Song of the Vow Practitioners
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Summary
Editor's review
The chapters often begin with concrete situations or historical allusions—recounting the deeds of eminent monks of old, or observing current social phenomena—and gradually open onto questions of mind and nature, karma, compassion, and wisdom. Ma Mingbo is skilled at carrying profound meaning in plain narrative, avoiding the remoteness common to religious texts. The "aspiration and practice" he describes is no distant religious ideal but an attitude to life that can enter ordinary use, bearing on how to face setbacks, handle relationships, and settle body and mind.
In terms of reading value, the book offers two paths: for general readers seeking spiritual solace or practical wisdom, it is a clear mirror that shows the roots of affliction and points out a steady inward path; for enthusiasts of Buddhism or traditional culture, its modern interpretation of classic teachings and plain discussion of the stages of practice are likewise illuminating. The SDX Joint Publishing edition ensures textual rigor and quality. Overall, this is a work that lets one grow quiet amid the noise and reexamine one's own actions and original intentions; its power lies not in fervent advocacy but in quiet permeation.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Buddhist culture or spiritual cultivation who hope for practical life insight
- People who feel lost in the busyness of modern life and seek inner steadiness and a sense of meaning
- Essay lovers who enjoy reflection that combines personal experience with traditional culture
- Thinkers who wish to explore the relationship between "making vows" and "putting them into practice"
Not a good fit for
- Academic researchers expecting a systematic Buddhist theoretical framework or a strict practice guide
- Readers seeking strongly plotted, highly entertaining narrative works
Reading tips
- It can be read as a series of spiritual essays; there is no need to read it straight through—it suits browsing and reflection in spare moments
- While reading, try setting the book's views against your own daily experience and reflecting on them
- If certain Buddhist concepts interest you, use them as a starting point for deeper topical reading
About the publisher
SDX Joint Publishing Company is a publisher known for its humanities and social science titles, covering classics, culture, history, social fiction and politics. Its catalogue of 826 books includes Chinese and foreign literary classics such as The Scholars, Camel Xiangzi and Selected Short Stories of Chekhov, scholarly works such as Studies of Chinese Cave Temples, A Study of the Tuoba History (Revised Edition) and The Nine-Rank System: A Prehistory of the Imperial Examination, and translations such as Red Star Over China and Notes from the House of the Dead. Its authors include renowned Chinese and foreign writers such as Wu Jingzi, Lao She, Su Bai and Chekhov, as well as scholars and translators such as Chen Xiaoming, Wang Benhua, Guo Changbao and Zhu Xiansheng. Its publishing character lies in balancing the popularisation of classics with academic depth, with attention to textual quality and the transmission of knowledge.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 自序
- 壹 朝圣起点
- 01 有些事情突如其来
- 02 佛前供朵花，福报有多大？
- 03 会行走的菩提树
- 04 在舌尖上修行
- 05 朝圣起点
- 贰 金顶望云
- 01 一块石头要想与众不同
- 02 金顶望云
- 03 照破内心的黑暗
- 04 佛之长子
- 05 寺院起火时，护法在哪里？
- 叁 睡在佛的隔壁
- 01 分别是智，平等是慧
- 02 阿弥陀的心事
- 03 痛苦是恶业的完成
- 04 睡在佛的隔壁
- 05 华严顶上僧院花
- 肆 仙峰遇佛
- 01 脚痛的山路
- 02 仙峰遇佛
- 03 猴居士
- 04 长胡子的普贤
- 05 南怀瑾大坪旧事
- 伍 第一山
- 01 一线天，一念间
- 02 万年三宝
- 03 观“心”坡上
- 04 空谷幽兰
- 05 峨眉为何是“第一山”
- 陆 行愿者之歌
- 01 大禅师
- 02 行愿者之歌
- 03 喜悦是心灵的食物
- 04 看得破，忍不过
- 05 做错了事，忏悔有用吗
- 柒 菩萨照远不照近
- 01 佛陀有没有爱
- 02 在古德林的绿荫下
- 03 菩萨照远不照近
- 04 圣水禅味
- 05 纯阳殿外普贤船
- 捌 峨眉山月歌
- 01 解脱桥畔谈解脱
- 02 峨眉山月歌
- 03 “泥号”，骑象的人
- 04 报国寺大脚印之谜
- 05 清风明月最相亲
- 玖 净土移民指南
- 01 我念佛，佛念我
- 02 净土移民指南
- 03 清音阁，流水禅心
- 04 峨眉山下桥
- 05 不要坐在黑暗里
- 后记 在命运之书里，我们同在一行字之间
FAQ
How is this book related to and different from the author's earlier The Miracle of Vows?
Can readers without Buddhist faith understand and benefit from it?
What is the writing style of this book?
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About the author
Ma Mingbo is a Chinese book author about whom limited public information is available; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly recorded. Judging from the two works held in the collection, his writing covers two categories, biography and prose miscellany. One is Xuanzang (Stories of Chinese Sages), which recounts the life of the Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang in a narrative style and belongs to popular biographies of notable figures from the past. The other, Song of the Practitioner of Vows, leans toward personal essays, with a reflective and lyrical tone. Though different in subject, both works show the author's attention to the inner world of historical figures and a tendency to blend emotion and reflection into his narrative. As relevant materials remain insufficient, his full body of work and literary influence await further understanding, and this introduction offers only an objective outline based on the works in the collection.
