how is ch'an practiced......
In the Ch'an school, what is important is the direct experience derived from actual practice and not reliance on the written or spoken language. One practices Ch'an through varying forms of meditation. Our teacher, Venerable Master Hsing Yun comes from the Lin-chi school of Ch'an, which has as its practice the use of the Koan. The koan is a word or phrase, which is used as a tool for cultivating awareness of and living from the realization of our Buddha nature. Although not excluding the traditional koan practice which would have the practitioner contemplate on such phrases as, "What was one's original face before being given birth by one's parents?, or "Do dogs have Buddha nature? And "Who is reciting Buddha's name?", Venerable Master Hsing Yun teaches the integrative and challenging practice of "daily life". Therefore, Ch'an involves:
A.
Investigating Ch'an through doubt:
"In other religions, there is no room for doubt; one has to believe unconditionally.
But Ch'an encourages one to start from doubt. A little doubt will lead to
a little realization. A great doubt will lead to a great realization. Without
doubt, there will be no realization.
B.
Seeking realization through contemplation:
Once doubts are aroused, one needs to contemplate them in order to attain
realization. Diligent contemplation and investigation of our doubts will eventually
lead to realization.
C.
Studying Ch'an by asking:
"When contemplating our doubts, however small or large, the most important
thing is to keep asking until one attains realization. It is like trying to
catch a thief; one has to keep pursuing without letting up. For example, when
contemplating "Who is reciting Buddha's name?" one can ask, "Is it the mind
that is reciting?" "Who is the mind?" "If the mind is me, then is the mouth
that is reciting Buddha's name not me?" "If the mouth is me, then is the body
that makes prostrations to the Buddha not me?" "If the body is me, then are
the eyes that pay respect to the statue of the Buddha not me?" Final realization
will be attained, if one keeps on questioning like this."
D.
Realizing Ch'an by personal experience:
"In
order to practice Ch'an, one has to start with doubting, contemplating and
questioning, but the final and most important stage is the personal experience
of Ch'an. Ch'an is not something that is spoken with words nor contemplated
with our hearts and minds; in fact, we have to let go of all these to experience
Ch'an. Realization is a state of mind that cannot be expressed by words. Ch'an
can only be experienced by those whom have attained it. Have you ever listened
to a rippling brook? That is the sound of Ch'an! Have you ever looked at the
green leaves of a willow? That is the color of Ch'an! Have you ever seen the
heart of a lotus blossom? That is the mind of Ch'an!"
