Getting the Buddha Mind : On the Practice of Chan Retreat

by SHENG YEN, CHAN MASTER

• ISBN13: 9781556435263
• ISBN10: 1556435266
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-03-31
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Summary

Chanor in Japanese, Zeninvolves studying, practicing, acting, and being, but beyond words and ideas, the true Chan cannot be described, only learned. Under the guidance of authentic teachers like Chan Master Sheng Yen, many students in the West have learned how to follow the path. Collected from a series of talks given during Chan retreats,Getting the Buddha Mindpresents the teachings of this esteemed spiritual guide and brings the intimacy of the retreat experience into the reader's living room.

Author Biography

Chan Master Sheng Yen is a Buddhist monk who received transmission in two major Chan lineages. He holds a doctorate in Buddhist literature from Rissho University in Japan. He is the author of over one hundred texts on Buddhism, and his books have been translated into eight languages. He has been lecturing and directing retreats for more than twenty-five years in Asia, North America, and Europe.

Table of Contents

Author's Preface	1	(6)
Editor's Introduction	7	(14)
Part One: Introduction to Chan
Autobiography	21	(10)
The Chan Seven-day Retreat	31	(8)
Part Two: Chan Retreat Lectures
Four Conditions for Practicing Chan	39	(14)
Selflessness	53	(2)
Non-Opposition	55	(2)
Stages of Emptiness	57	(4)
The Four Great Barriers	61	(4)
Gong'an Practice	65	(6)
The Experience of Wu	71	(2)
The Stages of Enlightenment	73	(6)
A Dream	79	(2)
Contemplating Mind by Hanshan Deqing	81	(4)
On Contemplating Mind	85	(16)
Silent Illumination by Hongzhi Zhengjue	101	(4)
On Silent Illumination	105	(16)
Part Three: Radio Interview with Lex Hixon
Station WBAI Interview: The Practice of Retreat	121	(14)
Appendices:
Glossary	135	(10)
Chan Retreat Daily Schedule	145