The Wisdom of the Zen Masters

by Myokyo-Ni, Irmgard Schloegl

Unlike most other formal religions, the Japanese school of Zen Buddhism has no canonized corpus of sacred literature which will reveal the "truth" to diligent readers. There are, however, numerous collections of anecdotes and aphorisms that may serve to convey the sensibility which underscores the practice of Zen. Drawing on these traditional sources, Dr. Irmgard Schloegl of the Buddhist Society in London has gathered into one short volume a sampling of stories and sayings that are a valuable introduction to the study of Zen. "If in every mind burns a flame of the Buddha's Enlightenment," Christmas Humphreys writes in his foreword to The Wisdom of the Zen Masters , "there is nothing to seek and nothing to acquire. We are enlightened, and all the words in the world will not give us what we already have. The man of Zen, therefore, is concerned with one thing only, to become aware of what he already is…" The task of the Japanese Zen master has been to guide his pupils in their awakening. The means used vary––from severe physical discipline to the proposition of enigmatic riddles, or koans––but always to the same end, experiencing the Great Death of the worldly "I."

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality

80 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1976

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great explanations of the basic principles of Zen. Wonderful Zen stories that must be pondered.

[Wiktoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wisdom of the Zen Masters, stories and collections of anecdotes that will slow you down and question Life.

A very spontaneous read that I found at the thrift store but one that enlightened me further, opened up my mind to what has always been there, yet first time to be truly seen within me. It makes you question everything, and that’s what makes this life ever so interesting. We are never out of time to just be — our ordinary selves.

Quotes:

“A Zen proverb says: In the landscape of spring there is nothing better nor worse. The flowering branches grow naturally long or short.”

“Master Rinzai: The independent Man of the Way leans on nothing. Do not give yourselves airs, just be your ordinary selves.

“Master Hakuin said that the Great Death was the condition for genuine insight. But to keep it, one must die the Great Death several times.”

[Elizabeth]

c1976 trade paperback