本書首先介紹永明延壽（904–976）所處之五代時期吳越國的歷史背景，分析吳越諸王與佛教之關係，並敘述《觀心玄樞》完整文本之發現過程。本書主要之主題為探討永明延壽如何以禪宗之「觀心」為「玄樞」，統攝天台、華嚴和淨土之思想與修行，永明延壽之思想為我們欲了解中國佛教發展，從唐朝演變至宋朝之重要橋樑。

本書亦包含了《觀心玄樞》完整文本之內容、校勘、英譯和註解，本書所依《觀心玄樞》之底本為日本天理大學圖書館所藏第十一世紀之手抄本，本書封面圖案即為此手抄本之首頁。 

Contents

Table of Contents
Series Preface
Author's Preface
Acknowledgments

Part I: Introduction And Historical Background

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: The Profound Pivot
The Compilation of the Zongjing lu
The Discovery of a Complete Manuscript of the Profound Pivot
The Historical Heritage of the Profound Pivot
The Framework of the Profound Pivot

Chapter Three: The Wuyue Kings and Buddhism
Qian Liu (r. 893–932)
Qian Yuanguan (r. 932–942)
Qian Hongzhu (r. 942–947)
Qian Hongchu (r. 947–978)
Conclusion
Part II: Analysis

Chapter Four: Yanshou’s Chan Heritage
The Teaching of Mind as taught by Buddhas and Chan Masters
Zongmi’s Appraisal of the Chan schools
Yanshou’s Re-appraisal of Zongmi’s Criticism

Chapter Five: Yanhsou’s Chan Thought and Practice
The Meaning of Mind
The Practice of Contemplation of Mind
Conclusion

Chapter Six: Yanshou’s Huayan Thought
The Structure of Issue Fifty-three
Yanshou’s Interpretation of the Six Characteristics
Yanshou’s Interpretation of the Ten Profound Gates
Conclusion

Chapter Seven: Yanshou’s Tiantai Thought
Threefold Truth
Threefold Contemplation of One-mind
Conclusion

Chapter Eight: Yanshou’s Pure Land Thought
The Nature of Buddha-bodies
The Nature of Pure Land
Conclusion

Chapter Nine: Yanshou’s Pure Land Practices
Pratyutpanna samādhi
Sixteen Contemplations
Nianfo as Recollection of Buddha
Nianfo as Recitation of Buddha’s name
Ten Moments of Nianfo
The Contemplation of Mind
Conclusion

Chapter Ten: Conclusion

Part III: Translation

The Profound Pivot of the Contemplation of Mind

Appendix I
The 72 Issues in the Profound Pivot

Appendix II
List of Buddhas and Patriarchs in the Zongjing Lu

Bibliography

Index