From Indian Buddhism to Chinese Chan: Theories, Methods, and Developments

This course was originally designed by Guo Gu in 1997 to train Master Sheng Yen’s Western Dharma Teachers in the Dharma Drum Lineage and to deepen their appreciation of the evolving nature of Buddhist doctrine and practice.

It has since been re-taught multiple times and modified for a general audience to highlight the rich repertoire of Buddhist teachings. This product contains all course materials and recorded lectures from 2022.

Description
Awakening is contingent on developing a correct view of buddhadharma. In the historical development of Buddhism, this correct view has been variously articulated in different Buddhist traditions, from India to China.

This course surveys all major doctrinal developments of the Buddhist tradition, featuring the richness of the theories and practices that culminated into Chan Buddhism. We will explore a sampling of early, foundational scriptures such as the Āgamas (Pali: Nikayas), early and later Mahāyāna scriptures, Chinese Tiantai (Jp: Tendai) and Huayan commentaries, and Chan literature. These texts provide a clear trajectory of the innovative teachings that Buddhists adapted to redress doctrinal loopholes. They also provide us different pathways to deepen our own practice.

Course Information

16-week intensive course, 24 class hours
Access to assigned readings
Students are encouraged to provide written reading responses/notes

This class will be taught synchronously online and in-person at the Tallahassee Chan Center.

Curriculum Schedule

The course will follow the evolution of Indian doctrine and practices in China, adapted from this chart.

Each module consists of one week of lectures on doctrine and one week of experiential practice of the core methods associated with each group of teachings.

Class 1

Impermanence, Suffering, and No-Self

Nikaya (Āgama) Teachings

Class 2

From Not-Self to Emptiness

Madhyamaka and the Prajñāpāramitā

Class 3

From Emptiness to Consciousness-Only

Yogācāra Teachings on the Three Natures, Eight Layers of Consciousness, Perceptions, and Mental Factors

Class 4

True Emptiness, Wondrous Existence

Tathāgatagarbha Teachings, Buddha-nature, and Expedient Means

Class 5

Doctrinal Classifications of Tiantai

The Lotus Sūtra, The Great Calming and Contemplation

Class 6

Doctrinal Classifications of Huayan

The Avatamsaka Sūtra, The Four Realms of Reality

Class 7

Chan as the Doctrinal Amalgamation and Culmination of Chinese Buddhism

Platform Sutra and Vimalakīrti Sutra

Class 8

Chan as Experiential Fulfillment of Chinese Buddhism: Sudden Practice and Awakening

The Three Gates of Chan: Breath, Silent Illumination, and the Huatou

Teacher

Guo Gu means the result of being a valley. It comes from the Chinese proverb, “To be humble as a valley.” A valley is humble because it is empty, resting at the lowest part of earth. Yet it is able to support and nourish all life forms. Guo Gu is the founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center, the founder of the socially engaged intra-denominational Buddhist organization, Dharma Relief. He has been a close disciple of the late Master Sheng Yen (1931-2009) for more than 30 years; nine of which as a monastic.

He is the author of The Essence of Chan (2012), Passing Through the Gateless Barrier (2016), and Silent Illumination (2021). He is also an Associate Professor of Chinese Buddhism and Religions in the Department of Religion, Florida State University, USA.

Registration

Course fees can be paid in full upfront or spread over the five months of the course through a payment plan.

Note that clicking one of the buttons below applies a coupon to your account allowing purchase of the course at a discount. To select a different price tier, please click the other button before purchasing.

Discounted

Purchase access to the course at a 25% discount.

Supporter

Purchase access to the course at full price.

Buy for $520

Additional Donations

For others to attend the class, you may offer a donation below to the scholarship fund, helping those with less resources to study the Dharma.

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Scholarships

Money should not be a barrier to studying the buddhadharma. The Tallahassee Chan Center offers a range of discounts for those with limited resources, up to free of charge. (Monastics receive free access to courses upon request.)

For discounts, please email tallahassee.chan@gmail.com with the email subject "Doctrine 2022 Class Discount." Let us know what monetary donation you can afford, and we will provide you with a coupon code to apply to the course.

Email Us to Request a Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the courses?

To access course materials, you must create an account on this course website using your e-mail address. The easiest way to do this is when you are purchasing a course. Your account allows you to access courses you have purchased and engage in discussion in our online community.

If you are interested in further opportunities to deepen your practice, please consider opting in to our "marketing e-mails" when you create your account. The Tallahassee Chan Center is not a commercial entity, and will not send you marketing e-mails. We will only use e-mail correspondence to alert you to new and upcoming opportunities for practice in-person and online.

What do I receive upon purchasing a course?

For live courses, you will be given unlimited access to the teachings via a live Zoom link and a platform to access recordings and course files.

Will lectures be recorded? Can I join this course if I am located in a different time zone?

Yes, lectures will be recorded and posted to this course page throughout the term. We encourage students located in or near EST to attend the live lectures.

We encourage those in other time zones to join this course and study with us. There will be opportunities for asynchronous interaction.

We expect that all students will do their best to follow along with the cadence of teachings in the syllabus. Please watch the recordings as soon as possible after each class session concludes.

How long do I have access to the courses?

Once purchased, you have lifetime access to these teachings, and can re-visit them as many times as you need.

Do you offer discounts? Are these courses free?

Please email tallahassee.chan@gmail.com with the email subject "Course Discount" and include the course(s) you're interested in.

Money should not be a barrier to studying the buddhadharma. The Tallahassee Chan Center offers a range of discounts for those with limited resources, up to free of charge. (Monastics receive free access to courses upon request.)

For those who have the means, payment is a means of engaging in the practice of generosity (dāna). Donation revenue will support the Center's teachings, helping more people to improve their lives and ease suffering.

What if I need more help?

We are always available to help answer any questions about this website or our courses. Please use the green chat button in the lower right of every page to reach us. We will respond as soon as we can.

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