Unborn: The Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei, 1622-1693 (Paperback)

~ (Author), Norman Waddell (Translator, Introduction) "BANKEI YOTAKU WAS BORN IN 1622, ON THE eight day of the third month at Hamada, a small village on the shore of the Inland..." (more)
Key Phrases: illuminative wisdom, unborn mind, bright virtue, Pure Land, Amida Buddha, Buddha Dharma (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[The Unborn] is truly one of the most original developments in the entire history of Zen thought."--D. T. Suzuki
-- Review

"[The Unborn] is truly one of the most original developments in the entire history of Zen thought." -- D. T. Suzuki

In the introduction to this revised and expanded edition of Bankei's teachings, translator Waddell demonstrates that Bankei was a precocious child. As an 11-year-old, he felt dissatisfied when a schoolteacher could not adequately explain the meaning of "bright virtue"; he set out to learn its meaning for himself. He spent his teen years cloistered in a small hut, or "practice hermitage," though he also had some exposure to the local Shingon temple. He sought wisdom, mostly unsuccessfully, from many teachers, but felt great disappointment in the incompleteness of their enlightenment. At 23, he isolated himself entirely, embracing severe asceticism by sitting "zazen" until his thighs and buttocks became swollen and infected from so much contact with a stone floor. When his health failed completely and he faced imminent death, Bankei had an epiphany, realizing the truth that "All things are perfectly resolves in the Unborn." He willed himself to health and spent the next half-century teaching thousands of students, both male and female.

His teachings (first published in 1984) are challenging, even bracing, asking readers to understand the reality of their Buddha-mind. (Beliefnet, Sept. 2000) -- From Beliefnet

Review

"[The Unborn] is truly one of the most original developments in the entire history of Zen thought."--D. T. Suzuki

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Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: North Point Press; Revised edition (July 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865475954
• ISBN-13: 978-0865475953
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #117,515 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Direct teachings of Master Bankei, August 30, 2003

By A Customer

A great gem of a book for any seeker. Master Bankei's teachings revolved around the principal that we are all a part of the Unborn-here and now and that once we abide in that no other knowledge or practice is really necessary. His teachings mainly point this out from many angles based on peoples questions and issues at the time. After many years of his own struggle as a seeker he came to the realization that since everything arises from the Unborn we are all Buddhas once we really abide in the Unborn, which is possible NOW without any other knowledge. He felt that seekers distanced themselves from this very direct teaching by doing too many things like working on koans or spending a lot of time reading religious Buddhist texts, all the while missing the Unborn Buddha Mind right now that is always present. It seems hard to believe but Master Bankei very profoundly and intelligently makes a great case for this teaching in this wonderful book. I strongly recommend it. It is along the lines of the teachings of Papaji,Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj and more recently Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now & Stillness Speaks).

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boundless Wisdom up his Sleeves, August 21, 2000

By A Customer

Bankei's Zen shines through this translation. He has no time for the past, and therefore becomes contemporary. His message is clear - You are already the Unborn, Original Mind. The important thing is letting go; being totally natural and spontaneous in all you do. The self centered bad habits which we acquire as we grow up are not innate, are not of the Unborn, however. We leave the self illuminating unborn Buddha Mind and become particular identities, and then search for our original state, using this bundle of learned tendencies. His sense of freedom and colloquial expression in dealing with ultimate problems make this collection refreshing and direct, leaving us thankfully free of any belief systems or adopted religiousness, while at the same time expressing the deepest truth. A big thank you to North Point Press for re editing and re printing this fine book.

Also recommended: The Zen Teaching of Huang Po - Tr. John Blofeld Mud and Water - Bassui - Tr. Arthur Braverman Be As You Are - The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi - David Godman The Truth Is - H.W.L. Poonja

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best book on religiousness in existence., June 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Unborn: The Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei, 1622-1693 (Unborn Life Teach Zen Mstr Bankei P) (Paperback)

Bankei's zen goes beyond all doctrinal concepts and hits the heart of the matter. His own efforts, described in the early parts of the book are truly spectacular, but, as he says, we are lucky because we do not have to go through the pain and torture that he went through.

Bankei speaks to all seekers, devotees and students of religion today, as he did in his day-telling us that we do not need to seek it, it is already our nature-The Unborn.

Thid book should not be out of print-North Point wake up!