The Practice Method of Moving Chan

So-called moving Chan refers to maintaining single-pointed mindfulness amid the bodily, verbal, and mental activities of the five aggregates as they come and go, so as to have sufficient meditative concentration for investigating Chan and contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā). This is a practice method of the equal cultivation of Samādhi and Prajñā, of jointly operating cessation and contemplation, and is a preliminary expedient means for investigating Chan and attaining realization.

There are many methods for practicing moving Chan, all of which are nothing other than gathering the mind, achieving the aim of single-pointed mindfulness and wholehearted focus. For example, the Great Mindfulness Sūtra taught by the Buddha is the standard model of moving Chan; especially the contemplative practice of mindfulness of the body is the foundational practice method of moving Chan. One must master this method, striving at all times to keep the mind single-pointed and gathered, without distraction. Only with this power of meditative concentration can one contemplate and practice the Buddha's teachings anytime and anywhere; when the conditions are complete, one can attain the fruits and enlightenment, and gain wisdom. Taking the Great Mindfulness Sūtra as the standard, we can devise many similar expedient methods to guide learners into the stage of genuine practical cultivation, in the hope that all may personally realize the Buddha's teachings and reap boundless benefit in the future.

Among these, the method of sitting quietly and bowing to the Buddha is relatively simple and suitable for beginners. If, during quiet sitting and bowing to the Buddha, the mind can achieve single-pointed focus, maintaining a clear and awake awareness in the mind, one will have a certain power of introspection (pratyavekṣā-bala) and alertness toward the activities of one's own five aggregates. Then, as one comes and goes, one can at all times keep this clear, awake awareness in the mind. When the power of meditative concentration is complete, this awareness can be exchanged for a huatou for investigating Chan, turning to watching the huatou and investigating the huatou—thus formal Chan investigation begins.