The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master [Paperback]

Venerable Yin-shun (Author), Wing Yeung (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

The Way to Buddhahood is a compendium of two thousand years of Chinese practice in assimilating and understanding the Buddhist experience of enlightenment. It is the first in-depth explanation of Chinese Buddhism by Yin-shun, the greatest living master of the Chinese scholar-monk tradition. The master's broad scope not only includes the traditional Chinese experience but also ideas from the Tibetan monastic tradition. This is one of those rare classics that authentically captures an entire Buddhist tradition between its covers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book, which is a reflection of his long life of study, service and meditation, is a living testament to Yin-Shun's spirituality and erudition. His interpretations bring freshness to the examination of Buddhist doctrine in a clear, compelling style."—The Beacon

"Students of Buddhism will find this an important guide."—The Bookwatch

"Readers will enjoy the traits of Yin-shun that set him apart from most traditional monk-scholars: his reliance upon diverse sources and traditions, coupled with a highly precise, scholastic examination. But scholars will also find interest in how his book reveals the etiology of the Chinese Tripitaka, while never cleaving to any particular school, since all point toward the Buddha way. For Yin-shun, it is a matter of skillful means: all the ideas presented are legitimate, from Pure Land to the School of Mere Consciousness, their efficacy simply depending on the user's sophistication. General readers, particularly students, will enjoy how this philosophy creates a survey of Buddhist belief in the Chinese vein, while academics will be interested in how such a survey places his thought within the intellectual tradition of Chinese Buddhism."—The Journal of Buddhist Ethics

“This fine translation…is a most welcome addition to the small English language archives of modern Chinese Buddhism.… The foremost leader of Chinese Buddhism’s intellectual resurgence, the monk Yin-shun is both a scholar and an original thinker of the first order. Drawing upon the whole broad range of Buddhist thought—but especially upon the Madhyamaka tradition of Nagarjuna, Candrakirti, and Tsongkhapa—The Way to Buddhahood presents itself as an introductory overview of the essentials of Buddhism. It is that, of course, but it is also much more. It plots a course for Buddhism’s future development that will allow its robust engagement with the modern world without forcing the severance of its traditional roots.” —Robert M. Gimello, Professor of East Asian Languages and Culture, University of Notre Dame

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861711335
• ISBN-13: 978-0861711338
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #855,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete Approach September 27, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Yin-Shun's work provides a resource to look deeply into the tradition of Buddhism. In only a few hundred pages, he outlines the reason for seeking refuge in the teachings of the Buddha, fundmamental views of Buddhism, varying traditions of Buddhist doctrine, the different methods of practice, and uses countless examples to illuminate the insight that all the teachings as a whole can bring. In a straightfoward and impartial manner, Yin-Shun clearly writes of the strengths and weaknesses of varying approaches to the Buddhadharma, the beneficial effects of practice and harmful effects of common misconceptions and misguided practice.

It seems that every corner of Buddhism is touched upon, to provide solid direction for the interested person or the advanced practicioner.

His writings are so clear and deep, that I held my head in awe of the understanding and compassion of the Dharma. If anything, this book can inspire a sense of humility and respect for the suffering of ourselves and others, of which we can learn to liberate with the direct experience of realization guided by the helpful teachings of compassionate leaders like Yin-Shun.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Foundational Buddhism August 15, 2007

By Le Panda Du Mal

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is one of the very best books on Buddhism in English. When it comes to East Asian Buddhism, most of the books in English present a watered down Buddhism that mystifies more than it illuminates. This book, on the other hand, represents years of meticulous study and practice, and provides a really solid grounding for understanding the fundamentals of the Mahayana tradition as it developed in East Asia. Master Yinshun was concerned with finding the common ground between the various practices and sects that emerged (Pure Land, Chan, Tiantai, etc.) and showing how these different teachings, whose proponents were sometimes at odds with each other, can be harmonized. In this, Yinshun not only re-asserted the fundamentals of Buddhist tradition, but brought new insights into how the philosophical systems- madhyamaka, yogacara, tathagatagarbha- can be integrated. The book is systematic- there's no major Mahayana idea that isn't discussed; at the same time it's easy to read. While its comprehensiveness might bewilder newcomers, it would make a fine second book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough detailed overview of Buddhisms essence September 18, 2009

By Allen Wong

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Venerable Master Yinshun has read the entire Tripitaka three times (all of the Buddhist Sutras, Vinayas, and Sastras). He details in this book all of the essential points, drawing from all of the different schools, methodologies, history and his vast knowledge of the Buddha's teachings. This book is used in the Buddhist schools as standard reading though out the world.

If you want to understand the true meaning of Buddhism, this is a book to read. Most colleges and universities that have Buddhism courses are only teaching the Western stereotype of what they think Buddhism is and is incorrect.