Chán

Chan (禅, Chán) is the Chinese school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes direct, intuitive insight into one's own Buddha-nature, primarily through meditation and daily mindfulness, rather than just scriptural study.

Chan, which translates directly to "meditation" (from the Sanskrit dhyana), represents a shift from intense scholastic study to a direct, personalized, and practical experience of reality.

It is the precursor to Japanese Zen (a direct translation of "Chan"), focusing on sudden enlightenment and the belief that everyday life is an expression of the Way.

Chan Buddhism traces its roots to the teachings of Gautama Buddha and a semi-legendary Indian monk named Bodhidharma, who is said to have brought meditation teachings to China during the 5th or 6th century.

It developed within the broader Chinese Buddhist tradition and was influenced by Chinese philosophies like Daoism.

Key Characteristics of Chinese Chan

• Developed in China (starting around the 5th-6th century) through the merging of Indian Mahayana Buddhism with Taoist philosophy.

• Practice is centered on zuochan (seated meditation) and, in later traditions, the use of gong'ans (koans) and huatous to break through dualistic thinking.

• Focuses on the idea that all beings already possess Buddha-nature; therefore, practice is not for creating enlightenment but for "realizing" it.

• Chan emphasizes that awakening is not restricted to the meditation hall, but can be found in everyday actions—eating, working, and walking.

• The teaching encompasses faith, understanding, practice, and awakening.

• Direct experience over scripture – awakening comes from personal insight, not just study.

• Sudden enlightenment – realization can happen instantly.

• Mind-to-mind transmission – wisdom is passed directly from teacher to student.

Key Concepts

• Emptiness (śūnyatā) – all things lack independent existence.
• Buddha-nature – everyone has the potential for enlightenment.
• Gong’an (koans) – paradoxical stories or questions used to provoke insight.

Chan became one of the most important forms of Buddhism in China. It later spread to: Japan (as Zen), Korea (as Seon), Vietnam (as Thiền). Today, Chan/Zen is practiced worldwide.