Yogi Chen

Chinese hermit

Chen Chien Ming (Chinese: 陳健民; pinyin: Chén Jiànmín; 1906–1987), also known as Yogi C. M. Chen or simply as Yogi Chen, was a Chinese hermit who lived in Kalimpong, India, from 1947 until 1972, when he moved to the United States, where he lived for the remainder of his life.^[1]

According to Ole Nydahl, Chen had, in his youth in China, been terrified of death and had at first practiced Taoist life-extending exercises. Later he turned to Buddhism and, in search of teachings, went to Tibet, where he spent several years living in a cave.^[2]

Sangharakshita regarded Chen as one of his teachers,^[3] and together with Khantipalo helped him compile Buddhist Meditation, Systematic and Practical.^[4] Both Sangharakshita and Khantipalo describe Chen as "eccentric."^[5]^[6]

References

^ Dharmachari, Kulananda (2000), Teachers of enlightenment: the refuge tree of the Western Buddhist Order, Windhorse Publications, p. 240, ISBN 1-899579-25-7
^ Nydahl, Lama Ole (1985), Entering the Diamond Way: Tibetan Buddhism Meets The West, Blue Dolphin, pp. 126–7, ISBN 978-0-931892-03-5
^ Sangharakshita, Urgyen (2002), Moving Against the Stream: The Birth of a New Buddhist Movement, Windhorse Publications, p. 336, ISBN 978-1-899579-11-2
^ Chen, Chien Ming; Khantipalo, Bhikkhu (1983), Buddhist Meditation, Systematic and Practical (Volume 42 of Hsientai fohsüeh tahsi), Mile chʻupanshe
^ Mallander, J.O. (1995), In the Realm of the Lotus: A Conversation About Art, Beauty and the Spiritual Life, Windhorse Publications, p. 32, ISBN 978-0-904766-72-1
^ Lawrence, Khantipalo (2002), Noble friendship: travels of a Buddhist monk, Windhorse Publications, p. 147, ISBN 1-899579-46-X