Attend the Buddha recitation session first and then investigate Chan

先打佛七再参禅

There are five main types of practices: Chan, Teachings, Vinaya, Esoteric, and Pure Land. The Chan Practice focuses on investigating the Chan topic, and the Vinaya Practice emphasizes observance of the precepts. The Teaching Practice is based on studying sutras and speaking the Dharma. The Esoteric Practice specializes in the recitation of mantras. And then there is the Pure Land Practice. Our Buddha recitation session is considered as Pure Land Practice, and later we shall investigate Chan. Why do first hold the Buddha recitation session and then investigate Chan? It is because we should find the answer to the topic, “Who is mindful of the Buddha?” Actually, there are many meditation topics. However, in recent years, most people just investigate this topic, “Who is mindful of the Buddha.” ‘Chan’ in Sanskrit is called ‘Dhyana’. The Chinese just use the word ‘Chan’, and after it was brought to Japan, the Japanese called it ‘Zen’. Due to the difference in pronunciation, most people today think that the Japanese ‘Zen’ is very special.

佛教传到中国有禅教律密净五宗，禅就是参禅的禅宗，律就是持戒律的律宗，教就是讲经说法的教宗，密就是专门修念咒的密宗，净就是净土宗。我们先打一个念佛七，这是净土宗；打完了念佛七，大家又来参禅，这是禅宗。为什么先打佛七后打禅七呢？因为先念佛，然后大家就找「念佛是谁」的话头。本来话头也有很多，不过近代多数都是用「念佛是谁」来参禅。禅，梵语叫禅那，中国人只说一个「禅」字；传到日本，就念成日本音Zen，因为读音不正确和中国不同，现代人就以为日本Zen是很特别的。