Zen, in Chinese, is Ch’an In Zen Wisdom, renowned Ch’an Master Sheng Yen, speak to his students’ questions about Practice, Philosophy and Doctrine, and Social Issues He guides them through the difficult waters of contradiction “Ch’an masters acknowledge intelligence and learning,” he says But “the enlightened state that Ch’an speaks of is and it cannot be understood through deductive reasoning…Ch’an masters teach their students to leave behind all concepts, so they might experience enlightenment for themselves”
“Ironically, enlightened beings use reasoning, intelligence and language to help others practice To communicate the benefits of Ch’an, they use tools based on knowledge and experience”
“Intelligence before enlightenment is intelligence with attachment Wisdom is intelligence without attachment”
“NO WORDS CAN EXPLAIN ENLIGHTEMNENT,” says the seventh-century Chinese Zen classic Xin Ming, or “Song of Mind,” yet paradoxically, this poem is a masterpiece of expressing what cannot be expressed in words In his commentary on it, Chan Master Sheng Yen takes a practical approach, opening up the language of the Xin Ming to show students how to approach meditation, how to deal with problems that arise in their spiritual practice, and how to accomplish the imperative task of integrating this practice into every aspect of one’s life “True understanding comes only with direct experience,” according to Master Sheng Yen “These lectures, the Buddhist sutras, songs, poems, and commentaries are useful only insofar as they encourage you to practice and incorporate the Dharma into your daily life” The book takes the form of a week-ling retreat of an evening talk given on a particular section of the text-giving this book a uniquely intimate feeling and creating an impression of being right there with the master as he brings the text to life.