Hansa_Teutonica

First, I appreciate your work in Judge. Speaking of which, do you see any parallels in the punk movement and chan/zen? Personally, the DIY mindset, community orientation, acceptance of vegetarians, and the strange relationship with violence, etc. There seem to be some similarity in ideas that I find interesting.

Second, I was listening to a talk you gave on silent illumination. In it you cited Hongzhi. I've looked into silent illumination being taught by zen masters and can't find any actual textual support aside from Dogen and Hakuin, but the argument can be made that they're frauds. I don't know if any extant texts from Hongzhi or Rujing who are associated with silent illumination as well. I find the topic interesting, but without textual support, I haven't looked much into it.

I'm a big fan of Linji's, "Find the stillness in motion, and the motion in stillness." My interest in silent illumination is partly spurred by that, but also the controversy over meditation in zen to begin with. I meditate, but I wouldn't say zen masters teach it. To me, Bodhidharma was using meditation but not teaching it. I think he was trying to say it can't be taught. Do you have any thoughts on this?

I'll definitely check out the article. Somebody linked it, so we can all read it!

That's the book on Hongzhi that I found but was advised that it wasn't all his stuff and was mixed with some religious assertions. I'd love to read some Hongzhi so I'll definitely be looking out for your book.

I also feel like we'd agree that meditation is a tool. I'd go as far as saying a misunderstood and often misused tool. But I think your explanation of why we do it is pretty good.

I accept your explanation of silent illumination as well. More so as you're a translator of Hongzhi. You clarified it for me. I appreciate it!

Do you have any other information on your book on Hongzhi? Release date, title, etc.? I'm pretty excited as I've been looking for a different translation of Hongzhi.

Thank you!

Thank you! That's pretty similar to what I do sometimes. That was most of my curiosity.

Thank you!

That's very Foyan of you!