Zen Philosophy, Zen PracticeThe way of Zen holds that reality is to be gotten hold of not externally, but inwardly. The truth is to be found in our own nature and nowhere else. Within each living being is the Buddha nature, the principle of enlightenment. "To become a Buddha is simply to discover this Buddha nature, always present within, eternally shining. Like the sun, it continually radiates light, but when the clouds pass over, we cannot see it. The goal is to eliminate the clouds, for when they fly away, we can once again see the light." Thich Thien-An was an eminent Vietnamese master concerned with introducing Zen to Western practitioners. Originally given as public lectures, this book's 14 chapters, emphasize general principles and understanding while covering a range of topics including "Self-Reflection in Zen Buddhism," "Three Essentials of Zen Practice," and "The Matter of Soul in Buddhism." Each lecture end with a different method of practice used in Zen Buddhism giving readers the opportunity to experience Zen practice and choose from a variety of methods and techniques, those that are most effective for the reader. |
Contents
The Buddha and the Origins of Zen | 1 |
The Patriarch from the West | 15 |
The Working Meditation of HuiNeng | 27 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
action Amita Buddha asked attachment attain awareness become Bodhi Bodhidharma Bodhisattva body breathing Buddha nature Buddhahood Buddhism in China calm mind chant China Chinese compassion concept consciousness cultivate daily deed develop Dharma disciples discipline emptiness enlightenment everything evil exist experience Fifth Patriarch friends give goal happiness harmony hatred Hui-Neng India Japan Japanese karma kensho kinhin koan Kwan-Yin lives Mahākāśyapa Mahāyāna Buddhism means Meditation Center METHOD OF PRACTICE monastery moon mountain Nirvāņa non-attachment oneself other-power ourselves path peace perfect person philosophy practice meditation practice of Zen practice Zen prajñā present Pure Land reality realization Sakyamuni Buddha Samādhi Samsara satori self-power self-realization sentient Shen-Hsiu sit in meditation sitting meditation Soto Zen speck of fire spiritual store-consciousness suffering Sūtra sutras teaching things thought tion true nature truth understanding wisdom words zazen Zen Buddhism Zen master Zen meditation Zen practice zendo