The differences between Ch'an and Zen

[Lobster]

Talking of Beat Zen . . . which must be a new form of koan
were we argue about whether kneeling is superior to sitting like a lotus or a chair.
I wonder how many people remember their past lives or will in any future incarnation?
Another way of pondering irrelevancies?

What is the essence of zen?
. . . seem to remember it was a transmission . . . based on a sermon
involving a flower . . . 

[ground]

When mind arises, rely on Dharma to gaze at the place it arises from. If mind discriminates, rely on Dharma to gaze at the place of discrimination. Whether greed, anger, or stupidity, rely on Dharma to gaze at the place they arise from. Not seeking the place they arise from is cultivating the path. If there is arising of mind, then investigate and, rely on dharma, tidy up!



excerpt from The Bodhidharma Anthology, J. L. Broughton

[Lobster]

The Dharma eye or Buddha gaze is a great way of putting it.
Each of us have an idealisation of Truth to draw on.
If not then we can cultivate friends, sangha or examples from books
to develop such a capacity.

We can wonder how many Bodhisattvas can dance on the
I or a needle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_many_angels_can_dance_on_the_head_of_a_pin%3F
or we can remove the arrow and other dangerous pricks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_arrow

Dance on?