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Dharma Function with Sound, Dharma Propagation with Music–A Study of Buddhist Chants and Buddhist Songs of Fo Guang Chan
This paper introduces the historical development and current state of Buddhist chants and songs at Fo Guang Shan, an international Buddhist headquarters founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. This study also offers academic analysis of the musical forms from a selected set of Buddhist chants and songs with a specific focus on how particular musical forms are manifested in these as well as why they have become popular. Most of the musical scores are transcribed by the author, some of them from recordings made in the main shrine of Fo Guang Shan, and others provided by the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism.
A Study on Chan Master Zhanran Yuancheng and His Work Zongmen Huowen
Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Methodology for the Practice of Humanistic Buddhism: a Case Study of Chan at Hsi Lai Temple
本文以星雲大師「人間佛教」的實踐為研究對象。本研究將從幾個面向展開：禪的定義、禪在西來寺的實踐、以及對其進行評估，並作為現代社會的一個基本準則。
A Theoretical Analysis on the Possibility of Attaining Buddhahood Using the Mental Cultivation Methods of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “I am Buddha” and Chan Master Huangbo’s “This Mind is Buddha”
Humanistic Buddhism teaches the concept of “I am Buddha.” Engaging the spiritual attitude of a Buddha, many kinds of Buddhist activities can be undertaken in our daily lives. Subjectively, this attitude strengthens one’s resolve. Objectively, it leads to one making significant contributions to society. The Chan approach to spiritual cultivation is “This mind is Buddha.” Being in the state of mind where no thoughts arise, and having the mind of a Buddha, is a manifestation of “I am Buddha.” If one attains the former state, then no matter when one achieves Buddhahood, in this life one will do the Buddha’s work. If one attains the latter state, then no matter when one achieves Buddhahood, one will always be in the state of Buddha-mind. The former is the embodiment of bodhicitta and the latter an embodiment of prajñā. Both modes complement the other and combine to create one of Humanistic Buddhism’s most popular teachings: “I am Buddha.” It is not of the first importance when practitioners of this method actually attain Buddhahood. With confidence, application, and the abandonment of wrong views, the practitioner is already on the path to becoming a Buddha.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Concept of True Practice in the Context of the History of Chan Thought–A Discussion of Symbolic Implications of Early Chan Buddhism and the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra
This article examines Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s thought in the context of the history of the ideas of Chan Buddhism, which can be seen as a continuation of early Chan thought. Contextualizing the practices in the early stage of Chan, this article initially clarifies the influence of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra in the early development of Mahāyāna Buddhism in China and the meaning of true practice. The Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra had a significant influence on early Chan masters, especially Bodhidharma. Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s concept of true practice is congruent with the tradition of the early Chan, but is at the same time innovative. His concept of true practice is examined by focusing on four main subjects: 1. the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, 2. its relationship with the bodhisattva path, 3. the practice of Chan, and 4. its relationship with the threefold training.
A Discussion of Chan
Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Aesthetics of Nature
There are three major aspects to Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s aesthetic of nature. One is the idea that heaven and earth are like literary works, which implies an aesthetic narrative of nature. Through the narrative of nature, humans can experience and reflect on the world. Venerable Master Hsing Yun advises that humans stay close to nature so as to broaden their minds and understand the art of learning. The beauty of the narrative of nature lies in the aesthetic of viewing objects in terms of objects, i.e., viewing them from an impersonal perspective. The second aspect is the idea that all sentient beings are equal. Venerable Master Hsing Yun is kind and compassionate to animals and advocates harmony between humans and the rest of the natural world. The third aspect is Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s view on the relationship between Chan and nature, i.e. there is a connection between Chan and the beauty of nature. His view on the aesthetics of nature is deeply influenced by Buddhist concepts such as the three Dharma seals, the theory of dependent origination, all phenomena are nothing but mind, a mind of equality, Chan thought, and Humanistic Buddhism.
Humanistic Features in Contemporary Chan Practices: Using Fo Guang Chan as an Example
From the transmission and lineage of the Chinese Chan School, the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun derives from the Linji School. The “Fo Guang Chan” initiated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, emphasizes equal attention to faith and practice, the development of meditation and wisdom, and the practice of compassion and wisdom. This is evident in its method of teaching, curriculum design, setting, and delivery. It fully integrates with modern society, contemporary knowledge and conditions, and has started a new practice of Chan.
Exploring the Meaning and Practice of Fo Guang Humanistic Living Chan through Hsing Yun’s Chan Stories
This paper discusses the meaning and practice of Fo Guang Humanistic Living Chan from two aspects: (1) Dharma can only be found in the world: the meaning of Humanistic Buddhism in Hsing Yun’s Chan Stories; and (2) Enlightenment cannot be attained away from the world: daily practice in Hsing Yun’s Chan Stories. Together, these two aspects detail the integration of Humanistic Buddhism into the everyday lives of Fo Guang members. Using Hsing Yun’s Chan Stories as the research subject, Humanistic Buddhism Chan meditation was popularized among Fo Guang members through television broadcasting in the early period (1987). The propagation of the Dharma through such a ubiquitous medium highlights Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s response to the audience’s needs. This approach allowed for exposure and the rapid uptake of Chan meditation in many households, culminating in the worldwide spread of Humanistic Buddhism. The humanistic aspect of Chan meditation can be discussed from the two aspects of “embracing sentient beings” and “self-awakening and liberating others.” Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s has exhorted practitioners of Chan Buddhism to embrace the suffering of sentient beings as the bodhisattva path. As for application in one’s daily life, this paper explores its two aspects of “diligently practice with discipline, and live with simplicity and gratitude” and “skillfully apply it in a lively, interesting and vigorous way.” The application of Humanistic Living Chan is primarily focused on living in accordance with the recepts, contentment, and limiting desires. The expedient ways that Chan masters can help us achieve breakthroughs, realize our true nature, and liberate other beings, underscores the power of Chan meditation.
Three Dimensions of the Humanistic Spirit of Oxhead Chan as Expressed in the Treatise on the Transcendence of Cognition
Venerable Master Hsing Yun has often pointed out that traditional Chan Buddhism contains within it the rich and profound spirit of Humanistic Buddhism. Modern Humanistic Buddhism should also draw from the ideas of traditional Chan Buddhism. The humanistic principles contained within Oxhead Chan2 are worthy of our attention and application. This paper explores the spirit of Oxhead Chan through analyzes of various versions of the Treatise on the Transcendence of Cognition, an essential text of Oxhead Chan. Three main concepts will be analyzed: “emptiness is the basis of the way,” “there is nothing other than knowing the foundation of the original mind,” and “traveling no path is the way to enlightenment.”
