Twenty Challenges to Enlightenment

by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, Lin Sen-shou (Translator)

We encounter many difficulties when we deal with worldly affairs, and even more difficulties when we are learning the ways of the Buddha. Some difficulties lie in carrying out the Buddhist teachings one has learned, some lie in saying the proper things, and some difficulties, perhaps the biggest, pertain to keeping one's mind sincere and respectful. Those difficulties are included in what the Buddha pointed out as the "Twenty Difficulties on the Way to Attaining Buddahood".

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Nadiia Symonenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon arrival in Hualien, Taiwan, I was recommended this book as introductory reading on Venerable Master Chen Yen's teaching. The Master used simple stories and examples—about Buddha and his disciples, ancient kings, or personal experiences—to explain the so-called "challenges" that we, as humans, encounter and that might impede our progress towards "enlightenment". As a person who just started learning Buddhism, I found the book helpful. It feels like Venerable Master deeply understands human nature, and many of her words spoke to me, and I found it very touching. However, I must point out that, in my opinion, the English translation of the book could be improved. The structure of the sentences was overly complicated, and it was hard to read. I had to reread most pages a few times, and it was hard to follow even the most simple stories. I wish I could learn Chinese well enough someday to be able to read the teachings in their original version.