Exploring Chan

"American-born Chan Buddhist monk Zhi combines rich cultural history and practical advice in this in-depth analysis of the religious and mystical traditions of Chinese Chan Buddhism. He charts the complicated evolution and delineation of Chan as a path toward self-knowledge, following Buddhism's spread from India throughout Asia and the West. . . . Zhi pairs his discussion of Buddhism's religious institutions with a deep knowledge of individual spiritual practice. His practical advice and well-researched, well-cited cultural histories are equally accessible to readers." - Booklife Reviews (Editor's Pick)

"A sweeping history of Chinese Buddhism that includes personal reflections on meditation and practical instruction for beginners.

"The historical development of the Buddhist faith is obscure, partly because the intensely personal experience of meditative practice itself resists scholarly documentation. Nevertheless, with extraordinary rigor and erudition, debut author Zhi reconstructs both the emergence of Buddhism in general, and of Chinese (or Chan) Buddhism in particular. By the time Buddhism arrived in China, it had already evolved in India from Vedism, Brahmanism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Then, as early as the 2nd century BCE, it was again refashioned by the political, sociological, and religious influences of its time-in this case, Confucianism and Taoism. The author discusses the original forms of Buddhism practiced in India, and its metamorphosis when it traveled all over Asia. The author specifically focuses on the ways in which, in China as elsewhere, Chan Buddhism split into strains that were either more meditatively spiritual or institutional. After he impressively concludes this "broad picture of Chan Buddhism," he turns his attention to its practice and furnishes a thorough introduction for the novice, including an accessible discussion of the benefits of maintaining a meditative practice and "Hindrances" that could undermine it. Zhi is a fully ordained Buddhist monk, and his knowledge of the subject matter is astonishing; he not only demonstrates an academic mastery of Buddhism as a historical phenomenon, but also a philosophically profound understanding of its spiritual core-which, contrary to many Western misconceptions, is not enlightenment: "Enlightenment is best viewed as a consequence rather than an objective of spiritual labor," Zhi notes. "The purpose of spiritual life is to unravel mysteries and transcend suffering. It's a fluid, evolving process." [...] [A] remarkable study that's intellectually stimulating, historically edifying, and spiritually instructive." - Kirkus Review

"In this illuminating introduction to Chan Buddhism, Zhi offers a sprawling overview of its history and practice. [...] Zhi's overarching concern is to look behind the teachings of Chan (as an authoritative tradition or as a state-sponsored religion) and to position it as "a mystical discipline" concentrated on self-knowledge. [...] [T]hose with an avid interest in the faith would do well to pick this up."  - Publisher's Weekly

"Chuan Zhi is deeply conversant with Chan practice, Buddhist history and philosophy, and current scholarship concerning the Chan tradition, as well as with Western psychology, philosophy, literature and music. . . . The book's many virtues made it a pleasure to read. . ."  - The Existential Buddhist

"Chuan Zhi addresses every possible inquiry with grace, eloquence, and profundity. This work is definitely one of those 'dog-eared' treasures that one returns to again and again as an invaluable resource . . . A much-needed piece of research to the long history of Chan." - Stacy C. Douglas, Ph. D.