< Back to Question and Answer

What is better for saving all beings: life in Zen monastery or practice as layman outside of monastery?

March 20, 2014, 4:24 pmEveryone has their own expression and way of living. Yet what do you mean by "saving all beings"? You need to look at this more carefully. We need a healthy body and a settled mind to save others. That is why it is important to find our true base, awaken to the wisdom in our lives and experience this settled state of mind. Then with this enlightened mind you can mingle among people in society. Yet first the purification and awakening to our true mind needs great efforts. Do not create a dualistic world by talking about Zen monastery and society, but while living in society, you can continue your training, and training in a Zen monastery is feeling the pain and suffering of society and working for its purification.