Customer Reviews

Master Yunmen: From the Record of the Chan Master "Gate of the Clouds"

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My teacher is a monk of the Yunmen Order, so naturally I was to get and read this book. Interesting guy really, probably the most influential Ch'an Master in my Ch'an practice but like I said before I am a little inclined.

Really folks, if you are looking for a good book on Zen, go get something by D.T. Suzuki, but if you want breakthrough your delusions, read Yunmen! He's an old windbag but he'll do the trick.

Amitofo.

If this book were true dharma it would not sell for so much money used - even if it is out of print. For this very purpose and reason, it ought to be reprinted asap so aspiring buddhas everywhere can glean from Urs Apps' brilliant introduction and superb translation. Who will do the honors? In the event it's reprinted, I will "gift" this work to countless folks wondering what I'm doing wasting my mornings on a cushion, my days steeped in Zen poetry and various dharma works. Scouts honor. I nominate Copper Canyon, but maybe some other publisher will step to the fore. Apps' introduction is hands down the single greatest and most accessible essay on Zen Buddhism that I've ever read - period. Rescue this text from sellers samsara and urge anyone to reprint as soon as they can. I'll work from this end, you work from yours. In gassho, a Fool.

My teacher is a monk of the Yunmen order, so naturally I was inclined to buy this book. The first time I read it, I kind of just went through it. I have read it again and now, he's an old windbag! If you are interested in studying true Zen, get a book by Suzuki but if you want to know Ultimate Reality, study the teachings of Master Yunmen. Perhaps you'll learn a wee bit of something!

"What is the sword of Yunmen?" "Its drawn!" "How about the who is using it?" The Master said: "Su-lu, su-lu!" (Case 82)

As part of her effort to document Master Yunmen and his surviving teachings, Ms. App travelled to the site of his ancient monastery in China. She performed "first-hand" analysis of the teachings, many of which are literally etched in stone there. I found her introduction and background to the teachings to be more interesting than the teachings themselves. The teachings are what one expects from the writing of ancient Chan/Zen masters - they don't "make a lot of sense" when approached from our normal way of thinking about things.