Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin (Shambhala Classics) [Paperback]

Hakuin Ekaku (Author), Norman Waddell (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2010 | Series: Shambhala Classics

A fiery and intensely dynamic Zen teacher and artist, Hakuin (1685–1768) is credited with almost single-handedly revitalizing Japanese Zen after three hundred years of decline. As a teacher, he placed special emphasis on koan practice, inventing many new koans himself, including the famous “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” This English translation of Hakuin’s intimate self-portrait includes reminiscences from his childhood, accounts of his Zen practice and enlightenment experiences, as well as practical advice for students.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The most important Japanese Zen master after Dogen, Hakuin reinvigorated Rinzai Zen through an emphasis on the uncompromising pursuit of enlightenment. Such a relentless pursuit can be found in the pages of his autobiography Wild Ivy. After being scared out of his wits by a Nichiren priest lecturing on the fires of Hell, Hakuin left home at the tender age of 14. He set himself to practicing but vacillated, alternating between fervent effort and doubt. Wild Ivy tells honestly of the ups and downs of Zen training, of peak satori experiences, and deflating conundrums. Perhaps the great value of this book is the human face that Hakuin manages to put on a centuries-old tradition by offering details from his own life. For instance, take his story of being beaten unconscious by a crazed woman with a broom and coming out of it with a penetrating understanding of the impenetrable Koans he had been working on. Through his merciless practice, Hakuin also experienced a physical deterioration, or "Zen sickness," and relates the storybook account of his ascending a remote mountain to glean the secret method of introspective meditation from a cave-dwelling hermit. Hakuin believed that even after satori, one must never stop practicing. Teaching is one method of practice, and Wild Ivy stands as one of Hakuin's great teachings. --Brian Bruya --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

An 18th-century Japanese Zen master considered the father of modern Rinzai Zen, Hakuin is best known as the author of the well-known koan "what is the sound of one hand clapping." His writing stresses, among other things, the central importance of zazen (seated meditation) in Zen practice. This is a representative text from this important figure.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (July 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590308093
• ISBN-13: 978-1590308097
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zen Master Hakuin Zenji strikes again, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin (Hardcover)

Norman Waddell has brought this utter gem of a book to the English speaking world about one the greatest Zen Masters of our modern era. Hakuins words are incredibly timely for the Western Sangha that has digressed into formalistic ritualism as opposed to direct seeing. There are only three other books in English out there deicated to Hakuin and each one is a treasure for our time. At a time of massive degredation in the Zen comunity Hakuin attacked hard and succictly at the "ghost sitters" and blank minded people that taught false Zen to others. Many thanks sincerely to Mr Waddell for this book. As having every book ever published in English on Zen, I can say that this holds among the highest ranks as a book for those that claim to be true Zennists or are interested in it. Hakuin slices to shreds those that claim to preach the Dharma and now more than ever this book is of paramount importance to be read by the Zen Sangha. Thank you Norman, more than you know.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Medicine Tastes Bitter, April 9, 2002

By 

richard hunn (Kyoto, Kansai Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin (Paperback)

Norman Waddel has made an excellent job of this translation. Rare as they are, autobiographies of Zen monks pose special difficulties - yet the translator has surmounted these, leaving us with a powerfully moving and inspiring document. Hakuin Ekaku the great reformer of Rinzai Zen in the Tokugawa,was a towering figure, a religious genius, whose rich spiritual insight expressed itself in countless ways - not only in his many Dharma talks and commentaries, but also in art. The overall impression one gets from Hakuin's teachings - is that of a formidable spirit, for whom all barriers and impediments had melted away. As such, it is easy to imagine Hakuin lacked human vulnerability. The rewarding thing about reading Hakuin's autobiography, is that reveals the trials and tribulationa the Master had to negotiate, to find that 'place of final rest.' Hakuin didn't shrink from revealing the weaknesses and foibles of his own character, and if the mature Hakuin - the accomplished Master, seems daunting, it is because he presented to others - by way of teaching and instruction - the same tasks he took upon himself. This work - the 'Itsumadegusa' shows us this process - in a detailed and exacting way. Quite evidently - going by some readers' comments, Hakuin's rather arduous path doesn't appeal everybody. There is a tendewncy to translate Zen into a kind of 'soft' option, but Hakuin was well aware of this trait - known in his day, also - and he was uncompromising about combatting it. Hakuin's severity is often contrasted with Bankei's 'easy way' - his 'Unborn Zen,' but in truth, even Bankei had to exert himself - and did exert himself. Suzuki Daisetz made this point. Besides, if Hakuin is judged according to the methods of his predecessors - in Chinese Ch'an, the Chinese biographies reveal a similar pattern.
In fact, despite being regarded as a figurehead of 'Rinzai Zen' - and therefore a champion of what is these days deemed the 'hard school' of Zen, Hakuin saw himself as a successor of the great Ch'an schools and masters of the T'ang, including the Ts'ao-tung (Soto) school, using its 'go-i' (wu-wei) or 'Five Ranks' teaching to cap his own training methods. As such, it is a distortion of Hakuin's teaching to confine to a kind of 'closed' Rinzai system. The idea would have meant nothing to Hakuin, who drank freely from the resources of the whole Zen tradition. Moreover, he was also open to certain Taoist disciplines (the 'nai-kan'), which he
utilised to restore his energy and strengthen his practice of Zen. Hakuin was, if anything - versatile. His artistic gifts enabled him to reach the people, with a Zen art style entirely his own, at once pithy, profound, humerous, striking images which could convey deep truths.Please, please - don't underestimate this wonderful figure - by trying to confine him to a sectarian box, when the man was so much alive, in the deepest sense possible. 'Itsumadegusa' gives us the 'blood, sweat and tears' of the Zen quest - and the eventual Dharma-joy, brought one man's way - by dint of following the path, the fruits of which he then dedicated to sharing with others - throughout a long life. Hakuin's autobiography is a preciouas document. It may well scare away the faint-hearted. But so be it! Those who feel bidden to tread the same way, will find an echo in it,and be enrichened thereby.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book., November 18, 2004

By 

copper_piping "copper_piping" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin (Paperback)

What I found most inspiring was that here is a great Zen master that has the same questions, doubts, and ups and downs while travelling the spiritual path that every other person would have, but he has found a way to overcome them and achieve enlightenment. Its gives hope to the ordinary lay people that are going through a similar struggle.

If you're looking for the book that Hakuin found to be so helpful, entitled "Spurring Students Through the Zen Barriers". This appears to be Norman Waddells translation of the Chinese title "Ch'an kuan ts'e chin". J.C. Cleary has translated this important work originally written by Zhuhong into English. It is titled "Meditating With Koans" by J.C. Cleary and is available online from Amazon.