The intimate scale, informality of the figures’ poses, and landscape setting link the painting to Chan-style depictions of Shakyamuni — the human origin of the Buddha — as an ascetic descending from the mountains just prior to achieving Buddhahood…
Chan
An introduction to Zen
Short video (4mins): ‘An introduction to Zen’
Zen Teaching of Instantaneous Awakening
This eighth-century classic is a complete translation of Hui Hai’s teachings. He was one of the early Chan/Zen masters (along with Ma Tsu and Huang Po) following on from Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch.
Hui Hai: “What do you suppose is not the Buddha? Point it out to me!”…
Chan Buddhism of Bodhidharma by Shi Yanzi
There were two principal methods of self-cultivation which Bodhidharma taught.
All the discourses of the Buddhas and patriarchs are words pointing to the mind
All of you! If you want to return to your homes, simply wake up to your true nature.
What is a hua t’ou? 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…
Sudden Illumination, by Zen master Hui Hai
Sudden Illumination means deliverance while still in this life. How shall I make you understand that?…
Buddhism now 