Listen to Yourself, Think Everything Over: Dharma Talks

by Hsüan Hua

Instructions on how to practice the method of reciting the names of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Also includes a straightforward explanation of how to cultivate Chan meditation.

153 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book I have read by Master Hua. I obtained both through the Buddhist Text Translation Society. I have been studying Buddhism during this year and have developed an interest in Amitabha Buddha and Pure Land Buddhism. Like the prior book I read by Hua, this one has some good information in places. However, also like the prior book I was bothered by Hua's very negative views on the human body and human sexuality. Sure, some things about being human are gross when examined as closely as Hua does. But that is a small part of being human. To discredit the entire body, a miracle of bioengineering, as a steaming and defiled sack of oozing putrification, as Hua does, is a flawed premise to say the least. This flawed premise seems to fuel his draconian view of all human sexuality. I fail to see how one is supposed to cultivate Buddhist loving kindness if one cannot love themselves (because, as Hua sees us, deep down we are physically an unworthy, steaming bag of lustful, carnal sh*t). There is also a section of the text where a disciple accuses the Master of male chauvinism and I felt Hua sidestepped the issue. Overall, the book is worth a quick read if you are interested in the Western Pure Land, but the more I read of Master Hua the more I am irritated by his beliefs.