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Lesson
2
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The
Origins of Chan |
11
of 11 |
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Seeking a history
It is more important to investigate
Chan methods themselves than to become caught up
in historical debate, these methods, still practiced
today, are illustrated by the stories of enlightenment.
. .
Master Sheng Yen |
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You can learn more about the history of Chan in Ashoka's course The
Story of Zen Ultimately, however, Chan refers to the realization
of pure mind and as such, Chan cannot be said to have an origin.
One may be tempted to say that Chan originates in Buddha-mind,
but to speak of "origin" is to give Buddha-mind a
time and place, and that would be off the mark.
So when we
speak of the origin of Chan, we can only be referring to the
set of teachings and practices that go by the name of Chan.
At the level of Chan practice that would by synonymous with
the Buddha's dhyana, the
mind would be perceived as without characteristics and replete
with "emptiness." To speak of an origin would be
to place it in the context of change, impermanence, and characteristics,
at which point it would no longer be the ultimate Chan. So
the name "Chan" itself is a lesson in Chan—it
is an enlightened state that cannot be characterized. In this
sense, Chan cannot be said to have an origin; it is just there
to be realized. |
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