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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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follows the Bodhicarya, the performance of noble deeds<br />

by the practice of the Six Paramitas, <strong>and</strong> also the four<br />

Samgrahavastu (means of conversion). The latter are all<br />

preparatory: Giving (dana), loving speech (priyavacana),<br />

doing good to others (arthakrtya), <strong>and</strong> treating others<br />

like oneself (samanarthata). Among the paramitas,<br />

which are treated in great detail in this book, the first<br />

four, as already mentioned, are of a preparatory nature.<br />

3. Last to be considered here is the Chinese patriarch<br />

Zhi-Yi, who lived for long upon the Tian Tai Mountain.<br />

The school of teachings originated by his master, but<br />

which he spread wisely, is also known by the<br />

mountain's name.<br />

A knowledge of his teachings would be most useful to<br />

Westerners who have not only a great need for<br />

meditation, but have also unfortunately many<br />

misunderst<strong>and</strong>ings, particularly about meditation<br />

practice. Zhi-Yi has given very fully the basic<br />

necessities for this.<br />

Mr. Chen here remarked with some sharpness:<br />

Many in the West seem to have been misled by<br />

Japanese scholars who have told them something of<br />

Chan, or Zen as they call it, but very little about the<br />

foundations upon which a beginner should base his<br />

practice. As a result, there are many who think that they<br />

know a great deal about Chan but know almost nothing<br />

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