This volume presents the first book-length study in English of the concept of Buddha nature as discussed in the Buddha Nature Treatise (Fo Xing Lun), attributed to Vasubandhu and translated into Chinese by Paramartha in the sixth century. The author provides a detailed discussion of one of the most important concepts in East Asian Buddhism, a topic little addressed in Western studies of Buddhism until now, and places the Buddha nature concept in the context of Buddhist intellectual history. King then carefully explains the traditional Buddhist language in the text, and embeds Buddha nature in a family of concepts and values which as a group are foundational to the development of the major indigenous schools of Chinese Buddhism. In addition, she refutes the accusations that the idea of Buddha nature introduces a crypto-Atman into Buddhist thought, and that it represents a form of monism akin to the Brahmanism of the Upanisads. In doing this, King defends Buddha nature in terms of purely Buddhist philosophical principles. Finally, the author engages the Buddha nature concept in dialogue with Western philosophy by asking what it teaches us about what a human being, or person, is.

Our natural awakening—or buddha-nature—is inherent within all of us and waiting to be realized. Buddha-nature has the qualities of both silence and illumination, and by working with silent illumination meditation you can find your own awakening. Distinguished Chan Buddhist teacher Guo Gu introduces you to the significance and methods of this practice through in-depth explanations and guided instructions. To help establish a foundation for realizing silent illumination, he has translated twenty-five teachings from the influential master Hongzhi Zhengjue into English, accompanied by his personal commentary. This book will be an indispensable resource for meditators interested in beginning or deepening their silent illumination practice.

The larger sutra on Amitāyus (Taishō volume 12, number 360) -- The sutra on contemplation of Amitāyus (Taishō volume 12, number 365) -- The smaller sutra on Amitāyus (Taishō volume 12, number 366).

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.

A Summary of The Sweet Dews of Ch'an This is a book about Meditation in various aspects, including fundamental principles, techniques, applications, and stages of advanced practice. First of all, it enunciates the Essentials of Ch'an Buddhist meditation in Chapter 1, followed by explicating some basic concepts and terms about meditation (Chapter 2). And then in Chapter 3 it goes on to delineate the Advanced Meditations, including 1. The Four Contemplations (i.e. the Contemplations on the Body, Sensations, Mind, and Dharma). 2. The Contemplation on the Four Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, and Air) 3. The Contemplation on the Mind. 4. The Contemplation on Buddha Nature. Chapter 4 presents the Five Flavors of Ch'an (i.e. the Five genres of meditation): e.g. (1) the Worldly Meditation, (2) Other Religion's Meditation, (3) Hinayana Ch'an, (4) Bodhisattva Ch'an, and (5) Tathagata Ch'an. In Chapter 5 it treats the Five Contemplations for Ceasing the Perturbed Mind: 1. Anapanasmrti (the Breath Contemplation) 2. The Contemplation on Uncleanliness 3. The Contemplation on the Twelve Causality Links 4. The Contemplation on Compassion 5. The Contemplation on Buddha's Merits. The above are the most important techniques in Buddhist Meditation. Then the following three chapters are the development of the 2nd item above; they are the Three Visualizations: 1. the Contemplation on Defilement (Chapter 6) 2. the Nine Visualizations on a Corpse (Chapter 7) 3. the White-Bone Visualization And then in Chapters 9 and 10, the Five Stages in Realizing Dhyana are depicted at length. These further include 3 steps: Step 1: to denounce the Five Desires Step 2: to renounce to Five Shrouds Step 3: to execute the Five Cultivations Finally, in the last chapter, it relates the legend of Running Meditation and the Incense Board. In fine, this book, though not really big in bulk, it virtually treats almost all the significant aspects that a serious practitioner needs to know concerning Buddhist meditation, both theoretically and practically, and it should be very helpful and informative as a personal practice guide book, or as a textbook or reference book for group practice.

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh is best known as a prolific author, poet, teacher, scholar and peace activist. Yet he is also a master calligrapher, distilling ancient Buddhist teachings into simple phrases that resonate with our modern times, capturing and expressing his lifetime of meditative insight, peace and compassion. This book offers a rare opportunity to spend time in the presence of his beautiful creations. For Thich Nhat Hanh, creating calligraphy is more than creating art - it is also a meditative practice. He is fully present for every moment, from drinking his tea, to sitting down and taking a brush, and using the tea to make the ink. Each calligraphy is made of mindful sitting, breathing, walking, smiling - and love.

The economic, social and ecological crises of modern times calls for a perspective that can incorporate Buddhist insights and principles such as generosity, loving kindness and wisdom. In "The Great Awakening" Buddhist teachings and Western social analysis meet and form a dynamic Buddhist social theory.

Entry Into the Inconceivable is an introduction to the philosophy of the Hua-yen school of Buddhism, one of the cornerstones of East Asian Buddhist thought. Cleary presents a survey of the unique Buddhist scripture on which the Hua-yen teaching is based and a brief history of its introduction into China. He also presents a succinct analysis of the essential metaphysics of Hua-yen Buddhism as it developed during China's golden age and full translations of four basic texts by seminal thinkers of the school.