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The Buddhist Teaching of Totality: The Philosophy of Hwa Yen Buddhism
by Garma C.C. Chang
4.15 · Rating details · 33 ratings · 3 reviews
The Hwa Yen school of Mahāyāna Buddhism bloomed in China in the 7th and 8th centuries A.D. Today many scholars regard its doctrines of Emptiness, Totality, and Mind-Only as the crown of Buddhist thought and as a useful and unique philosophical system and explanation of man, world, and life as intuitively experienced in Zen practice.
For the first time in any Western language Garma Chang explains and exemplifies these doctrines with references to both oriental masters and Western philosophers.
The Buddha's mystical experience of infinity and totality provides the framework for this objective revelation of the three pervasive and interlocking concepts upon which any study of Mahāyāna philosophy must depend.
Following an introductory section describing the essential differences between Judeo-Christian and Buddhist philosophy, Professor Chang provides an extensive, expertly developed section on the philosophical foundations of Hwa Yen Buddhism dealing with the core concept of True Voidness, the philosophy of Totality, and the doctrine of Mind-Only. A concluding section includes selections of Hwa Yen readings and biographies of the patriarchs, as well as a glossary and list of Chinese terms. (less)
Paperback, 270 pages
Published September 15th 1970 by Penn State University Press
Original Title
The Buddhist Teaching of Totality: The Philosophy of Hwa Yen Buddhism
ISBN
0271011793 (ISBN13: 9780271011790)
Edition Language
English
Other Editions (4)
Average rating4.15 ·
Rating details
· 33 ratings · 3 reviews
Apr 13, 2020Peter Kalnin rated it it was amazing
This was another writer whom Professor Francis Cook introduced to a very small class of students at the University of California, Riverside in 1971. I felt honored and privileged to have been a part of that group and very lucky to have Professor Cook as a guide to an esoteric but beautiful part of the Buddhist cannon.
Thank you Professor Cook.
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Apr 07, 2021Oliver Zielke rated it it was amazing
"The absolute totality encounters the absolute totality, and the result is the arising of the absolute totality. (法界對法界起法界)" (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Mar 30, 2009Greg rated it really liked it
Shelves: buddhism
This is an excellent introduction to the doctrines of Hwa Yen Buddhism. The author does a good job of distinguishing that school from other schools of Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. One thing that the author stresses is that although there is a large doctrinal literature, really what the doctrine is meant to do is not build philosophical systems, but rather to explain the experiences that practitioners have while meditating - i.e., enlightenment.
Following an introductory section describing the essential differences between Judeo-Christian and Buddhist philosophy, Professor Chang provides an extensive, expertly developed section on the philosophical foundations of Hwa Yen Buddhism dealing with the core concept of True Voidness, the philosophy of Totality, and the doctrine of Mind-Only. A concluding section includes selections of Hwa Yen readings and biographies of the patriarchs, as well as a glossary and list of Chinese terms. (less)
Paperback, 270 pages
Published September 15th 1970 by Penn State University Press
Original Title
The Buddhist Teaching of Totality: The Philosophy of Hwa Yen Buddhism
ISBN
0271011793 (ISBN13: 9780271011790)
Edition Language
English
Other Editions (4)
Average rating4.15 ·
Rating details
· 33 ratings · 3 reviews
Apr 13, 2020Peter Kalnin rated it it was amazing
This was another writer whom Professor Francis Cook introduced to a very small class of students at the University of California, Riverside in 1971. I felt honored and privileged to have been a part of that group and very lucky to have Professor Cook as a guide to an esoteric but beautiful part of the Buddhist cannon.
Thank you Professor Cook.
flagLike · comment · see review
Apr 07, 2021Oliver Zielke rated it it was amazing
"The absolute totality encounters the absolute totality, and the result is the arising of the absolute totality. (法界對法界起法界)" (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Mar 30, 2009Greg rated it really liked it
Shelves: buddhism
This is an excellent introduction to the doctrines of Hwa Yen Buddhism. The author does a good job of distinguishing that school from other schools of Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. One thing that the author stresses is that although there is a large doctrinal literature, really what the doctrine is meant to do is not build philosophical systems, but rather to explain the experiences that practitioners have while meditating - i.e., enlightenment.
