The Changing Meaning of “Direct Experience” in Buddhism

The meaning of “direct experience” has not remained static as Buddhism has traveled across cultures and evolved over centuries. A striking transformation can be observed when comparing its role in early Indian Buddhism with its later development in Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism in China. This shift reflects not only differences in philosophical emphasis but also broader cultural influences that shaped Buddhist thought and practice.

1. Direct Experience in Early Buddhism

In the early teachings of the Buddha, particularly as outlined in the Pali Canon, “direct experience” primarily refers to the personal verification of the Dharma. The Buddha repeatedly encourages practitioners to investigate and confirm the truth of his teachings through their own lived experience.

This emphasis on empirical inquiry is best exemplified in the Kalama Sutta (Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.65), where the Buddha advises the Kālāmas:

Do not go upon hearsay, nor upon tradition, nor upon rumor, nor upon what is written in scriptures, nor upon logical reasoning, nor upon inferential reasoning, nor upon reflection on mere appearances, nor upon seeming possibilities, nor upon respect for a teacher’s prestige. But, Kālāmās, when you yourselves know: ‘These things are unwholesome (akusala)…