Tang · by 梁肅述
62,755 · about 209 min
"Abridged Shamatha-Vipashyana," authored by the Tang Dynasty Tiantai master Liang Su, is a concise summary and interpretation of Master Zhiyi's "Great Shamatha-Vipashyana." Completed during the mid-Tang period, this work aims to distill the core principles of the Tiantai practice of shamatha and vipashyana, making it more accessible for cultivation and practice. It systematically elaborates on the system of shamatha-vipashyana cultivation and realization, integrating doctrine with practice, and emphasizes the simultaneous application of shamatha and vipashyana, as well as the balanced cultivation of concentration and wisdom. As a significant text of the Tiantai school, this work not only preserves the essence of Master Zhiyi's teachings but also contributed to the revival of Tiantai during the Song Dynasty. It has profoundly influenced the theory of meditation in Chinese Buddhism and is regarded as one of the authoritative guides for studying and practicing shamatha and vipashyana.