The Importance of Purity in Ch’an Lineage
The spiritual expression of an enlightened master brings inner and outer peace to the world. This is because the universal energy (i.e. ‘qi’, or ‘prana’, etc) is refined to its purest level as it works through the mind and body of the master. It is the exact expression, or function of the empty Mind Ground substance, and it affects everyone who comes into contact with it, in many different and varied ways. One person will experience peace in the presence of the master, whilst another will attain understanding from his or her words or deeds. A true Ch’an lineage maintains two distinct and crucial elements:
1) As a distinct tradition the correct and effective method for ‘turning inward’ is maintained and there is no deviation from the original ‘enlightened’ message of the founder of the lineage. The founder of the lineage is the Buddha and his equally enlightened Patriarchs, Ancestors, and Masters. The deluded ego is not allowed to get a hold within this pure transmission.
2) Once enlightenment is attained, its expression remains pure according to the lineage in question. If a lineage is correct, and if the leaders of that lineage have not deviated from wisdom and sullied its purity with egoism, then it will express enlightenment in a pristine manner, free from the influence of greed, hatred, and delusion. If a lineage is functioning correctly, then compassion and wisdom will manifest in equal measure.
The Buddha, the Patriarchs, Ancestors, and Masters all warn about the disastrous karmic effect of a corrupt lineage that teaches from the limited ego of its leader. Such a lineage and leader emit a corrupt energy that limits the development of all students under its influence, to the psychological state of the leader. For Ch’an to be effective in the world, its traditions must clearly be understood for exactly what they represent. Ch’an tradition is a tried and tested method of attaining enlightenment through psychological development. Ch’an tradition is unique and is clearly defined by the Buddha (and his enlightened followers) in the Abbidhamma, the Sutras, and the Vinaya, even though the essence of Ch’an Buddhism is not limited to any written word. The Tathagata Ch’an lays the foundation for Buddhism in the world as taught and conveyed by Sakyamuni Buddha – the Buddha of this age. The Patriarch Ch’an elaborates upon this foundation and spreads out into the world like the unfolding petals of a flower. The teaching is clear in both the sutras and natural phenomena of the world – the two are not different, even though they are distinct. The Buddha revealed the empty Mind Ground, whilst the Patriarchs, Ancestors, and Masters act as functionaries of this advanced state.
The ICBI encourages all Buddhist practitioners to look within with spiritual vigour and to respectfully question their own practice, and that of the lineage they adhere to. In this way, and through the traditional Ch’an practice of the use of the hua tou (word head), the gong an (public record), and wen da (enlightened dialogue) the empty Mind Ground will be discovered, and this discovery will give rise to a purifying energy that will spread-out in all directions. Such a practice and experience lights up the world and brings renewed energy to the tradition of a lineage. In this way the Buddha’s and Patriarch’s Ch’an method will be preserved, strengthened, and passed on to future generations.
1) As a distinct tradition the correct and effective method for ‘turning inward’ is maintained and there is no deviation from the original ‘enlightened’ message of the founder of the lineage. The founder of the lineage is the Buddha and his equally enlightened Patriarchs, Ancestors, and Masters. The deluded ego is not allowed to get a hold within this pure transmission.
2) Once enlightenment is attained, its expression remains pure according to the lineage in question. If a lineage is correct, and if the leaders of that lineage have not deviated from wisdom and sullied its purity with egoism, then it will express enlightenment in a pristine manner, free from the influence of greed, hatred, and delusion. If a lineage is functioning correctly, then compassion and wisdom will manifest in equal measure.
The Buddha, the Patriarchs, Ancestors, and Masters all warn about the disastrous karmic effect of a corrupt lineage that teaches from the limited ego of its leader. Such a lineage and leader emit a corrupt energy that limits the development of all students under its influence, to the psychological state of the leader. For Ch’an to be effective in the world, its traditions must clearly be understood for exactly what they represent. Ch’an tradition is a tried and tested method of attaining enlightenment through psychological development. Ch’an tradition is unique and is clearly defined by the Buddha (and his enlightened followers) in the Abbidhamma, the Sutras, and the Vinaya, even though the essence of Ch’an Buddhism is not limited to any written word. The Tathagata Ch’an lays the foundation for Buddhism in the world as taught and conveyed by Sakyamuni Buddha – the Buddha of this age. The Patriarch Ch’an elaborates upon this foundation and spreads out into the world like the unfolding petals of a flower. The teaching is clear in both the sutras and natural phenomena of the world – the two are not different, even though they are distinct. The Buddha revealed the empty Mind Ground, whilst the Patriarchs, Ancestors, and Masters act as functionaries of this advanced state.
The ICBI encourages all Buddhist practitioners to look within with spiritual vigour and to respectfully question their own practice, and that of the lineage they adhere to. In this way, and through the traditional Ch’an practice of the use of the hua tou (word head), the gong an (public record), and wen da (enlightened dialogue) the empty Mind Ground will be discovered, and this discovery will give rise to a purifying energy that will spread-out in all directions. Such a practice and experience lights up the world and brings renewed energy to the tradition of a lineage. In this way the Buddha’s and Patriarch’s Ch’an method will be preserved, strengthened, and passed on to future generations.
