What Is Chan?? Some Questions Answered

 

Buddha was born in this human world, cultivated himself in this human world, was enlightened in this human world and taught human beings in this human world the way to experience Nirvana (freedom from suffering) and not apart from this human world. The Buddha taught that it is through our humanity that we will attain Buddhahood (full Enlightenment). "The Dharma is to be found in this world and not in another. To leave this human world to search for the Dharma is as futile as searching for a rabbit with horns." Humanistic Buddhism teaches that one can live fully in this human world and practice Buddhism at the same time. The two endeavors are not separate but support each other perfectly by enabling one to cultivate the wisdom that clearly understands the true nature of reality. "When you become fully human, you will become a Buddha (who we are already). That is the living meaning of truth." Thus, Humanistic Buddhism encourages one to integrate the Buddha's teachings of tolerance, loving-kindness, compassion, joyfulness, and equanimity into our lives for our benefit and for the benefit of all beings.

Because sentient beings have different spiritual capacities and inclinations, the Buddha taught at different levels using numerous methods in order to help everyone understand the joyful liberation of the Dharma (his teachings). The Sutras (Buddhist scriptures) speak of 84,000 different methods.

Ch'an is a Buddhist tradition which originated in China . It was later transmitted to Japan where it became known as Zen, the name that Westerners are most familiar with. The goal of both Chan and Zen is the realization of ones true nature and the manifestation of that realization in our daily thoughts, words and actions. And what is ones true nature? It is nothing less than waking up and realizing we are Buddha by nature, the embodiment of wisdom and great compassion.

"Chan is the abbreviated form of the Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit tern dhyana; it means quiet contemplation. But to describe Chan is not any easy task, for Chan is something that can not be talked about nor expressed in written words. The moment language used we are no longer dealing with true spirit of Chan which is beyond all words, yet, Chan cannot be left unexpressed. Chan is life. When life is complemented by the flavor of Chan, the meaning of life will be grasped all the more clearly.

Living in our bustling, intense, turbulent, and chaotic contemporary society, we need to find something that can set our impetuous minds at ease. Chan is undoubtedly such a force; it can free us from anxiety and misgivings, as well as exert a calming effect on our minds and souls . Chan reflects wisdom, humor, and compassion. It can prevent the formation of wishful and vexing thoughts. Guided by the ease, humor, profundity, and liberating nature of Chan, one will not be bother by unkind words, awkward behavior, or painful memories of the past. They simply vanish like mist and smoke. Chan raises life to a level of art. It manifests the perfection of life by revealing the original nature that underlies all phenomena. (Chan) belongs to every family and to every human being. Everyone is in need of its wisdom, spontaneity, freedom, and ethics in his or her daily life."

What is the Origin of Chan

It originated in India . Legend has it that during an assembly on Vulture Peak , the Buddha picked up a flower and held it up to the assembly without saying a word. The millions of celestial and human beings who were gathered at the assembly did not understand what the Buddha meant, except for Mahakasyapa, who smiled. Thus Chan was passed down without utilizing any spoken or written language, but was transmitted directly from mind to mind. Later, Chan was introduced into China . During the time of the Sixth Patriarch, Hui Neng, Chan flourished and developed into five schools which became the mainstream of Chinese Buddhism.

How is Chan Practiced?

In the Chan school, what is important is the direct experience derived from actual practice and not reliance on the written or spoken language. One practices Chan through varying forms of meditation. 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 ones original face before being given birth by ones parents?, or "Do dogs have Buddha nature? And "Who is reciting Buddha's name?", It teaches the integrative and challenging practice of "daily life". Therefore, Chan involves:

A. Investigating Chan through doubt:

"In other religions, there is no room for doubt; one has to believe unconditionally. But Chan 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 Chan 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 Chan by personal experience:

In order to practice Chan, one has to start with doubting, contemplating and questioning, but the final and most important stage is the personal experience of Chan. Chan 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 Chan. Realization is a state of mind that cannot be expressed by words. Chan can only be experienced by those whom have attained it.

Have you ever listened to a rippling brook? That is the sound of Chan! Have you ever looked at the green leaves of a willow? That is the color of Chan! Have you ever seen the heart of a lotus blossom? That is the mind of Chan!"