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Title: Complete Enlightenment: Translation and Commentary on the Sutra of Complete Enlightenment by Master Sheng-Yen, Christopher Marano, Guo-Gu, Master Sheng-Yen, Chang Sheng-Yen, Guo-Gu Bhikshu ISBN: 0-9609854-7-6 Publisher: Dharma Drum Pubns Pub. Date: November, 1997 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $23.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (6 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: "zen" Bodhisattva
Comment: I recently found myself trying to explain to a friend the different flavors of zen/ Ch'an. My experience of this book made me see that one of the most important differentiations of the varieties of zen is the degree of emphasis on the Bodhisattva practice, and how these are explained. The Japanese practices put little emphasis on the idea of the practicer becoming (or being) a Bodhisattva, a selfless entity who intentionally reincarnates for the sole purpose of helping others.
Naturally, we begin serious practice with the idea of helping ourselves. As we cultivate the recognition that our "self" is not real (so who is there to help?), we may choose to re-orient our practice to the pledge of helping all sentient being, for as long as it takes. And that's where this book comes in. Committing to Bodhisattva vows, one loses concern about the "if" and "when" of the "enlightenment" experience, as one then knows that this will occur in the due course of the Bodhisattva practice. ( . . . ) (OOPS! There goes "the ending" ;-)
If one buys into the Bodhisattva trip after reading this book, the next giant step is reading the "Avatamsaka Sutra" and the study of Hua Yen Buddhism ("Entry into the Inconceivable"). Thanks to Thomas Cleary.
Theravadin ("Hinayana") practicers will appreciate the thorough explanation of how Hinayana and Mahayana practices fit together. Anyway, "Complete Enlightenment" will help any zen practicer to see where his practice fits, in the zen grand scheme of practices. MAKE A BUDDHA! :-)
Rating: 5
Summary: one of the more important sutras for serious cultivators
Comment: This is the definitive translation of one of the most important sutras in the Mahayana literature. A previous translation by Charles Luk and published through Samuel Weiser did not capture some of the nuances and depths that the current version portrays. The translator, Ven. Guo-Gu Shi, did a wonderful job. Cultivators who do not practice will have a hard time understanding the importance of this Sutra. However, for serious cultivators, this Sutra provides important and step-by-step guideposts that are critical for one's own verification and further progression. This Sutra will have to be studied many times until its meaning can be completely digested. Master Sheng-yen's commentary is given in simple laymen's language and is a joy to read. In the past few years Master Sheng-yen has clearly emerged as one of the main masters of Ch'an (Zen) in the Western world.
Rating: 5
Summary: A must for practitioners of all Buddhist tradition!
Comment: It is rare to find such clarity in Buddhist teachings from a contemporary master. Most books out there on Buddhist practice lack depth. From the advice and viewpoint presented in this book, it really seems like Master Sheng-yen practice what he preaches.
Furthermore, this book is also a translation of a sutra. This is a necessity for the current Western Buddhist movement--we need more translations of Buddhist text with authoritative translations.
The book is a commentary on The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment. The sutra consist of 12 bodhisattvas [enlightened being] questioning the Buddha on some very interesting questions. Each bodhisattva represents a stage on practice and each question the Buddha on a series of questions in accordance to that stage of practice. Some of the interesting questions are, "If we are originally Buddha's, what caused us to become ordinary sentient beings?" or "If we reach Buddhahood, will we return to being ordinary sentient being again?"
The questions posed by these bodhisattvas are also heavily practice oriented, such as "what should a beginner so as to gain an entry into the realm of Complete Enlightenment?"
The commentary by Master Sheng-yen deals with the sutra from the point of view of Chan practice. His examples are down to earth and his advice useful in daily life.
Another interesting thing I find with Master Sheng-yen's teaching is that, through his writing, he seems to be very honest and down to earth, backed-up with real experience. For this reason, Buddhist practitioners, no matter what tradition he or she may be from, can benefit. His words are "alive" rather than just a lot of repeats and fancy spiritual jargon.
If you like this book, you will also like his other books.
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Title: Subtle Wisdom by Ch'an Master Sheng-yen, Sheng-yen ISBN: 0385480458 Publisher: Image Books Pub. Date: 17 August, 1999 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Illuminating Silence: The Practice of Chinese Zen by Chan Master Sheng-Yen, John Crook, Master Sheng-Yen, Stephen Batchelor ISBN: 1842930311 Publisher: Watkins Publishing Ltd Pub. Date: May, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Hoofprint of the Ox: Principles of the Chan Buddhist Path As Taught by a Modern Chinese Master by Ch'an Master Sheng-yen, Dan Stevenson, Master Sheng-Yen ISBN: 0195136934 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: February, 2001 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations (Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices Series) by Paul Williams ISBN: 0415025370 Publisher: Routledge Pub. Date: September, 1989 List Price(USD): $31.95 |
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Title: The Sutra of Hui-Neng: Grand Master of Zen by Thomas Cleary ISBN: 1570623481 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 14 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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