Master Sheng-Yen's Books

Hoofprint of the Ox

Principles of the Chan Buddhist Path as Taught by a Modern Chinese Master

By: Master Sheng-yen

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Hoofprint of the Ox

Principles of the Chan Buddhist Path as Taught by a Modern Chinese Master

By: Master Sheng-yen

Revered by Buddhists in the United States and China, Master Sheng-yen shares his wisdom and teachings in this first comprehensive English primer of Chan, the Chinese tradition of Buddhism that inspired Japanese Zen. Often misunderstood as a system of mind games, the Chan path leads to enlightenment through apparent contradiction. While demanding the mental and physical discipline of traditional Buddhist doctrine, it asserts that wisdom (Buddha-nature) is innate and immediate in all living beings, and thus not to be achieved through devotion to the strictures of religious practice. You arrive without departing. Master Sheng-yen provides an unprecedented understanding of Chan, its precepts, and its practice. Beginning with a basic overview of Buddhism and meditation, Hoofprint of the Ox details the progressive mental exercises traditionally followed by all Buddhists. Known as the Three Disciplines, these procedures develop moral purity, meditative concentration, and enlightening insight through the "stilling" of the mind. Master Sheng-yen then expounds Chan Buddhism, recounting its centuries-old history in China and illuminating its fundamental tenets. He contemplates the nature of Buddhahood, specifies the physical and mental prerequisites for beginning Chan practice, and humbly considers what it means to be an enlightened Chan master. Drawing its title from a famous series of pictures that symbolizes the Chan path as the search of an ox-herd for his wayward ox, Hoofprint of the Ox is an inspirational guide to self-discovery through mental transformation. A profound contribution to Western understanding of Chan and Zen, this book is intended for practicing Buddhists as well as anyone interested in learning about the Buddhist path.

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Page Count

257

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0198031319

ISBN 13

9780198031314

Illuminating Silence

Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen Meditation

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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Illuminating Silence

Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen Meditation

By: Master Sheng-Yen

An insider's guide to the principles of Chan – or Chinese Zen – this book gives unfiltered access to the kind of illuminating experience with a Zen Master that is usually only available to a few fortunate practitioners. Having originated in China in the 6th century, Chan Buddhism is now growing rapidly in popularity, much of which can be attributed to its open, accepting attitude and its focus on a choice of meditative practices to best suit each individual. With the bulk of the text made up of edited transcripts of the teachings at two major retreats led in Wales in 1989 and 1995 by the then-head of the movement, Master Sheng Yen, this jewel of a book offers a rare glimpse inside both the ancient teachings and the contemporary practice of Chan. Words like 'enlightenment' rarely pass the lips of Master Sheng Yen. Instead, he makes it clear that his retreats are for the development of practice, to realize one is not in control of one's own mind, to discover how to train one's mind in awareness, to calm the mind, and to replace ignorance with insight. Commentary by Sheng Yen's much respected Western disciple John Crook gives full context to the teachings and provides a fascinating account of the practical aspects of a retreat of this nature, including the meditative practices of watching the breath, counting the breath and of 'Silent Illumination' that lies at the heart of Chinese Zen. In so doing the atmosphere of such a retreat is powerfully evoked, especially when Crook recounts the experiences and impacts of his own years of practice.

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Page Count

244

Publisher

Watkins Media Limited

Published Date

ISBN 10

1786781948

ISBN 13

9781786781949

Complete Enlightenment

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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Complete Enlightenment

By: Master Sheng-Yen

Complete Enlightenment is the first authoritative translation and commentary on The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, a central text that shaped the development of East Asian Buddhism and Ch'an (Chinese Zen). The text is set in the form of a transcription of discussions between the Buddha and the twelve enlightened beings(bodhisattvas), who question him on all aspects of spiritual practice. This new translation preserves all the liveliness and nuance of the text in the original Chinese. The sutra's ancient wisdom is brought to life by the commentaries of Master Sheng Yen, one of the most revered living Buddhist masters in the Ch'an lineage. This is truly a manual for the spiritual journey toward complete enlightenment, providing the key to the deep, poetic, and practical meanings of the scripture.

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Page Count

317

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

0834829096

ISBN 13

9780834829091

Attaining the Way

A Guide to the Practice of Chan Buddhism

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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Attaining the Way

A Guide to the Practice of Chan Buddhism

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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 (1368–1644). 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 obstacles—all aimed at helping the student attain the way to enlightenment.

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270

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1590303725

ISBN 13

9781590303726

Dharma Drum

The Life and Heart of Chan Pracice

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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Dharma Drum

The Life and Heart of Chan Pracice

By: Master Sheng-Yen

Here is an ideal guide to the practice of Chan Buddhism by a great modern teacher. Part One presents Master Sheng Yen’s lively, anecdotal account of the history and main principles of the Chan tradition, along with his careful instructions for meditation. Part Two consists of 180 of his gemlike aphorisms and sayings that serve as inspirations to spiritual practice. The book will appeal to beginners as well as experienced students.

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Page Count

285

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1590303962

ISBN 13

9781590303962

Faith in Mind

A Commentary on Seng Ts'an's Classic

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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Faith in Mind

A Commentary on Seng Ts'an's Classic

By: Master Sheng-Yen

The Supreme Way is not difficult If only you do not pick and choose. Neither love nor hate, And you will clearly understand. Be off by a hair, And you are as far from it as heaven and earth. These vivid lines begin one of the most beloved and commented upon of all Zen texts, the Hsin Hsin Ming ("Faith in Mind"), a sixth-century poem by the third Chan patriarch, Seng Ts’an. The Hsin Hsin Ming is a masterpiece of economy, expressing the profoundest truth of the enlightened mind in only a few short pages. Master Sheng Yen’s approach is unique among commentaries on the text: he views it as a supremely useful and practical guide to meditation practice. "I do not adopt a scholarly point of view or analytical approach," he says. "Rather, I use the poem as a taking-off point to inspire the practitioner and deal with issues that arise during the course of practice. True faith in mind is the belief grounded in realization that we have a fundamental, unmoving, and unchanging mind. This mind is precisely Buddha mind.

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145

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

0834826178

ISBN 13

9780834826175

Orthodox Chinese Buddhism

A Contemporary Chan Master's Answers to Common Questions

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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Orthodox Chinese Buddhism

A Contemporary Chan Master's Answers to Common Questions

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

As a well-known scholar and meditation master—His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama called him “extremely modest, a true spiritual practitioner of deep and broad learning”—Sheng Yen is uniquely qualified to guide Western seekers into the world of contemporary Chinese Buddhism. Written while the author was secluded in solitary retreat in southern Taiwan, Orthodox Chinese Buddhism provides a wealth of theory and simple, clear guidelines for practicing this increasingly popular form of spirituality. One of the most influential Buddhist books in the Chinese language, the book explores a wide range of subjects, from distinguishing core teachings from outdated cultural norms to bridging the gap between Western and Chinese traditions. In the process, it addresses such questions as “To what extent should Buddhism be Westernized to fit new cultural conditions?” and “Does Westernization necessarily lead to ‘a dumbing down’ of Buddhism?” In addition to the translation of the complete original text, this edition includes new annotations, appendixes, and a glossary designed for the Western reader.

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Page Count

288

Publisher

North Atlantic Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1556436572

ISBN 13

9781556436574

Hoofprint of the Ox

Principles of the Chan Buddhist Path as Taught by a Modern Chinese Master

By: Master Sheng-yen

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Hoofprint of the Ox

Principles of the Chan Buddhist Path as Taught by a Modern Chinese Master

By: Master Sheng-yen

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Page Count

256

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0190288256

ISBN 13

9780190288259

Shattering the Great Doubt

The Chan Practice of Huatou

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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Shattering the Great Doubt

The Chan Practice of Huatou

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

Huatou is a skillful method for breaking through the prison of mental habits into the spacious mind of enlightenment. The huatou is a confounding question much like a Zen koan. Typical ones are "What is wu [nothingness]?" or "What was my original face before birth-and-death?" But a huatou is unlike a koan in that the aim is not to come up with an answer. The practice is simple: ask yourself your huatou relentlessly, in meditation as well as in every other activity. Don't give up on it; don't try to think your way to an answer. Resolve to live with the sensation of doubt that arises, and it will pervade your entire existence with a sense of profound wonder, ultimately leading to the shattering of the sense of an independent self. Master Sheng Yen brings the traditional practice to life in this practical guide based on talks he gave during a series of huatou retreats. He teaches the method in detail, giving advice for dealing with the typical pitfalls and problems that arise, and answering retreat participants' questions as they experience the practice themselves. He then offers commentary on four classic huatou texts, grounding his instructions in the teaching of the great Chan masters.

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209

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

159030621X

ISBN 13

9781590306215

Song of Mind

Wisdom from the Zen Classic Xin Ming

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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Song of Mind

Wisdom from the Zen Classic Xin Ming

By: Master Sheng-Yen

No words can explain enlightenment," says the seventh-century Zen classic Xin Ming, or "Song of Mind," yet, paradoxically, this poem is a masterpiece of expressing the inexpressible. In his commentary on it, Chan Master Sheng Yen takes a practical approach, opening up the language of the Xin Ming to show students how to approach meditation, how to deal with problems that arise in their spiritual practice, and how to accomplish the imperative task of integrating this practice into every aspect of one's life. "True understanding comes only with direct experience," according to Master Sheng Yen. "These lectures, the Buddhist sutras, songs, poems, and commentaries are useful only insofar as they encourage you to practice and incorporate the Dharma [teachings] into your daily life." The book takes the form of a week-long retreat with Master Sheng Yen, with each chapter in the form of an evening talk given on a particular section of the "Song of Mind" text—giving this book a far more intimate and accessible feel than most commentaries on Zen texts and creating a feeling of being right there with the master as he brings the text to life.

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270

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1590301404

ISBN 13

9781590301401

Things Pertaining to Bodhi

The Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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Things Pertaining to Bodhi

The Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

The Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment are a set of fundamental teachings of Buddhism in the form of a list. The list’s seeming simplicity belies the fact that it is actually a kind of road map to enlightenment for anyone who follows it with diligence and sincerity. The Thirty-seven Aids comprise seven groups of practices conducive to awakening. Each of the seven groups is itself a list of enlightenment factors, which add up to a total of thirty-seven: (1) The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, (2) The Four Proper Exertions, (3) The Four Steps to Magical Powers, (4) The Five Roots, (5) The Five Powers, (6) The Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and (7) The Noble Eightfold Path. Master Sheng Yen’s down-to-earth teachings take the reader on a progression through each of the practices, illustrating how they relate to the reader’s own path toward enlightenment.

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Page Count

210

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

0834823055

ISBN 13

9780834823051

The Infinite Mirror

Commentaries on Two Chan Classics

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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The Infinite Mirror

Commentaries on Two Chan Classics

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

Here is the inimitable Master Sheng Yen at his best, illuminating the ancient texts of the Chinese Zen tradition to show how wonderfully practical they really are, even for us today. The texts, written by two of the founders of the Ts’ao-tung sect of Chan Buddhism, are poems entitled Inquiry into Matching Halves and Song of the Precious Mirror Samadhi. Both emphasize the Chan view that wisdom is not separate from vexation, and both speak of the levels of awareness through which one must pass on the way to realization. Both are also works of Buddhist philosophy that can serve as guides to spiritual practice for anyone.

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137

Publisher

Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1590303989

ISBN 13

9781590303986

The Poetry of Enlightenment

Poems by Ancient Chan Masters

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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The Poetry of Enlightenment

Poems by Ancient Chan Masters

By: Master Sheng-Yen

For the masters of the Chan tradition, poetry was a form of creative expression, but even more than that, it was a primary vehicle for teaching. Here a modern master presents ten teaching poems from the ancient masters, with illuminating commentary. “These poems flow directly from the minds of the enlightened Chan masters,” Master Sheng Yen says. “We get a glimpse into their experience at the time of, and after, their enlightenment. It is my hope that this collection of poems will give those who are interested in the practice a new way of looking at Chan.”

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Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1590303997

ISBN 13

9781590303993

Complete Enlightenment

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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Complete Enlightenment

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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317

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Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

0834829096

ISBN 13

9780834829091

Shattering the Great Doubt

The Chan Practice of Huatou

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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Shattering the Great Doubt

The Chan Practice of Huatou

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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209

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Shambhala Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

159030621X

ISBN 13

9781590306215

Falling is Flying

The Dharma of Facing Adversity

By: Ajahn Brahm,Guojun Master

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Falling is Flying

The Dharma of Facing Adversity

By: Ajahn Brahm,Guojun Master

What do you do when everything falls apart? “Instead of trying to discipline your mind with ill will, fault-finding, guilt, punishment, and fear, use something far more powerful: the beautiful kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness of making peace with life.”—Ajahn Brahm “In free fall, nothing is solid and there is nothing to hold on to. There is no way to control the experience. You have to surrender, and with that surrender comes the taste of liberation.”—Master Guojun Most of us tend to live each day as if it will be just another day—like nothing will change. It always comes as a shock when we lose a job, a loved one, a relationship, our health—even though we’ve seen it happen again and again to those around us. Once we finally realize we’re not immune, then we wonder: what now? How do we continue when the terrain suddenly gets rough? Meet your companions for this rocky part of the path: Ajahn Brahm and Chan Master Guojun—one a teacher in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, the other in the Chinese Zen tradition. These two beloved meditation masters share personal stories and anecdotes from their own experiences of dealing with life’s pitfalls. You’ll learn from their honest, generous teachings how you can live fully—even flourish—even when the road ahead looks steep and lonely. Personal, poetic, instructive, and often laugh-out-loud funny, this is inspiring advice for people from all walks of life. “Falling is Flying is truly unique because it offers a rare glimpse into the personal lives of two living Buddhist masters. With unflinching honesty, Ajahn Brahm and Chan Master Guojun share the struggles they’ve faced, even after becoming monks and respected teachers. Throughout the book, we see how, instead of turning away in aversion from adversity, they’ve used it as a stepping stone for finding the peace and happiness we all seek. I love this book and recommend it most highly!” —Toni Bernhard, author of How To Be Sick

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Page Count

151

Publisher

Wisdom Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1614294259

ISBN 13

9781614294252

Illuminating Silence

Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen Meditation

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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Illuminating Silence

Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen Meditation

By: Master Sheng-Yen

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244

Publisher

Watkins Media Limited

Published Date

ISBN 10

1786781948

ISBN 13

9781786781949

Footprints in the Snow

The Autobiography of a Chinese Buddhist Monk

By: Master Chan Sheng Yen

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Footprints in the Snow

The Autobiography of a Chinese Buddhist Monk

By: Master Chan Sheng Yen

In this landmark memoir, a renowned Buddhist master traces his spiritual journey against the panoramic story of China from the pre-Communist era to the present. Master Sheng Yen has devoted much of his life to spreading the teachings of Chinese Buddhism—a practice that antedates the more familiar Japanese and Tibetan traditions—throughout the world. He became known in the United States after he began founding meditation centers here in 1980. Now in his late seventies, he tells the remarkable story of his life and spiritual education in Footprints in the Snow. From descriptions of the private world of Buddhist masters to first-hand accounts of Chinese history, it is a rare document that is both an important look at China’s past and a compelling spiritual journey across a lifetime. Sheng Yen’s story is of a life lived in the last years of the Republic of China, the Sino-Japanese War, and the founding of the People’s Republic of China. An eye-opening slice of modern history as well as an authoritative introduction to an ancient religious tradition, Footprints in the Snow will appeal to spiritual seekers, travelers who want to understand more about China, or anyone looking for a fascinating story.

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Page Count

226

Publisher

Harmony

Published Date

ISBN 10

0385528574

ISBN 13

9780385528573

Orthodox Chinese Buddhism

A Contemporary Chan Master's Answers to Common Questions

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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Orthodox Chinese Buddhism

A Contemporary Chan Master's Answers to Common Questions

By: Chan Master Sheng Yen

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Page Count

288

Publisher

North Atlantic Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1556436572

ISBN 13

9781556436574

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