Zen and Taoism (Second Edition) (Second Edition)

Author: Nan Huaijin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-08-01
Features: This book is a systematic exploration of the essence, origins, practices, and influence of Zen Buddhism and Taoism through thematic studies. It is divided into two parts. The first part, "Zen Buddhism and Buddhism," provides an in-depth analysis of the historical context of Buddhism's emergence, the fundamental doctrines of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, the lineage of Zen Buddhism, the life and teachings of Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch, who laid the foundation for later Zen thought, as well as Zen Buddhist discourses, cases, paradoxes, and (striking and shouting) techniques. It also examines methods of Zen practice, the relationship between Zen and Neo-Confucianism, the influence of Zen on Tang poetry, Song lyrics, Yuan qu (quatrains), and Ming-Qing novels, and the renowned temple system. The second part, "Taoism and Taoism," offers insightful perspectives on the origins of hermits and alchemists, the divisions within practices like cultivating spirit, breathing exercises, ingesting elixirs, and rituals, the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi, the cultural traditions of Qi and Yan, the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, immortal alchemy, the formation and evolution of Taoism, and the contributions of Taoism and Taoism to ancient natural sciences such as astronomy, mathematics, geomancy (feng shui), physics, chemistry, and medicine.