reface | |||
is elementary book on Chinese Buddhism and its more popu- larly worshipped Deities, has been writ en for the benefit of Buddhists amongst the Chinese community. I refer to them as Buddhists in italics because they do not have a clear idea of their faith. eir spiritual practices have been reduced to mere super- stitious beliefs and blind faith due to lack of doctrinal knowledge and opportunities to meet with Dharma teachers. It is amazing to find Buddhists who do not know what their religion stands for. Some do not even know who the Buddha is or whether He is the same Buddha who was born in India, or what is meant by "Refuge-taking". Just by offering incense to the Heavenly Gods and to the Ancestral Tablets does not qualify them to be Buddhists as it is not a Buddhist practice at al . In or- der for them to find comfort and meaning in their religious pur- suits they must, first of al , have a clear idea of what Buddhism is and what constitutes its practice. It is also important that they are able to distinguish the differences between Buddhas, Bodhi- sat vas and Gods, otherwise the term `deity' would have to be used to describe them. is explains why the title of this book has been changed from "e Buddhas and Bodhisat vas of Chinese Buddhism" to the "Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism". e picture of the popular Chinese Pantheon of Deities gave me the inspiration to write a book which offers the opportunity to give an explanation on the meanings and differences between the various classes of divine beings that exist in Buddhism. I have the chosen the same picture for the cover design with the hope that its familarity with the average Buddhist will induce them to read it so as to gain a basic knowledge of their religion. Apart from giving a general outline of Buddhism and its entry into China, I have also at empted to provide brief accounts on the important doctrines that the Buddha has taught, prayers that one may recite to the Buddhas and Bodhisat vas, how to become a Buddhist, and a number of interesting articles that are related to Chinese Buddhism. is is indeed a book of love -- love for the Greatly Compas- sionate Kuan Shih Yin who came so suddenly into my life in 1979 and bringing so much meaning to it. It is also writ en for the benefit and sustenance of our insignificant Kuan Yin Con- templative Order which has been blessed with the visits of so many wonderful Dharma teachers and friends. Final y, my very grateful thanks to my brother Nelson Wong, who is my spiritual benefactor, and my wife for her great patience with me during my nightly struggles to bring forth this book. ¡ûBACK¡û |INDEX| ¡úNEXT¡ú |