Correcting Zen: Reforming Buddhist Practice According to Lost Buddhist Principles

by William Bodri

When Buddhism first arose within India it collected and espoused a number of the best meditation and inner energy cultivation techniques of its day. However, many of the principles behind these practices have become lost over time, sometimes because they are considered "secret" in Buddhism's esoteric traditions. When Buddhism first entered China and the majority of its teachings were as yet still untranslated, a large number of practitioners were still able to attain enlightenment without depending upon its sutras because those individuals primarily relied on just two cultivation techniques that had been anapana inner breath (energy) work and the white skeleton bone visualization practice. Buddhism today rarely produces enlightened sages as it did in the past because its training curriculum is now inadequate in inner energy work, breathing practices, as well as mindfulness work, visualization efforts, immeasurable meditations, mantrayana, stretching exercises, self-rectification and Buddha vows. This work helps to restore many of the lost principles for these practices that were once responsible for Buddhism’s previous great success in producing countless enlightened masters. These instructions of highly effective enlightenment practices are for the benefit of all people, of all traditions and religions, who are seeking spiritual attainments and who desire the quickest pathway of sequential steps and practices for attainment.

417 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2023