CH'AH AND THE ABSURD

QUESTION:

The records of Ch'an are full of examples of bizarre dialogues and incidents between masters and disciples. Frequently these seem to have a quality of absurd wit or humor. What is the origin of this quality which appears to be unique to Ch'an, not only among religions, but even within Buddhism itself?

SHIH-FU:

In training disciples, Ch'an masters employ methods that are appropriate for everyday practice, as well as methods that are used only in special situations. They do not regularly employ the kung-ans that Westerners read about when they are first exposed to Ch'an. These kung-ans, which sometimes appear comical, are meant mostly for special occasions. If it were in fact true that Ch'an masters trained disciples only in ways described in these records, a stranger visiting a Ch'an monastery might gain the impression that they were in a mental asylum. In reality, life in a Ch'an monastery is a solemn affair. You would probably never see a Ch'an master burning a Buddha statue to get a point across. However, as it turns out, these unusual incidents are precisely the ones that have been recorded.