Zen Buddhism and Taoism

Author: Nan Huaijin
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2000-05-01
Features: Written by the renowned Taiwanese scholar Nan Huaijin, Zen and Taoism (originally titled Introduction to Zen and Taoism) is a comprehensive work that systematically elucidates the essence, origins, practices, and influences of Zen Buddhism and Taoism through thematic studies. The book is divided into two parts. The first part, "Zen and Buddhism," provides an in-depth discussion on the historical context of Buddhism's emergence, the fundamental doctrines of both the Mahayana and Hinayana schools of Buddhism, the lineage of Zen, the life and contributions of the sixth patriarch Huineng, who laid the foundation for later Zen thought, as well as Zen's discourses, paradoxical cases, parables, and disciplinary practices. It also explores the methods of Zen practice, the relationship between Zen and Neo-Confucianism, the impact of Zen on Tang Dynasty poetry, Song Dynasty lyrics, Yuan Dynasty quatrains, Ming and Qing Dynasty fiction, and the well-known temple rules (linji system). The second part, "Taoism and the Daoist Religion," offers insightful analysis on the origins of hermits and alchemists, the divisions within practices such as cultivating the spirit, breathing exercises, ingesting elixirs, and ritual worship. It covers the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi, the customs of the state of Qi and Yan, the theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, immortal cultivation and alchemy, the formation and evolution of Daoism, and the contributions of Taoism and Daoism to ancient natural sciences such as astronomy, calendar calculations, geomancy, physics, chemistry, and medicine.