The Book of Equanimity: Illuminating Classic Zen Koans

by Hongzhi Zhengjue, Gerry Shishin Wick (Translator), Bernie Glassman (Foreword)

The Book of Equanimity contains the first-ever complete English language commentary on one of the most beloved classic collections of Zen teaching stories (koans), making them vividly relevant to spiritual seekers and Zen students in the twenty-first century. Continually emphasizing koans as effective tools to discover and experience the deepest truths of our being, Wick brings the art of the koan to life for those who want to practice wisdom in their daily lives.

The koan collection Wick explores here is highly esteemed as both literature and training material in the Zen tradition, in which koan-study is one of two paths a practitioner might take. This collection is used for training in many Zen centers in the Americas and in Europe but has never before been available with commentary from a contemporary Zen master. Wick's Book of Equanimity includes new translations of the preface, main case and verse for each koan, and modern commentaries on the koans by Wick himself.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Philosophy, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Eastern Philosophy

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1224

About the author

Hongzhi Zhengjue or Tiantong Zhengjue (1091-1157), Chinese Chan Buddhist.

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The other collection of koans. These are not as essential, nor as elegantly written as the Blue Cliff Record.

[Prakash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea!

[Emiliano Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si quieres conocer a la tradición Zen desde adentro es difícil hacer una mejor elección que este libro.

Contrario a lo que muchos piensan este libro NO contiene:
-Meditación
-Pacificación de la mente
-Practicas
-Doctrinas
-Budismo

Lo que vas a encontrar es una conversación con el registro histórico del Zen a través de las enseñanzas, impresiones y preguntas del viejo Wansong.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great exposition of these koans ...not that I'm really qualified to judge. Still, if you want to know more about koans, have some real experience with them this is a great book to get you started.

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some things can't be rushed. I found this collection of "Zen Dialogues" to be obtuse, abstract, baffling, confusing and full of absolute joy.

[Joe Visconti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Koans are challenging. It is best to use this as a reference and part of serious buddhist zen study

[Judson · Rating 3 out of 5]

dense and largely unhelpful.

[Abdullah Shams · Rating 4 out of 5]

.............

[cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

my brain expanded

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure it will be amazing when I read it a second time!

[Robert]

Read - as in read some of it. This book isn't a read; it's a life style. Esoteric parables on zen concepts intended to educate the whole-hoggedly committed. Each is followed by a commentary and poem of sorts, and then a few other thought-provoking embellishments.

In fact, I enjoyed the ones I read. They were poetic, puzzling, and often fun to muse over and even play with. Too bad I don't know more about the genre - and zen.