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**joko** · 25 April 2008, 07:05 AM

Dear Martin,

First, congratulation on your new awareness.

I'd like to share my experience and understanding, which may answer some of your questions.

I came from an ordinary family in Central Java. During my elementary and high schooldays I was taught the ritual of prayers according to Moslem traditions.

It is interesting to note that the procedures of 1 to 6 in your post are very similar to the the above ritual, and also similar to the Atisha Offering Meditation that I learned much later.

Now, this is my understanding:

1) Cleanse yourself.
When we enter the Chikung state of mind, or Entering Tao, practically we cleanse ourselves. We do this every time we practice Chikung. So, you know very well how to do it.
The same applies when I learnt Atisha Offering Meditation. The only difference was that the Master did not use the same term.
In Muslem prayer, it is preceded by the actual physical act of washing our hands, face, and feet. And then, stand upright, and put your whole attention only to face God.

2) Place palm together and bow sincerely.
This is also done in the Muslim prayer, as well as in the Atisha Meditation.
In the Muslim prayer, we chant selected sentences from the Quran (in Arabic).
In the Atisha meditation, the Master taught me to speak to God in any chosen language.

3) Prostrate sincerely,
4) Reconfirm Our Vows
5) Sit in Lotus Position
6) Prostrate sincerely

These (3 to 6) are also done both in the Muslim prayer and the Atisha Offering Meditation. The difference is only in the chantings. (described in no.2 above).

And, to answer your question:
1) Would it be okay for me to start my spiritual preparation as described above.
Yes.

2) What does "Cleanse yourself" mean which is done at the very start.
This is "Entering Tao" as we have been taught by Sifu.
Optionally, you can add the actual washing of your hand, face, and feet prior to that.

3) If I am able to proceed with the above practice, does anyone have any texts explaining the Heart Sutra. Does anyone have any Chinese pronunciation of the Heart Sutra written in English.
There is a thread about this Heart Sutra somewhere in the Forum.
In my understanding, the essence of the Heart Sutra is that enlightenment means freedom from any attachments, and having acquired the ability to see the reality as it is. As logical consequences, the enlightened ones will not need any rules, yet they will act according to the rules. Rules (and rituals) are applicable only to those who are not enlightened yet. (Saying it in another sentence: From formless to form to formless)

4) Regarding 5a and 5b above, would it be okay to perform both 5a and 5b. Not on the same day but on alternate days.
Yes.
In Muslim prayer, we chant different verses randomly. The same with the Atisha Offering Meditation.
Please note that in the Standing position in the Muslim prayer, we always chant "Al Fatihah", which is very short (only 7 verses). Now I realize that it may have the same essence with that of the Heart Sutra, which is also very short (compared to the other Sutras).

5) I practice kung fu and chi kung only in the mornings. Would it be okay to practice the above immediately after my usual training.
Yes. Or, you can do it separately.
As a matter of fact, practicing chikung can also function as a means for Spiritual Preparation.

To sum up, the most important aspect is our sincerity in practicing the Spiritual preparation. In our Chikung terms, the form is only a means; (it does not mean that forms are not important).
The rituals, whether it is Muslim prayer, Christian prayer, Buddhist way, etc, they serve as our vehicles to reach the same destination.
And, according to the Great Bodhidharma, the path is also the destination. So, enjoy being in the path. It does not matter where we are.

Best regards,
Joko

**Martin Do** · 25 April 2008, 07:53 AM

Dear Sifu Joko,

Thank you. Thank you for your care and generosity in answering so clearly the questions I had. I was very touched whilst reading your guidance. I will also look for the thread on the Heart Sutra you mentioned above.

Thank you again Sifu Joko.

Kindest Regards

Martin - Sijat

**George** · 25 April 2008, 10:37 AM

Dear Martin,

Congratulations on making such good progress in your spiritual cultivation.

One thing I would like to add: I believe a Sutra should be recited in a language that you can understand (as opposed to a mantra which is a "magic" combination of sounds).

The reason is that if a Sutra is recited in a language that you do not understand, then you can not focus on its meaning, which means you are practicing form only and missing the essence.

This may not apply to you personally, as you could be well versed in Chinese (I don't know), but I think this point would benefit other readers.

I know you will have good luck in your practice.

Best wishes,

**Martin Do** · 25 April 2008, 11:26 AM

Dear George Sihing,

I hope you are well. Thank you for your kind words and generous advise above. I don’t speak any Chinese unfortunately but my wife speaks Cantonese and a little Mandarin. When I ask my wife a few days ago how to pronounce “Ami Tuo Fo” in Chinese which I then repeated after her. I found the pronunciation so smooth and so comfortable.

From this I wanted to learn the pronunciation of the Heart Sutra in Chinese. I intended also to understand the meaning’s of the Chinese words too (at a language level) before reciting the Heart Sutra in Chinese so that although I don’t speak any Chinese….yet, I would at least understood (at a language level) my recitation of the Heart Sutra when I do it in Chinese.

Thank you again for your advise George Sihing.

Kindest regards

Martin - Sidai

**Jonny Say** · 25 April 2008, 04:48 PM

Quality of Practice

Dear Martin

One thing to remember is that Sigung points out that this is a suggested set to follow not rigid guidelines. Therefore we can tailor our practice to suit our selves.

For example I like to keep it as simple as possible like all my Shaolin Wahnam training therefore I chose to chant the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, recite the Heart Sutra and pray/offer to specific deities.

By keeping it simple I found I can deepen the quality in which I practice these aspects, and as we know from our Shaolin Wahnam practice quality is the key.

Just some thoughts to put in the mix

**Martin Do** · 28 April 2008, 07:53 AM

Dear Jonny Sisuk,

Thank you for your kind advise above. I will bare this in mind. Thank you again.

Best wishes

Martin - Sijat

**TaiChiPete** · 28 April 2008, 08:59 PM

Dear Martin,

Originally posted by Martin Do View Post

3) If I am able to proceed with the above practice, does anyone have any texts explaining the Heart Sutra. Does anyone have any chinese pronounciation of the Heart Sutra written in English.

I have three translations of the Heart Sutra with commentary. There is a very short commentary in Sifu's "The Complete Book of Zen"; "The Heart of Understanding" has commentary Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (and is a common favourite book on that thread); and His Holiness the Dalai Lama's commentary is published "In Essence of the Heart Sutra". All are wonderful.

5) I practice kung fu and chi kung only in the mornings. Would it be okay to practice the above immediately after my usual training.

This is what I do Martin - if that gives you any confidence

.

Pete

**Martin Do** · 29 April 2008, 07:52 AM

Dear Pete Sisuk,

Thank you for your kind advise above. Its much appreciated.

Kindest regards

Martin - Sijat

**Kingmonkey** · 8 May 2008, 10:54 AM

Dear Brother

as you seem to be highly interested in the topic, I recommend Sigungs Book "The Complete Book of Zen".
I red it in just two or three days and it really changed my live and ways...

best whishes
Pat

**Martin Do** · 8 May 2008, 11:34 AM

Dear Pat,

Thank you very much for your kind advice. Its much appreciated.

Best wishes to you and your family

Martin

**Jamie Robson** · 11 May 2008, 08:31 PM

Hello Martin,

There's not much I can add to these excellent comments and answers already offered.

Perhaps just to apply and cultivate all the practices in daily life.
Why be with the Cosmos for 1 hour at night, when you can do it all day?

Best wishes to you and your family,

Jamie

**Martin Do** · 12 May 2008, 07:47 AM

Dear Sifu Jamie,

Thank you for your kind advice and wishes. Its much appreciated. I will take on board your generous advise.

Best wishes and kindest regards

Martin - Sijat

**Andrea** · 12 May 2008, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Martin Do View Post

3) If I am able to proceed with the above practice, does anyone have any texts explaining the Heart Sutra. Does anyone have any chinese pronounciation of the Heart Sutra written in English.
Martin

If after reading Sigung's book you would like to read on, there is a commentary on the Heart Sutra by Chan Master Sheng-Yen which I would recommend. (Book title: There Is No Suffering: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra ). Amazon link (which also includes has a preview of the first pages) is: http://www.amazon.com/There-No-Suffe...0594427&sr=8-1

The texts in English, Mandarin and Cantonese are also in this thread (Chinese Terminology Section):

Xin Jing (Heart Sutra) revisited - Shaolin Wahnam Institute Virtual Kwoon and Discussion Forum

http://wongkiewkit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2360&highlight=heart+sutra

(If you would like the compiled version as a word document or PDF just send me your email details in a PM).

Andrea

**Andrea** · 12 May 2008, 01:23 PM

As it might be useful to others here the compiled texts in English, Mandarin (Pinyin), Cantonese romanized, Chinese traditional and simplified characters.
They are just compilations I did for my own usage from the texts generously provided by Michael Sipak in the thread mentioned above. I hope there are no reproduction errors.