Introduction
Clear-Sighted Faith
Faith requires sincerity, and it also requires clarity. Clear-Sighted Faith presents a modern interpretation of the Great Buddha-Crown Śūraṅgama Sūtra. Beginning with inquiry into mind, perception and true life, it examines how people are drawn by sensory appearances, thoughts and desires, and how faith in the one Holy Lord grounds discernment of the path.
Through the Holy One’s progressively deeper questions and answers, the book examines bodily change, the limits of perception and the reality of life. Understanding is directed towards sincere learning, faith and practice. The scripture gives searching warnings about false claims of attainment, exploiting religion for money, self-deification and mistaking unusual meditation experiences for spiritual achievement. These call for continued discernment and self-examination.
The book joins integrity of faith, upright conduct and perseverance in practice. It helps readers examine what they believe, seek and do amid competing religious claims and personal experiences. Scriptural meaning provides direction; ethical conduct invites scrutiny of oneself. The volume is especially suited to readers seeking clarity of faith, sound discernment and a firm foundation for awakening.
For readers seeking a deeper understanding of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, discernment in faith and spiritual experience, and a steady foundation for practice.
Scriptures
Scriptures in this volume
The Great Buddha-Crown Śūraṅgama Sūtra
Ten fascicles explore mind and perception, the senses and the self, the path of practice and warnings about deviations in meditation.
Read this volume’s excerptQuestions
Questions to bring to your reading
What does this interpretation of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra emphasise?
It connects knowledge of true life with discernment of the spiritual path, attending to the relationships between conduct, faith and meditation. Follow the progression of the questions and answers to see how each issue develops.
Why are clarity and self-examination so important?
From this volume’s standpoint, unusual experiences, personal impressions and religious claims must be considered within the scripture’s overall teaching. Sincere faith should also become visible in self-discipline, generosity towards others and sustained ethical practice.
From the books · Free excerpts
Read a passage and discover the approach
Volume One · Chapter 1, verses 4–6 · The passage describes the disciples who followed Śākyamuni Buddha.
They were kind-hearted, upright, and dignified.
They followed the Sage in proclaiming the truth, their hearts pure and trustworthy.
They were strict with themselves yet lenient with others.
Excerpt source · Clear-Sighted Faith · Volume One · Chapter 1, verses 4–6
Continue with this volume
Visit the bookshop for this edition’s price, format and purchase details.