Zen Essence: The Science of Freedom (Shambhala Pocket Classics) [Paperback]

Thomas Cleary (Author)

Book Description

Series: Shambhala Pocket Classics | Publication Date: April 18, 1995

The teachings presented here offer a new view of Zen Buddhism that may surprise some readers. In contrast to the popular image of Zen as being an authoritarian, monastic tradition deeply rooted in Asian culture, this collection of teachings portrays Zen as being remarkably flexible, adaptive to contemporary and individual needs, and transcending cultural boundaries. Because of the very nature of Zen, its essence does not belong to any particular culture or philosophy. Its practice requires consciousness alone and does not depend on a background in Zen Buddhism or Asian culture. The essence of Zen applies directly to the relationship between mind and culture, whatever that culture might be. Therefore it relates immediately to the way in which the world is experienced and life is lived. Drawn from the records of the great Chinese Zen masters of the Tang and Song dynasties, this collection represents the most open and direct forms of instruction in the entire Zen canon. What emerges is a picture of Zen, not as a religion or philosophy, but as a practical science of freedom. The translator provides a detailed afterword describing the historical and cultural background of the development of Chinese Zen.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The essential Zen teachings, selected from the voluminous Zen canon, known for their accessibility, their clarity and above all, their practical effectiveness in fostering insight. A truly rewarding book for all earnest seekers of the way to liberation."— East and West Series --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (April 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570620970
• ISBN-13: 978-1570620973
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,592 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

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "MUST READ" for all seeking enlightenment or Zen teachings, December 1, 1997

By 

Elizabeth Forbes Strom (Elizabeth in San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zen Essence: The Science of Freedom (Shambhala Pocket Classics) (Paperback)

This is the most important book I have ever read - especially the introduction! The intro did an excellent job of explaining how Zen can't be explained, how you can't find your essense on purpose, that you can make yourself free. Working from these few pages of the intro, I was able to finally free myself and practice Zen.

The book itself is full of quotes from Zen masters over the centuries. In these quotes you can see how much we have in common with the past, as well as get authoritative support for the non-religious / non-cult view of Zen. These simple, timeless quotes provide no-nonsense guidance for finding your own Zen essence.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Treasury of Zen Has Always Been Open, December 5, 2008

By 

Lawrence (Christchurch NZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zen Essence (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

This is a desert-island Zen book. Thomas Cleary has selected brief teachings from 18 great Zen Masters, beginning with Ma-tsu in the 8th century, ending with Yüan-sou in the 14th, keeping infallibly to what is assimilable and useful for present-day readers or practitioners, rather than the impenetrably Ancient Chinese or the Silver-Mountain-Iron-Wall baffling. The first time I read this, years ago, I was amazed at the way each excerpt seemed to have been chosen to speak to me personally. It's still the best anthology of its kind I've come across and one of a handful of Zen books I return to again and again.

This book even tells you how to make use of its contents. Master Hsüeh-tou said: "The wise boldly pick up a truth as soon as they hear it. Don't hesitate for a moment or you'll lose your head". And Master Wu-tsu said: "Talking about Zen all the time is like looking for fish-tracks in a dry riverbed."

How on earth did Thomas Cleary find enough hours in the day to translate an entire library of Buddhist writings? He must have acquired more merit than Mother Teresa and Gandhi combined. The shorter ones are all available now in 5 omnibus volumes, but you don't always want everything in an omnibus: this one is well worth buying by itself.

Cleary's praiseworthy desire to keep things relevant sometimes leads him to translations I find jarring, e.g. "What do you go to a "Zen center" for?" And his own interpretations, as given in the Afterword, are highly personal, novel and subjective, and should be approached with severe scepticism. But this in no way detracts from the value of an exemplary book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, May 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Zen Essence: The Science of Freedom (Shambhala Pocket Classics) (Paperback)

Recommended as a short and sweet introduction to Zen, this book did not disappoint. Cleary's introduction and translator's afterword are superb. The translations themselves are beyond excellent. I'd give this book 6 stars if I could.