Essential Chan Buddhism: The Character and Spirit of Chinese Zen

by Guo Jun, Robert A.F. Thurman (Foreword)

In this highly readable book, Master Gou Jun brings Chan’s powerful and profound teachings to the page in a way that is accessible and warm. This is a book for those new to Chan, and for seasoned practitioners. Essential Chan Buddhism is the rare unearthing of an ancient and remarkable Chinese spiritual tradition. Master Guo Jun speaks through hard-won wisdom on Chan's spiritual themes familiar to Western readers, such as mindfulness and relaxation in meditation, as well as profound, simply expressed teachings and insightful explorations of religious commitment. Essential Chan Buddhism filters formal spiritual practices through the lens of mundane and everyday life activities. The work captures the lyrical beauty and incantatory style of Guo Jun’s spoken English from the talks he gave at a fourteen-day retreat near Jakarta in 2010 and in subsequent conversations with his editor Kenneth Wapner.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, Zen

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jessie Skiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read and comprehend. This book will humble you and truly make you think about life.

[Jerry Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more to say? Come back to your breath, come back to the present moment, and relax.

[Justin]

doesn't really explain how this is different than say Zen

[Ata A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chan (Chinese) / Zen (Japanese) / Son (Korean)/ thien (Vietnamese) are all one, but manifested differently in different cultural milieu. The Chinese/ Singaporean Chan Master Guo Jun trained for all of his youth in the practice of Chinese traditional Chan with Master Sheng Yen. This work seems to be a culmination of his “essential” insights into his practice of Chan. Its is the simplest, most transparent, easiest to understand written Chan work I have read to date. The topics covered are years worth of gems gained through practice, and while at times are expressed in a repetitive or redundant method, still display the simplicity of Chan thought - and still its deeper complexities.

Topics such as “heart to heart sitting”, “farming meditation” and the insightful differences between “Indian” Buddhism vs Chinese Buddhism, and why these differences evolved were incredibly important in the establishment of the traditional schools of Mahayana.

Some unique points: Guo speaks of falling in love with the breath in ways I haven’t encountered before. In fact, I feel as though the theravadists and vipassana practitioners would benefit greatly from reading his brief chapter on the breath! Master Guo discusses insightful meditations when floating on water, connecting with the world, what relaxation really means, different practices to truly attain mindfulness (easier said than done!), and eventually enlightenment! I’ll probably reread this book several times slowly, in order to be reminded of Chan’s beauty and Buddhism’s abundant wisdom (prajna)!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

i started to read this book under the goal read a book from a theological veiwpoint you disagree with, i was interested in it due to reading eat, pray, love and a few other middle eastern books, but the more i read of it- the more i realized i agreed with it. i'm not budhist, nor am i going to become budhist, but there is nothing in this book that i disagree with. it is simply amazing. it helped me understand my own religion better. i am therefore putting it under the goal read a book on joy or happiness. it truly made me happy when i read it.

[Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome awesome awesome! One of the best books on Chinese Buddhism around! I especially loved the parables and stories from the author's own history that he tells in this rather small book. I liked that even though he is a very experienced monk, he wrote his book for the layman/novice and made it very user friendly. Even going so far as to say that Buddhism isn't about avoiding social life and being a hermit. It's just the opposite in fact! Very similar in ways to being a magickian.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter is very short and written in an easy-to-follow manner, it's not necessarily read from the beginning to the end. I'm learning zen meditation and has met Master Guo Jun once. Master a great zen master and his teachings is very inspiring and insightful. This book is a must read for every one practising Zen.