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The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-Chi
from: Columbia University Press

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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 294.385
EAN: 9780231114851
ISBN: 0231114850
Label: Columbia University Press
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 180
Publication Date: April 15, 1999
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Sales Rank: 331352
Studio: Columbia University Press

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Product Description:
Among the most important texts of Zen literature is the Lin-chi lu, which details the insights and exploits of the great ninth-century Chinese Zen master Lin-chi, one of the most highly regarded of the T´ang period masters. PEN Translation Prize-winner Burton Watson presents an eloquent translation of this seminal classic for modern readers -the only English-language version of the Lin-chi lu available. Lin-chi´s style of Zen -encouraging the use of unorthodox teaching methods and stressing the importance of koan study -is well known to Western readers and scholars, and is beautifully rendered in Watson´s translation. The work is an exacting depiction of Lin-chi´s words and actions, describing the Zen master´s life and teachings and including a number of his sermons, long recognized for their brisk, evocative language. Watson contributes a lucid introduction, as well as a glossary and notes.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Simply a Classic of World Religious Literature
Nishida Kitaro, famous modern Japanese philosopher, founder of the influential Kyoto School, and expert on Mahayana Buddhism, once made the remark that if he were stranded on some remote island (Gilligan's Island? Where's the Skipper?) with only a couple books in his possession, one of them would be the Rinzai Roku (Chinese: Linji Lu).

High praise indeed. And a sentiment shared by me, a lesser thinker than Nishida. There is simply something special in this book's extraordinary insight and power that comes shining through in these discourses (I grant here recent scholarship's insights into the formation of the Linji Lu legend during the Song Period, but undoubtably Linji was an important figure himself). Presenting such a powerful message, it is no wonder the Linji school became the leading Zen sect in Japan down through history. If you, dear reader, have no knowledge of Mahayana insights, just start ... Read More

Rating:

- Sometimes a Shout is Like a Golden-Haired Lion
This is one of the earliest and greatest Zen classics devoted to the teaching of an individual Master, a genre invented within Zen. In earlier Buddhism what was taught was what the Buddha had taught, what the Sutras recorded. Zen emphasised the uniqueness of the moment and the need for newly improvised teachings, because of the way the mind forms a "skin" over what it has learnt.

So Masters taught directly from their own realisation and not from the Sutras. Devoted disciples would then note down and record their words. But there's a paradox here - a permanent record of a unique moment - and some Masters disapproved and actively tried to destroy such records of their teachings.

Lin-chi was a formidable character even by the standards of Zen Masters. He was famous for the ferocious, unnerving shout which he would unleash when least expected, in the same way other Masters used blows: to stop ... Read More

Rating:

- An essential text for all Zen students and practitioners
A wonderful translation of an essential text for all Zen students and practitioners. The Zen teachings of Lin-chi (Rinzai) pack the force of a nuclear blast. The record of Lin-chi foregoes any pretense to gradual guidance and delivers its Zen message in raw, heavy bucket-fulls.

Burton Watson's translation of The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-Chi (Sung edition), like his other translations, is exceptional. Without sacrificing either the letter or the spirit, Mr. Watson makes the Record of the seminal Zen master Lin-chi (Rinzai) accessible to English readers with all the clarity and force of the original.

With his usual high standard in regard to scholarship, Burton Watson provides extensive notes to each section. He also includes translations of the two alternate versions of two sections of the Lin-chi lu in Ming editions of the Ku-tsun-su yu-lu, and a decent glossary.

Rating:

- The master speaks
This is probally one of the best Zen books I've ever read!!! Lin-chi (Rinzai) speaks in a clear manner easy to understand. Like a true master he knows how to get straight to the "heart" of Zen. It's no wonder a school of Zen is named after him.

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