Dharma Drum (eBook)

From Part Two: The Reality of Ch'an Practice

Some people say that mountain
climbers are really wasting their time.
They have nothing better to do so they
climb mountains, tire themselves out,
and come back with nothing to show
for it. Yet a person who climbs a tall
mountain sees the world and
experiences nature in a very different
way from someone who never leaves
his own front door. Genuine mountain
climbers do not struggle up great
precipices for the glory of it. They
know that glory is only a label given by
others. A true climber climbs for the
experience of climbing. And this is an
experience no one can have without
setting a foot on the mountain path. If
there is any purpose in Ch'an, we may
say it is to discover the nature of the
self. Those who make this effort
discover something sublime. They do
not strive for glory and praise from
others. Rather, they do the work for
themselves.

Those who take up the study of
Buddhism before their views have
expanded are subject to fears and
doubts. They doubt the method and
whether they can reach the objective.
Like those who have narrow views
and only see what is in front of their
eyes, their perspective is shallow and
limited.

What is known and what is seen are
more important than what you do.
Knowing and seeing refer to practice
that is in accord with what the Buddha
knows and sees. Practice is important,
but that which the Buddha knows and
sees is even more important. Without
the guidance of the Buddha's
experience, people would not be
practicing Buddhadharma correctly.

Over the years I have met many
people who lack faith, who reach a
certain point in their practice and find
they can go no further. They may
have partial faith, for instance, they
may have confidence in themselves
but no trust in the method. Or they
may put all their faith in the method
and mistrust the teacher. Some
people may trust the teacher but
doubt the level they can actually
reach with Ch'an practice. Their
doubt prevents them from having a
deep experience.

Sprache	englisch
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Buddhismus
ISBN-10	0-8348-2823-5 / 0834828235
ISBN-13	978-0-8348-2823-0 / 9780834828230

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