Working Toward Enlightenment: The Cultivation of Practice

I would give 6 stars, instead of just 5.I just finished reading this book for the 3rd times. It is true: Master Nan's book is definitely not for beginner who knows little or nothing about Zen/Chan and its history. I would recommend readers first to have some basic background understanding of Surangama Sutra, Diamond Sutra and Heart Sutra. This book complement my studies of Sutras and my appreciation is beyond words.Thank you Master Nan!

This is a book "written" with a very unique approach -- most of it are actually impromtu lecture notes recorded by his students during a series of lecture he gave in Taiwan in the late 70s. Quoting freely from his personal experience and extensively from scriptural sources, this book serves as an excellent pointer in the cultivation of the Buddhadharma. The author repeatedly emphasized that his lectures were meant to be an INTRODUCTION and guide for a journey into the ocean of scripture (which will help one along the way of serious cultivation).

Ever since D.T. Suzuki the great Zen scholar died no one had been able to take his place introducing the heart of Buddhist practice. Master Nan is not only a comprehensive practitioner of wide range of Buddhism, Varjrayana, Chan Buddhism, Yogacran and also Taoist Qigong practitioners. He bridged the very needed insight into the treasure house of ancient Chinses wisdom injecting a new vigor to the Beat Zen mumble jumble of talking Buddhist that is so pervalent of our time. The Book is a translation of his dharma talks during one of his intensive retreat period. In between the lines, the reader can feel the great love and compassion he had toward his students and all beings. He has tremendous humor and many time laugh with us at our own hazy moon of enlightenment nature. Like what he sayed that spiritual awaken sometime is a fine line between crazy wisdom or just plain craziness. Insanity has also a very convincing subjective self nature. This book will be like drinking a glass of cool water and a antidote to the excessive intellectual college professor Buddhism that is overflooded the earth and media. If you are a sincere practitioner then this book is for you. Also having the privilege and honor to study with some of his students, Buddhist monks, I personally experience their clarity and simplicity, they emanate their teacher's fragarence like the taste of a pure glass of spring water.Dan Tao

This book carries the weight of a lifetime of personal cultivation. Known amidst oriental circles as probably the most influential cultivator living today, Master Nan is famous for his non-denominational/non-sectarian teachings. His wealth of knowledge can be seen clearly through the lectures that comprise this book. The reader will note that the many quotes cited in the text were given spontaneously by Master Nan without any consultation---a feat that no other modern master can possibly match. Master Nan's words make the many Buddhist and Taoist teachings of the past come to life. They become powerful reference posts and guides for those who are serious practitioners. It's truly expedient means in action! It is a pity that few of Nan's books have been translated. He is currently the best-selling author in China, as he has been for many years in Taiwan and Hong Kong. More than 15 million copies of his books have been sold in China alone.

During the first perusal of this book, I could not believe that it was written by a contemporary Buddhist master. Master Nan's scope of understanding and wealth of knowledge far outstrips any contemporary expert in the study of Buddhism. What is characteristic of this bursar of knowledge is the accessibility of the reader to the content of the book. Although possibly diluted through translation, the genius of Professor Nan's organization of content carefully guides the reader in his/her self cultivation. Despite Master's reputation as a renown statesman in Asia, and despite the popularity of his books amongst Buddhist practitioners and the academia, this treasure house of information has been a well kept secret amongst the public.