The Wisdom of the Zen Masters

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Eastern Religions, General Eastern Religions, Philosophy, Zen, Buddhism
Cover of the book The Wisdom of the Zen Masters by , New Directions
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780811225366
Publisher: New Directions Publication: January 17, 1976
Imprint: New Directions Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780811225366
Publisher: New Directions
Publication: January 17, 1976
Imprint: New Directions
Language: English

Unlike most other formal religions, the Japanese school of Zen Buddhism has no canonized corpus of sacred literature which will reveal the "truth" to diligent readers. There are, however, numerous collections of anecdotes and aphorisms that may serve to convey the sensibility which underscores the practice of Zen. Drawing on these traditional sources, Dr. Irmgard Schloegl of the Buddhist Society in London has gathered into one short volume a sampling of stories and sayings that are a valuable introduction to the study of Zen.

"If in every mind burns a flame of the Buddha's Enlightenment," Christmas Humphreys writes in his foreword to The Wisdom of the Zen Masters, "there is nothing to seek and nothing to acquire. We are enlightened, and all the words in the world will not give us what we already have. The man of Zen, therefore, is concerned with one thing only, to become aware of what he already is…" The task of the Japanese Zen master has been to guide his pupils in their awakening. The means used vary––from severe physical discipline to the proposition of enigmatic riddles, or koans––but always to the same end, Enlightenment: experiencing the Great Death of the worldly "I."

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Unlike most other formal religions, the Japanese school of Zen Buddhism has no canonized corpus of sacred literature which will reveal the "truth" to diligent readers. There are, however, numerous collections of anecdotes and aphorisms that may serve to convey the sensibility which underscores the practice of Zen. Drawing on these traditional sources, Dr. Irmgard Schloegl of the Buddhist Society in London has gathered into one short volume a sampling of stories and sayings that are a valuable introduction to the study of Zen.

"If in every mind burns a flame of the Buddha's Enlightenment," Christmas Humphreys writes in his foreword to The Wisdom of the Zen Masters, "there is nothing to seek and nothing to acquire. We are enlightened, and all the words in the world will not give us what we already have. The man of Zen, therefore, is concerned with one thing only, to become aware of what he already is…" The task of the Japanese Zen master has been to guide his pupils in their awakening. The means used vary––from severe physical discipline to the proposition of enigmatic riddles, or koans––but always to the same end, Enlightenment: experiencing the Great Death of the worldly "I."

More books from New Directions

Cover of the book The Emissary by
Cover of the book Mr Norris Changes Trains by
Cover of the book The Colors of Infamy by
Cover of the book The Books in My Life by
Cover of the book The Lime Twig: Novel by
Cover of the book The Back Country by
Cover of the book Letter from Casablanca by
Cover of the book The Insufferable Gaucho by
Cover of the book Colonel Chabert by
Cover of the book An Empty Room: Stories by
Cover of the book On the High Wire by
Cover of the book EEG: A Novel by
Cover of the book The Holy Terrors: (Les Enfants Terribles) by
Cover of the book Between Parentheses: Essays, Articles and Speeches, 1998-2003 by
Cover of the book The Guest Cat by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy