The Poetry of Enlightenment: Poems by Ancient Chan Masters

Description

In "Chinese Zen", poetry is an art form that is intended to teach. The concepts and experience of Zen are notoriously hard to put into words, but the enigmatic language of poetry sometimes comes closest to conveying Zen in words. Master Sheng Yen's anthology presents teaching poems from some of the great Chan masters, words that flow directly from their minds to us, conveying the experience of enlightenment.

Chan Master Sheng Yen is the best-known Chan (Chinese Zen) master in America, having taught regularly in the West for 20 years. He has 21 centers throughout North America, as well as dozens of others throughout the world. He has co-led retreats with the Dalai Lama, and he is the author of numerous books, including Song of Mind, Complete Enlightenment, and There Is No Suffering: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra.

Praise for Sheng Yen: "When I listen to Master Sheng Yen's presentation of Chan Buddhist teachings, my immediate and very profound feeling is that I am listening to words of wisdom from someone who is very experienced and a great practitioner."-His Holiness, the Dalai Lama