Customer Reviews

The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master

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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.

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.

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.

I once was at a monk's residence for instruction and was admiring the nearly two hundred hardbound volumes that constitute the Chinese canon and extended canon. When I told the monk that I would like to get my own set one day, he waved off the idea as completely unnecessary and gave me a copy of this book.

In this book, Master Yunshun really does manage to compress the knowledge of the Chinese cannon into a single beautiful poem and a very comprehensive commentary.

A translation of Ven. Yin Shun into well made prose. This breaks down so many buddhist concepts into an easy to understand format. I find the writing style very appealing and at times poetic. I especially like the Shun's familiarity with his subject matter, presented so it doesn't seem like a encyclopedia article, but a well written -and translated book. I've gained many insights from its pages

Ven. Yin-Shun is not known widely in the West, but was deeply respectful across the Buddhist tradition for his excellent scholarship, and comprehensive approach to Buddhism. His particular style, which he dubbed "Humanistic Buddhism" took a rational approach to Buddhism, but remained deeply rooted in the traditions and texts from which it emerged.

This book provides a very comprehensive look at Mahayana, or East Asian, Buddhism. The author begins with the foundations of Buddhism, common to all Buddhist sects (Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Five Moral Precepts, etc) and gradually works his way into Mahayana Buddhism in particular, then ultimately reaches the teachings of the Bodhisattva Path. The book has a very clear flow throughout.

The detail and depth of research is unprecedented as well, as he covers practically every topic in Buddhism from meditation, chanting, devotion, tantra, Bodhisattvas, Buddhas and so on. This is a book worth referring to over and over again just because so much can be found in this one book. Some Buddhist texts haven't been widely translated into English either, so there's a lot of hidden gems not normally found in Western books.

Also, Ven. Yin-Shun, being a respected Chan Buddhist himself, speaks from experience. The book does not contain anecdotes, but he does speak on current trends in Buddhism, and also explains carefully the various types of meditation, and how to go about practicing them (again, relying on extensive Buddhist texts).

This is a challenging book to read just because of its size and depth, and Ven. Yin-Shun is actually writing for a Chinese, not Western audience, but if you're familiar with Buddhism and want more depth and understanding, this definitely should be your next purchase.

Enjoy!

I have to say that when I picked up this book, I expected nothing short of being blown away, going by what others had said. When I first began reading it, I found the book nauseating, much to my surprise (a funny thing about expectations, huh?). He begins the book by affirming the humanity and rationality behind Buddhism, and then, in the following pages, takes the tone of an overbearing parent instead of that of a thoughtful and rational Buddhist priest. I soon realized that the rhetoric is a product of his Chinese culture, and that the resistance that prevailed in me during these first few pages more a result of our clashing cultural conditioning, rather than any dispute of substance.

After I saw through this rhetoric and opened up to his teachings, I was amazed at how much he managed to condense so much in so few pages - clearly the fruits of long and careful contemplation. However, the Chinese grandpa rhetoric often obscures his brilliant intellect, sometimes explaining and justifying practices by merely stating that we should do it because it's the best and that any other way is heretical and the product of a deluded mind. At other moments, particularly in his careful explanation of dependent co-arising, he manages to explain such a subtle teaching with utter clarity.

In his overview, though, he oddly omits all of Vajryana Buddhism while simultaneously claiming that this book embodies the culmination and integration of all Buddhist schools teachings and thought, and this characterizes much of the book, a careful selection of texts and ideologies to fit his tidy system. It would not be so precarious an omission if he did not, while omitting certain texts that blatantly contradict one another, also claim that we should in no way entertain heretical, non-Buddhist schools of thought because they will ultimately lead to further delusion and suffering.

His explanations of karma and the six realms also fail to pass the scrutiny of a rational, empirical mind, explaining that hungry ghosts and the hells could exist beneath the earth's crust, while giving no thorough explanation of karma except for that tired Buddhist analogy of a flame and candle.

One point that he emphasizes, and which I truly appreciated, was that teachings depend on the abilities and tendencies of the student and the culture in which he lives, challenging any sort of orthodox leanings that think "Zen," "Vajryana," or "Therevada" is the true way. Although I don't think this was entirely his intent (he still seemed pretty stuck on the Greater Way as being the only road towards liberation and Buddhahood), it opened me up to realize that people are very different from me, and what inspires and works for them might be totally different from what inspires and works for me, even though we ultimately pursue the same path. Anything that gets people unstuck from this profound and blinding attachment certainly gets my endorsement.

I would also like to respond to some of the other viewers comments. First, the meditation instruction he gives are quite spare. I can only recall a scant few pages in which he goes over actual practices, and that the little information he did provide was hardly enough for me to then jump on my cushion and start meditating. On the other hand, his explanation of the fruits of meditation practice, in between his exhortations, I found extremely insightful and helpful.

Also, to the reviewer who thought that this somehow compared to the vast ocean of Buddhist scripture and commentary, I must say that this book hardly scratches the surface in terms of their profundity and subtlety. This book does not compare to the Diamond Sutra or Lotus Sutra and the rich commentary surrounding each.

One of the main problems that I had with this text was the attitude it took towards this world, hearkening back to ancient Pali texts in its rejection of the material world and its single-minded focus on the dharmakaya as being somehow separate from the nirmanakaya, or the samsaric world. Just something to be wary of, as this seems to contradict the defining characteristic of Mahanaya Buddhism, that samsara is nirvana, and, in line with that, a greater sensitivity to and appreciation of this body and all its afflictions. Yin-shun believes that the defining quality is the emphasis on extinction and nirvana among the Therevadan tradition, while the Mahayana rejects nirvana in this lifetime for the continued benefit of all beings. He strangely omits how many Therevadan traditions include Bodhissatva vows and focus on helping others achieve liberation before themselves.

Despite its shortcomings, I would still readily suggest this book to any long-time student of any of the Mahayana schools who has not yet taken the time to study the different sects of Buddhism and is stuck on their way being the only way, or to beginners and novices of the Mahayana school, as this book manages to provide in clear prose, although somewhat didactic and paternal at times, the full range of Mahayana practice and thought, as well as the foundational ideas which underpin it.