Guo Gu: Silent Illumination

Published: Jan. 30, 2022, 2:12 p.m.

Dharma Talk by Guo Gu, founder and teacher of the Tallahassee Chan Center in Florida. Join the Cloud Zendo Dharma Talk here.

Our natural awakening—or buddha-nature—is inherent within all of us and waiting to be realized. Buddha-nature has the qualities of both silence and illumination, and by working with silent illumination meditation you can find your own awakening. Guo Gu introduces you to the significance and methods of this practice through in-depth explanations and guided instructions. To help establish a foundation for realizing silent illumination, he has translated twenty-five teachings from the influential master Hongzhi Zhengjue into English, accompanied by his personal commentary. Silent Illumination will be an indispensable resource for meditators interested in beginning or deepening their silent illumination practice.

Guo Gu is a Chan teacher, author, and Buddhist scholar. He is the founder and teacher of the Tallahassee Chan Center in Florida and founder of the socially engaged intra-denominational Buddhist organization, Dharma Relief (DharmaRelief.org). As one of the few teachers carrying on the living wisdom of Chan Buddhism in the West and as the trainer of all Western Dharma teachers in the Dharma Drum Lineage of Master Sheng Yen (1931-2009), Guo Gu has a unique ability to bring profound Buddhist doctrines to life through concrete methods of practice. His teachings have touched the hearts of many students across the globe where he leads multi-day, intensive Chan retreats in different countries. His personal website is www.guogulaoshi.com.

Shop for a copy of Silent Illumination from Shambhala Publications, here.