It is only natural that there be differences between Japanese Zen monasteries and Chinese Ch'an monasteries. The same is true for Ch'an centers and Zen centers in the United States. If people see the Ch'an Center as being different from a typical American Zen center, it should come as no surprise. It's normal. The Western Ch'an Center is different from a traditional Ch'an hall in a Chinese monastery. A typical zendo in this country is different from a traditional zendo in a Japanese monastery.

Actually, traditional zendos in Japan are quite similar to traditional Ch'an halls in China. A typical Ch'an Hall is usually only one of several buildings in a Chinese monastery. Here at the Ch'an Center, we only have two buildings, and one is more or less a dormitory for nuns. Therefore, we have to fit everything else into one building. The Ch'an Center is compact and it is used for a variety of purposes. In a traditional Ch'an monastery, there may be several buildings and thousands of people. A large group may live in the building holding the main hall. Only a hundred or so may stay at the Ch'an Hall. The Ch'an practitioners may never go to the main hall to attend its activities; and the Ch'an Hall is usually austere in its appearance. It may not have a single Buddha statue.

I am a product of twentieth century China, so when I came to the United States I brought some flavor of modern China with me. In the same way, American Zen centers founded by Japanese teachers carry the spirit of modern Japan.

Also, I have not adhered completely to the style of Chinese Ch'an. Certain elements of this Ch'an Center have been borrowed from Japanese teachings. For example, the cushions we sit on are a product of the Japanese tradition.

Traditionally, practitioners of the Lin-chi, Ts'ao-tung and Rinzai sects sit facing each other. Here we sit facing the wall, after the Japanese Soto tradition.