I. The Philosophy of Living: Chan (Zen) in the Modern Era

The series commenced at NSYSU’s "Way to University" forum, hosted by Professor Meng-chien Wu (吳孟謙) from the Department of Chinese Literature on November 6th. Master Jian Hu addressed the pervasive restlessness of contemporary life, defining Zen not as an archaic faith, but as a practical "Buddhist outlook on life." • Breaking Cognitive Boundaries : Drawing on Zen koans, the Master challenged the artificial boundaries created by the human ego. He invoked the "Overview Effect" observed by astronauts to illustrate that from a higher perspective, the Earth is a unified whole without borders. • The Academic Way: Professor Te-hsing Shan (單德興) , a Senior Research Fellow from Academia Sinica, joined the dialogue to share how the "Six Paramitas" (Six Perfections) apply to scholarly life. He reframed academic rigor as a form of "Dharma practice," where sharing knowledge is Giving (Dana) and adhering to ethics is Precepts (Sila).

II. The Science of the Present: "Eternity in a Moment"

The second lecture, held at the Kaohsiung Public Library on November 9th, and hosted by Library Director Chin-yang Li (李金鴦), delved into the nature of time and reality. Here, Master Jian Hu was joined by Professor Chia-chen Wang (王家蓁), Director of the Aerosol Science Research Center at NSYSU. • Relativity and Emptiness : Master Jian Hu connected Einstein’s Theory of Relativity with the teachings of Nagarjuna, explaining that time is a relative construct dependent on causes and conditions. "Eternity," he argued, is not an endless duration but the depth of being fully present in the "Now." • Quantum Resonance : Professor Chia-chen Wang provided a scientific mirror to these truths, noting that the "instantaneous arising and ceasing" described in Buddhist texts finds a parallel in ultrafast molecular phenomena measured in attoseconds.

III. Social-Emotional Wisdom and Healing

A significant portion of the integrated dialogue focused on the practical application of Zen in emotional regulation and social conflict. • The "No-Self" Approach : Master Jian Hu introduced Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) through the lens of the "Four Foundations of Mindfulness." He illustrated how "not identifying with the ego" can de-escalate bullying and transform conflict into connection. • Healing Through Acceptance : Addressing the profound pain of loss, the Master emphasized that true liberation comes from "Acceptance"—refusing to let past wounds continue to destroy the present moment. This teaching resonated deeply with the audience, including distinguished guests such as Dean Ling Chung (鍾玲) and Dean Hsin-ya Huang (黃心雅).

Conclusion: Awakening the "Knower"

Across both venues, the central message remained clear: while the world is in a constant state of flux, the "Knowing Nature" of the mind remains untarnished and ever-present. By practicing "Whole-body Awareness" and "Mindfulness of Breath" with the Present Mind, the “knowing mind”, individuals can transition from a life of reactive stress to one of proactive peace. As the lectures concluded, the consensus among the scholars and the public was that Chan provides a scientific and practical path to liberation. In the "moment" of a single breath, one can indeed find the "eternity" of a clear and awakened mind.