Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume 3: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary [Paperback]

Thomas Cleary (Author)

Book Description

Series: Classics of Buddhism and Zen | Publication Date: April 12, 2005

Volume Three of Classics of Buddhism and Zen contains translations of works by the key figures of Zen, including the Japanese master Dogen; Chinul, the twelfth-century Korean master; and Hakuin, founder of the Rinzai school. Also included are selections from the Prajnaparamita, or "Perfection of Wisdom" sutras, a key source of the Zen tradition.



The volume includes:

The Sutra of Hui-neng: Grand Master of Zen
Hui-neng was the sixth patriarch of Chinese Zen. His teachings are characterized by their striking immediacy and by their concern with direct insight into the essential nature of awareness. The Sutra of Hui-neng is accompanied by Hui-neng's own commentary on the Diamond Sutra .

Dream Conversations on Buddhism and Zen
A collection of a renowned Japanese masters' written replies to questions about the true nature of Zen.

Kensho: The Heart of Zen
Included here are some of the important texts focusing on the profound subtleties of this essential Zen awakening and the methods used in its realization.

Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji
Contains selections from Dogen's two masterworks, Shobogenzo and Eihei Koruko . Cleary's commentary and compendium of authentic source materials enhance the reader's insight into Dogen's methods.

Zen and the Art of Insight
Thomas Cleary has gathered key selections from throughout the Prajnaparamita literature, accompanying each selection with commentary, to present the key teachings as exercises in learning freedom.

Product Details

• Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (April 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302206
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302200
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1.4 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #790,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Cleary is the preeminent translator of classic Eastern texts, including The Essential Tao, The Essential Confucius, The Secret of the Golden Flower, and the bestselling The Art of War.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential translations of the classic texts of Buddhism and Zen!, April 24, 2008

By 

Ted Biringer "Author of The Flatbed Sutra of ... (Anacortes, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume 3: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary (Paperback)

Essential translations of the classic texts of Buddhism and Zen!

All Five Volumes of Classics of Buddhism and Zen contain the translations of some of the most essential literature of Buddhism and Zen.

Volume Three offers some of the most essential classic Zen texts by the Greatest master of Zen in China, Japan, and Korea.

As the Collected Works of Thomas Cleary, these translations span his remarkably prolific career. Finally, they have become available in this beautiful, accessible five-volume set. This five-volume set includes nearly all of Thomas Cleary's translations (some have even been slightly revised and updated). They also include all the supplemental material included in the original individual translations, ie. glossaries, notes, indexes, Introductions, and Cleary's own insightful commentaries.

Only a handful of Thomas Cleary's Buddhist and Zen translations are not included in this set, primarily because their own bulk would necessarily constitute a volume unto themselves--these include, The Blue Cliff Record (trans. with J.C. Cleary), The Book of Serenity, and The Avatamsaka Sutra.

The Sutra of Hui-neng: Grand Master of Zen
(Including Hui-neng's own commentary on the Diamond Sutra.)

Dream Conversations on Buddhism and Zen

Kensho: The Heart of Zen

Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji

Zen and the Art of Insight

(You can find more info on the contents of these texts by "searching" them individually).

All five volumes are formatted for ease of access and reading. The set, or the individual volumes are a perfect gift for anyone with an interest in Zen or Buddhism, Eastern Religion or Eastern Philosophy. The Hardcovers are sturdy and finely bound, the Trade Paper are also made to last.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential translations of the classic texts of Buddhism and Zen!, February 18, 2009

By 

Ted Biringer "Author of The Flatbed Sutra of ... (Anacortes, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

Essential translations of the classic texts of Buddhism and Zen!

All Five Volumes of Classics of Buddhism and Zen contain the translations of some of the most essential literature of Buddhism and Zen.

Volume Three offers some of the most essential classic Zen texts by the Greatest master of Zen in China, Japan, and Korea.

As the Collected Works of Thomas Cleary, these translations span his remarkably prolific career. Finally, they have become available in this beautiful, accessible five-volume set. This five-volume set includes nearly all of Thomas Cleary's translations (some have even been slightly revised and updated). They also include all the supplemental material included in the original individual translations, ie. glossaries, notes, indexes, Introductions, and Cleary's own insightful commentaries.

Only a handful of Thomas Cleary's Buddhist and Zen translations are not included in this set, primarily because their own bulk would necessarily constitute a volume unto themselves-these include, The Blue Cliff Record (trans. with J.C. Cleary), The Book of Serenity, and The Avatamsaka Sutra.

Volume 3 includes:

The Sutra of Hui-neng: Grand Master of Zen (Including Hui-neng's own commentary on the Diamond Sutra.)

Dream Conversations on Buddhism and Zen

Kensho: The Heart of Zen

Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji

Zen and the Art of Insight

All five volumes are formatted for ease of access and reading. The set, or the individual volumes are a perfect gift for anyone with an interest in Zen or Buddhism, Eastern Religion or Eastern Philosophy. The Hardcovers are sturdy and finely bound, the Trade Paper are also made to last.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book!, July 20, 2009

By 

William F. Zachmann "Canopus Research Inc." (Duxbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume 3: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary (Paperback)

Tom Cleary is not merely a translator. He is an insightful interpreter, working from inside the material, bringing the essential meaning to readers in the English language. His commentary is every bit as much an authentic addition to the literature of Zen and Buddhism as that of the classical commentators, inviting you to stop and see for yourself. Do you understand?