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A Special Transmission Outside the Scriptures

by Sangharakshita

The scope of Buddhist scriptures and the fourfold nature of the transmission of Buddhist Teaching is described, followed by a working definition of Zen.

N.B. Poor original recording.

Talk given in 1965.

This talk is part of the series The Essence of Zen.

Tracks (click play to listen)

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1. The word 'zen'; Zen and the practice of dhyana (3:36) 
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2. The five spiritual faculties: Faith, Wisdom Energy, Concentration, Mindfulness (10:47) 
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3. Individual schools and the five faculties; three misunderstandings about Zen (11:06) 
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4. A special transmisson outside the scriptures: What are the scriptures? (8:28) 
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5. The three major editions (4:43) 
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6. The intrinsic importance of the scriptures: the value of of study (5:28) 
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7. Types of transmission in Buddhism;four-fold transmission: ordination, scriptures, doctrine, the living spirit (8:47) 
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8. How did this transmission begin? Mahakasyapa and the golden flower; the patriarchs (8:40) 
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9. 'Outside' the scriptures (1:54) 


Total running time: 1:03:29