Zen Sourcebook: Traditional Documents from China, Korea, and Japan (Paperback)

~ (Author, Editor), (Editor), Judith Roitman (Editor)
Key Phrases: recorded sayings, actualizing the fundamental point, meditation hall, The Master, Selected Poems, Zen Master (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

. . . [T]he Zen Sourcebook [is] an excellent cross-section of some of the most important texts in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Zen. The translations [are] well chosen from among the best available. . . . This is an excellent sourcebook for both beginners and serious practitioners. --(John Daido Loori, Abbot, Zen Mountain Monastery)

. . . [T]he Zen Sourcebook [is] an excellent cross-section of some of the most important texts in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Zen. The translations [are] well chosen from among the best available. . . . This is an excellent sourcebook for both beginners and serious practitioners. --(John Daido Loori, Abbot, Zen Mountain Monastery)<br /><br />Featuring a carefully selected collection of source documents, this tome includes traditional teaching tools from the Zen Buddhist traditions of China (Ch'an), Korea (Son), and Japan (Zen), including texts created by women. The selections provide both a good feel for the varieties of Zen and an experience of its common core. . . . The texts are experiential teachings and include storytelling, poetry, autobiographies, catechisms, calligraphy, paintings, and koans (paradoxical meditation questions that are intended to help aspirants transcend logical, linguistic limitations). Contextual commentary prefaces each text. Wade-Giles transliteration is used, although Pinyin, Korean, Japanese, and Sanskrit terms are linked in appendixes. An insightful introduction by Arai contributes a religious studies perspective. The bibliography references full translations of the selections. A thought-provoking discussion about the problems of translation is included. . . . Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. --(Choice)<br /><br />This is an excellent book . . . to be commended for its wide coverage; the Korean material is especially hard to find. . . . The short introductions to the selections are lucid, informative and focused, providing a good framework through which to understand the readings. Anyone who wants to work directly with translations of the primary texts, rather than textbook summaries, will find this book the most convenient available. --(Brook Ziporyn, Northwestern University)

Featuring a carefully selected collection of source documents, this tome includes traditional teaching tools from the Zen Buddhist traditions of China (Ch'an), Korea (Son), and Japan (Zen), including texts created by women. The selections provide both a good feel for the varieties of Zen and an experience of its common core. . . . The texts are experiential teachings and include storytelling, poetry, autobiographies, catechisms, calligraphy, paintings, and koans (paradoxical meditation questions that are intended to help aspirants transcend logical, linguistic limitations). Contextual commentary prefaces each text. Wade-Giles transliteration is used, although Pinyin, Korean, Japanese, and Sanskrit terms are linked in appendixes. An insightful introduction by Arai contributes a religious studies perspective. The bibliography references full translations of the selections. A thought-provoking discussion about the problems of translation is included. . . . Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. --(Choice)

Product Description

This is the first collection to offer selections from the foundational texts of the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Zen traditions in a single volume. Through representative selections from their poetry, letters, sermons, and visual arts, the most important Zen Masters provide students with an engaging, cohesive introduction to the first 1,200 years of this rich and often misunderstood tradition. A general Introduction provides historical, biographical, and cultural context; notes on translation and a glossary are also included.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co (March 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872209091
• ISBN-13: 978-0872209091
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #456,012 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great (Re)Source, August 1, 2008

By	P'ang (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

There are, of course, many collections that document the early days of Ch'an/Zen Buddhism. This is the first I've seen that includes talks and writings of Korean masters, as well as those from China and Japan.

The editors have created new translations of many of the texts. I found these translations to be energetic and spacious, opening new vistas into some of these old cases and records.

I read the book cover to cover and discovered a remarkable unity of teaching across tradition and country. Here's one excerpt, from the writings of the seminal Korean teacher, Chinul:

"The three worlds are burning with suffering like a house on fire. How long can we endure this? The best way to escape the wheel of suffering is to seek Buddhahood, but before you seek Buddhahood you should know that Buddha is nothing but your own mind. Do not look for your mind far away: it is within this body of yours."

Finally, the brief introduction contains the best short history of Zen that I've ever seen. Every serious Zen student should read this book, cover to cover.

[...]