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.
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.
From The Preface By Dan Stevenson EN. SHENG YEH is a master in the Caodong and Linji lineages of Chan〈Zen〉 school, who for twenty five years now has been guiding students from Taiwan, the United States, and Europe in the practice of Chan Buddhism. Hoofprint of the Ox provides a systematic introduction ─ in Sheng yen,s own words ─ to the principles that inform his particular style of Chan training.... In the final analysis, it is an unabashedly normative work ─ a book on Chan practice addressed to an English speaking audience with a personal interest in Buddhism. To the extent that this audience is also primarily Western, Hoofprint is more than passive report of Sheng yen,s personal convictions. It situates those convictions in responsive relation to specific expectations about Chen practice current among Western students, with specific points to be made.
"Chan Master Sheng Yeh has the truly rare ability to harmonize classical teaching with actual meditation practice. In The Method of No-Method he does this for the beautiful and profound Chinese Slient Illumination approach to meditation. It feels as if he is taking us, step ny stepand with great clarity, on our own personal retreat. Here is invaluable guidance for all students of meditative living." ── Larry Rosenberg (author of 《Breath ny Breath》 and 《Living in the Light of Death》) "Master Sheng Yeh is a true spiritual practitioner of deep and broad learning" ── H.H.the Dalai Lama
Here is a spiritual practice that is simple enough for anyone to learn, yet rich enough to be worked with for a lifetime. The traditional Chan (Chinese Zen) practice called Silent Illumination begins with simply putting aside all thoughts except the awareness of oneself "just sitting." The practice is so simple in execution that it has sometimes been called the "method of no-method, " yet to master it, the practitioner must first grasp the method in order to learn how to let go of it. When fully penetrated, this radical form of emptying one’s busy mind-stream leads to perception of the vast ocean of pure awareness.
Chan Master Sheng Yeh is the best-known Chan master in American, having taught regularly in the West for twenty years. Hw is the author or numerous books, including 《Song of Mind》、《Complete Enlightenment》 and 《Attaining the Way》.
【法鼓山之美DVD】 The Beauty of Dharma Drum Mountain 法鼓山世界佛教教育園區,自然景觀與人文建築相互融合,每一處景觀、每一方建設,都是深度的人文精神與心靈環保的實踐。期望透過影像的導覽,分享法鼓山自然與人文之美,並體驗法鼓山境教中無盡的禪味。 At Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education, natural landscape and man-made architecture integrate in harmony. Every scenery and every setting reveal the spirit of humanities and the protection of spiritual environment. With this video guide, we share with you the center’s natural environment and humanistic beauty and hope that you will experience the flavor of Chan emanating from all corners of this setting. 內含二段影片: 1.【建築之美】單元長度:15分50秒 The Beauty of Architecture 山林間隱隱浮現的青灰與赭紅,妝點著北海岸原生的灌木林、百合花叢與溪水活泉。法鼓山的建築群,簡潔優雅、清新開闊。它的每一磚、每一瓦,都包含著尊重生命的心意,它與大自然共生息,它是人間的淨土。 With the blue-gray and reddish brown colors emerging in the midst of the mountains and decorating the bushes, lily groves, and sparkling streams, the architecture is simple, yet elegant, refreshing, and expansive. Every brick and tile of the construct signifies the notion of reverence for life, harmony with nature, and the groundwork of establishing a pure land on earth. 2.【佛像之美】單元長度:16分13秒 The Beauty of Buddha Images 佛像之美,不僅在於其藝術價值,更在於它能讓觀者生起對佛法的信心、領悟佛菩薩的慈悲願力。法鼓山的佛菩薩垂目含笑,彷彿在溫柔地聆聽著眾生的煩惱和願望。古樸的造型,或立或坐,無不莊嚴。佛前的人們,不知不覺中將身心安定了下來,世界也美麗了起來……。 The beauty of Buddha images are not only merely about the art works value, but also an inspiration serve to evoke in thefor viewers to give rise to the faith in the Dharma, enabling them to relate to and to feel compassionate vows of Buddhas and bodhisattvas’ compassion and vows. The images of Buddhas and bodhisattvas at Dharma Drum Mountain, with their eyes cast down and, smiling, represent manifest their tenderness tender heart in hearing the afflictions and wishes from all sentient beings. Modest and simple, Either standing or sitting, the modest and simple images radiate majesty and solemnness, enabling visitors to calm down theirthe body and mind of all visitors.