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1) What are the activities organized by Hsi Lai Temple?  (read)

2) Who may participate in these activities?   (read)

3) Is Buddhism taught in English?   (read)

4) What is Humanistic Buddhism?  (read)

5) What are the steps to become an official Buddhist?   (read)

6) Why does Buddhism advocate a vegetarian diet for practicing Buddhists?   (read)

7) Why learn Buddhism?  (read)

8) Why do people fold their palms?  (read)

9) Why do Buddhists bow and prostrate to the Buddha?  (read)

10) What is the purpose of prayer beads?   (read)

11) What do lotus blossoms signify?   (read)

12) Was the Buddha a God?  (read)

13) Why do monks and nuns shave their heads?   (read)

14) Do all the monastics have incense marks?   (read)

15) What is the role of Hsi Lai monastics?  (read)

16) Does Hsi Lai Temple offer tours of the temple?  (read)

17) How do we practice Humanistic Buddhism at Hsi Lai?   (read)

18) What is Ch'an Buddhism?   (read)

19) What is Pure Land Buddhism?   (read)

20) What is the Origin of Ch'an?   (read)

21) How is Ch'an Practiced?   (read)

22) Why do Buddhists Wish to be Interred in or Near a Pagoda?   (read)

 

CH'AN BUDDHISM

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 Ch'an and Zen is the realization of one's true nature and the manifestation of that realization in our daily thoughts, words and actions. And what is one's true nature? It is nothing less than waking up and realizing we are Buddha by nature ¡Vthe embodiment of wisdom and great compassion.

Our Order's founding Master, Teacher and the 48th Patriarch in the Lin-chi (Japanese Rinzai school) line of Ch'an says of Ch'an, "Ch'an is the abbreviated form of the Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit tern dhyana; it means quiet contemplation. But to describe Ch'an is not any easy task, for Ch'an 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 Ch'an which is beyond all words, yet, Ch'an cannot be left unexpressed. Ch'an is life. When life is complemented by the flavor of Ch'an, the meaning of life will be grasped all the more clearly. As one poet says, "The moon outside the window is always the same, but it looks more brilliant when the plum flowers are in bloom."

Living in our bustling, intense, turbulent, and chaotic contemporary society, we need to find something that can set our impetuous minds at ease. Ch'an 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. Ch'an 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 Ch'an, one will not be bother by unkind words, awkward behavior, or painful memories of the past. They simply vanish like mist and smoke. Ch'an raises life to a level of art. It manifests the perfection of life by revealing the original nature that underlies all phenomena. (Ch'an) 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."

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Copyright © 2002 International Buddhist Progress Society