Charles Luk - Ch'an Master.
Mar 9, 2012 11:17:51 GMT 1
Post by Shi Da Dao on Mar 9, 2012 11:17:51 GMT 1
Many people may know of Charles Luk through his numerous books of fine English translations of important key Chinese (and Daoist) texts, an undertaking inspired directly by master Xu Yun who was concerned for the well-being of Western Ch’an Dharma students. What is often not as well known is that Charles Luk also trained in the Phowa technique of consciousness transmission, found within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, receiving instruction from a great lama. Luk occasionally alludes to this practice in his books, but explains that his teacher swore him to secrecy over the techniques themselves. However, as early as the mid 1930’s Luk visited The Buddhist Society in London, exploring the possibility of that organisation assisting in the spread of authentic Ch’an Buddhism to the West. Unfortunately, at that time, the Buddhist Society was more interested in the Zen Buddhism of Japan, to openly endorse the Chinese counter-part. This is ironic when considered in the light of the fact that without Chinese Ch’an, there would be no Japanese Zen. As it transpired, the work of DT Suzuki was preferred to that of master Xu Yun.
However, another important aspect of the life of Charles Luk is his teaching ability. When China fell to the anti-religious regime of Mao Zedong, Charles Luk became a virtual exile in Hong Kong – then a British Colony – more or less immune from the political changes sweeping the Mainland. Master Xu Yun had visited the area and taught in numerous temples and monasteries – Dharma students urged him to stay in the colony and not go back to the Mainland out of fear for his safety, but Xu Yun would not hear of abandoning the Mainland people, or his work of temple re-building. Whilst Xu Yun carried on his mission on the Mainland, Luk settled down to translating Chinese Buddhist texts, eventually producing an English translation of Xu Yun’s autobiography. During this time, and up to his death is 1978, Luk also held together a world-wide correspondence between himself and committed Ch’an students. Some of the letters he received are re-produced in his book entitled ‘Practical Buddhism’, and give a feel for the extent and depth that the Ch’an letter writing tradition entails. A Ch’an master can enlighten another through the correct use of words, either in person, or through the written medium. In his translation work, there exist copious notes to assist the reader. These notes reveal a depth of understanding and enlightenment that is often startling to encounter. More so as it presents itself in a ‘matter of fact’ manner.
The book Practical Buddhism also contains Luk’s essential teaching upon the hua tou technique, and the important issue of ‘doubt’ (yi) in spiritual development. A ‘doubting mind’ (yi-qing) is essential to drive the hua tou process. This is an important point, as today many reduce the hua tou to a mere ‘intellectual’ exercise that happens ‘externally’ to the intellect that it is supposed to transcend. This type of hua tou practice is of no spiritual use. The kind of ignorance that creates this interpretation mistakenly perceives itself as ‘enlightened wisdom’ and presumes an intellectual dominance that only serves to mislead people away from the true path (Dao). Doubt is required because the ego will continuously create the illusion of ‘wisdom’ on the path, attempting to divert the practitioner away from the essential work of ego uprooting. Luk clearly explains how attachment to Dharma can be worse than attachment to ego. Dharma attachment is really subtle-ego not yet completely vanquished. This is clearly seen with reference to the Tang Dynasty Ch’an masters who speak of this problem often. Every view of enlightenment must be ruthlessly ‘cut-down’ until the true Mind Ground is clearly perceived and integrated with. Without a ‘doubt’ that ‘cuts’ through delusion, the practitioner assumes a false intellection, and mistakes this for the true path. Charles Luk was a powerful Ch’an master in his own right.
Charles Luk: Hua Tou & Doubting Mind.
chanbuddhismuk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=luk&action=display&thread=325
However, another important aspect of the life of Charles Luk is his teaching ability. When China fell to the anti-religious regime of Mao Zedong, Charles Luk became a virtual exile in Hong Kong – then a British Colony – more or less immune from the political changes sweeping the Mainland. Master Xu Yun had visited the area and taught in numerous temples and monasteries – Dharma students urged him to stay in the colony and not go back to the Mainland out of fear for his safety, but Xu Yun would not hear of abandoning the Mainland people, or his work of temple re-building. Whilst Xu Yun carried on his mission on the Mainland, Luk settled down to translating Chinese Buddhist texts, eventually producing an English translation of Xu Yun’s autobiography. During this time, and up to his death is 1978, Luk also held together a world-wide correspondence between himself and committed Ch’an students. Some of the letters he received are re-produced in his book entitled ‘Practical Buddhism’, and give a feel for the extent and depth that the Ch’an letter writing tradition entails. A Ch’an master can enlighten another through the correct use of words, either in person, or through the written medium. In his translation work, there exist copious notes to assist the reader. These notes reveal a depth of understanding and enlightenment that is often startling to encounter. More so as it presents itself in a ‘matter of fact’ manner.
The book Practical Buddhism also contains Luk’s essential teaching upon the hua tou technique, and the important issue of ‘doubt’ (yi) in spiritual development. A ‘doubting mind’ (yi-qing) is essential to drive the hua tou process. This is an important point, as today many reduce the hua tou to a mere ‘intellectual’ exercise that happens ‘externally’ to the intellect that it is supposed to transcend. This type of hua tou practice is of no spiritual use. The kind of ignorance that creates this interpretation mistakenly perceives itself as ‘enlightened wisdom’ and presumes an intellectual dominance that only serves to mislead people away from the true path (Dao). Doubt is required because the ego will continuously create the illusion of ‘wisdom’ on the path, attempting to divert the practitioner away from the essential work of ego uprooting. Luk clearly explains how attachment to Dharma can be worse than attachment to ego. Dharma attachment is really subtle-ego not yet completely vanquished. This is clearly seen with reference to the Tang Dynasty Ch’an masters who speak of this problem often. Every view of enlightenment must be ruthlessly ‘cut-down’ until the true Mind Ground is clearly perceived and integrated with. Without a ‘doubt’ that ‘cuts’ through delusion, the practitioner assumes a false intellection, and mistakes this for the true path. Charles Luk was a powerful Ch’an master in his own right.
Charles Luk: Hua Tou & Doubting Mind.
chanbuddhismuk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=luk&action=display&thread=325