This complete translation of the original collection of sermons, dialogues, and anecdotes of Huang Po, the illustrious Chinese master of the Tang Dynasty, allows the Western reader to gain an understanding of Zen from the original source, one of the key works in its teachings; it also offers deep and often startling insights into the rich treasures of Eastern thought. Nowhere is the use of paradox in Zen illustrated better than in the teaching of Huang Po, who shows how the experience of intuitive knowledge that reveals to a man what he is cannot be communicated by words. With the help of these paradoxes, beautifully and simply presented in this collection, Huang Po could set his disciples on the right path. It is in this fashion that the Zen master leads his listener into truth, often by a single phrase designed to destroy his particular demon of ignorance.
The Zen Teaching of Huang-Po: On the Transmission of Mind
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
104 of 105 people found the following review helpful
By Hakuyu
Format:Paperback
There seems to be unanimous agreement that this deceptively compact text repays careful digestion, a mine of wisdom compressed within its pages -for those prepared to dig it out. Huang Po's discourses (and the Wan Ling record) remain some the most lucid expositions of Zen. They were delivered when the Zen tradition was still fresh. Huang po's 'sermons' were addressed to practising Buddhists. They presuppose that you are 'looking' into the meaning hinted at - the 'MIND' - which is neither 'yours' nor 'mine' - and in that sense 'VOID' - yet
embraces everything in the phenomenal universe.
Zen is sometimes regarded as an 'obscure' doctrine, but Huang P'o sermons have a refreshing sense of focus. Skirting the boundaries of what is virtually indescribable, he necessarily ends up uttering paradoxes - sometimes paradox -within-paradox, within paradox - and yet, in such a way that it actually brings focus, 'jiggling' the mind out of its habitual tendency to cling to dualities and contraries. In short, it resumes its inherent condition. We don't 'do' it - 'IT' does itself. All we have to do - is to get out of the way.
Thus, Huang P'o's 'direct pointing to the Mind.'This is Zen as it was originally taught, before all the wrangling about 'fixed koans' and answers - or getting stuck with 'just sitting.'Huang P'o speaks with unshakeable conviction that we can AWAKEN RIGHT NOW - if we look into what he is saying. He doesn't want to tie anyone up. It has to be 'your own thing' - nobody else can do it for you. This is squeaky clean Dharma!
P.S Besides the Huang-Po material, Blofeld also translated
Hui-hai's 'Treatise on Entering the Gate to Sudden
Enlightenment.' Between them, these two Zen 'sermons'
represent some of most lucid expositions of Zen - ever
set down in writing. They posess astonishing focus and
compression, without a wasted word.
embraces everything in the phenomenal universe.
Zen is sometimes regarded as an 'obscure' doctrine, but Huang P'o sermons have a refreshing sense of focus. Skirting the boundaries of what is virtually indescribable, he necessarily ends up uttering paradoxes - sometimes paradox -within-paradox, within paradox - and yet, in such a way that it actually brings focus, 'jiggling' the mind out of its habitual tendency to cling to dualities and contraries. In short, it resumes its inherent condition. We don't 'do' it - 'IT' does itself. All we have to do - is to get out of the way.
Thus, Huang P'o's 'direct pointing to the Mind.'This is Zen as it was originally taught, before all the wrangling about 'fixed koans' and answers - or getting stuck with 'just sitting.'Huang P'o speaks with unshakeable conviction that we can AWAKEN RIGHT NOW - if we look into what he is saying. He doesn't want to tie anyone up. It has to be 'your own thing' - nobody else can do it for you. This is squeaky clean Dharma!
P.S Besides the Huang-Po material, Blofeld also translated
Hui-hai's 'Treatise on Entering the Gate to Sudden
Enlightenment.' Between them, these two Zen 'sermons'
represent some of most lucid expositions of Zen - ever
set down in writing. They posess astonishing focus and
compression, without a wasted word.
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Huang Po (d. 850) is perhaps one of Zen Buddhism's most brilliant Zen masters. This translation by John Blofeld of Huang Po's dialogues brings to light Zen Buddhism's most esoteric theme which concerns Buddha Mind. Different than the Western concept of Mind, Huang Po reveals the transcendent nature of Buddha Mind which traditional Zen Buddhists believe is the source of all things. This book is a must for anyone wishing to put their foot into the waters of Zen Buddhism. It is a classic in every since of the word. It always seems to say more than print is capable of expressing
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The teachings of Huang Po bear re-reading many, many times. So compressed and dense is this work that it is impossible to absorb the full import of Huang Po's insights at first pass. I've read it at least a dozen times and continue to discover new insights. This is one of three books I'd want on a desert island.
Don't be put off by its compression.
This book was translated by John Blofield in the 1950s and appears to remain the only English translation. I'd love to know what happened to Blofield, who apparently was living in Thailand at the time he translated the work.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for students of Zen.
Huang Po goes straight to the heart of the matter in this classic. Definitely the clearest and most profound book I have read on Zen.
Published 5 days ago by Pedro Amaral
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic
For a newbie to read, this is an amazing writing. Blofeld did great bringing this forward. Stunning to see so much of the message was said so long ago.
Published 10 days ago by Joel DeVore
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the greatest spiritual books ever written
I bought a copy of this book 35 years ago and have read it every year since then. This book cuts through myths, dogmas and goes to the core of spirituality. Read more
Published 3 months ago by First Aid Creams Company
5.0 out of 5 stars
Huang Po
excellent.......easy to read and absorb.
a delight to be able to become familiar with the works of this revered sage
a delight to be able to become familiar with the works of this revered sage
Published 5 months ago by xraytd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teachings as "Simple" as It Gets!
Zen literature has always been a respite when the literature of Tibetan Buddhism gets bogged down in its own details. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dr. Peter Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Zen Classic
I've been reading spiritual books for over forty years (I've read well over a 1,000), and the first book I read on Zen, in 1972--The Zen Teaching of Huang Po--remains the best book... Read more
Published 5 months ago by L. Ron Gardner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple and effect book
I just read half of the book and did not feel like reading rest. It's is because, content of book on first half have conveyed information very effectively about transcending the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. M. Konakanchi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Literary treasure
This book is a true literary treasure. I feel very fortune to be able to read this in English , it has deepened my practice immensely.
Published 9 months ago by scot
5.0 out of 5 stars
must read
I had to track down this book after reading only one paragraph of huang po's teaching in another zen anthology. Read more
Published 10 months ago by The wait is over
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Ch'an Source
An excellent resource for those interested in the way of sudden awakening. I own a paper copy, but prefer the Kindle version for the quick access to underline text.
Published 13 months ago by Charles W. Gallagher
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