INTRODUCTION

This book has been eight years in the making. Shortly after I came to the United States from Taiwan and began guiding Westerners in the practice of Ch'an (Zen), students of mine decided to publish a newsletter and magazine. That was in 1979. Since then, the Ch'an Center has evolved, we have published numerous books, and our other publications have grown.

In 1984, the editor at that time suggested that we introduce a section to the magazine entitled, "Dharma View." Simply, it would be a question asked by a student of me, the master, relating to practice or philosophy. It was to be an "all those things you wanted to know about Ch'an but never had the opportunity to ask" format. The first question, I remember, was, "What is the Buddhist idea of self?" Perhaps I could have answered in one sentence, and if I had, the idea for Dharma View would have died right there; but I decided to answer in more detail. Since then, many questions have been asked on an array of topics.

During the time of the Buddha, some people could not or would not accept all of his teachings. It's not that the Buddha was suspect; rather, it is normal for people to be skeptical, suspicious, and doubtful. Also, some things are hard, or even impossible, to understand without direct experience.