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Passing Through the Gateless Barrier: Koan Practice for Real Life by [Gu, Guo]

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by Guo Gu (Author)

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Gateways to awakening surround us at every moment of our lives. The whole purpose of kōan (gong’an, in Chinese) practice is to keep us from missing these myriad opportunities by leading us to certain gates that have traditionally been effective for people to access that marvelous awakening. The forty-eight kōans of the Gateless Barrier (Chinese: Wumenguan; Japanese: Mumonkan) have been waking people up for well over eight hundred years. Chan teacher Guo Gu provides here a fresh translation of the classic text, along with the first English commentary by a teacher of the Chinese tradition from which it originated. He shows that the kōans in this text are not mere stories from a distant past, but are rather pointers to the places in our lives where we get stuck—and that each sticking point, when examined, can become a gateless barrier through which we can enter into profound wisdom.

Length: 441 pages

Word Wise: Enabled

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Product details

File Size: 1378 KB
Print Length: 441 pages
Publisher: Shambhala (May 31, 2016)
Publication Date: May 31, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01HK86QA2
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

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Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Not Enabled

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,384 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #53 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Sacred Writings
- #123 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Zen
- #132 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Sacred Writings

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Kenyondra Serate

May 20, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I ordered this book after reading one of Master Shen Yen's books "Zen Comments on the Sutra of Complete Enlightenment". When I looked up the local Chan Center in my town and saw that Guo Gu was a disciple of Shen Yen's I decided to read his writings as well. I love his modern and simplified interpretations of Chan teachings and plan to start attending the center this Summer. I have been reading it for weeks since I like to let these things marinate and incorporate them into my practice. I get something out of every single chapter. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in Chan Buddhism.

Amazon Customer

Wonderful commentary on the timeless koans.

November 2, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Very thorough commentary to the koans from Guo Gu. I hope not TOO thorough. I have read another one of the author's books and look forward to him writing many more.

November 26, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The meaning of the koans and straightforward commentary by Guo Gu is a must for serious chan/zen practitioners.

March 18, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Guo Gu's commentary on the classic Chan gong'ans are an indispensable road map for anyone interested in determined study and practice of Chan (Zen in Japanese) Buddhism. Highly recommended.

Meaningful, Helpful Teaching for Practitioners at All Levels

October 28, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Guo Gu’s clear, agile translation of and commentaries on this rich, ancient text not only places it squarely in its original Chan context, but breathes new life into the teachings, making them accessible and useful to contemporary Buddhist practitioners. Most western practitioners, like myself, have encountered these koans through the Japanese Zen lens. As a former decades-long Zen student who has more recently immersed myself in Chan teaching, I find Guo Gu’s Gateless Barrier marks a distinct departure from prior versions in its ability to provide clear and pithy instruction. From the initial and perhaps most well-known “Zhaozhou’s Dog” through all 48 of these case koans, Guo Gu cuts through the esoteric all while managing to retain the depth and beauty of these teachings. The integration of body and mind – and the emphasis on moment-to-moment awareness (on and off the sitting cushion) as taught by Guo Gu and his teacher, Venerable Master Sheng Yen, are much in evidence in these koans and commentaries. In this presentation, they are truly helpful gateways to awakening. I strongly recommend this invaluable collection to practitioners of all levels.

One person found this helpful

October 2, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book lets you know what Chan/Zen practice is about in clear everyday language.

Ready for a Challenge?

August 26, 2016

Format: Paperback

Here is a new entry into books on ancient practices, the koan (Zen, Japanese) or gong’an (Chan, Chinese), the study of short sayings from past masters that test and eventually dissolve the intellectual, and hopefully result in awakening and enlightenment. The competition is tough for offshoots from The Gateless Gate and the Blue Cliff Records, two very famous ancient texts. So what does this book on the Gateless Gate add? It has the advantage of covering the traditional explanation by Wumen and then adding a modern western teacher’s advice, that of Guo Gu, who currently resides in Florida.

The introduction is essential for those not familiar with the gong’an/koan. The history and development of the gong’an is briefly explained. More importantly the technique for working with it is discussed. It’s clear that it may be a great academic exercise to read through the 48 cases included, but in the end one must be selected for special attention over a protracted period of time. At that point, according to the author, the guidance of a teacher is necessary.

Reading through the 48 cases will seem daunting. The very first gong’an makes that clear: A monk asked Zhaozhou, “Does a dog have Buddha-nature or not? Zhaozhou said, “Wu!” At first you might think an understanding of Buddhism might help and it may, but not much. The answer isn’t in the teachings, nor will intellectual pondering bring it. Nor the help of Wumen’s Comment, nor even modern Guo Go’s Comment, but at least the comments will point you in the right direction. Still, it feels a little bit like pounding your head against the wall, and maybe that’s it, that’s the point.

There is a caveat: Should those of us without a teacher or following a different tradition skip the book? I think not. Perhaps the gain will be less or less rapid, but the opportunity for a breakthrough is still there. Nevertheless, this may not be the best place for a beginning Buddhist, but then who is to even judge that?

4 people found this helpful

Deep and penetrating.

June 25, 2016

Format: Paperback

A wonderful book based on a series of talks over a 4year period. Guo Gu is the founder and leading Teacher of Tallahassee Chan Center in Tallahassee, Florida where I have been his student for the past 7 years. My practice method (Huatou) comes from these talks specifically with the question "Who is the master". If you ever wanted to dig deeper into a distinctly Chan/Zen practice, this is the book for you. Guo Gu is a very thorough teacher and his guidance is very deep and penetrating. This is not a Buddhism 101 book or method. This is a book for serious practitioners .
However, everyone can gain some level of personal insight even if you are new to the practice.

4 people found this helpful

Most recent customer reviews

On a very personal level, this book is indispensable to me. I have had the pleasure and privilege of attending several retreats led by Guo Gu and could easily ascribe my...Read more

Published 2 months ago

W. Grey Champion

Zen Demystified

Guo Gu is the dharma name for Jimmy Yu, PhD, who was a student of the late Master Sheng Yen, did his graduate studies at Princeton, and currently leads a Chan center in Florida.Read more

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Feeling lost in a long list of Pali jargons and esoteric or academic direct translations? This is it for you.Read more

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Lee H. Thompson

This is fun stuff!

Published 1 year ago

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