Attaining the Way A Guide to the Practice of

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.

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.

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.

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Attaining the Way A Guide to the Practice of Chan Buddhism

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials