Mud and Water: The Teachings of Zen Master Bassui [Paperback]

Bassui Tokusho (Author), Arthur Braverman (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

The fourteenth-century Zen master Bassui was recognized as one of the most important Zen teachers of his time. Accessible and eloquent, these teachings cut to the heart of the great matter of Zen, pointing directly to the importance of seeing our own original nature and recognizing it as Buddhahood itself. Bassui is taking familiar concepts in Buddhism and recasting them in an essential Zen light. Though he lived centuries ago in a culture vastly different from our own, Zen Master Bassui speaks with a voice that spans time and space to address our own modern challenges in our life, and in our spiritual practice. Like the revered Master Dogen several generations before him, Bassui was dissatisfied with what passed for Zen training, and taught a radically reenergized form of Zen, emphasizing deep and direct penetration into one's own true nature. And also like Dogen, Bassui uses powerful and often poetic language to take familiar Buddhist concepts and recast them in a radically non-dual Zen light, making ancient doctrines vividly relevant. This edition of Mud and Water contains several teachings never before translated.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications; Rev Exp edition (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861713206
• ISBN-13: 978-0861713202
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #747,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear as Glass, July 20, 2003

By 

schiff (Tel-Aviv Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mud and Water: The Teachings of Zen Master Bassui (Paperback)

The Teachings of Zen Master Bassui are sure to instill a profound and shattering recognition in any student of the Way. Again and again this venerable maverick Zen master swings his blow at the very core of Buddhist thinking, while responding to questions and riddles posed by his own followers, as well as by monks visiting his monastery. Most of Master Bassui's teachings are arranged in the usual Q&A form, prevalent in Zen literature, with short, concise and helpful notes by the translator appearing at the end of the book. Although coming to us from a distance of some centuries, the teachings are an enjoyable reading, their message as clear as glass. Put your mind to it and learn from this extraordinary Master!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Purity and clarity in "Mud...", July 24, 2005

By 

Andrew Beaulac (Whidbey Island, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mud and Water: The Teachings of Zen Master Bassui (Paperback)

Zen Master Bassui's instruction always cut right to the heart of the great matter: he emphasized deep and clear penetration into one's own true nature. Questioned about many common Buddhist concepts, Bassui brought the listener - and here the reader- back again and again to the inescapable necessity of seeing one's true nature. In this manner, all the dualistic questionings are brought back to the non-dual. Arthur Braverman's translation reflects his expertise and personal history in Zen practice inasmuch as he sensitively unlocks the insights of the teachings in their original language and historical context and brings them forth into English. This and his explanatory notes keep the reader on track for understanding a Zen teacher whom I find much more accessible than Dogen. Plus, its just a very enjoyable and readable book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And, finally, the last word....., April 2, 2011

By 

Emon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mud and Water: The Teachings of Zen Master Bassui (Paperback)

If you ever read Bassui from the beginning, as one of your very first Buddhist writings, and then went on to read all those hundreds of other Buddhist works, I think you'd eventually return to Bassui: he just teaches it simply and without the circus and fanfare.
If, on the other hand, you happened upon Bassui after having read all those other hundreds of Buddhist works, then I think you just might find your self thinking "why didn't I start with Bassui from the very beginning?" If you had an original samadhi, so many years ago, and now your life is one of searching to re-experience that original "seeing", study Bassui. Especially "Letters to His Disciples". He is nuts-and-bolts Buddhism but without the labeling and the window dressing. Better yet, if it's possible, practice to realize your True Nature first, then bring in Bassui.