One Korean's Approach to Buddhism

Sung Bae Park is Professor of Asian Philosophy and Religions and Director of the Center for Korean Studies at Stony Brook University, State University of New York. He is the author of Buddhist Faith and Sudden Enlightenment, also published by SUNY Press.

"There are several eye-opening moments in this book where the reader will be truly inspired, and this, I believe, comes from the author's willingness to deal directly with the fundamental issues in philosophical and religious discourse … The book is written in a way that allows the general public, and not just academics, to appreciate the sophistication of Buddhist philosophy." — Jin Y. Park, Philosophy East & West"One Korean's Approach to Buddhism explores nondualism, one of the major conceptual paradigms that characterize East Asian Buddhism, by employing what the author calls the mom-momjit paradigm … The author incorporates various personal experiences in his discussion, which makes the book more accessible for those who are not familiar with Buddhism; to those who are already well versed in Buddhism, it also demonstrates how to apply or understand Buddhist philosophy with respect to everyday life events." — Religious Studies Review

• Preface IntroductionChapter One: Initial Considerations Sociological Concerns Individual Needs Human Ignorance Ordinary and Absolute Aspects SufferingDefinition of Mom and Momjit: A Closer LookThe Experience of MomPractical ApplicationsStages of AccessCoexistence of Mom and MomjitTwo Dimensions of Human ExistenceChapter Two: Mom and Momjit as Tools for Transformation The Need for TransformationThe Use of the HwaduInitial Thoughts on Hwadu Practice: The Three DisciplinesNo-ThoughtGetting Down to PracticeFaith and DoubtFaith and SurrenderFaith and UnderstandingWhat Is Enlightenment?No Need for TransformationAttaining Salvation?The Strange Behavior of Zen MastersProblems in PracticeThe Nature of the ProblemThe Real Meaning of HwaduThe SolutionThe Nature of DeathChapter Three: Other Teachings WÆnhyo’s Commentary on the Awakening of Mahåyåna Faith (First Chapter)WÆnhyo’s Treatise on the Vajrasamådhi S¨tra (First Chapter)WÆnhyo’s Logic of NegationHua-yen TheoryThe Diamond S¨traThe Seminal Message of the Platform S¨traChinulChinul and the Three GatesChinul’s Views on Hwadu MeditationChinul’s "Enemy"Ch’an and TaoismConfucianismChapter Four: Present-Day Applications Letter and Non-Letter Culture/One MindStages of PracticeThe RaftFaith RevisitedDaily PracticeThe Unknown FactorDesireThe Five Stages of Practice According to ChinulPersonal StoryConclusion: Final Thoughts on Mom and Momjit NotesGlossary of TermsBibliographyIndex