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PRACTICING
CH'AN
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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