CHIN 2080
Intro to Zen Meditation
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Brooklyn College
Meeting Time and Place: Sunday, 12:30 - 03:30 pm, online
Prof./Dr. Chia-ju Chang (Pronouns: she, her, her)
Office hours: T, 2:30-3:30 pm and by arrangement.
Office: Boylan 4107
Email: cchang@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Note: The best (only) way to contact me is by email. You can expect a reply within 24 hours. Also, please exchange phone numbers or email addresses with at least one classmate.
Course Description
This Chan/Zen meditation course offers a holistic introduction to Chan Buddhist theory and practice, focusing on the teachings of Bodhidharma, Sengcan, Huineng, and other Chan ancestors such as Linji, Huangpo, etc. Open to all students regardless of prior experience, the class is divided into two parts: Theory, where we discuss readings and students engage in contemplative/slow reading and reflection, and Practice (mainly Gong'an study), which includes warm-up exercises followed by zazen (seated meditation). This structure provides a balanced approach, combining textual study with hands-on experience. In addition to Sunday classes, students are expected to participate in supplementary activities (Online Zazen Circle) to deepen their understanding and practice. Through this course, students will develop intellectual comprehension of Chan/Zen concepts and practical meditation skills, gaining a foundational understanding of Chan Buddhism developed in China.
(Passcode: 1234567)
Online Zazen Circles
T/TH, 7:30-9:00 pm
In addition to the Sunday classes, students are required to join Zen Circle at least once a week.
Class Notes (8/31/2024):
達摩大師東來中國以後，他所傳授的原始禪宗，我們暫且命名為“達摩禪”。現在概括“達摩禪”的要義，是以“二入”“四行”為主。所謂“二入”，就是“理入”與“行入”二門。所謂“四行”，就是“報冤行、隨緣行、無所求行、稱法行”四行。
“理入”並不離於大小乘佛經所有的教理，由於圓融通達所有“了義教”的教理，深信一切眾生本自具足同一真性，只因客塵煩惱的障礙，所有不能明顯地自證自了。如果能夠舍除妄想而歸真返璞，凝定在內外隔絕“心如牆壁”的“壁觀”境界上，由此堅定不變，更不依文解義，妄生枝節，但自與“了義”的教理冥相符契，住於寂然無為之境，由此而契悟宗旨，便是真正的“理入”法門。這也就是後來“天台”、“華嚴”等宗派所標榜的“聞、思、修、慧”“教、理、行、果”“信、解、行、證”等的濫觴。
換言之，達摩大師原始所傳的禪，是不離以禪定為入門方法的禪。但禪定（包括四禪八定）也只是求證教理，而進入佛法心要的一種必經的方法而已。如“壁觀”之類的禪定最多只能算是小乘“禪觀”的極果，而不能認為禪定便是禪宗的宗旨。同時如“壁觀”一樣在禪定的境界上，沒有向上一悟而證入宗旨的，更不是達摩禪的用心了。例如二祖神光在未見達摩以前，已經在香山宴坐八年。既然能夠八年宴然靜坐，難道就不能片刻“安心”嗎？何以他後來又有乞求“安心”法門的一段，而得到達摩大師的啟發呢？這便是在禪定中，還必須有向上一悟的明證。