Zen in Naan and Tea

Naan and Tea

Yun Men and Zhao Zhou were both famous masters who taught Chan in ancient China. Chan practitioners of later times have often compiled their teachings together due to the similarity in their ideas and styles.

When asked what Chan is, Yun Men always answered, “Chan is eating Naan. Have some Naan.” Then he presented the pupil with a plate of hot Naan.

Zhao Zhou always answered, “Chan is drinking tea. Have some tea.” Then he treated the pupil with hot tea.

Brook: Chan is about being present – to see, hear, feel, and sense. A short text from Great Learning, a pillar work from the Confucian school of thought, illustrates perfectly the anti-state of Chan.

"Being absent-minded is as if carrying one’s mind outside the body. She cannot see when she is looking. She cannot hear when she is listening. She cannot taste when she is eating. To cultivate a spiritual practice, one has to start with awareness."

The first step towards practicing Chan is Awareness.The next step is Acceptance (See "The Door Way to Chan"

#Mindfulness #storiesforthought