Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

Bhante here interjected, "'Mouth Chan' would say
that to distinguish 'religious' from 'not religious' is
to 'stink' of Zen." Mr. Chen, again laughing, agreed,
"Yes, such persons may deceive themselves with
such Gong An as 'Even to speak the word "Buddha"
is to utter a bad word.' But they must examine
themselves very carefully."
If one really has faith in Chan, one should believe the
gurus who have said: "To say that one has realization
without having it will result in long and painful
existence in the tongue-cutting hell." Again, those
interested in practicing Chan will read the biographies
of the great Chan Masters and take good note of their
ardent practice of the Hinayana, how thorough was their
renunciation, how patient they were to destroy the gross
poisons, how upright was their observance of the silas,
how modestly they hid their supernormal powers, how
humble were even the greatest of them, how long they
meditated, unshaken by desires for "quick results." If
you have such a character, then you are their equal; if
not, you are a worldling, a "Mouth Chanist." If, on the
other hand, you have already attained Enlightenment
and have supernormal powers, we worship you; indeed,
we hope that you are what you claim to be. Sincerely,
we have no envy for you but only ask you to be faithful
to your claims!
During these last few sentences, Mr. Chen was
smiling ever so slightly, quite sincere but a little
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