Kànhuà Meditation in Chinese Zen

Summary

The kànhuà technique, developed by the Chinese master Dàhuì Zōnggǎo, emphasizes meditation on a key phrase from Chán dialogues to achieve sudden enlightenment. This method contrasts with traditional seated meditation from the Cáodòng tradition, which Dàhuì viewed as ineffective. The paper also outlines four innovations in kànhuà meditation post-Dàhuì: calming the mind, increased emphasis on doubt, integration with Pure Land practices, and vocalizing the huàtóu, while maintaining fidelity to Dàhuì's original vision.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper discusses the kànhuà technique developed by the Chinese Línjì (Jpn.: Rinzai) master Dàhuì Zōnggǎo (1089-1163) that became a widespread form of meditation in East Asian Zen. Kànhuà meditation focuses on the keyword or “punch line” (Ch.: huàtóu, Jpn.: watō, Kor.: hwadu) of puzzling Chán “encounter dialogues” (or kōan stories) associated with past Chán (Zen) masters. Dàhuì insisted on a sudden breakthrough enlightenment and considered kànhuà meditation an alternative to a dead-end, no-enlightenment, seated meditation that he associated with the rival Cáodòng (Jpn.: Sōtō) tradition of Chán. The paper further explores four innovations in kànhuà meditation during the centuries after Dàhuì: the use of kànhuà meditation to calm the mind; a greater emphasis on doubt; the integration of Pure Land practice into the kànhuà technique; and the notion that the huàtóu could be called out aloud. However, in spite of such changes kànhuà Chán stayed close to Dàhuì’s vision.