Attend the Buddha recitation session first and then investigate Chan

　　先打佛七再參禅

　　There are five main types of practices: Chan, Teachings, Vinaya, Esoteric, and Pure Land. The Chan Practice focuses on investigating the Chan topic, and the Vinaya Practice emphasizes observance of the precepts. The Teaching Practice is based on studying sutras and speaking the Dharma. The Esoteric Practice specializes in the recitation of mantras. And then there is the Pure Land Practice. Our Buddha recitation session is considered as Pure Land Practice, and later we shall investigate Chan. Why do first hold the Buddha recitation session and then investigate Chan

　　 It is because we should find the answer to the topic, “Who is mindful of the Buddha

　　” Actually, there are many meditation topics. However, in recent years, most people just investigate this topic, “Who is mindful of the Buddha.” “Chan” in Sanskrit is called “Dhyana”. The Chinese just use the word “Chan”, and after it was brought to Japan, the Japanese called it “Zen”. Due to the difference in pronunciation, most people today think that the Japanese “Zen” is very special.

　　佛教傳到中國有禅教律密淨五宗，禅就是參禅的禅宗，律就是持戒律的律宗，教就是講經說法的教宗，密就是專門修念咒的密宗，淨就是淨土宗。我們先打一個念佛七，這是淨土宗；打完了念佛七，大家又來參禅，這是禅宗。爲什麼先打佛七後打禅七呢？因爲先念佛，然後大家就找「念佛是誰」的話頭。本來話頭也有很多，不過近代多數都是用「念佛是誰」來參禅。禅，梵語叫禅那，中國人只說一個「禅」字；傳到日本，就念成日本音Zen，因爲讀音不正確和中國不同，現代人就以爲日本Zen是很特別的。