Attaining the Way
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 (1368ñ1644). 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 obstaclesóall aimed at helping the student attain the way to enlightenment.

Orthodox Chinese Buddhism
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama called Master Sheng Yen, the author of Orthodox Chinese Buddhism, ìa true spiritual practitioner of deep and broad learning.î As a long-time monk, scholar, and founder of monasteries in Taiwan and America, Master Sheng Yen is uniquely qualified to explain the correct ó therefore ìorthodoxî ó beliefs that have guided Chinese Buddhism for over 1,500 years. Written while the author was on solitary retreat in Taiwan, OCB was Master Sheng Yenís response to many questions he received about Chinese Buddhism. Using a question-and-answer format, the book explores a wide range of subjects, from what it means to be a Buddhist to sudden enlightenment. This English translation is therefore a welcome addition to the Western literature of Buddhism, and includes new annotations, appendixes, and a glossary designed for the Western reader.

Song of Mind: Wisdom from the Zen classic Xin Ming
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

"No words can explain enlightenment," says the seventh-century Chan classic Xin Ming (Song of Mind), yet paradoxically, this poem is a masterpiece of expressing what cannot be expressed in words. In his commentary, Master Sheng Yen takes a practical approach, opening up the language of 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-long retreat with Master Sheng Yen, with each chapter in the form 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 this classic to life. 

Getting the Buddha Mind
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

A wonderful introduction to Chan Buddhism. Throughout this book there are detailed descriptions of the seven-day retreat: the schedule of each day, practice, posture, meals, interviews. Click here for more.

The Sword of Wisdom: A Commentary on the Song of Enlightenment
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

The Sword of Wisdom is a penetrating commentary on the Song of Enlightenment, a famous Chan text that speaks of proper methods and attitudes of practice. In this book, compiled from a series of lectures delivered during intensive meditation retreats, Master Sheng Yen gives valuable advice and guidance to those who are practicing Chan meditation. His lucid words offer fresh insight into a timeless philosophy that will be beneficial and inspiring to anyone who is interested in Buddhism.

"When I listen to Master Sheng Yen's presentation of Chan Buddhist teachings, my immediate and very profound feeling is that I am listening to words of wisdom from someone who is very experienced and a great practitioner."

--His Holiness, The Dalai Lama
    

Hoofprint of the Ox: Principles of the Chan Buddhist Path as Taught by a Modern Chinese Master
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

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. Click here for more.
   

Illuminating Silence: The Practice of Chinese Zen
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

A thought provoking introduction to Chan (Chinese Zen) through the teachings of the influential Master Sheng Yen. This is a rare opportunity to gain an insight into the practice of a Chinese Zen retreat and the ideas behind it. Click here for more.
  

There is No Suffering: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

There Is No Suffering is Chan Master Sheng Yen's commentary on the Heart Sutra. 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. Click here for more.
   

Subtle Wisdom
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

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 questions 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.

"Chan cannot be separated from Buddhism. Since the time of the Buddha, masters have given 'transmission' of his wisdom to their disciples when they demonstrated experience and understanding of the Dharma. As a result of this form of recognition, lineages have developed and have become separate schools of Buddhism. This does not mean that each sect holds only part of the Buddhadharma. What is transmitted in the Chan school (and others) is, in fact, the whole of the Dharma." --Chan Master Sheng Yen

Faith in Mind
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

This guide to Chan practice is based on "Faith in Mind," a poem by Chan Master Seng Ts'an. Master Sheng Yen writes: "I did not adopt a scholarly point of view or analytical approach. 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. The Chinese phrase 'faith in mind' contains the two meanings of 'believing in' and 'realizing' the mind. 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."

The way is perfect like a great
         space,
Without lack, without excess.
Because of grasping and rejecting,
You cannot attain it.
Do not pursue conditioned 
         existence;
Do not abide in acceptance of
         emptiness; 
In oneness and equality,
Confusion vanishes of itself.

--From the poem, "Faith in Mind"
  

Infinite Mirror: Commentaries on Inquiry into Matching Halves and Song of the Precious Mirror Samadhi
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

Zen Wisdom: Conversations on Buddhism
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

In this book, Chan Master Sheng Yen answers questions from his students with clarity and depth. Collected over several years, these conversations focus on the simple yet seemingly elusive principles of Chan practice. Combining wisdom with knowledge of the contemporary world, Master Sheng Yen shows us that Chan and the Buddha's teachings in general are still fresh and relevant in the present day. 

He explains that, to practice Chan, we need to learn the teachings of the Buddha, and to apply those teachings in daily life as well as in Chan meditation. He also emphasizes Chan as the way of a bodhisattva, for whom wisdom and compassion are inseparable. Zen Wisdom will provide clear and useful guidance to beginners as well as seasoned practitioners of the Buddha's teachings.

The Poetry of Enlightenment
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

"To my knowledge there are no anthologies of Chan poetry in Chinese, Japanese or English which describe in detail the method of practice and the experience of Chan. Furthermore, there are few prose sources in English dealing with the same topics. The purpose of these poems is to specifically show you how to practice, what attitudes to cultivate and what pitfalls to beware of. Finally, they attempt to describe the ineffable experience of Chan itself. These poems flow directly from the minds of the enlightened Chan masters; we get a glimpse into their experience at the time of, and after their enlightenment. In contrast, reading a kung-an (koan) gives us an objective account of what happened and we don't really know what was in their minds.

It is my hope that this collection will give those who are interested in practice a new way of looking at Chan and a more balanced view of the scope of Chan literature. These poems are offered to make this tradition available to Western readers, who may otherwise not be aware of their existence. They include works by Shih Wang Ming, Master Fu, Seng Ts'an, Niu T'ou Fa Jung, Yung Chia Hsuan Chueh, Shih T'ou Hsi Ch'ien, Tung Shan Liang Chieh, and Han Shan Te Ch'ing."

--Chan Master Sheng Yen
  

Complete Enlightenment
by Chan Master Sheng Yen
Forward by Thich Nhat Hanh

Complete Enlightenment is the first authoritative translation and commentary on the Sutra of Complete Enlightenment, a central text that shaped the development of Chan and East Asian Buddhism in general. Master Sheng Yen incisively applies the sutra to practice in contemporary life.

"The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment is a Dharma discussion between the Buddha and several great bodhisattvas in the presence of a large Sangha. If you know how to be there and how to listen, you will be able to actually participate in it. It is still going on."--Thich Nhat Hanh

"Complete Enlightenment is a sublime sutra of Mahayana Buddhism. Chan Master Sheng Yen has brilliantly elucidated this great teaching of the Buddha on healing the ills of everyday life and realizing Buddhahood, as it is, through the paths of sudden and gradual enlightenment."--Tulku Thondup

"Complete Enlightenment is a treasure house of the Dharma. Master Sheng Yen's wisdom and compassion, kindness and clarity beautifully illuminate this ancient Buddhist text of liberation. This is a wonderful book."--Joseph Goldstein

Dharma Drum
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

In Dharma Drum, Master Sheng Yen offers fresh insights into the ways we can bring Chan study and practice into our daily lives. Part One includes anecdotal explanations of the history and concepts that shaped Chan Buddhism, along with careful explanations of methods for meditation and other practices. Part Two pulls us into the rhythms of practice itself, with aphorisms and bits of guidance for people at any level of practice.

"In Buddhism, awakening from the long dream of life means realizing your self-nature. ... Although we may understand that our lives are dreamlike, we still bear responsibility for this sleeping and waking dream. We must make our minds simple, peaceful and tranquil. Sincere and rigorous practice lets us calm both body and mind, which in turn allows us, day by day, to reduce our karmic obstructions."

--Chan Master Sheng Yen
  

Ox Herding at Morgan's Bay (Out of Print)
by Chan Master Sheng Yen

This book is a series of lectures given by Master Sheng-yen during a week-long retreat at a Zen community in Surry, Maine. The talks are not a scholarly interpretation of the Ten Ox Herding Pictures which tell the story of Chan practice in terms of a shepherd training his ox. Rather, the master uses the pictures as a basis for these improvised, informal teachings meant to help practitioners cope with obstacles and situations that arise in their practice during retreat. Master Sheng-yen offers words of advice and encouragement throughout. These talks are helpful for anyone who meditates, whether he/she attends retreats or not.

"The Ten Ox Herding Pictures provide an analogy to help explain the process of Chan practice. The ever-watchful, ever-patient ox herder is a model for Chan practitioners, who should constantly watch their minds of vexation..."--Master Sheng-yen
 

The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master
by Venerable Yin-shun

The Way to Buddhahood is a compendium of two thousand years of Chinese study, practice, and authentication of the Buddha's teachings. This is one of those rare classics that genuinely captures an entire Buddhist tradition between its covers.

"This fine translation. . .is a most welcome addition to the small English language archives of modern Chinese Buddhism. . .The foremost leader of Chinese Buddhism's intellectual resurgence, the monk Yin-shun is both a scholar and an original thinker of the first order. Drawing upon the whole range of Buddhist thought-but especially upon the Madhyamaka ('Middle Way') tradition of Nagarjuna, Candrakirti, and Tsongkhapa-Yin-shun has emphasized the rationalism and humanism of Buddhism while also bringing traditional Buddhist scholarship into invigorating dialogue with modern, critical Buddhist Studies."--Professor Robert M. Gimello

"Buddhism is a religion of reason and not just a religion of faith. In explaining principles or instructing practices, Buddhist teachings rely on reason. These teachings are both rich and correct. Because the Buddhadharma has always adapted to people's different abilities and allowed free choice about which adaptation to follow, the teachings are diverse."--Dharma-master Yin-shun