About Chan

Chan is short for Chan-na, which was originally transliterated from Indian Dhyana and translated as meditative state, and it is also known as Zen, the equivalent term in Japanese. Dharma Master Bodhidharma initiated Chinese Chan Buddhism which “points directly to one’s mind and does not stand upon words” but stresses a “special transmission outside scriptures”. Through the efforts of second Patriarch Huike, third Patriarch Sengcan, fourth Patriarch Daoxin, fifth Patriarch Hongren and sixth Patriarch Huineng, Chan tradition finally turns to be the largest Buddhist school in China. As a result, Bodhidharma was honored as the first Patriarch of Chan Buddhism and Shaolin Temple renowned as the origin of Chan Buddhism.

● Lineage

The following is a lineage chart of Chinese Chan tradition from the Twenty-eight Indian Patriarchs to the Six Chinese Patriarchs. It follows the Dharma transmission from generation to generation in an unbroken line since the time of the Buddha and provides validation of the lineage teachings.

1. Mahakasyapa

2. Ananda

3. Sanavasa

4. Upagupta

5. Dhritaka

6. Michaka

7. Vasumitra

8. Buddhanandi

9. Buddhamitra

10. Parsva

11. Punyayasas

12. Asvaghosa

13. Kapimala

14. Nagarjuna

15. Kanadeva

16. Rahulata

17. Sanghanandi

18. Sanghayasas

19. Kumarata

20. Jayata

21. Vasubandhu

22. Manura

23. Haklenayasas

24. Sinha

25. Vasiastia

26. Punyamitra

27. Prajnatara

28. Bodhidharma (the 28^th Indian Patriarch, the First Chinese Chan Patriarch)

Chinese Chan Buddhism

First Patriarch: Bodhidharma

Second Patriarch: Huike

Third Patriarch: Sengcan

Fourth Patriarch: Daoxin

Fifth Patriarch: Hongren

Sixth Patriarch: Huineng

Since originally introduced by Bodhidharma and promoted by five successive patriarchs, Chinese Chan Buddhism has continuously and productively developed up till now.

Bodhidharma

Huike

Sengcan

Daoxin

Hongren

Huineng

● Doctrine

Chan Buddhism has been passed down from the patriarchal Chan tradition which maintains a special transmission not relying on scriptures and dogma, and focuses on realizing human nature upon sudden attainment of enlightenment. It is based on the belief that the nature of all phenomena is impermanence. The fundamental texts of Chan teaching include the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Perfect Enlightenment Sutra, the Shurangama Sutra, the Lankavatara Sutra, the Vimalakirti Sutra and the Sixth Patriarch Platform Sutra.

There’re different kinds of Chan cultivation, such as Sravaka-yana (literally vehicle of the hearer, achieving enlightenment as a result of listening to the teachings of Buddha), Bodhisattva-yana (literally vehicle of Bodhisattava, attaining enlightenment and helping all beings attain enlightenment), gradual attainment of enlightenment and sudden attainment of enlightenment. On the study of Chan cultivations, the Chan School is the most prominent and has been passed down from the patriarchal Chan tradition which maintains a special transmission not relying on scriptures and dogma, and focuses on realizing human nature upon sudden attainment of enlightenment. In the course of Chan spread, it was further divided into five families and seven schools, and usually combined with the way of Pure Land practices.

● Monastic Duties

The monastery has established an organizational system headed by the abbot and divided into several different positions to manage the monastery. There are Four Elders under the abbot, namely Chief Elder, West Hall Elder, Rear Hall Elder, and Hall Elder. Usually these positions are taken by senior monks to assist the abbot with temple affairs. Together with the abbot, they are the leading body of the monastic.

Abbot(Fang zhang)

Abbot, the head of the monastery, is in charge of all affairs inside and outside the monastery, and is also considered as the spiritual leader of his monks.

Chief Elder(Shou zuo)

Chief elder ranks next below the abbot and assists the abbot in the governance of the temple. Chief elder, usually assumed by the highly revered monk in temple, shall regulate the Buddhist rules and punish the violators.

West Hall Elder(Xi tang)

West hall elder is subordinate to the chief elder and is traditionally assigned by very respectable monks of the monastery. The duty of west hall elder is to lead the temple monks as the teacher of doctrine, and promote Buddhist creeds and disciplines.

Rear Hall Elder(Hou tang)

Rear hall elder is appointed in the temple to assist the west hall elder and teach Buddhist doctrines. The real hall seldom sees to temple routines, except temporary assignments entrusted by abbot.

Hall Elder(Tang zhu)

Hall elder is the head of Chan Hall. The hall elder plays an important role in the temple and carries out the duties of preaching and instructing all temple monks.

● The Eight Monastic Offices

Under the leadership of the abbot and four elders, there are eight monastic offices of different functions. They are the monastic supervisor(Jian yuan), receptionist(Zhi ke), invigilator (Wei nuo), chief steward(Dian zuo), charge of wandering monks’ shelter (Liao yuan), clerical staff (Yi bo), secretariat (Shu ji) and picket (Seng zhi). These monastic offices and their roles widely vary according to different cultural background of monasteries.

Receptionist (Zhi ke)

Receptionist is responsible for handling internal and external affairs, and receiving visitors. There are also two associate receptionists working under the direction of him.

Picket (Seng zhi)

Picket works in shifts and acts for the abbot, responsible for maintaining the monastic order and discipline. Everyday picket should take the lead in reciting sutras and supervising the sangha daily performance in place of the abbot.

Invigilator (Wei Nuo)

Invigilator is the charge of Chan Hall and referred to as Wei nuo in Chinese; Wei means governance of the monastic in Chinese and nuo represents the Sanskrit Karmadana, literally meaning to give actions. The word formed and conveyed is of one who gives multifarious actions to others. Specifically the invigilator shall lead the chanting of religious rituals, oversee the sangha performances and hold the responsibility to punish monks who violate rules regardless of rank.

Chief Steward (Dian zuo)

Chief steward is in charge of the food supply to the temple and dining arrangements.

Charge of Wandering Monks' Shelter or Yunshui Hall (Liao yuan)
Charge of wandering monks' shelter or Yunshui Hall is responsible for receiving Yunshui monks (referring to wandering monk as a bird of passage) and preparing temporary lodging under the arrangement of reception hall.

Clerical Staff (Yi bo)
Clerical staff serves as the secretary to the abbot. Duties include dealing with correspondence, drafting and making arrangements etc. He could also receive visitors on behalf of the abbot.

Secretariat(Shu ji)
Secretariat is responsible for sending and receiving mails for the temple, drafting documents and copying Buddhist sutras etc.

Monastic Supervisor (Jian yuan)

In management of temple routines, the monastic supervisor holds the highest rank after the abbot. In addition, he is not only the head of storehouse directing the department of storehouse, but also is supervising other departments' work. Except some senior masters, other monastics shall consult him for instructions, while the monastic supervisor himself shall go to the abbot. Some monasteries may have one vice monastic supervisor.

● Crossing the Yangtze River on a Reed

Bodhidharma was from the Brahman caste of South India and a disciple of Prajnatara, 27th Patriarch of primitive Indian Buddhism. He gained knowledge of Buddhism and then spent three years arriving at the Guangzhou during the Southern Dynasty period(520～527A.D.). The story tells that Bodhidharma was warmly welcomed by then emperor of Liang Dynasty, who was a devout believer of Hinayana and requested an audience with him. Since Bodhidharma and the emperor didn’t see eye to eye, he left the palace and headed the north across the Yangtze River. At the bank of the river, he came across an old lady and requested a reed from her. Then he threw it into the river, sprang lightly onto it and reached the opposite shore. The old lady was said to be the incarnation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to help Bodhidharma cross the Yangtze River.

● One Flower with Five Petals

After Bodhidharma and five patriarchs, Chan Buddhism flourished and developed into five schools, namely, Weiyang, Linji, Caodong, Fayan and Yunmen. Therefore, one flower with five petals is often referred to as the Chan’s origin and blossoming in China.