Contents

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Preface   ix

Abbreviations   xv

Introduction: The Life and Thought of Chinul   1

I.   Korean Buddhism Before Chinul   1
  Characteristics of the Korean Buddhist tradition; Introduction of Buddhism into Korea; Unified Silla Dynasty (668-935); Initial attempts at Sŏn/scholastic rapprochement

II.   The Life of Chinul   17
  Koryŏ Buddhism at the time of Chinul; Birth and early years; The vow to form a retreat society; To Ch'ŏngwon sa: First awakening; Pomun sa: Second awakening; The retreat begins; Respite at Sangmuju am: Final awakening; Reestablishment of the community at Kilsang sa; The training of a successor; Chinul's death; The legacy of Susŏn sa

III.   Chinul's Thought   36
  Syncretism; Chinul's view of the Ch'an schools; The Hua-yen teachings of Li T'ung-hsüan and the rapprochement with Sŏn; Sudden awakening/gradual cultivation: Chinul's approach to practice and enlightenment; Chinul's methods of meditation

Encouragement to Practice: The Compact of the Samādhi and Prajñā Community   96

Admonitions to Beginning Students   135

Secrets on Cultivating the Mind   140

Straight Talk on the True Mind   160

The Essentials of Pure Land Practice   191