IN THE SPIRIT OF CH'AN

Perhaps some of you have heard the sayings "Ch'an is not established on words and language" and "Ch'an is a transmission outside conventional teachings." But if Ch'an does not rely on words, why would anyone want to read a Ch'an book? Isn't that a contradiction? Although Ch'an is not established on words, it has, among the many sects of Buddhism in China, left behind the most writing. The primary goal of these writings, however, is to show you or teach you that "Ch'an is not established on words and language" and that "Ch'an is a transmission outside the conventional teachings." So there is a reason for you to read such a book.