Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

When this is attained, renunciation is complete because
Enlightenment is complete.
Many stories on the different stages of the subject are
given in my "Lighthouse in the Ocean of Chan." Of
course, false Chan masters have deluded many people
with their very harmful talk about there being no need to
renounce in Chan. They talk quite blithely about
practice in daily life and from what they say, it does
seem as though nothing need be given up. This is
foolishness. Practice of Chan in everyday life is not for
ordinary men; it is the highest rank of attainment. Why
is this? Because such a meditator has subdued every
hindrance arising in his practice during both work and
pleasure. Even on occasions when lust would normally
arise, he is able to practice Chan. This is the Chan of no
desire really experienced only by the Noble Ones, but
conceited fools imagine that they too have this ability.
While both of them are outwardly in the world, the
difference lies inwardly, where the Chan sage is beyond
the world. This latter achievement is not possessed by
common men, who sometimes think that without
renunciation, everything may nevertheless be gained.
(See App. II, D.)
On this connection, there is a common mistake made in
books on the life of the Buddha. They relate how when
he was a bodhisattva, he practiced severe asceticism for
six years. Usually the books criticize this, as though it
were time wasted, a useless part of his life and having
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