Guo Gu - Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening

T HE EVER - EXPANDING number of books in English on Buddhism and mindfulness are shaping the way we talk about meditation. This phenomenon is a real testament to the ways in which people everywhere are increasingly recognizing the benefits of meditation. However, the majority of these publications reveal more about Western ideas about spiritual well-being than the core teachings of buddhadharma: genuine awakening and liberation from suffering.

Chan Buddhism clarifies what awakening is and shows how to transform everyday experiences into the path. Distilled from centuries of development, Chan is the culmination and fulfillment of the Buddhas original message. However, the essence of Chan is largely absent from existing publications on Buddhism in the West, and this is especially true of the teaching on silent illumination.

The term chan comes from the Sanskrit word for meditationdhyanabut in our tradition, the same word has evolved to include the realization of awakening to our true nature: our buddha-nature. The teaching on silent illumination, or mozhao, as it is called in Chinese, is both a metaphor for this awakened nature and the principle behind meditation practice.

The central tenet of Chan is that we are already free. It is only through our self-referential grasping and rejecting that our natural awakened nature is concealed. To practice Chan is to engage with the complexity of daily life in order to expose the places where we are stuck and, by working through and letting go of them, reveal this true nature.

Some years ago, my teacher, the late master Sheng Yen (19312009), published an introductory book devoted to silent illumination, The Method of No Method, based on his commentary to Master Hongzhi Zhengjues (10911157) teachings. I translated several excerpts from Hongzhis discourse records, helped to edit the book, and prepared it for publication. The present volume is an in-depth teaching on silent illumination and contains my own revised translations and commentary on Hongzhis text.

The aims of this book are, first, to establish silent illumination squarely within the Mahayana Buddhist traditions. Second, to offer detailed instructions for establishing a foundation for realizing silent illumination. Third, to offer quality translations of Hongzhis poetic writings on silent illumination. My comments on Hongzhis writing aim to clarify any confusion practitioners might have about silent illumination, its breadth, depth, and perfection in seated meditation and in daily life.

The book is divided into three sections. Part One spells out the significance of silent illumination, the cultivation of correct attitudes, and the methods of practice. Part Two includes my commentaries on three specific teachings by Hongzhi, detailing pre- and post-awakening practices. Part Three includes running translations of twenty-five excerpts from Hongzhis collected writings.

This book is the result of many peoples efforts. Special thanks to Julie Myosen Sprott, who transcribed all the talks diligently, and Sandra Fiegehen, who carefully organized the transcripts and gave the first pass at editing the transcripts. She made many editorial suggestions. I would also like to thank Liz Shaw and John Golebiewski at Shambhala as well as the developmental editor, Vanessa Zuisei Goddard. They made this book a reality. Finally, my gratitude to Chan Master Hongzhi, whose silent illumination teaching exemplifies the perfection of the Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening.

I dedicate this book to my teacher, Master Sheng Yen. And to all of you who are holding this book in your hands, may it be your close companion on the path of awakening. May you live freely and share with all beings the wisdom and compassion of silent illumination.

Guo Gu

February 2020