Zuò wàng lùn 坐忘論
Discourse on Sitting in Forgetfulness
by 司馬承禎 (Sīmǎ Chéngzhēn, 647–735) — Twelfth Shàng qīng patriarch
One of the most important Táng Daoist meditation-manuals. Sīmǎ Chéngzhēn’s systematic exposition of zuò wàng 坐忘 (“sitting in forgetfulness” — a meditative state of unconditioned absorption) in seven graduated stages: 信敬 xìn jìng (faith and respect), 斷緣 duàn yuán (cutting connections), 收心 shōu xīn (collecting the mind), 簡事 jiǎn shì (simplifying affairs), 真觀 zhēn guān (true contemplation), 泰定 tài dìng (great stillness), 得道 dé dào (attaining the Way). Preserved as DZ 1036 / CT 1036 (Tài xuán bù 太玄部).
Dating. Within Sīmǎ’s active life (c. 700–735). Dynasty: 唐.
Translations and research
- Kohn, Livia. Seven Steps to the Tao: Sima Chengzhen’s Zuowanglun. Nettetal: Steyler, 1987. The foundational English translation and study.
- Kohn, Livia. Sitting in Oblivion: The Heart of Daoist Meditation. Three Pines Press, 2010.
Links
- Kanseki Repository KR5d0059
- Author: 司馬承禎.
- ctext.org: 坐忘論