Zen Wisdom

by SHENG YEN, CHAN MASTER

• ISBN13: 9781556433863
• ISBN10: 1556433867
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-01-07
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Summary

Master Sheng-yen combines wisdom gained from years of study and practice with knowledge of the contemporary world to show how Chan and Buddha's teachings are still relevant today. Beginners, as well as those already on the path, will find clear and useful guidance as the revered teacher answers questions from his students on the simple yet elusive principles of Chan (Zen) practice.

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

Introduction	i
Part I Buddhadharma
What Does it Mean to be a Buddhist?	3	(8)
Sentient Beings	11	(14)
The Self	25	(6)
Causes and Conditions	31	(12)
The Five Skandhas and Consciousness	43	(12)
Karma	55	(8)
The Five Precepts	63	(8)
Precepts and karma	71	(8)
Is Chan a Religion?	79	(6)
Practicing Buddhism and Other Religions	85	(8)
Buddha Images	93	(8)
Merit and Virtue in Buddhism	101	(10)
Bodhisattvas and Arhats	111	(6)
Buddhism and Death	117	(12)
The Dharma Ending Age	129	(8)
Part II Practice and Daily Life
The Importance of Having a Teacher	137	(18)
Practicing Alone, with a Group, and with a Master	155	(8)
Approaches to Daily Meditation	163	(12)
Practice in Daily Life	175	(12)
Is the View of Practice More Important than Practice?	187	(10)
Can Intelligence be a Hindrance to Practice?	197	(8)
Chinese Chan and Japanese Zen	205	(12)
Chan and the Absurd	217	(8)
Chan Sickness	225	(8)
Chan and Psychotherapy	233	(10)
Why Read Sutras?	243	(8)
Chan and the National Culture	251	(6)
Living with Entertainment	257	(10)
Poetry and Wangwei	267	(8)
Balancing Responsibilities and Practice	275	(8)
Raising Buddhist Children in a non-Buddhist Society	283	(8)
Chan Practice and the Elderly	291	(6)
Buddhism and Material Success	297	(4)
Is Enlightenment Lasting?	301	(10)
Glossary	311