origin of ch'an

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)

ORIGIN OF CH'AN

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 Ch'an was passed down without utilizing any spoken or written language, but was transmitted directly from mind to mind. Later, Ch'an was introduced into China. During the time of the Sixth Patriarch, Hui Neng, Ch'an flourished and developed into five schools which became the mainstream of Chinese Buddhism.

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