Only a Great Rain: A Guide to Chinese Buddhist Meditation

by Hsing Yun, Tom Graham (Translator), John McRae (Introduction)

In Only a Great Rain, modern meditation master Hsing Yun presents Chinese Buddhist meditation in clear, engaging terms. He begins by showing us the intimate connections between ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom and goes on to describe a variety of meditation techniques, drawing on the insights of the Ch'an (Zen), T'ien-t'ai, Hua-yen, and Pure Land traditions. Professor McRae's introduction provides a helpful context for understanding Chinese Buddhism and Master Hsing Yun's place within it.

Genres: Buddhism

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

About the author

Hsing Yun was a Chinese Buddhist monk, teacher, and philanthropist based in Taiwan. He was the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastic order as well as the layperson-based Buddha's Light International Association. Hsing Yun was considered a major proponent of Humanistic Buddhism and one of the most influential teachers of modern Taiwanese Buddhism. In Taiwan, he was popularly referred to as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Taiwanese Buddhism, along with his contemporaries: Master Sheng Yen of Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Shih Cheng Yen of Tzu Chi and Master Wei Chueh of Chung Tai Shan.

Reviews

[michael lequire · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first step and chapter, embrace morality. Filled to the brim with useful knowledge and joy. It's great.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative, if brief and dry, overview of Buddhist meditation.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good explanation of some of the techniques of Buddhist meditation from the Chinese tradition, still the book has several arcane passages, not easily embraced by the novice. The book also includes an excellent English/Sanskrit/Chinese glossary.

[diwili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purple rain, purple rain.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for learning about meditation and what it all means.