A tribute to a respected master

The Chan master Empty Cloud (Xu Yun; 1840–1959) is known for his simple and direct teaching method. Here are some examples of his instructions to students:   “The reason for Chan investigation is to

Master Empty Cloud, or Xu Yun (虚雲), was born in Fujian Province in southern China during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), on 26 August 1840. This was the time of the first Opium War, when Hong Kong

Master Xu Yun had an extraordinary and very long life. He lived into his 120th year, and his life spanned two centuries and three dynasties. It is a belief within traditional Chinese culture that the

Zhen Ru Chan Monastery Cloud Abode Mountain Jiangsi Province China 2012 Thursday, 8th November I woke up in a cold, simple but clean room to the sound of heavy rain at 3.45 as my alarm clock went o

Monday, 29th October We then went to the nearby villa which had belonged to Chairman Mao. It is now a fairly plain and simple museum displaying some wonderful photographs. Nearby outside was a man-ma

Editor’s note: Eric Johns is a lay Buddhist who was born in North London in 1955. He left school at 14 and made handcrafts for a living while travelling with horse drawn gypsies until the age of 28. H

A disciple once asked the late Most Venerable Sheng Yi, “Will you be reborn in the Tusita Heaven* when you enter Ultimate Nirvana someday, like Master Xu Yun [Sheng Yi’s Dharma Father]?”   The Mast