Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings

Description

"Zen Flesh, Zen Bones," the best-selling collection of the most popular enlightenment stories, anecdotes, and koans of Zen literature, introducing a generation of Americans to Zen. Included here are four Zen and pre-Zen classics:101 Zen Stories--anecdotes and enlightenment stories of the great mastersThe Gateless Gate--forty-eight Zen koans to awaken the enlightened mindThe 10 Bulls, or "Ox-herding Pictures"--depicting the ten stages of awarenessCentering--a four-thousand-year-old Sanskrit text that may well be one of the roots of Zen thought

Paul Reps, the compiler, was an American who lived in many countries, including India, Norway, and Japan and studied many of man's efforts to find and realize his true spiritual stature. He was the author of several books of poems and prose. He once said that he felt "the equal of each grass blade and pebble and believe that it is possible to be happy though human and grown up." Nyogen Senzaki, a Buddhist scholar of an international character to whom Reps acknowledged a deep debt of gratitude, was born in Japan. Early in life, he became a "homeless monk," wandering the land and studying from Buddhist monastery to monastery. His wanderings eventually took him to America, where for over 50 years he lived in California, with no connection with any sect, denomination, or cathedral, radiating the free and creative spirit of Zen upon all who cared to share his study, meditation, wisdom, and loving kindness.

"It has stayed with me for the last 30 years, a classic portraying Zen mind to our linear thinking." --Phil Jackson, Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls and author of Sacred Hoops "Perhaps the first Dharma book I ever read, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, remains a classic, a gem, a gift to us all." --Dr. Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence "This book has been a steadfast portal through which millions in the West have peered to catch at the very least a glimpse of Zen mind at play in all its thought-shattering dialogue, humor, joy, and wisdom." --Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are "This book was my introduction to Buddhism nearly thirty years ago. I am delighted to see this new edition of this wonderful classic." --Sylvia Boorstein, author of It's Easier Than You Think