Part VI - Conclusion
| Part VI - Conclusion |
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| Written by Chuan Zhi |
| Friday, 30 March 2007 00:00 |
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Buddhism is a complex religion, without a single voice, with many faces, and many representatives holding many different views. Follow the path and avoid samsaric involvement with groups and organizations. Follow that path to the Dharma that works for you. Each of us is unique in our own disposition, aptitudes, abilities, and interests - there is no single path to the Dharma to conform to. Recognize the institution of Zen as just that, an institution, and not the Path itself.
Readers interested in learning more about the subjects discussed here may find useful information in the references below.
Writings by Stuart LachsStuart Lachs has been a practicing Zen Buddhist for over 40 years, having studied under numerous teachers at temples and training centers in the United States as well as Europe, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. He is a valuable resource to the Buddhist community for his breadth of experience with Zen institutions as well as for his understanding of Zen/Chan and his commitment to protecting and preserving the Buddha Dharma. Some of his works include: Means of Authorization: Establishing Hierarchy in Richard Baker and the Myth of the Zen Roshi Coming Down from the Zen Clouds Chinese Chan Resources Original Teachings of Ch'an Buddhism A Buddhist Bible, edited by Dwight Goddard Daughters of Emptiness, Poems of Chinese Buddhist Nuns The Diamond Sutra & The Sutra of Hui Neng Master Yun Men - From the Record of the Chan Teacher "Gate of the Clouds" The Golden Age of Zen Zen's Chinese Heritage Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui Chan and Zen Teachings, First Series Taoism Tao Te Ching The Texts of Taoism, The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu History of Buddhism A Short History of Buddhism The Story of Chinese Zen Other Related Works The Dhammapada with The Udanavarga Book of Serenity, One Hundred Zen Dialogues Teachings of Rumi: The Masnavi Mahayana Buddhism, The Doctrinal Foundations Symbols of Transformation Shoes Outside the Door: Desire, Devotion, and Excess at San Francisco Zen Center Zen and the Ways Buddhist Theology Critical Reflections By Contemporary Buddhist Scholars
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It's tremendously easy for a newcomer to get lost in the quagmire of beliefs, ambiguous language, customs, teachings, superstitions and myths that have produced a Matta-like painting of this unusual and expansive religion. Yet we must not allow ourselves to miss the forest for the trees. The Chan sect, as Master Hsu Yun repeatedly taught, is about discovering that inner light which is Buddha Nature. The effort required is not in the seeking, but in the letting go. 
Follow your life where love takes you - as a dancer, a writer, a teacher, an artist, a carpenter, a parent … every activity is an opportunity to live Chan. In the words of Empty Cloud, "Our everyday activities are executed within the Path itself. Is there anywhere that is not a place for practicing the Path? A Chan Hall should not even be necessary."