It is said that the Foundations for Developing Tranquility (Śamatha) and Insight (Vipaśyanā) Meditation was originally a lecture delivered by Master Zhìyǐ (智觊 538—597 CE) to instruct his lay, elder brother Chén Zhēn 陈针 on how to practise meditation.

The Foundations is an introductory meditation manual rather than a book. It is short. Yet, it provides a practical, accessible and condensed framework for both beginning and long-term meditation practitioners throughout Chinese Buddhist history up until today. In a nutshell, this book contains the essentials required for learning, enhancing or rectifying Buddhist meditation practice.

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