Ch'an emphasizes personal experience from meditation, but it is also important to have a correct understanding of Ch'an practice and principles. Without understanding the Dharma, a person would get only limited benefit from the practice. For this reason alone, Ch'an is not averse to intelligence.

For the most part, Ch'an thought and Ch'an practice are rationally based, and Ch'an does not disregard intelligence. However, the question is why Ch'an masters often seem to put down intelligence and learning.

Ch'an masters acknowledge intelligence and learning, but emphasize that they must be transcended. Intellectual knowledge is not ultimate truth. The enlightened state that Ch'an speaks of is beyond thinking, words and symbols. It cannot be described and it cannot be understood through deductive reasoning. Ultimately, thought and language are man-made, based on symbols. Symbols cannot explain or grasp enlightenment, and one cannot reach enlightenment solely through the use of symbols. It's hard enough using symbols to explain the world around us, let alone as a means to attain enlightenment. Besides, each person views the world differently, with his or her own set of experiences and understanding. Ch'an masters must caution their students that enlightenment cannot be reached, described, or imagined in any purely intellectual way, whether it be by language, thought or symbol. Ordinary words are insufficient. Quoting Sakyamuni is not sufficient. Relying on the words and sayings of the patriarchs is not sufficient. These descriptions are not the reality of enlightenment itself.

Ch'an masters teach their students to leave behind all concepts, so they may experience enlightenment for themselves, directly. Most people can intellectually accept this explanation, further demonstrating that Ch'an is a rational approach.