On the Sequential Progression of Eradicating Self-View and Chan Meditation

Whether one should first eradicate the view of self before engaging in meditation or directly seek realization through meditation is not definitively settled; it depends on individual capacity. The Dharma has no fixed method and varies according to the person. For most people, it is advisable to first seek the eradication of the view of self, clearly recognizing the illusory nature of the five aggregates as the false self. This prevents confusion between truth and falsehood during subsequent meditation, mistaking the false for the real. For those with superior capacity, whose view-of-self afflictions are relatively mild and whose meditative concentration is exceptionally strong—not falling into the thinking of the conscious mind—they may directly engage in meditation. During the meditation process, they can first eradicate the view of self and then realize the truth.

This is because meditation involves seeking realization within the five-aggregate body; it cannot be separated from the five aggregates and the eighteen sense realms. During the process of inquiry, one can also discern, one by one, the impermanent and unreal nature of the five-aggregate body, thereby eradicating the view of self. Ancient Chan masters attained enlightenment in this way, but it cannot be guaranteed that there were no instances of mere intellectual understanding. Among the 1,700 gong’an (koans) of the Chan school, not all represent genuine realization. If meditative power is somewhat lacking, the functional power of the conscious mind will dominate over the root mind (manas), leading only to intellectual understanding. In such intellectual understanding, the perception of the true mind is hazy—merely a vague outline. The wisdom arising from contemplative observation does not manifest, afflictions cannot be lessened, and the view of self remains uneradicated. This, instead, hinders progress on the path. Haste makes waste, achieving the opposite effect.

Modern people generally possess much weaker meditative concentration than those in ancient times. The thinking of the conscious mind is not easily subdued, causing the function of the root mind (manas) to be weakened. Genuine realization becomes very difficult, and eradicating the view of self is also challenging. While theoretical understanding may be extensive, leading to easier intellectual understanding, genuine realization becomes even harder. Therefore, it is safer for us to first contemplate and observe the selflessness of the five aggregates before engaging in meditation.