In my previous article,* I introduced a method of reading Japanese Buddhist texts, especially writings by the Japanese Zen master Dōgen (1200–53).** Here, I would
The Chan master Empty Cloud (Xu Yun; 1840–1959) is known for his simple and direct teaching method. Here are some examples of his instructions to
Master Empty Cloud, or Xu Yun (虚雲), was born in Fujian Province in southern China during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), on 26 August 1840. This
The eyes and ears of sentient beings are limited in their scope and we have very limited knowledge. Moreover, many Pure Land practitioners have witnessed
Of all the Chinese Buddhist traditions, Pure Land Buddhism has perhaps the largest following. Although the Pratyutpanna Sutra (which describes a fairly advanced form of Pure Land
Song of the Truthful Mind Jianzhi Sengcan was the Third Ch’an or Zen Patriarch in China, who has been credited with composing a verse called Xinxin
A tremendous portion of Chinese Buddhism’s rich inheritance is drawn from two traditions. On the one hand we have the deeply devotional Pure Land, where
Introduction Koan is a Chan case study that is to be intuitively contemplated to awaken Gnosis. It may be formatted in the forms of story,
