What is Chan? Part 5
In the last few days we have been exploring the question of what Chan-(Zen) actually is. A generally valid answer could not be found.
The question remains, what is Chan at all? A spiritual worldview, a philosophy, a practice, a teaching, or a concept? And no matter what it is, can it be described, divided into the various categories that people have come up with?
Already a definition of Chan-(Zen) is incredibly difficult, because it is just for every Chan-Buddhist something different, partly completely different views collide. The development of Chan over the centuries has been anything but straight, there is no direct line from the founding of Chan in Shaolin Temple China by Bodhidharma to the present day, too many masters have been at the soup, too many countries have had their influence on rites, language and customs.
To define something has also clear disadvantages. The explanation found in such a way once settles in humans, gives thereby a direction, which does not become fair the thing, also cannot become fair. In my eyes Chan is first of all a possibility to minimize the fears and hardships of the people, in good cases even to dissolve them, because only this spiritual world view wants to get to the core of the matter, to the transitoriness.
Without promising then a paradise for "the time after", because the paradise would be attainable also already now and immediately, if one would like then. And if one takes the necessary steps, if one dares.
Chan awakens in us, just as once the question "what is Chan?" arose in the first place.
Then we awaken, one fine day everything makes sense, the questions have disappeared, the previously unthinkable possibilities have become standard, the realization of the journey in the footsteps of the Awakened One, the Sublime One, has become easier and easier.
The answers to the question "What is Chan" are infinite, but it becomes clearer and clearer with time that Chan is something very important for us. Just as it has been special to millions and billions of people before us, so it will be something unique to many seekers in the future. We have a choice, indeed we are dealt the cards by karma, but how we play them is our decision.
Whether we will take drugs today, or start a new foreign language, we choose. Although based on the cards we are dealt, we are clearly playing the game. So, what is Chan?
The path is the goal!
There are states of mind that people have still not given up internally
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero
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