Selected Works of Nan Huaijin (Volume 4) Zen Buddhism and Taoism · Taoism, Esoteric Buddhism, and Eastern Mysticism · Seated Meditation, Cultivation, and Immortality

Author: Nan Huaijin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-17
Features: Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have stood as three major pillars, collectively known as the "Three Teachings" or "Three Schools." They have both competed with and absorbed each other, integrating and transforming, vying for prominence in the world and advancing Chinese thought and culture from various perspectives. Written by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin, Zen and Taoism (Introduction to Zen and Taoism, originally published by Lao Gu Cultural Enterprises in Taiwan) is a systematic study that elaborates on the essence, origins, practices, and influence of Zen and Taoism. 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 the Mahayana and Hinayana schools, the lineage of Zen, the life and teachings of Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch, who laid the foundation for later Zen thought, Zen's discourses, koans, paradoxes, and (vigorous), 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, as well as the renowned temple system. The second part, "Taoism and the Taoist Religion," offers insightful analysis on the origins of hermits and alchemists, the divisions within practices such as cultivating the spirit, absorbing vital energy, ingesting elixirs, and performing rituals, the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi, the cultural traditions of Qi and Yan, the theory of yin and yang and the five elements, immortal alchemy, the formation and evolution of Taoism, and the contributions of Taoism and the Taoist religion to ancient Chinese astronomy, mathematics, geomancy (feng shui), physics, chemistry, and medicine. With the author's and the original publisher's permission, the 10th edition of Introduction to Zen and Taoism (1989) has been renamed, re-edited, and republished for research purposes.
How was the universe generated, bringing forth heaven and earth and all things within it? What is the true extent of the human mind's capabilities? Can practicing cultivation and self-cultivation extend one's lifespan? Throughout history, people have persistently sought answers to these questions. The mysticism that emerged in ancient China, India, and Egypt were all centered around these themes. Zen, Taoism, and Eastern Mysticism is a book that explores Taoism, Vajrayana Buddhism, and Eastern mysticism from the perspectives of culture and medicine, written by the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin. The book is divided into three parts. The first part primarily discusses the history, theory, and practices of Vajrayana Buddhism, especially the cultivation of the "Three Secrets" (body, speech, and mind). The second part focuses on the study of the I Ching and traditional Chinese medicine, particularly the issue of qi and meridians. The third part includes related essays and prefaces. With the author's and the original publisher, Lao Gu Cultural Enterprises in Taiwan, permission, the 1985 edition has been revised and republished for research purposes.
Immortality has long been the aspiration and pursuit of people throughout the ages. Different experts have offered their own views on how to achieve it. To address the inquiries of scholars, the renowned scholar Nan Huaijin, drawing on his years of personal cultivation and practice as well as ancient and modern works, wrote Zen Meditation, Cultivation, and Immortality. The book emphasizes the meditation practices of the Three Teachings—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Its contents include: the postures and key points of meditation; the reactions of qi within the body during meditation and the psychological and physiological changes they trigger; the seven-posture meditation methods of Buddhism; Taoist inner alchemy meditation; methods for opening the Ren and Du meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians; qigong based on traditional Chinese medicine's meridian theory; and cultivation methods from works such as The Secret Method of Taiji Alchemy and The Stages of the Bodhi Path. It provides valuable guidance to correct misconceptions and promote longevity. With the author's and the original publisher, Lao Gu Cultural Enterprises in Taiwan, permission, the 17th edition of Zen Meditation, Cultivation, and Immortality (1989) has been re-published for readers.