Chan (禪) refers to the study of meditation that were successively introduced to China from India during the Wei Jin Southern and Northern Dynasties (220 — 589 CE). Chan is the essence of the nature and emptiness of the Mahayana Prajna view. After a long period of development and evolution, especially after Patriarch Bodhidharma came to the east, until Master Huineng, the sixth patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism, based on the scriptures and teachings, Master Huineng guided the students to realize the essence of the Buddha’s teachings through methods like “from texts and teachings to awakening to all” and “reflecting the mind with the heart.” Master Huineng spread the teachings of Chan and gradually formed a distinctive Chinese Mahayana meditation method. Eventually, he founded a unique system of Buddhist practice—directly pointing the mind to see nature—Chinese Chan Buddhism.

“Chan” in Sanskrit is Dhyāna and the Sanskrit transliteration is “chan na,” which means meditation. It is to observe the mind through meditation, let the mind be purified step by step, get rid of troubles and cluttered physical and mental feelings, experience the rich, perfect, multi-level meaning of life, and even finally be free from samsara, and enter the state of ultimate liberation without hindrance.

Yongjia Chan (永嘉禪) is the Mahayana Chan practice named after Master Yongjia (665 – 712 CE) of the Tang Dynasty. The practices are based on the view of Samatha and Vipassana in the Tiantai Buddhist sect and Master Yongjia’s Collection of Yongjia Chan and The Song of Enlightenment by Yongjia. It is not only the Chan practice of Tatagatha meditation but also integrates the complete teachings of Tiantai. It is broad and profound, yet simple and basic, explicit and safe, subtle and wondrous. It is the accomplishment of Buddhism, and it is also very suitable for the foundation of modern practitioners.