Donghua Chan originated from Shakyamuni Buddha’s philosophy, which advocates (1) a people-oriented principle (meaning respecting people, tolerating people, understanding people, and serving people), (2) equality for all, (3) right conduct as the foundation, and (4) Buddhahood as the goal. 

Donghua Chan originated from the techniques of Patriarch Chan, which teach one not to fear the arising of delusional thoughts but fear the delayed accomplishment of mindfulness. One should develop mindfulness while traveling, resting, sitting and lying down. Then one can achieve mindfulness and apply mindfulness. 

Donghuan Chan builds on a people-oriented principle and trains the mind through worldly affairs. [It calls on disciples to] live an awakened life and devote themselves to a life of service. Its purpose is to bring about the humanization of Buddhism, to create a pure land on earth, and to become bodhisattvas in the world.

Donghua Chan calls for applying faith in everyday life, practicing in the very present moment, integrating the Dharma with the world, and assimilating individuals into the community. [It calls on disciples to] practice while working, work while practicing, accumulate merit when taking on responsibility, cultivate wisdom while remaining aware and observant, and seek liberation while serving others.

Donghua Chan starts with generating the aspiration, emphasizes practice and realization, and fulfills [its goals] by putting the goals into action. Such actions include (1) developing the four immeasurable states of mind, (2) cultivating the four ways of attracting sentient beings and six perfections, and (3) practicing according to the king’s ten great vows. Sky may have limits, but actions and aspirations are limitless.

The practice of Donghua Chan: eyes see no phenomena but the consciousnesses sees. Eyes shut, the wisdom eye open, look straight ahead. Possessing the wisdom eye, but no eyeballs, unbeknownst to ordinary people, with one glance, one sees a chiliocosm clearly. Pluck out the eyes, stare with one’s eyebrows, darkness turns into light. Through thick and thin, do not concede until duality is emptied and the self is ceased. The original lineage tradition remains the same; one must learn from the Buddha to behave well and behave well so as to learn from the Buddha.

Mind training of Donghua Chan: skillfully guard the thoughts, purify the mind, always be aware but do not abide. The doctrinal basis of studying and practicing Donghua Chan: 

• The Chapter on Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Practices and Vows; 
• The Sūtra of Perfect Enlightenment, 
• The Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa,
• The Heart Sūtra, 
• The Sixth Patriarch’s Platform Sūtra, 
• The Diamond Sūtra, 
• The Śūraṅgama Sūtra, 
• The Lankāvatāra Sūtra,
• The six treatises by Nāgārjuna

Through studying and practicing the spirit of Donghua Chan, one can harmonize four major relationships in life: (1) the relationship between one’s family and oneself, (2) the relationship between society and oneself, (3) the relationship between one’s country and oneself, and (4) the relationship between nature and oneself.

–  By Master Wanxing