Basics Of Chinese Buddhism Essay Research Paper — страница 6

  • Просмотров 472
  • Скачиваний 9
  • Размер файла 24
    Кб

treasure vase symbolises an endless rain of long life, wealth and all the benefits of enlightenment to the world. Some Cha an Koans Koans, or in Chinese Buddhism, kung-an, means public case . They are a form of discussion and public teaching of wisdom. Koans are meant to break down ordinary, rational thought. They are often nonsensical and puzzling questions into which the student was expected to put every effort to solve the puzzle. Students carried the questions with them every day, worrying and working on them, until the solution (often framed as oddly as the question) was delivered to him/her straight from Buddha-state. In other words, the answer offered a glimpse of enlightenment . Usually the solution to the koan involved a lesson on the senselessness of words, logic and

attachment to the ordinary world. One monk said to the other, “The fish has flopped out of the net! How will it live?” The other said, “When you have gotten out of the net, I’ll tell you.” Some professors asked a monk to lecture to them on spiritual matters. The monk ascended a podium, struck it once with his stick, and descended. The academics were dumb- founded. The monk asked them, “Do you understand what I have told you?” One professor said, “I do not understand.” The monk said, “I have concluded my lecture.” ** A student said to the chief monk, “Help me to pacify my mind!” The chief monk said, “Bring your mind over here and I will pacify it.” The student said, “But I don’t know where my mind is!” The monk replied, “Then I have already

pacified it.” ** If you meet a person on the path, do not greet him with words or silence. How will you greet him? ** A monk, taking a bamboo stick, said to the people, “If you call this a stick, you fall into the trap of words, but if you do not call it a stick, you contradict facts. So what do you call it?” At that time a monk in the assembly came forth. He snatched the stick, broke it in two, and threw the pieces across the room. ** A monk sat with his three students. He took out his fan and placed it in front of him, saying, “Without calling it a fan, tell me what this is.” The first said, “You couldn’t call it a slop-bucket.” The master poked him with his stick. The second picked up the fan and fanned himself. He too was rewarded with the stick. The third

opened the fan, laid a piece of cake on it, and served it to his teacher. The teacher said, “Eat your cake.” ** Has a dog a Buddha-nature? This is the most serious question of all. If you say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ You lose your own Buddha-nature. THE VOW OF THE ‘TEN FOOTSTEPS’ OF CH’AN TAO CHIA (Chinese Buddhism) I will have compassion for all sentient beings; and will not cause needless hurt or unnecessary harm. Through my training, I will seek enlightenment, the distinction between right and wrong, liberation from delusion and the malevolent influences of greed, jealousy and rage. I will seek to transcend unnecessary dichotomy, and learn to accept that differences are often an attitude of mind. I accept that of greater value than the accumulation of goods, are justice

and creativity, right motive and action, and essentiality, love and peace, and the freedom to grow. I will act with honour, without contriving for self-advantage or egotistical effort, false pride or humility. I will try to live my life so as not to give cause for later regrets. I will help those who are suffering, or disadvantaged, and those who seek liberation or enlightenment.