The Zen Works of Stonehouse: Poems and Talks of a 14th-Century Chinese Hermit [Paperback]

Red Pine (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Stonehouse has been called “the greatest of all Zen monks who made poetry their medium of instruction.” His works have rarely been available in English, but now all of the hermit monk’s poetry, including the major poetic works, “Mountain Poems” and “Gathas,” as well as his most illuminating instructional dharma talks, can be read in Red Pine’s superb translations.

With Red Pine’s personal discovery in 1991 of the site of Stonehouse’s former hut, this edition provides rare firsthand understanding of the spiritual and physical realm of Stonehouse’s era. The Zen Works of Stonehouse is one of the classic texts of Zen, essential for anyone interested in Zen practice and tradition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Counterpoint (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582434913
• ISBN-13: 978-1582434919
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great collaboration between Stonehouse and Red Pine, October 25, 2009

By 

donna (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Zen Works of Stonehouse: Poems and Talks of a 14th-Century Chinese Hermit (Paperback)

Stonehouse is often entertaining and always inspiring. For an old hermit like me, he's a magnificent companion. Red Pine does his usual great job of bringing the poetry alive in English. His notes and commentary are fascinating and add immensely to the pleasure of reading the great poetic works of Stonehouse. I treasure this book and it is one of the few in my massive collection that makes the elite list of those that I will read just before going to sleep.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nourishing and grounded collection of superbly translated work, January 30, 2010

By 

T. Bradley "and the wind through pines" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Zen Works of Stonehouse: Poems and Talks of a 14th-Century Chinese Hermit (Paperback)

As a seasoned fan of Red Pine's translations of Cold Mountain, I was ready and excited to embark on a related-but-different kind of journey. Once again, I find a delicate balance of rhythm, flow and straightforwardness in the words translated by Mr. Porter. His extensive notes on cultural and historical references help to break open many of the more obscure poems to my western mind. A half hour of quietly reading Stone House's Mountain Poems, or his Zen talks, has a healthful and sobering effect on my busy mind. Friends of the Way will rejoice in this precious and instructive collection of poems and talks by a teacher living and teaching above the clouds.

Mountain Poem # 55

The path of the Buddha is too singular to copy
but a well-hidden hut comes close
I planted bamboo in front to make a screen
from the rocks I've led a spring into the kitchen
gibbons bring their young when cliff fruits are ripe
cranes move their nests when gorge pines turn brown
lots of idle thoughts occur in Zen
the deadwood I gather for my stove

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent!, September 24, 2009

By 

J. Vilbert "JSV" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Zen Works of Stonehouse: Poems and Talks of a 14th-Century Chinese Hermit (Paperback)

Reading this book is like dessert for the soul. It should be read slowly, savored and enjoyed. Sublime in its simplicity, yet stunning in its essence. It will move you in a way like no other.

I bought the paperback version, but plan to find it in hardcover because I want it available for many years to come. Of the many poetry books I have read in my life, this is truly one of the best. If you enjoy the Japanese Zen poet Ryokan, you will find the same wonderful flavor here.