Essential Chan Buddhism

The Character and Spirit of Chinese Zen

Chan Master Guo Jun

Foreword by Robert A. F. "Tenzin" Thurman

Paperback
9781958972182
US $15.95 Indiepubs Bookshop Amazon
eBook available
January 2024

In this highly readable book, Master Gou Jun brings Chan’s powerful and profound teachings to the page in a way that is accessible and warm. This is a book for those new to Chan, and for seasoned practitioners.

Essential Chan Buddhism is the rare unearthing of an ancient and remarkable Chinese spiritual tradition. Master Guo Jun speaks through hard-won wisdom on Chan's spiritual themes familiar to Western readers, such as mindfulness and relaxation in meditation, as well as profound, simply expressed teachings and insightful explorations of religious commitment. Essential Chan Buddhism filters formal spiritual practices through the lens of mundane and everyday life activities. The work captures the lyrical beauty and incantatory style of Guo Jun’s spoken English from the talks he gave at a fourteen-day retreat near Jakarta in 2010 and in subsequent conversations with his editor Kenneth Wapner.

Chan Master Guo Jun is one of a new breed of international teachers taking the world’s great wisdom traditions into the twenty-first century. He is currently abbot of Mahabodhi Monastery in Singapore and teaches internationally. Chan master Sheng Yen’s youngest dharma heir, he served as abbot of his Pine Bush, New York, retreat center from 2005 to 2008. A native of Singapore, Guo Jun received his full monastic ordination in Taiwan. He is a lineage holder and successor in Chan as well as the Xianshou and Cien schools of Chinese Buddhism. Essential Chan Buddhism is his first book.

“As if he were looking at different facets of a jewel, Guo Jun describes in graceful language the many aspects of Chinese Zen, such as “the taste of liberation is the taste of Chan” and “in Chan, you fall in love with your breath.” He touches lightly on topics such as mindfulness, relaxation, wisdom, courage, and impermanence, often with vivid analogies and acute analysis.” --Publisher’s Weekly

“In this highly readable book, Master Guo Jun brings Chan’s profound and powerful teachings to the page in a form is that is accessible, poetic, spontaneous, and full of warmth, humor, and deep insight. . . . I very much admire and enjoy this book, and I am honored to introduce it. It is a window into the heart and soul of China, as its great people will once again rise above their materialist obsessions and regain the splendor of their inheritance of spiritual greatness handed on to them by their world treasure dharma masters. This book of the teachings of Master Guo Jun is to be treasured, not only by Buddhists, but also by serious humanists and spiritual seekers of all kinds.” —Robert A. F. “Tenzin” Thurman

“Among the finest [spiritual guides] I’ve ever read, saturated, as it is, with the profound humanity of Chan Master Guo Jun’s personal spiritual adventure; with the true nature of Chan; with beauty, and wisdom, and humor, and sweetness.” ‐George Crane Author of Bones of the Master: A Journey to Secret Mongolia

“I'd recommend this book to beginners, long-time practitioners and especially those looking for direct lessons from the Chan tradition of Buddhism.” —The Buddhist Blog – 1/24/13

“The book offers much for those new to Buddhism, and insight to long-time Buddhists looking to return to the "Beginners Mind" of Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki.…Overall, I'd recommend this book to beginners, long-time practitioners and especially those looking for direct lessons from the Chan tradition of Buddhism.” —Buddhist-Being Truly Human

“We look forward to Chan Master Guo Jun's next book for in this one he has made the spirit and character of Chinese Zen palpable and glorious.” —Spirituality & Practice.com