Ch’an Buddhism of Bodhidharma, by Shi Yanzi

Posted on 17 August 2010 by Buddhism Now
Jisu Sunim holding up a rubbing of Bodhidharma which has just been presented to him by Shi Yanzi. Photo © Gerda Chapuis

Jisu Sunim holding up a rubbing of Bodhidharma which has just been presented to him by Shi Yanzi.

Shaolin Monastery in China is generally regarded to be the home of Ch’an [Zen] Buddhism. As a monk there, I heard some time ago that there was a great interest in Ch’an now in the West. For this reason I have come here, hoping to make contact with those interested in the teaching.

I would like to predominantly talk about Bodhidharma and his instructions with regard to Ch’an meditation. Bodhidharma was the twenty-eighth successor to Shakyamuni Buddha. He came to China from India in approximately AD 520. Shortly after his arrival, he discovered that the Chinese had no understanding of Buddhism and could not absorb its principles. He then began to meditate in a cave at the back of the Shaolin Monastery. He was there for nine years. (more…)

Filed under: Buddhism, Buddhist meditation, Ch'an / Seon / Zen, Encyclopedia, Mahayana | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

What is a hua t’ou? Master Hsu Yun

Posted on 22 December 2009 by Buddhism Now
Master Hsu Yun

Master Hsu Yun

In ancient times, the Patriarchs and Ancestors directly pointed at the mind for realisation of self-nature and attainment of Buddhahood. Like Bodhidharma who ‘quietened the mind’ and the Sixth Patriarch who only talked about ‘perception of self-nature’, all of them just advocated the outright cognizance (of it) without any more ado. They did not advocate looking into a hua t’ou, but later they discovered that men were becoming unreliable, were not of dogged determination, indulged in playing tricks and boasted of their possession of precious gems which really belonged to others. For this reason, these ancestors were compelled to set up their own sects, each with its own devices; hence, the hua t’ou technique.

There are many hua t’ous, such as: ‘All things are returnable to One, to what is (that) One returnable?’ 1 ‘Before you were born, what was your real face?’2 but the hua t’ou: ‘Who is repeating Buddha’s name?’ is widely in use (today). Continue reading

Filed under: Biography, Ch'an / Seon / Zen | Tagged: , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Chant the Wind, by Kusan Sunim

Posted on 8 December 2009 by Buddhism Now
Bodhidharma in the grounds of a Japanese Zen Temple © DSR

Bodhidharma

I venture to suggest to this assembly: ‘Even in a dirty place the true nature of all beings is always pure.’ It is like a lotus flower unsmeared by muddy water. In an accomplished per­son it does not increase and in a sentient being it does not decrease. So, have you com­pletely awakened to it or not? The wise person, say something! Truly, what is this thing? HAK! You must observe the moon over the shadowless ground and chant the wind, then you will realise it!

~~~~~~~

The wonderful Dharma, being like a lotus flower, transcends everything.
Only when tranquil and without hindrance will you encounter
Vairocana Buddha.
If you have not removed pride, then truly you are a fool.
When seeking the Way, if you grasp at the form, you will be ensnared in the pheasant’s net.

(more…)

Filed under: Buddhism, Ch'an / Seon / Zen, Kusan Sunim, Martine Batchelor | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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