"What lies at the heart of Chan (Zen) is our intrinsic nature of freedom, expressed in terms of wisdom and compassion. Freedom in Chan Buddhism refers to the direct personal awakening to the interconnectedness and freshness of life, beyond concepts and self." - Dr. Jimmy Yu (aka Guo Gu) (Florida State University)
The Department of Religion, along with our co-sponsors at the Sigur Center for Asian Studies and the Chinese Arts & Humanities Initiative, want to thank Prof. Yu and all of the faculty, students, and community members who attended one of our largest Abbie Ziffren Lectures to date this Spring 2025!
Prof. Yu presented a historical reconstruction of Buddhist traditions and the emergence of Chan (Zen) Buddhism as a critical mode within those traditions. Then, Prof. Yu discussed two interrelated approaches to Buddhist awakening: the meditation methods of silent illumination and critical phrase. By reframing awakening as a practice of wonder, Prof. Yu challenged the negative assumptions attached to "no-self" discourse. To conclude, as a scholar and a practitioner, Prof. Yu invited the audience to inhabit this dual-method of wonder in a period of positive, meditative, and reflective response.
Thank you for attending this dynamic lecture and conversation!