mind's dwelling place.

7. The Ox Forgotten, Leaving the Ox : The boundary between inner and outer dissolves, and the practitioner unifies with the mind.

8. Returning to the Source : Returns to the original pure state.

9. Entering the City with Bliss-bestowing Hands : The mind is tranquil, and wisdom and compassion are manifested in everyday life.

10. Sitting in Bliss in the Tangle of Brambles: Experiences inner peace and joy, reaching the state of enlightenment and liberation.

These stages represent the mental journey experienced by the practitioner throughout the practice, from initial confusion to ultimate awakening and liberation.