聖嚴法師同時承接禪宗臨濟、曹洞兩大法脈，弘揚禪學、推廣禪法不遺餘力，有其一定的禪學思想；晚年更以「中華禪法鼓宗」做定位，表達法鼓山之信念主體乃是漢傳禪佛教。然而，晚近中國佛教的衰弱，有學者試著分析其中的原因，認為中國佛教的信仰主流—禪宗和淨土宗，有發展上的偏失，而提出了反省和評論。因此，聖嚴法師如何回應中國禪宗負面的評價，而表達他對中華禪發展的看法，成了值得探討的問題。本文探究聖嚴法師禪學思想之進路，主要以印順法師觀點做對比，認為聖嚴法師對禪學的創新詮釋，一方面在於回應印順法師對禪宗的遲疑，而試著為禪宗找尋新的契機和發展的可能，並避免弊端的發生。一旦了解印順法師對禪宗的觀點，再參照聖嚴法師的承傳、調適和轉化，則更可凸顯聖嚴法師禪學思想之特見。

Master Shengyen’s lineage of Buddhism belongs to both traditions of Lin-ji [Rinzai-shū] and Cao-dong [Sōtō-shū] Schools of Ch’an [Zen]. Having diligently popularized the philosophy and method of Ch’an meditation, he established in his old age a monastery and posited its core tenets, the “Dharma Drum Lineage of Ch’an Buddhism,” being in line with Ch’an Buddhism as developed in China. Some analyses by Buddhism scholars, have suggested that the two dominant streams of Chinese Buddhism, respectively Ch’an Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism, are responsible for the decline of modern Chinese Buddhism due to their developmental deviations and errors. Many reflections and reviews have been put forth. How Master Shengyen responded to negative assessments of Buddhism, therefore, not only reveals his special views on Ch’an but also gives rise to a problem that is worthy of further investigation. This paper approaches the Ch’an philosophy of Master Shengyen mainly through contrasting his viewpoints with those of Master Yinshun. I suggest that Master Shengyen’s creative interpretation of Ch’an could be taken as his response to some of Master Yinshun’s ambivalences towards the Ch’an School. I also suggest that Master Yinshun has been exploring new opportunities and possibilities to develop Ch’an Buddhism into one that could forestall various abuses. Once we understand Master Yinshun’s views on Ch’an, while examining Master Shengyen’s Ch’an lineage as well as his own adjustments and transformations, we can highlight more clearly Master Shengyen’s unique perspective of Ch’an.