Master Sheng-yen, a dharma descendant from the founders of Buddhism in China, considers the concepts of suffering, enlightenment, and compassion; provides a glossary of key terms; and briefly recaps the history of Buddhism in China But he goes beyond these issues to discuss contemporary matters and question he has encountered in his years of teaching in the United States Sometimes personal and always instructive, Sheng Yen’s introductory work is perfect for those just coming to Buddhism, and for those who are already very familiar with the Tibetan and Zen schools.
There is no suffering, no cause of suffering, no cessation of suffering, and no path There is no wisdom and no attainment
The Heart Sutra, just over a page long, distills the teachings of the Buddha to their purest essence Perhaps the best known of all Buddhist sutras, it is recited in Buddhist centers and monasteries around the world Emphasizing a living wisdom directly experienced, the schools of Chan have revered the Heart Sutra for its concise expression of the core realization of the Buddha.
There Is No Suffering is Chan Master Sheng Yen’s commentary on the Heart Sutru He speaks on the sutra from the Chan point of view, and presents it as a series of contemplation methods, encouraging readers to experience it directly through meditation and daily life In this way, reading the Heart Sutra becomes more than just an intellectual exercise; it becomes a wisdom inherent within each of us Whether one wants a better understanding of Buddhist concepts or a deepened meditation practice, this commentary on the Heart Sutra can help.
Zen, in Chinese, is Ch’an In Zen Wisdom, renowned Ch’an Master Sheng Yen, speak to his students’ questions about Practice, Philosophy and Doctrine, and Social Issues He guides them through the difficult waters of contradiction “Ch’an masters acknowledge intelligence and learning,” he says But “the enlightened state that Ch’an speaks of is and it cannot be understood through deductive reasoning…Ch’an masters teach their students to leave behind all concepts, so they might experience enlightenment for themselves”
“Ironically, enlightened beings use reasoning, intelligence and language to help others practice To communicate the benefits of Ch’an, they use tools based on knowledge and experience”
“Intelligence before enlightenment is intelligence with attachment Wisdom is intelligence without attachment”
“NO WORDS CAN EXPLAIN ENLIGHTEMNENT,” says the seventh-century Chinese Zen classic Xin Ming, or “Song of Mind,” yet paradoxically, this poem is a masterpiece of expressing what cannot be expressed in words 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 into your daily life” The book takes the form of a week-ling retreat of an evening talk given on a particular section of the text-giving this book a uniquely intimate feeling and creating an impression of being right there with the master as he brings the text to life.