About Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Translator’s Introduction

Preface



1.?? ?Did the Buddha Ever Express Anger?

2.?? ?Unhuman

3.?? ?Skillful Teachings

4.?? ?Ten Hardships of the Buddha

5.?? ?A Sesame Seed and a Grain of Wheat

6.?? ?Where Can Mentors Be Found?

7.?? ?Dharma Friend

8.?? ?Where Does One Abide?

9.?? ?Buddha Selection Court

10.?? ?Renunciation

11.?? ?Siksamana

12.?? ?Does Arthats Commit Killing, Stealing, and Sensual Conduct?

13.?? ?Haiqing and Changshan

14.?? ?Four Kinds of Comportment

15.?? ?To Speak Gently and Steadily

16.?? ?Joined Palms

17.?? ?Prostration

18.?? ?Spiritual Retreat

19.?? ?Alms Procession

20.?? ?No Eating After Noon

21.?? ?Formal Meal

22.?? ?The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet

23.?? ?Making Offerings

24.?? ?The Essence of Offering to the Sangha

25.?? ?The Merits of Rejoicing in Others’ Virtues

26.?? ?Meritorious Blessings

27.?? ?Supernatural Powers

28.?? ?Visitor Administrator

29.?? ?Sickbay

30.?? ?Roaming in Jianghu

31.?? ?Cloud and Water Practices

32.?? ?Dharma Protector

33.?? ?Light Offering

34.?? ?First Incense, First Bell, and First Drum

35.?? ?Consecration Ceremony

36.?? ?Rebirth

37.?? ?Where are Heaven and Hell Found?

38.?? ?Deities

39.?? ?Tudigong

40.?? ?Ghosts

41.?? ?Original and manifested bodies

42.?? ?Avalokitesvara

43.?? ?Mahasattva

44.?? ?Unreasonableness and Unfeelingness

45.?? ?Was the Sixth Patriarch Illiterate?

46.?? ?Recognizing Chan Master Shenxiu

47.?? ?Sudden and Gradual Enlightenment Are As Equals

48.?? ?Bodhisattva and Volunteer

49.?? ?Modern-day Bodhisattvas

50.?? ?Zhao Puchu Bodhisattva

51.?? ?Yang Renshan Bodhisattva

52.?? ?Caigu and Shigu

53.?? ?Young Boy and Young Girl

54.?? ?Being in a Mist

55.?? ?Three Meetings Beneath the Dragon-Flower Tree ?



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Translator’s Introduction



　　The first two volumes of Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple focus on topics of faith and doctrine, while the third and fourth volumes explore the more practical aspects of Buddhist practice. Upon opening this volume, readers will discover a list of seemingly unconnected topics ranging from the Buddhas stories (”Did the Buddha Ever Express Anger?”, “Ten Hardships of the Buddha”), to specific aspects of cultivation (“Four Kinds of Comportment,” “Joined Palms,” “No Eating After Noon”), as well as Chinese folk religion (“Deities,” “Tudigong,” “Caigu and Shigu”).



　　What this volume offers is a journey through the history of Buddhism, beginning from the founder himself to Buddhist practitioners of the 21st century, and traditional practices originated from India to modern endeavors assisted by advanced technology. As Buddhism passed down from one generation to the next, many aspects were altered due to cultural differences, and new practices were added. The original spirit of the Buddhas teaching was lost, forgotten in the maze of time. Venerable Master’s critiques and insights brush away the cobwebs that clung to these so-called Buddhist traditions to reveal the original intent of the Buddha, and how we can better integrate the Buddha-Dharma into todays culture, society, and world.



　　Given some topics can be culture-specific, some terms are transliterated rather than translated. This is done for a few reasons: first, when the Chinese phrase has no exact equivalent in English. Second, to retain the rich meaning of the Chinese context. Third, when the term is also used as a wordplay. To aid the reading process, the Chinese characters and the literal meaning of these transliterations are provided in the article, and additional explanations can be found in Notes.



　　Buddhism has a rich history, diverse traditions, and multifaceted practices, but its core teachings remain the purification of our bodies and minds and the enhancement of moral ethics. It also teaches us to be kinder and more compassionate people and strive for a life of liberation and perfect ease. The personal examples of the Buddha and generations of Buddhist practitioners serve as role models and inspiration.



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