The Selected Works of Nan Huaijin, Volume 7 -- How to Practice and Verify Buddhism The Perspective of the Medicine King Sutra on Alleviating the World The Basic Beliefs of a Buddhist Practitioner

Author: Nan Huaijin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Nan Huaijin, a renowned scholar with international acclaim, was born in 1918 into a scholarly family in Leqing County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang. At 85 years old, he received early education at home and studied the classics in his youth. When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, the young Nan Huaijin took up arms and served on the southwestern frontier. Later, he returned to Sichuan, teaching at the Central Military Academy and Jinling University. With exceptional talent and detachment from worldly affairs, he often traveled with straw sandals and bamboo staffs, exploring famous mountains and rivers to seek enlightened masters. He once retreated to the Big Platform Temple on Mount Emei for three years of seclusion, studying the vast Buddhist canon. Afterward, he journeyed to Tibet, meeting with masters of Vajrayana Buddhism and gaining profound knowledge of its various schools. Upon leaving Tibet, he moved to Kunming, initially teaching at Yunnan University and later at Sichuan University. After the war, he returned to his hometown. Soon after, he retired to Mount Tianzhu in Hangzhou and Mount Lu in Jiangxi, dedicating himself to scholarly pursuits. After moving to Taiwan, he was invited to teach at Cultural University, Fu Jen University, and other universities and research institutions, spreading his knowledge to Japan, the United States, and Central America. In recent years, he has resided in Hong Kong, contributing significantly to cultural exchange between the Taiwan Strait and mainland China. Nan Huaijin is well-versed in Confucian classics, historical texts, and the classics of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, with extensive knowledge and a prolific body of work. Especially notable is his approach of combining classical studies with historical analysis to explain the major classics of the three teachings, drawing on diverse sources and blending ancient and modern insights with profound meaning, vivid humor, and remarkable achievements in popularizing traditional Chinese culture. His works have been widely loved by readers across all levels in both Taiwan and mainland China. Fudan University Press is the earliest publisher of Nan Huaijin’s works in China and the publisher with the most extensive and varied collection of his writings. The total number of his published works is twenty-four, most of which are his representative works. With the authorization of the author and the original publisher, these works have been compiled into ten volumes, bound in hardcover to meet the needs of readers for reading and collecting. The following is the list of volumes:
Volume 1: The Analects: A New Interpretation
Volume 2: The Way of Lao Tzu and Confucius, Mencius: A New Perspective
Volume 3: The I Ching: A New Interpretation, The I Ching: A New Commentary on the Commentaries
Volume 4: Zen and Taoism, Taoism, Vajrayana Buddhism, and Eastern Mysticism, Meditation for Self-Cultivation and Longevity
Volume 5: Exploring the Zen Sea, Zen Talks, An Outline of the Development of Buddhism in China, An Outline of the Development of Taoism in China
Volume 6: Experiences from History, A New Generation Caught Between Tradition and Modernity, General Remarks on Chinese Culture
Volume 7: How to Practice and Attain Enlightenment, The Healing Vision of the Lotus Sutra, Basic Beliefs of a Buddhist
Volume 8: What the Diamond Sutra Means, A Contemporary Interpretation of the Lotus Sutra
Volume 9: A Brief Explanation of the Avatamsaka Sutra, Initial Practices of Samatha and Vipassana, A Contemporary Interpretation of the Vajrayana Sutra
Volume 10: The Original Meaning of the Great Learning
Buddhism refers to "Sila" (precepts), "Samadhi" (meditation), and "Prajna" (wisdom) as the "Three Trainings," believing that all practices are encompassed within them and should be diligently cultivated. Among these, Sila and Samadhi pertain to practical cultivation, while Prajna involves theoretical contemplation. The renowned scholar Nan Huaijin, while in Taipei, delivered a series of lectures on the theme "How to Practice and Attain Enlightenment" to his students, totaling twenty-eight sessions. These lectures, recorded and compiled, form the basis of this book (originally titled The Integrated Path of Esoteric and Exoteric Practice). The book focuses on "Jian" (view), "Xiu" (practice), and "Xing" (action), using texts such as the Lankavatara Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Ekottara Agama, Sukha Sutta, Avatamsaka Sutra, Compendium of the Stages of Practice, Stages of Meditation, Mirror of the Mind, Record of the Moon Pointing the Way, Comprehensive Treatise on the Stages of Vajrayana Practice, and Comprehensive Treatise on the Stages of the Bodhisattva Path as sources to explain Buddhist practices in a clear and concise manner. It includes key points and illustrative examples. Since its publication, it has not only garnered widespread attention in both Taiwan and mainland China but has also been translated into English and circulated in Western countries. With the authorization of the author and the original publisher, Taiwan Lao Gua Cultural Enterprises, this book is now reprinted and published for research purposes.
The Lotus Sutra is an important scripture revered by both the (exoteric) and (esoteric) branches of Buddhism in China, holding significant influence in Buddhist history. There are three translations of it: the Sutra on the Great Vows of translated by Dharma Master Darmaraksa during the Sui Dynasty, the Sutra on the Merits and Vows of the Lapis Lazuli Buddha translated by Xuanzang during the Tang Dynasty, and the Sutra on the Merits and Vows of the Seven Buddhas translated by I-ching during the Tang Dynasty. The Lotus Sutra commonly referred to today is based on Xuanzang’s translation. The scripture primarily discusses the "Twelve Great Vows" of the Medicine Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings. This book is a lecture record by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin on the Lotus Sutra. Drawing on his life experiences and observations of the world, the author provides an in-depth and nuanced explanation of the Buddhist tradition of benefiting others. With the authorization of the author and the original publisher, Taiwan Lao Gua Cultural Enterprises, this book is now reprinted and published for research purposes, based on the 2001 edition.
The Universal Gateway of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva ( The Mahayana Lotus Sutra: The Universal Gateway of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva into the Inconceivable Realm of Liberation) was originally the last volume of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Panro during the Tang Dynasty. It quickly became a separate scripture and was widely disseminated due to its "superior literary quality" and "relevance to daily life" (as noted by Zhiyu in the Ming Dynasty). The scripture primarily discusses the "Ten Great Vows" of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the daily recitation of the Ten Great Vows in Buddhist temples originates from this scripture. This book is a lecture record by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin on the Universal Gateway of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (originally titled Basic Beliefs of a Buddhist—Lecture Record on the Universal Gateway of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva). The author explains the essence and main ideas of the scripture in plain language, especially the verses that are difficult for ordinary readers to understand, in an engaging manner. It also includes various materials related to "Xingyuan" (practice and vows). The "Basic Beliefs" in the title refers to "Xingyuan." With the authorization of the author and the original publisher, Taiwan Lao Gua Cultural Enterprises, this book is now reprinted and published for research purposes, based on the 2001 edition.