seventh world of chan buddhism - Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun

Even though Titans are noticeably hard workers and reap considerable - if grudging -
praise for their efforts, they still find it necessary to glean a last measure of satisfaction by
denigrating the work of others. Though they grouse and nit-pick in differing verses, the
chorus is always the same: "If you want something done right you have to do it yourself."
As Titans understand religion, evil can be purged and goodness acquired by a variety
of colorful ordeals. In addition to their daily rituals of sacrificing themselves in the
performance of chores, they will, with all due fanfare, undertake prolonged fasts the difficulty
of which is greatly lessened, they will modestly note, by considering the slop manufactured
by the present kitchen crew; or they will take vows of silence, a tactic which allows them to
glower, scribble, hiss or otherwise graphically mime their criticisms.
During the leg-stretching, walking period that mercifully divides a long meditation
session, Titans will remain seated in perfect posture demonstrating that they never abuse
others more than they abuse themselves. In Japanese meditation halls one monk is assigned
the duty of keeping everyone alert. He prowls the aisles with a long stick and if he catches
someone nodding, he whacks him on the shoulder. These blows are rather bracing and
should anyone decide for himself that he requires this stimulant to keep awake, he bows to
this fellow and is flogged accordingly. Needless to say, Titans bow repeatedly. Witnessing
their battery does not conduce to tranquillity though it is considerably more relaxing than
having one of them on the other end of the stick.
Traditionally, in Chinese Buddhism, after completing seminary training, both men
and women novitiates go through an ordination ceremony during which three or twelve cones
of burning incense are placed on the crown of their shaved heads. When these cones burn
down they sear the scalp leaving permanent scars. At some later time the newly ordained
priest might decide to repeat this cone-burning ordeal as a special penance or offering of
some kind. Titans, of course, are among this practice's most enthusiastic followers. Much
like college football players who get little stars glued on their helmets to advertise their
meritorious acts, Titan monks can have their scalps decorated with little round burn scars. (In
Guangdong province, I met an old monk who had a few dozen more than the obligatory three
or twelve. He laughed about them, attributing the excess to youthful exuberance. "Much like
tattoos," he said with some regret.)
To strangers, i.e., anyone who has not yet proven lazy, incompetent, spineless or
immoral, Titans can be surprisingly congenial. But their initial friendliness is only a
beachhead from which they will later stage attacks of righteousness. Intimidating martyrdom
is not a strategy for winning close personal friends; but it does succeed in gaining attention
and status.
Animal Chan. This Chan gets its name from the chief characteristic of domestic
animals....dependency. A person who practices Animal Chan needs to be cared for the way
that cows and canaries need to be cared for. Let us consider these two creatures and the
CHAPTER 5 SIX WORLDS OF SAMSARA
S EVENTH W ORLD O F C HAN B UDDHISM
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