Selected Works of Nan Huaijin (Volume 7)

Author: Nan Huaijin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-09-01
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. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the young Nan Huaijin abandoned his studies to join the army, serving on the southwestern frontier. Later, he returned to Sichuan and taught 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 out eminent monks and scholars. He once retreated to the Pingping Temple on Mount Emei for three years of seclusion, thoroughly reading the vast Buddhist canon. He then traveled to Tibet, studying with masters of Vajrayana Buddhism and gaining deep knowledge of its various schools. After 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 retreated to Tianzhu Mountain in Hangzhou and Lushan Mountain in Jiangxi, dedicating himself to scholarly pursuits. Upon moving to Taiwan, he was appointed 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 regions. Nan Huaijin is well-versed in classics, history, and philosophy, bridging Eastern and Western cultures with profound knowledge and numerous works. Especially notable is his approach of combining classics with historical analysis to explain the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. His writings are rich in references, vivid, humorous, and deeply meaningful, making him a beloved figure among readers across both sides of the Taiwan Strait. 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. They have published a total of twenty-four works, most of which are his representative works. With the author’s and original publisher’s authorization, these works have been compiled into ten volumes, bound in hardcover to meet the needs of readers for reading and collecting. The contents of each volume are as follows:
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 Zhi Transmissions
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 of Tradition, General Remarks on Chinese Culture
Volume 7: How to Practice and Attain Enlightenment, The Perspective of the Sariputra Sutra on the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra, Basic Beliefs of a Buddhist Practitioner
Volume 8: What the Diamond Sutra Means, A Contemporary Interpretation of the Lengyan Sutra
Volume 9: A Brief Explanation of the Circle of Perfect Wisdom Sutra, Initial Practices of Samatha and Vipassana, A Contemporary Interpretation of the Lengya 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 pertains to theoretical contemplation. Renowned scholar Nan Huaijin, while in Taipei, delivered a series of lectures to students on the theme "How to Practice and Attain Enlightenment," totaling twenty-eight sessions. These lectures, recorded and compiled, form the basis of this book (originally titled A Comprehensive Path to the Integration of Exoteric and Esoteric Practices). Focusing on "Jian" (view), "Xiu" (practice), and "Xing" (action), the book provides clear and concise explanations of Buddhist practices using texts such as the Lengyan Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Ekottara Agama, Sukha Sambodhi Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra, Compendium of the Stages of Practice, Stages of Meditation, Mirror of the Mind, Record of the Moonlight, Comprehensive Treatise on the Stages of Vajrayana Practice, and Comprehensive Treatise on the Stages of the Bodhisattva Path. It includes key points and illustrative examples. Since its publication, it has not only garnered widespread attention across both sides of the Taiwan Strait but has also been translated into English and disseminated in Western countries. With the author’s and original publisher’s authorization, this book is now reprinted and published, offering it to researchers.
The Sariputra Sutra is an important scripture revered by both the (exoteric) and (esoteric) branches of Chinese Buddhism, holding significant influence in Buddhist history. There are three translations of it: the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra translated by Darmaraksa in the Sui Dynasty, the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra translated by Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty, and the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra translated by Yijing in the Tang Dynasty. The Sariputra Sutra commonly refers to Xuanzang’s translation. The scripture primarily discusses the "Twelve Great Vows" of the Bhaisajyaguru for the benefit of all beings. This book is a lecture record by renowned scholar Nan Huaijin on the Sariputra Sutra. Connecting 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 author’s and original publisher’s authorization, this book is now reprinted and published, offering it to researchers.
The Prajna Paramita Hraja Sutra, also known as the Avatamsaka Sutra: The Universal Vows of Samantabhadra, was originally the last volume of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Prabhavira in the Tang Dynasty. It quickly became a standalone scripture due to its "superior literary and philosophical quality" and its relevance to daily life (as noted by Zhiyi in the Ming Dynasty). The scripture primarily discusses the "Ten Great Vows" of Samantabhadra, from which the daily recitation of the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra in Buddhist temples originates. This book is a lecture record by renowned scholar Nan Huaijin on the Prajna Paramita Hraja Sutra (originally titled Basic Beliefs of a Buddhist Practitioner: A Lecture Record on the Avatamsaka Sutra: The Universal Vows of Samantabhadra). The author explains the essence and meaning of the scripture in accessible language, particularly the verses that are difficult for ordinary readers to understand, in a fresh and engaging manner. It also includes various materials related to "Xingyuan" (practice and vows). The "Basic Beliefs" in the title refers to "Xingyuan." With the author’s and original publisher’s authorization, this book is now reprinted and published, offering it to researchers.