THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE AND HISTORY ON CH'AN

QUESTION:

From a cultural, historical standpoint, would you explain why it seems that there were so many more masters and advanced practitioners in ancient China (T'ang and Sung dynasties) than there are in our present time? Was it different, perhaps easier, practicing centuries ago? In terms of culture, is Ch'an or Zen practice more suitable for Asians than for Americans?

SHIH-FU:

Of course, culture and history have had a strong influence on Ch'an. China was ripe for a change when Ch'an emerged during the T'ang dynasty. Confucianism and Taoism, China's native philosophic traditions, had reached saturation. It was difficult for gifted practitioners and scholars in these traditions to make further breakthroughs. In contrast to the familiar traditional doctrines of Confucianism and Taoism, Ch'an offered a fresh, direct perspective. Those who switched to Ch'an were already well prepared intellectually and in practice, so they adopted the teachings and methods of practice in a solid, determined manner and were therefore able to make progress.