Charles Luk (1898–1978)

Little has been published in the west on Chinese meditational practices, so Charles Luk's new book wil be welcomed. It translates-mostly for the first time-long extracts from the ancient and modern Chinese meditational classics. Throughout, the stress is practical, is on what one should do, so that each reader can pick that which most appeals to him and start to practice it. An important chapter form Surangama Sutra describes twenty-five basic meditational methods, while the Sutra of the show more Contemplation of Amitayus details the visualizations recomended for rebirth in the Western Paradise. The Ch'an (or Zen) training for controlling the mind is given in a series of practical instructions by ancient and modern Ch'an masters. Detailed suggestions for practising the vital T'ien T'ai systems for calming the mind (chih) and developing insight (kuan) follow in a first translation of Chih I's sixth-century classic Samatha-Vipassana for Beginners. Two chapters are devoted to Taoist Yoga, about which we still know too little. Extracts from The Ancient Medical Formulas Explained are translated for the first time, while Yin and Luk detail their experiences when following these methods. The Taoist art of controlling the breath and vital principle (prana) and circulating it through the psychic channels (nadi) and centres is described in some detail, while acupuncture, cauterization and the elixir of immortality are also dealt with. Charles Luk (Lu K'uan Yu) was born in Canton in 1898. His first Master was the Hutuktu of Sikang, who was guru of the Kargyutpas (White Sect) and also guru of the Nyingmarpas (Red Caps), and was an enlightened Great Lama. His second Master was the Venerable Ch'an Master Hsu Yun who was the Dharma-successor of all the Five Ch'an Sects of China. The Venerable Hsu Yun was 119 years old when he died in October 1959 in a monastery in Kiangsi province. Charles Luk now lives in Hongkong and has contributed to Buddhist publications in India, London, Paris and New York. His sole ambition is, in his own words, 'to present as many Chinese Buddhist texts as possible so that Buddhism can be preserved at least in the West, should it be fated to disappear in the East as it seem to be.' Contents Preface 1 Self-cultivation as taught in the Surangama Sutra 2 Self-cultivation according to the Ch'an (Zen) school 3 Self-cultilvation according to the Pure Land school 4 Self-cultivation according to the T'ien T'ai (Tendai) 5 Self-cultivation according to the Taoist school 6 Authentic experiments with Buddhist and Taoist methods of self-cultivation 7 Physical and spiritual culture according to Chinese yoga Conclusion Glossary Index show less

CH'AN AND ZEN TEACHING, VOLUME 2 contains the practice as taught by the late Ch'an Master, the Venerable Hsu Yun. This practice elaborates upon the technique known as Hua t'ou, a secret technique taught only in Japanese zendos.

CH'AN AND ZEN TEACHING, VOLUME 1 contains the practice as taught by the late Ch'an Master, the Venerable Hsu Yun. This practice elaborates upon the technique known as Hua t'ou, a secret technique taught only in Japanese zendos.

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