Kamil Nowak
Studia Religiologica, Tom 49, Numer 3, 2016, s. 251 - 262
https://doi.org/10.4467/20844077SR.16.017.5875Methodological Implications of the Influence of Zhiyi’s Meditation Manuals on the Development of Chan Buddhism
The paper elaborates on the meaning of the meditation techniques described by Zhiyi in the field of Chan Buddhist studies. In order to show the importance of considering these techniques in the study of Chan Buddhism, in the first part of the paper the author discusses the historical connections between the Tiantai and Chan schools, presenting the influence of Tiantai on the development of Chan Buddhism. In the second part the author presents a contextual analysis of the main meditation practice of the Caodong school, that is silent illumination technique, based on the technique described by Zhiyi and called six wondrous dharma gates. The aim of the analysis is the show the usefulness of considering Zhiyi’s works in Chan studies methodology. This usefulness results from the ability to clarify the obscure, metaphor-laden, poetical sentences typical of Chan, based on Zhiyi’s precise language.
Kamil Nowak
Studia Religiologica, Tom 50, Numer 1, 2017, s. 13 - 23
https://doi.org/10.4467/20844077SR.17.002.6522The Sutras as a Source of Verification of a Direct Insight within the Tradition of Chan Buddhism
The article discusses the connection between Chan Buddhism and the study of the Sutras and Śastras. The first part shows the prevalent view according to which Chan negates the value of texts, focusing only on the direct experience. The author then shows the historical dependence of this view and its lack of compatibility with many Chan Buddhist schools. In the later part, the author discusses the Wenzi Chan current and, based on its postulates, carries out an analysis of the texts belonging to the early Chan tradition. This aims to prove that, contrary to the view presented at the beginning of the article, one can demonstrate the existence of a highly influential movement in which the Sutras are valued equally to the direct insight.