The Essence of Chan

The Essence of Chan
Author: Guo Gu
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2020-10-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0834843080

Clear and illuminating commentary on one of Bodhidharma’s most important texts—designed to help Chan practitioners apply timeless and essential advice to their practice Legend has it that more than a thousand years ago an Indian Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma arrived in China. His approach to teaching was unlike that of any of the Buddhist missionaries who had come to China before him. He confounded the emperor with cryptic dialogues, traveled the country, lived in a cave in the mountains, and eventually paved the way for a unique and illuminating approach to Buddhist teachings that would later spread across the whole of East Asia in the form of Chan—later to be known as Seon in Korean, Thien in Vietnamese, and Zen in Japanese. This book, a translation and commentary on one of Bodhidharma’s most important texts, explores Bodhidharma’s revolutionary teachings in English. Guo Gu weaves his commentary through modern and relatable contexts, showing that this centuries-old wisdom is just as crucial for life now as it was when it first came to be. Masterfully translated and accompanied by helpful insights to supplement daily practice, The Essence of Chan is the perfect guide for those new to Chan, those returning, or those who have been practicing for years.

China Root

China Root
Author: David Hinton
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2020-09-29
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1611807131

A beautifully compelling and liberating guide to the original nature of Zen in ancient China by renowned author and translator David Hinton. Buddhism migrated from India to China in the first century C.E., and Ch'an (Japanese: Zen) is generally seen as China's most distinctive and enduring form of Buddhism. In China Root, however, David Hinton shows how Ch'an was in fact a Buddhist-influenced extension of Taoism, China's native system of spiritual philosophy. Unlike Indian Buddhism's abstract sensibility, Ch'an was grounded in an earthy and empirically-based vision. Exploring this vision, Hinton describes Ch'an as a kind of anti-Buddhism. A radical and wild practice aspiring to a deeply ecological liberation: the integration of individual consciousness with landscape and with a Cosmos seen as harmonious and alive. In China Root, Hinton describes this original form of Zen with his trademark clarity and elegance, each chapter exploring in enlightening ways a core Ch'an concept--such as meditation, mind, Buddha, awakening--as it was originally understood and practiced in ancient China. Finally, by examining a range of standard translations in the Appendix, Hinton reveals how this original understanding and practice of Ch'an/Zen is almost entirely missing in contemporary American Zen, because it was lost in Ch'an's migration from China through Japan and on to the West. Whether you practice Zen or not, taking this journey on the wings of Hinton's remarkable insight and powerful writing will transform how you understand yourself and the world.

Original Teachings of Chʼan Buddhism

Original Teachings of Chʼan Buddhism
Author: Shi Daoyuan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 333
Release: 1969
Genre: Koan.
ISBN: 9780394624174

The origins and nature of Zen Buddhism are revealed in a translation of important Chinese scripts

Teachings In Chinese Buddhism

Teachings In Chinese Buddhism
Author: Neng Rong
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2021-01-19
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN:

Embark on a transformative journey through the teachings of Chinese Buddhism with "Teachings in Chinese Buddhism" by Neng Rong, a profound exploration of the ancient wisdom and spiritual insights that have guided countless individuals on the path to enlightenment. Join Neng Rong as he invites you to delve into the rich tapestry of Chinese Buddhist philosophy, practice, and tradition. In "Teachings in Chinese Buddhism," you'll encounter a treasure trove of timeless teachings that offer profound insights into the nature of existence, the human condition, and the path to spiritual liberation. As you immerse yourself in the pages of this illuminating book, you'll discover a wealth of practical wisdom and profound truths that can help you navigate the challenges of modern life and cultivate greater peace, happiness, and fulfillment. From the foundational principles of Buddhism to the advanced practices of meditation and mindfulness, Neng Rong offers a comprehensive guide to the path of awakening. Themes of compassion, wisdom, and the interconnectedness of all beings permeate the narrative of "Teachings in Chinese Buddhism," inviting readers to reflect on the universal truths that lie at the heart of Buddhist teachings. Through Neng Rong's clear and accessible explanations, readers gain insight into the fundamental principles of Buddhism and their practical applications in everyday life. The overall tone of "Teachings in Chinese Buddhism" is one of reverence and humility, with Neng Rong's writing characterized by its sincerity and depth of understanding. His profound insights and compassionate guidance offer readers a roadmap for spiritual growth and transformation, inspiring them to cultivate greater awareness, compassion, and wisdom in their own lives. Since its publication, "Teachings in Chinese Buddhism" has been hailed as a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the depths of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Its enduring popularity and continued relevance make it an essential read for spiritual seekers, scholars, and practitioners alike. Whether you're new to the teachings of Buddhism or a seasoned practitioner seeking to deepen your understanding, "Teachings in Chinese Buddhism" offers a profound and illuminating guide to the path of awakening. Don't miss your chance to explore the riches of Chinese Buddhist wisdom with Neng Rong as your guide. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey of discovery and transformation.

Orthodox Chinese Buddhism

Orthodox Chinese Buddhism
Author: Chan Master Sheng Yen
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2007-08-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781556436574

As a well-known scholar and meditation master—His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama called him “extremely modest, a true spiritual practitioner of deep and broad learning”—Sheng Yen is uniquely qualified to guide Western seekers into the world of contemporary Chinese Buddhism. Written while the author was secluded in solitary retreat in southern Taiwan, Orthodox Chinese Buddhism provides a wealth of theory and simple, clear guidelines for practicing this increasingly popular form of spirituality. One of the most influential Buddhist books in the Chinese language, the book explores a wide range of subjects, from distinguishing core teachings from outdated cultural norms to bridging the gap between Western and Chinese traditions. In the process, it addresses such questions as “To what extent should Buddhism be Westernized to fit new cultural conditions?” and “Does Westernization necessarily lead to ‘a dumbing down’ of Buddhism?” In addition to the translation of the complete original text, this edition includes new annotations, appendixes, and a glossary designed for the Western reader.

The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-chi

The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-chi
Author: Yixuan
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 180
Release: 1999
Genre: Reference
ISBN: 9780231114851

Renowned scholar Burton Watson's translation exactingly depicts the life and teachings of the great ninth-century Chinese Zen master Lin-chi, one of the most highly regarded of the T'ang period masters.

The Teachings of Master Wuzhu

The Teachings of Master Wuzhu
Author: Wendi L. Adamek
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2011-09-20
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0231527926

The Record of the Dharma-Jewel Through the Generations (Lidai fabao ji) is a little-known Chan/Zen Buddhist text of the eighth century, rediscovered in 1900 at the Silk Road oasis of Dunhuang. The only remaining artifact of the Bao Tang Chan school of Sichuan, the text provides a fascinating sectarian history of Chinese Buddhism intended to showcase the iconoclastic teachings of Bao Tang founder Chan Master Wuzhu (714–774). Wendi Adamek not only brings Master Wuzhu's experimental community to life but also situates his paradigm-shifting teachings within the history of Buddhist thought. Having published the first translation of the Lidai fabao ji in a Western language, she revises and presents it here for wide readership. Written by disciples of Master Wuzhu, the Lidai fabao ji is one of the earliest attempts to implement a "religion of no-religion," doing away with ritual and devotionalism in favor of "formless practice." Master Wuzhu also challenged the distinctions between lay and ordained worshippers and male and female practitioners. The Lidai fabao ji captures his radical teachings through his reinterpretation of the Chinese practices of merit, repentance, precepts, and Dharma transmission. These aspects of traditional Buddhism continue to be topics of debate in contemporary practice groups, making the Lidai fabao ji a vital document of the struggles, compromises, and insights of an earlier era. Adamek's volume opens with a vivid introduction animating Master Wuzhu's cultural environment and comparing his teachings to other Buddhist and historical sources.

The Buddhist Roots of Zhu Xi's Philosophical Thought

The Buddhist Roots of Zhu Xi's Philosophical Thought
Author: John Makeham
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 369
Release: 2018-06-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0190878576

Zhu Xi (1130-1200) is the most influential Neo-Confucian philosopher and arguably the most important Chinese philosopher of the past millennium, both in terms of his legacy and for the sophistication of his systematic philosophy. The Buddhist Roots of Zhu Xi's Philosophical Thought combines in a single study two major areas of Chinese philosophy that are rarely tackled together: Chinese Buddhist philosophy and Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucian philosophy. Despite Zhu Xi's importance as a philosopher, the role of Buddhist thought and philosophy in the construction of his systematic philosophy remains poorly understood. What aspects of Buddhism did he criticize and why? Was his engagement limited to criticism (informed or otherwise) or did Zhu also appropriate and repurpose Buddhist ideas to develop his own thought? If Zhu's philosophical repertoire incorporated conceptual structures and problematics that are marked by a distinct Buddhist pedigree, what implications does this have for our understanding of his philosophical project? The five chapters that make up The Buddhist Roots of Zhu Xi's Philosophical Thought present a rich and complex portrait of the Buddhist roots of Zhu Xi's philosophical thought. The scholarship is meticulous, the analysis is rigorous, and the philosophical insights are fresh. Collectively, the chapters illuminate a greatly expanded range of the intellectual resources Zhu incorporated into his philosophical thought, demonstrating the vital role that models derived from Buddhism played in his philosophical repertoire. In doing so, they provide new perspectives on what Zhu Xi was trying to achieve as a philosopher, by repurposing ideas from Buddhism. They also make significant and original contributions to our understanding of core concepts, debates and conceptual structures that shaped the development of philosophy in East Asia over the past millennium.