Chan Hall
Practice methods conducted in the
Chan Hall are based upon the teachings of the Chan School, and primarily take the form of meditation. Meditative contemplation, sitting meditation, walking meditation, standing meditation and moving meditation are practiced in the Chan Hall. In addition, practitioners reverently recite
The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (六祖壇經), accompanied by the striking of the wooden fish, which is the sole Dharma instrument used in the ceremony.
The Platform Sutra places great emphasis on taking daily life as practice. It advocates that
“illuminating one’s mind and seeing one’s nature” (明心見性) does not have to be attained in seated meditation. As long as you can put down and not attach to phenomena in the present moment, your mind is the same as the Buddha’s.