Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Will you go to eat?


Question: Can reading Mahayana scriptures give a better understanding of what Chan spirituality is?

Answer: Hmm? Yes sort of, but.. the answer is no. No, it can not.

Question: Why not?

Answer: My Chan teacher once asked, " When your hungry, do you read a cookbook or do you go to eat?"










There is nothing and everything to believe in


Most people know very little about Chan (Zen) Buddhism, and or it's history. Many may unconsciously think since it is classified as a "religion" it must be the same as the others and contribute to many "My belief vs. your belief" problems that are in the world today. If Chan were to be so problem causing, maybe it would judge the above statement using of the word heresy and of course, the master would laugh.

 Do not seek the truth, only cease to cherish your opinions.- Chan quote.

禅 Chan does not believe in a particular god or holy scripture.  It believes in nothing, because 禅 is nothing. How could it be agreed with or disagreed with? As Chan is a “special transmission, outside the scriptures, with no dependence on words and letters” The more words used to describe 禅, the further one is from knowing." 


 The purpose of a fishhook is to catch fish, and when the fish are caught, the hook is forgotten.
   The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten.
   The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.
    Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to. 
- Chuang-Tsu