Joe, Every way is Chan. All way is Chan. Chan is ALL and ONE.
If you believe that YOUR way is the only way, then you have "attached to
dharma". :-)
JM
On 6/15/2013 10:44 AM, Joe wrote:
Donald,
I suggest you go around and seek a second opinion about what Ch'an is
(that should be easy on your island).
The confirmatory signs you mention are just that, confirmatory signs,
and simply -- although distinctly -- mark a TRANSITION; and they pass.
They are harmful if they are preserved as attachments.
One should be left with the spontaneous and simultaneous arising of
Wisdom and Compassion. Other features are "sidelights", including the
lights. The major light is the Moonlight of Wisdom.
I think your teaching contains the trappings of Outer Paths. Caution!
I say this as a friend and fellow practitioner: my way is Chan.
See the Dharma Drum people. Do they agree that your school is genuine
Chan? Or is it over-weighted with folk-religion, and Outer Path
practices? I would trust the Dharma Drum people. It cannot hurt to
consult them, and your shifu should not consider it an infidelity if
you do consult them. Mainly we are safest if we are committed to the
true Dharma, not to a lineage's view, ...unless it is a view of the
true Dharma. Yours (your lineage's) does not seem quite true. I would
urge caution, and encourage a consultation.
--Joe
> <chan.jmjm@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Joe,
>
> Ultimately, the practice of Chan is to be one with ALL. Some call it
> compassion, some call it enlightenment, some call it Buddha nature. In
> order to be ONE, we must unify our body, mind and spirit first.
>
> All in all, we begin by purifying our body, then our mind, then our
> spirit. All efforts are focused on the inside. By light, I mean the
> light emitting from inside of us and not outside. :-)
>
> When each sentient being (cell) inside of us is purified, each emits
> light. We will see thousands of lights. That's what Buddha experienced
> under the Bodhi tree and enlightened.
>
> Thank you for your input.
