佛法真義1-3(英)Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple New Edition
In today’s Buddhist sphere, numerous claims have been made on what the Buddha has taught. However, were these teachings truly spoken by the Buddha? The Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple New Edition is an exploration of over 300 topics, where Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarifies the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern readers. Erroneous Buddhist views should be corrected, and the true meaning of the Buddha must be preserved to hold true to the original intents of the Buddha.
Biography of Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Venerable Master Hsing Yun was born in 1927 in Jiangdu, Jiangsu Province, China. At the age of 12, he was tonsured by Venerable Master Zhikai in Qixia Temple, Nanjing, with Dajue Temple in Yixing, Jiangsu, as his ancestral temple. He later became the 48th-generation lineage holder of the Linji Chan school. In 1947, he graduated from Jiaoshan Buddhist College, and also trained at various Chan, Pure Land, and Vinaya monasteries, including Jinshan, Qixia, and others. He received a comprehensive Buddhist education in the lineage, teachings, and Vinaya disciplines. Later on, the Venerable Master was invited to serve as the principal of Baita Elementary School, and also the editor-in-chief of Raging Billows Monthly.
In the spring of 1949, the Venerable Master arrived in Taiwan. He served as the editor-in-chief of Human Life Magazine, Buddhism Today Magazine, and Awakening the World.
In 1967, the Venerable Master founded the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, with the Four Objectives: to propagate the Dharma through culture; to foster talents through education; to benefit society through charity, and to purify people’s minds through spiritual cultivation. Guided by the principles of Humanistic Buddhism, he went on to establish over three hundred temples worldwide. Additionally, he oversaw the creation of various art galleries, libraries, publishing companies, bookstores, the Merit Times newspaper, and the Cloud and Water Mobile Clinic. Furthermore, he established sixteen Buddhist colleges and founded three high schools and five universities, including the University of the West in the United States, Fo Guang University in Taiwan, Nanhua University in Taiwan, Nan Tien Institute in Australia, and Guang Ming College in the Philippines. Notably, he also established the Institute of Humanistic Buddhism.
In 1970, the Venerable Master established Da Ci Children’s Home and the Lanyang Ren Ai Senior Citizen’s Home, providing shelter and care for vulnerable young children, and elderly individuals. He also actively engaged in emergency relief efforts, contributing to the fostering of a welfare society. Then, in 1991, he founded the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) and was elected as the President of the World Headquarters. Under his guidance, the association's mission expanded, symbolized by the saying, “the Buddha’s Light shining over three thousand realms, and the Dharma water flowing continuously through the five continents.”
In 1977, the Fo Guang Buddhist Canon, the Fo Guang Dictionary of Buddhism, and the 132-volume Selected Chinese Buddhist Texts in Modern Language were compiled. In 2017, the Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun was published, comprising 365 volumes with over 30 million words, systematically expounding the ideologies, teachings, theories, and practical outcomes of Humanistic Buddhism.
In 2023, the Venerable Master peacefully passed away, his virtuous deeds complete and fulfilled, having reached the age of ninety-seven. He was revered as the Founding Master of the Fo Guang Order, and he left behind this poignant poem:
A mind with the compassionate vow to deliver sentient beings,
A body like a boat on the Dharma ocean, unbound.
Should you ask what I have achieved in this lifetime?
Peace and happiness shine upon the five continents.
江蘇江都人，一九二七年生，十二歲禮志開上人為師，祖庭江蘇宜興大覺寺，傳臨濟正宗第四十八世。一九四七年於焦山佛學院畢業，期間曾參學金山、棲霞等禪淨律學諸大叢林，歷經宗下、教下、律下等完整的佛門教育。後應聘為白塔國小校長，主編《怒濤》月刊。
一九四九年春來臺，主編《人生雜誌》、《今日佛教》、《覺世》等佛教刊物。
一九六七年創建佛光山，樹立「以文化弘揚佛法，以教育培養人才，以慈善福利社會，以共修淨化人心」四大弘法宗旨，以「人間佛教」為宗風，先後在世界各地創建三百餘所道場，創辦多所美術館、圖書館、出版社、書局、人間福報、雲水醫院，興辦佛教學院十六所，中學三所，及西來、南華、佛光、南天、光明五所大學，及人間佛教研究院。
一九七Ｏ年後，相繼成立「大慈育幼院」、「仁愛之家」，收容撫育無依之幼童、老人及從事急難救濟等福利社會。一九九一年成立「國際佛光會」，被推為總會會長，實踐「佛光普照三千界，法水長流五大洲」的理想。
一九七七年編纂《佛光大藏經》、《佛光大辭典》，《中國佛教經典寶藏精選白話版》等。二Ｏ一七年出版《星雲大師全集》，共三百六十五冊，三千餘萬字，有系統地闡述人間佛教的思想、學說、理論，以及實踐結果。
二Ｏ二三年，大師住世緣盡，淨業圓滿，享耆壽九十七，被奉為佛光堂上第一代開山祖師，留遺偈：「心懷度眾慈悲願，身似法海不繫舟， 問我一生何所求，平安幸福照五洲」。
VOLUME 1
About Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Translator’s Introduction
Preface
SPECIAL TRIBUTE
An Honest Revelation—An Open Letter
PART 1: BUDDHIST DOCTRINES
- Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem
- Upholding the Five Precepts
- Generosity
- Precepts
- Patience
- Diligence
- Meditative Concentration
- Prajna Wisdom
- Loving-Kindness and Compassion
- Suffering
- Emptiness
- Impermanence
- Non-self
- Middle Path
- The Four Elements Are Not Empty
- Four Noble Truths
- Four Immeasurables
- Four Means of Embracing
- Four Reliances
- Four Dharma Realms
- Four Universal Vows
- The Law of Cause and Effect Across the Three Time Periods
- Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
- Nirvana
- The Path to Liberation
- Bodhi Mind
- Absolute Emptiness
- Affliction is Bodhi
- One is Many
- Motion and Stillness are One
- Listening, Contemplation, and Practice
- Transforming Cognitive Knowledge into Prajna Wisdom
- Across All of Time and All of Space
- Understanding “Essence, Attribute, and Influence”
- Equality
- Faith
- Aspiration
- Remorse
- Repentance
- Vow
- Dedication of Merits
- Causes, Conditions, and Effects
- Dharma Gate of Non-Duality
- Thus Have I Heard
- Dual Cultivation of Merit and Wisdom
- Old Age, Sickness, Death, and Rebirth
- Transcending Birth and Death
- Buddha’s Light Verse
- The Uniquely Honored One
- Giving of Fearlessness
- Honored One Among Two-Legged Beings
- Amitabha Buddha
- Who is the Buddha’s Mother
- Metaphors of Cyclic Existence
- Rely on the Self, Rely on the Dharma
- Listen Mindfully
- Believe, Accept, and Uphold the Dharma
- Equality in Giving and Receiving
- Noble Eightfold Path
- Eight Winds
- Six Points of Reverent Harmony
- Dharma Abode
- A Drop of Water
- Metaphors of the Mind
- The Mind as a Factory
- Ordinary Mind
- No Truth Beyond the Mind
- Expedient Means
- Awakening
- Three Acts of Goodness
- Four Givings
- Six Sense Organs
- Cultivation
- Divine Connection
- Letting Go
- Giving and Receiving
- Field of Merit
- Wealth
- The Ten Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
- Four Advices from Four Sutras
- Four Small Things Not to be Taken Lightly
- Master Daosheng Expounds the Dharma
- Beyond Words
- The Small Matters of Birth and Death
- Understanding Precepts
- Understanding Patience
- The Meaning of Cause and Effect
- Ten Names of the Tathagata
- Understanding Austerities
- Transcending Desire
- Destiny and Causes and Conditions
- Blessings and Elimination of Karma
- Empowerment and Deliverance
- Queries and Conceptual Proliferation
- Karmic Rewards and Retributions
VOLUME 2
SECTION 1: BUDDHIST DOCTRINES
- Genetic Modification
- Unrighteous Generosity
- Improper Reliances
- Húshuō Bādào
- Human Deification
- On Souls
SECTION 2: BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY AND THOUGHT
- Buddha, Where are You?
- Practice the Buddha’s Way
- I Am a Buddha
- Each and Every Buddha Walks on the Same Path
- Oneness and Coexistence
- Global Citizen
- Great Nirvana
- Pick Up and Let Go with Perfect Ease
- Sudden and Gradual Enlightenment Are As Equals
- Gender Equality
- The Importance of Equality
- Stages of Aspiration
- Understanding Generosity
- Taking Refuge
- Five Harmonies
- Seven Admonishments
- Joy
- Auspiciousness
- Shine with Light
- Relics
- Austerities
- Stick and Shout
- Idolization
- Chan Associates
- Never Disparage
- Martyrdom
- Repayment of Kindness
- Eliminating Calamity and Hindrances
- Dharma is Our Home
- Who Am I?
- Solving Our Own Problems
- I am Among the Multitude
- Having By Not Wanting
- Give Others Causes and Conditions
- Reciprocal Donation
- Be Your Own Mentor
- Who is the God of Wealth?
- Where There is the Dharma, There is a Way
- Being Used by Others Shows One’s True Worth
- Never Forget One’s Initial Aspirations
- The Beauty in Enjoyment
- Do What is in Accordance with the Buddha
- Keeping Money in the Hands of Devotee
- Half-and-Half
- Keeping People in Mind
- What is the Value of Life?
- Infinite Life
- Think Outside the Box
- Unreasonableness and Unfeelingness
- Every Day is a Good Day
- A Step Back is a Step Forward
- Monastics are Without Families
- The Triple Gems of Religion: Each Father to Their Own
- Heaven, Earth, Humanity
- Filial Piety
- Befriending Illness
- Three Parts Guidance, Seven Parts Friendship
- Legacy
- Indestructible Diamond
- Dispel What is Wrong and Reveal What is Right
- Original and Manifested Bodies
- Fortune-Telling Sticks and Dharma Words
- Faith Or Fear
- The Act and the Intention of Killing
- Life-Releasing or Life-Ending
- Buddhism and Politics
- Buddhism and Environmental Preservation
- Environmental and Spiritual Preservation
- Profound Discussion and Practical Actions
- Prajna and Wisdom
- Ten Sramanera Precepts
- Eight Garudharmas
- Mahayana Buddhism is Not Spoken by the Buddha
- Is it the Age of Declining Dharma When Lay Buddhists Teach?
- Can Plants Become Buddhas?
- Will Hell Be Emptied?
- Significance of the Attendance List in the Amitabha Sutra
- Recognizing Chan Master Shenxiu
- Recognizing Mazu
- Underground Palaces
- Eighteen Arhats
- Kim Gyo-gak
- Eight Groups of Heavenly Beings
- Sacrificing Body and Flesh to Feed Eagles and Tigers
- Not Going Against the Will of Others
- Aligning the Eyes, Nose, and Chest
- Eminent Masters are Born from Austerities
- Song of the Ten Practices and Cultivations
- To Whom the Chants Are Offered?
- We Need Three Homes
- A Temple is Like a Gas Station
- Recording the History of Devotees
- Age for Renunciation
- A Monastic’s Possessions
- Renunciation in Youth or Adulthood
- New Ways of Dharma Propagation
- Buddhist Anthem
- Crisis Awareness
- Organ Donation
- Hospice Care
- Legend of the White Snake
VOLUME 3
SECTION 3: BUDDHIST CULTURE AND TRADITION
- Did the Buddha Express Anger?
- Does Arhats Commit Killing, Stealing, and Sensual Conduct?
- Where are Heaven and Hell Found?
- Was the Sixth Patriarch Illiterate?
- Where Can Mentors Be Found?
- Where Does One Abide?
- Types of Faith
- Significance of Short-Term Monastic Retreat
- Significance of the Buddhist Flag
- Buddha Selection Court
- Supernatural Powers
- Spiritual Retreat
- Consecration Ceremony
- First Incense, First Bell, and First Drum
- Light Offering
- Joined Palms
- Prostration
- Formal Meal
- Making Offerings
- No Eating After Noon
- Alms Procession
- Blessed with Merit
- Renunciation
- Most Venerable
- Guest Receptionist
- Dharma Friend
- Dharma Protector
- The Merits of Rejoicing in Others’ Virtues
- The Essence of Offering to the Sangha
- The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
- Rebirth
- Deities
- Ghosts
- Unhuman
- Young Boy and Young Girl
- Caigu and Shigu
- Bodhisattva and Volunteer
- Avalokitesvara
- Mahasattva
- Cloud and Water Practices
- Skillful Teachings
- Ten Hardships of the Buddha
- Three Meetings Beneath the Dragon-Flower Tree
- Eradicating Calamities and Obstructions for Yasodhara
- Hong Kong Was Developed by Buddhist Monastics
- The Original Journey to the West
- Roaming Jianghu
- Misty-Minded
- Beauty
- Four Kinds of Comportment
- To Speak Gently and Steadily
- Haiqing and Changshan
- Siksamana
- Sickbay
- The Foremost Scripture
- Karmic Debt
- Neither Aging nor Decaying
- A Sesame Seed and a Grain of Wheat
- Renouncing and Disrobing
- Tudigong
- Modern-day Bodhisattvas
- Zhao Puchu Bodhisattva
- Yang Renshan Bodhisattva
SECTION 4: BUDDHIST ENDEAVORS
- Reforming and Revitalizing Buddhism
- Substituting the Vinaya with Pure Regulations
- Reforming the Monastic System
- On the Vinaya
- Improving the Five Sessions of Daily Practices
- Formalities in Life
- Celebrations of the Triple Gem
- Buddhist Exam
- Lay Dharma Lecturer
- Fo Guang Family Gathering
- Spring Couplets
- Buddhist Wedding
- Water Drop Teahouse
- Significance of the Million-Member Fundraising Campaign
- Short-Term Monastic Retreat
- Rains Retreat
- Itinerant Practice
- Traveling to Learn
- Pilgrimage
- Personal Practice
- Collective Cultivation
- Devotees Assembly
- Dharma Service
- Building Affinities
- Foundation Laying Ceremony
- Eternal Lamp
- Evening, Midnight, and Late Night
- Water and Land Dharma Service
- Eight Precepts Retreat
- Six Uposatha Days
- The Fifty-Three Visits
- Dharma Propagation Through Arts and Culture
- Buddhist Endeavors Through Sounds and Music
- Advancing Education in Temples
- Endeavors for Dharma Propagation
- Religious Legislation
- Buddhism and Physical Activity
- Buddhist Architecture
- Master and Disciple
- The Importance of Passing Down Legacy
- Mutual Praise Between Monastics
- Between Country and Religion
