Venerable Xian Shu

Samatha-Vipassana meditation Teacher

Venerable Xian Shu is currently the head monk of Yuquan Monastery in Dangyang, Hubei Province, China, and a Samatha-Vipassana meditation teacher for the International Hua Yan Buddhist Federation. He took his monastic vows in 2009 and, since 2018, has dedicated himself to guiding over four thousand individuals in the practice of Samatha-Vipassana meditation. Additionally, he disseminates his insights and teachings through the WeChat public accounts "Shi Xiao Si" and "Zen Master Xiao Si," aiding a wide audience in their meditation practice. In early 2024, he journeyed to the United States to conduct a Samatha-Vipassana meditation event.

Samatha-Vipassana meditation, an essential practice within Chinese Mahayana Buddhism, has a history of over a thousand years. This technique, through the observation of breath, aims to cease the grasping mind and directly observe reality as it is. 

The six steps of Samatha-Vipassana meditation are: 

1. Counting (Gaṇanā), 

2. Following (Anugama), 

3. Cessation (Sthāpanā), 

4. Observation (Upalakṣaṇā), 

5. Returning (Vivarta), 

6. Purification (Pariśuddhi). 

This meditation practice addresses two fundamental issues in life: birth and death.

In terms of birth, by ceasing grasping thoughts, one can achieve a high level of emotional stability, resolving various troubles in life.

Regarding death, through observing reality, one can comprehend the truth of "anatta" (no-self) in life, eliminating misconceptions and fears about death, and recognizing the true nature of existence.

Samatha-Vipassana meditation is not:

- An escape from responsibilities in reality, work, or life.

- A religious superstition, blind worship, or ceremonial ritual.

- An accumulation or satisfaction of knowledge, culture, skills, or philosophy.

- A pursuit of health, wellness, beauty, or the development of special abilities.

- A lifestyle of detachment from reality, reclusiveness, or pretentious sophistication.

- An opportunity for leisure, entertainment, travel, vacation, or socializing.

- A platform for esoteric discussions or astonishing others for fame and profit.

- A means to greater self-attachment.

Samatha-Vipassana meditation is:

- A common practice that Buddha personally practiced over 2,500 years ago and has been passed down to the present day.

- A method of entry into practice, the Basic Principles of  Samatha-Vipassana personally validated and transmitted by the great master of wisdom during the Sui dynasty, based on Buddha's teachings.

- A process of sitting quietly, observing the breath, ceasing delusions, and then observing the ever-changing nature of the body and mind, experiencing the true essence of life marked by suffering, emptiness, impermanence, and non-self.

- An effective training to eradicate ego-attachment and to distance oneself from greed, anger, ignorance, and the pain of afflictions, fundamentally aiding in the relief from suffering and attainment of joy in life.

- An equal opportunity for every individual to achieve self-purification and benefit oneself and others through persistent and correct practice.