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Poison Blossoms From a Thicket of Thorn
Hakuin Ekaku Zenji (1686-1769) was one of the greatest Zen masters ever to live. Originator of the famous koan “What is the sound of a single hand?” he is credited with reviving the Rinzai sect of Zen in Japan, and today all masters of that sect trace their lineage back to him. Through his numerous descendants, his influence is now felt worldwide, with his “Song of Zazen” chanted daily in temples around the globe.
Norman Waddell has spent decades reading and translating Hakuin's vast writings. He has published several previous selections, all leading to his work on this monumental gathering, the Keiso Dokuzui, little known in Japan and never before translated into any foreign language. Interpreting such a text requires immersion in the material in its original language, as well as complete mastery of the available commentary. Probably no one alive is as fully prepared for this important and difficult task as Dr. Waddell.
For this collection, Hakuin gathered together an enormous number and variety of pieces—commentaries, memorials, poems, koans, teisho (lectures), letters, and more. Having presented many of them live to the throng of students residing in and around his temple as well as to other audiences around the country,
Norman Waddell has spent decades reading and translating Hakuin's vast writings. He has published several previous selections, all leading to his work on this monumental gathering, the Keiso Dokuzui, little known in Japan and never before translated into any foreign language. Interpreting such a text requires immersion in the material in its original language, as well as complete mastery of the available commentary. Probably no one alive is as fully prepared for this important and difficult task as Dr. Waddell.
For this collection, Hakuin gathered together an enormous number and variety of pieces—commentaries, memorials, poems, koans, teisho (lectures), letters, and more. Having presented many of them live to the throng of students residing in and around his temple as well as to other audiences around the country,
608 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2014
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About the author
Hakuin Zenji
8 books3 followersBorn in the village of Hara, Suruga province, his birth name was Nagasawa Iwajiro (family name first).
His religious name was Hakuin Ekaku: primary ordination name Ekaku, monastic ordination name Hakuin. "Zenji" is a title meaning Zen master.
He entered Shoinji temple in the Rinzai Zen sect and took primary ordination on 26 March 1699. He travelled from temple to temple for decades, seeking wisdom with many different teachers, until returning home and then retiring to the almost deserted Shoinji after his father's death.
His religious name was Hakuin Ekaku: primary ordination name Ekaku, monastic ordination name Hakuin. "Zenji" is a title meaning Zen master.
He entered Shoinji temple in the Rinzai Zen sect and took primary ordination on 26 March 1699. He travelled from temple to temple for decades, seeking wisdom with many different teachers, until returning home and then retiring to the almost deserted Shoinji after his father's death.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 8, 2020
I happened to hear about Hakuin from another book (don't recall which) so decided to read something of his. Now I have minimal knowledge of Buddhism and Zen, so that makes this a tough book, but it wasn't too difficult in the end. I found it fascinating to read from a person I have never heard from in a time and place I haven't heard from. I am glad this is not the complete work though.
June 7, 2024
Failed! Stopped at page 62. Don’t quite follow the context: 50-60 year old men running around slapping one another. Where’s the wisdom in that.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews