How to Cultivate Buddhist Practice

Author: Nan Huaijin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-10-01
Features: This book is one of Professor Nan Huaijin's most important works, offering insightful explanations and specific guidance on the practical steps of learning and practicing Buddhism. It is the words of someone who has truly walked the path. The works collected in this book cover a broad range of topics, reflecting more comprehensively Professor Nan Huaijin's contemporary research findings. It is suitable for reading, collecting, and research reference.
Buddhism refers to "Sila" (precepts), "Samadhi" (meditation), and "Prajna" (wisdom) as the "Threefold Learning," believing that all methods of practice are encompassed within these. It is essential to study them diligently. Among these, Sila and Samadhi pertain to practical practice, while Prajna belongs to theoretical contemplation. During his time in Taiwan, the renowned scholar Professor Nan Huaijin gave a series of lectures on the theme "How to Practice and Verify Buddhism," totaling twenty-eight sessions. The content of these lectures was recorded and organized, forming this book (originally titled The Integrated Path to the Ultimate Realization of Exoteric and Esoteric Practices). The book focuses on "Jian" (view), "Xiu" (practice and verification), and "Xing" (conduct and aspirations), drawing on Buddhist scriptures such as the Saddharma Pu??arīka Sūtra, Lotus Sutra, A?guttara Nikāya, Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra, Mahāvaipulya Buddhāvata?saka Sūtra, Abhidharmako?abhā?ya, Sammūrtatathāgatasamādhisamāpannāsuttanta, Zongjinglu, Zhimuelu, Mizongdaolueguanglun, and Pudidao Cidu Guanglun to explain Buddhist practice methods in a concise and clear manner. It includes key points and illustrative examples.
This book is one of Professor Nan Huaijin's most important works, offering insightful explanations and specific guidance on the practical steps of learning and practicing Buddhism. It is the words of someone who has truly walked the path. The works collected in this book cover a broad range of topics, reflecting more comprehensively Professor Nan Huaijin's contemporary research findings. It is suitable for reading, collecting, and research reference.
(1) In the spring of 1978, the author of this book, Professor Nan Huaijin, was practicing seclusion in Taipei. Due to certain circumstances, he took time to give a series of twenty-eight lectures.
(2) This is one of Professor Nan Huaijin's most important works, offering insightful explanations and specific guidance on the practical steps of learning and practicing Buddhism. It is the words of someone who has truly walked the path.
(3) Although the author once stated that what was taught was only one-fifth of what he wanted to say, reading this book has already benefited those who sincerely study and seek to verify the Dharma.
(4) The greatest feature of this book is that it points out the confusions, roads, and unconscious mistakes on the path of practice.
(5) Readers may notice some repetition in the content, but since it was a lecture format, emphasis was added to ensure clarity without any editing to preserve the full picture and maintain the oral style of the lectures, giving readers a sense of being present.
(6) This book is based on the lecture notes of a meditation master, combined with audio recordings. It was reviewed by a legal master and lay practitioner Xie Jinxiang, with the full text edited by lay practitioner Li Shujun, and finally compiled and summarized by lay practitioner Liu Yuhong, with content summaries added. The smooth publication of this book during the author's time away from Taiwan was greatly aided by these contributions, for which he is deeply grateful. We also kindly request corrections from all quarters.
(7) The original title of this book was The Integrated Path to the Ultimate Realization of Exoteric and Esoteric Practices. It was changed to the current, more accessible title to avoid confusion with other scriptures and commentaries.