Attaining the Way A Guide to the Practice of Chan Buddhism
by Yen, Chan Master ShengFormat: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2006-10-10
Publisher(s): Shambhala
Other versions by this Author
List Price: $24.95
Buy New
Usually Ships in 5-7 Business Days
$24.93
Rent Book
Select for Price
Digital
$17.99*
Used Book
We're Sorry
Sold Out
Summary
This is an inspiring guide to the practice of Chan (Chinese Zen) in the words of four great masters of that tradition. It includes teachings from contemporary masters Xuyun and Sheng Yen, and from Jiexian and Boshan of the Ming Dynasty (13681644). Though the texts were written over a period of hundreds of years, they are all remarkably lucid and are perfect for beginners as well as more advanced practitioners today. All the main points of spiritual practice are covered: philosophical foundations, methods, approaches to problems and obstaclesall aimed at helping the student attain the way to enlightenment.
Author Biography
Master Sheng Yen is the best-known Chan (Chinese Zen) master in America, having taught in the U.S. since 1976. His Dharma Drum Buddhist Association has twenty-one centers throughout North America, as well as dozens of others throughout the world. He has co-led retreats with the Dalai Lama and is the author of numerous books.
Table of Contents
| Introduction : resolving the great matter of birth and death | p. 1 |
| Exhortations on investigating Chan by Master Boshan | |
| What beginning Chan practitioners should know | p. 7 |
| The doubt sensation and the arising and perishing mind | p. 19 |
| Discourse on Chan training from the records of Master Yuanyun Jiexian | |
| Jiexian's preface | p. 25 |
| Making firm vows and enduring suffering | p. 29 |
| Distinguishing practitioners' capacity and giving huatous accordingly | p. 31 |
| Testing practitioners and cutting away illusions in the master's chamber | p. 39 |
| Coming down to the hall and giving guidance | p. 42 |
| Giving practitioners training and tempering | p. 46 |
| Using use strategy to spur development | p. 50 |
| Skillfully turning practitioners around | p. 54 |
| Cutting through the barrier and opening the eye of enlightenment | p. 60 |
| Studying the guiding principles of Chan | p. 64 |
| Strict and exacting control of conduct | p. 68 |
| Refining the work of study | p. 73 |
| Selectively refining talent | p. 77 |
| Being scrupulous and strict with passing on the succession | p. 81 |
| The essentials of Chan practice by Master Xuyun (Empty Cloud) | |
| Prerequisites for beginning Chan practice | p. 87 |
| Lectures on the methods of practice in the Chan Hall | p. 94 |
| There is not a thing that cannot be accomplished, recorded by Master Lingyuan | p. 114 |
| Attaining the way from retreat talks by Master Sheng Yen | |
| Preparing to practice | p. 119 |
| Impermanence | p. 126 |
| Faith | p. 134 |
| Principles of Chan | p. 137 |
| Aspects of Chan meditation | p. 146 |
| Obstructions | p. 170 |
| Attaining the way | p. 179 |
| Enlightenment | p. 199 |
| Remarks at the end of retreat | p. 214 |
| Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved. |
An electronic version of this book is available through VitalSource.
This book is viewable on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and most smartphones.
By purchasing, you will be able to view this book online, as well as download it, for the chosen number of days.
Digital License
You are licensing a digital product for a set duration. Durations are set forth in the product description, with "Lifetime" typically meaning five (5) years of online access and permanent download to a supported device. All licenses are non-transferable.
More details can be found here.
A downloadable version of this book is available through the eCampus Reader or compatible Adobe readers.
Applications are available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Windows Mobile platforms.
Please view the compatibility matrix prior to purchase.