Entry into the Inconceivable : An Introduction to Hua-yen Buddhism

Contents: Preface. I. Introduction : 1. The Hua-yen scripture. 2. Hua-yen studies in China. 3. Emptiness and relativity. 4. The three natures. 5. The four realms of reality. II. Translations: 1. Cessation and contemplation in the five teachings of the Hua-yen/Tu Shun. 2. Mirror of the mysteries of the universe of the Hua-yen/Tu Shun and Cheng-Kuan. 3. Ten mysterious gates of the unitary vehicle of the Hua-yen/Chih-yen. 4. Cultivation of contemplation of the inner meaning of the Hua-yen: the ending of delusion and return to the souorce/Fa-tsang. Appendix: highlights of the Hua-yen scripture. Notes.

"Entry into the Inconceivable is an introduction to the philosophy of the Hua-yen school of Buddhism, one of the cornerstones of East Asian Buddhist thought. Cleary presents a survey of the unique Buddhist scripture on which the Hua-yen teaching is based and a brief history of its introduction into China. He also presents a succinct analysis of the essential metaphysics of Hua-yen Buddhism as it developed during China’s golden age and full translations of four basic texts by seminal thinkers of the school." (jacket)