A Zen Forest: Sayings of the Masters

by Sōiku Shigematsu, Gary Snyder (Preface)

The essence of Zen is contained here. First compiled in 16th and 17th century Japan, the sayings range from profound to mystifying to comical. A Zen Forest is, according to poet Gary Snyder, “the meeting place of the highest and the most the great poets and the ‘old women’s sayings.’” Translator Soiku Shigematsu, abbot of Shogennji Zen Temple in Shimizu, Japan, has rendered the pieces into poetic English that illuminates some aspect of Zen, from satori to the meaning of enlightened activity. The words will open windows to the Zen world, while reminding us that “however wonderful an expression may be, it will be a stake that binds you unless you keep yourself free from it.”

Genres: Zen, Buddhism, Poetry, Japan, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

140 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1981

About the author

Sōiku Shigematsu (重松 宗育 Shigematsu Sōiku, born October 13, 1943) is a Japanese priest of Myoshin-ji branch of Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism, abbot of Shōgen-ji Temple in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, author and translator of books and essays on Zen that were instrumental in spreading interest in Zen literary tradition to the West in the latter half of the 20th century. Shigematsu taught English literature at Shizuoka University also visiting the United States on several occasions, most notably in 1985-6 as a Fulbright scholar. He won the Jerome J. Shestack Poetry Prize from The American Poetry Review in 1987.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Talbot Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lays out a significant piece of the Zen puzzle: jakugo, which the translator, Sōiku Shigematsu, refers to as "capping words" or "brief Zen comments." These are sayings that students apply to koans to show teachers their understanding, while also helping, "students to understand their own koan experiences more distinctly and deeply." For many a Western reader, these sayings will seem no more than utter nonsense. Gary Snyder, in his foreword, warns that, "Poems are never quoted whole, so that in this case the obscurity . . . is from the absence of context." Not only that, I would add, but many of these jakugo read like utter nonsense. And therein lies their strength, for these are, after all, not things to be toyed with by the intellect. As Snyder continues, "Let this book be read for the enjoyment of the far-darting mind, and skip for the time any notions of self-improvement." Just sit with them.

One will read things like this, which seem to be Zen in its most basic expression:

"Walking is Zen;
sitting, too."

And then one will read things like this, which barely make sense at all:

"An inch of
tortoise hair weight
seven pounds."

Shigematsu's goal for this book is both to expand a basic understanding of Zen (a contradiction in terms, it seems to me, almost) and to inspire people who "wish to find and identify the true self." This may help to show the Zen modus operandi and certain Zen principles, among which are universality-and-individuality, vitality, silence, and humanity.

As he ends with, "Fortunately, Zen is not dogmatism. Zen goes beyond everything — even itself."

Life and death is the Great Matter! Don't waste time!

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Translations are often faithless. Foreword and introduction at least make plain the assumptions of the editor and collector. Backmatter, which characters and reading, is useful.