Life in a Ch'an monastery is ordinary. The daily life of the master is the same as that of the other monks and nuns. All live according to a strict and full schedule that allows few opportunities for the master to engage in dialogue with other Sangha members, especially newcomers. There are times for group gatherings, but even these are for specific purposes. The senior disciples would usually sit in front, closer to the master. If the master asked questions, only those who had some attainment in practice would dare to answer. Sometimes a dialogue might develop that would seem humorous to an outsider.

Sometimes newcomers would arrive at a monastery and sit at the back of these gatherings. If they were experienced and confident, they might later come forward to answer questions, or raise some of their own. At those times, even beginners might come forward, seeking direct guidance from the master.

The dialogues in these circumstances were not always conclusive. They were not always resolved with a clear "true" or "false" response. If a monk made apt responses and needed further guidance, the master might grant him an interview. An exception would be the case where the master felt the monk's responses were the product of mere book-learning.

A private interview with a master has far more significance than discussions in the main hall. At the interview, the master might pitch questions at a high or low level. If the monk's mind is bright and clear, no matter what the master says, the response will be spontaneous. This indicates that the monk's mind is in correspondence with the master's.