AN INTRODUCTION TO CHAN DHARMA

Chan is not a Psychology, for it is not interested in restoring the normal behavior of any single person, nor in generating patches to restore tranquility within Samsara. It is not a Religion, for it has no interest in after-life, God concepts or Esoteric Cosmological Clouds not rooted in viable Samsara.

Chan is not a Philosophy, for it is not interested in generating a cognitive understanding of what may be considered the Truth, but in reaching beyond cognition to the root experiences.

Yet for an understanding of what it really is and how Chan operates for an apparent liberation that is personal it uses the terms and structure of Philosophy and Psychology together with a cognitive-bound Scientific Understanding in order to reach as close as possible to that which cannot be explained by words.

If you are fortunate and reach the point of Liberation then you will find that your battle is a singular one. Few will understand and you will be fighting alone, which makes you a warrior in a conflict which is for the liberation of all human creatures.

It is a battle, of course, which Buddha also knew could not be won, for there are no individuals to be liberated.

With great fortune there may be a few other warriors sharing your battle, or it may be your temperament to be a Guardian, who nonetheless is also alone.

Yet that solitude in the battle for Warrior or Guardian does not bring sorrow or loneliness, but rather a strength, for really you are One with all of Nature, with every living thing that does not dance with Mara, within you alive, with awe, ecstasy, bliss and well-being.

                                                                      Shan jian