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Zen Essence: The Science of Freedom (Shambhala Dragon Editions) Paperback – May 2, 2000

by Thomas Cleary (Author)

10 customer reviews

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Drawn from the records of Chinese Zen masters of the Tang and Song dynasties, this collection may surprise some readers. In contrast to the popular image of Zen as an authoritarian, monastic tradition deeply rooted in Asian culture, these passages portray Zen as remarkably flexible, adaptive to contemporary and individual needs, and transcending cultural boundaries.

The readings contained in Zen Essence emphasize that the practice of Zen requires consciousness alone and does not depend on a background in Zen Buddhism and Asian culture. The true essence of Zen resides in the relationship between mind and culture, whatever that culture might be. This unique collection of writings creates a picture of Zen not as a religion or philosophy, but as a practical science of freedom.

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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

About the Author

Thomas Cleary holds a PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University and a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. He is the translator of over fifty volumes of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Islamic texts from Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Pali, and Arabic.

Product details

Series: Shambhala Dragon Editions
Paperback: 136 pages
Publisher: Shambhala (May 2, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1570625883
ISBN-13: 978-1570625886
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 10 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,010,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #752 in Zen Philosophy (Books)
- #828 in Buddhist Rituals & Practice (Books)
- #958 in Zen Spirituality

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Randall Dinwiddie

An important collection of pithy Zen insights

September 4, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Thomas Cleary could be the best English translator we have for Buddhist writings. In this collection he has wisely chosen the foremost Chinese Zen/Chan minds and their most insightful teachings. This is great book to keep close at hand for a quick mental adjustment.

One person found this helpful

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December 25, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Everything was great! Super service!

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soild zen philosophy

March 14, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I've read this book so many times I wore out a previous copy and had to replace it. It also makes a nice gift to anyone delving into Zen and or Buddhism.

2 people found this helpful

Comment

NOT GREAT! NOT WORTH THE BUY

May 23, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Early Thomas Cleary translation. Poorly arranged and monotonous content. Glad it's no longer required class reading.

Comment

October 16, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read -- and reread -- the pocket zen book by the same editor. It was infinitely better than this book. I find a majority of the teachings in this book uninspiring and feel that they would not turn a new person on to zen.

Comment

The Great Treasury of Zen Has Always Been Open

December 5, 2008

Format: 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.

9 people found this helpful

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good, concentrated, no-nonsense introduction to zen

September 17, 2012

Format: Paperback

This little book contains a collection of short quotes, anecdotes and remarks by Chinese Zen masters ranging from the eight to the fourteenth century.
The quotes are very to the point and do not appear dated. The translation seems clear and modern and the collection is concentrated.
There is a 35-page essay by the translator as an afterword, offering a good context of the culture and practice of Zen.

In the West Zen is better known as coming from Japan, but this compilation will presumably give the reader the impression that Chán (Chinese Zen) is mature, sound, and complete, without further additions.

For the seriously interested reader, and the beginning or advanced practitioner, this book is without doubt recommended.
I have the impression that one way or another this reading is different from (that is: significantly better than) the older introductions and compilations that were popular in the fifties (and before), like those of D.T. Suzuki and Alan Watts.
Also, for whoever is curious to read a Zen-translation by Thomas Cleary and does not know which of his many works one could begin with, this is a good starter.

To proceed after this one, I would recommend (also by Thomas Cleary): 'Teachings of Zen', 'Dream conversations',
and 'The five houses of Zen' (but there are several other good titles).

One person found this helpful

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A fantastic little book on Zen that has bits of wisdom from 18 Zen Masters.

December 28, 2012

Format: Paperback

I have read numerous books on Asian philosophy, including many Zen volumes over the years. Thomas Cleary is well-known in the field and is an expert on Asian translations. This excellent Shambhala pocket classic has become one of my favorite Zen books, not only because it has great bits of Zen knowledge from 18 Zen Masters, but also because the size of this book makes it easy to carry with you anytime you desire to reread this text.

This little book is a joy to read and some of the many Zen Masters included in this volume are as follows: Zen Master Mazu, Dazhu, Linji, Yanshan, Fayan, Fenyang, Xuedou, Huanglong, Yaangoe and Wuzu. This is a book one should read often to better understand the various basic principles these Zen Masters are attemtping to explain to the reader. Zen can sometimes be confusing, like many esoteric philosophies; nevertheless, this volume is wonderful for anyone interested in Zen.

In conclusion, this book would be of interest to anyone desiring to understand Asian Zen Masters.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy haiku)

One person found this helpful

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