Zen Roots: The First Thousand Years

by Red Pine

9 new translations of essential Buddhist texts from the first thousand years of Zen—presented in a travel-friendly package for on-the-go reading or contemplationDating from the middle of the second century B.C. to the middle of the ninth century A.D., Zen Roots  • The Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, and Platform Sutra• Selections from the Vimalakirti and Lankavatara sutras• Bodhidharma’s Principles & Practice• Sengcan’s Trusting the Mind• Yongjia’s Song of Enlightenment• Huangbo’s Transmission of the MindThese translations are accompanied by introductions and enough notes to explain what needs explaining but not so many as to get in the way. Zen Roots is the perfect companion for travel, to accompany one to the higher elevations, or just to read in the backyard.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Spirituality, Nonfiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2022

About the author

Pen name of Bill Porter

Reviews

[Sean Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic short anthology of some of Zen's most important early primary texts bound in a beautiful hardcover edition. Red Pine never disappoints.

[Taylor Swift Scholar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to spend more time with Buddhism after reading a couple of Pure Land texts. I have learned that Pure Land and Zen are two very different things! For one, Pure Land Buddhism is meant to be talked and read about. Talking about zen, let alone writing/reading about it, is very challenging, and even discouraged throughout the text in favor of practice. So many pages of various sages saying in various nonsensical ways that x, y, and z are "nothing" and/or "empty." While I am eager to learn more about zen, I'm not sure that these texts got me very far.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great introduction to Zen! This is a wonderfully translated anthology. What I love about Red Pine is his ability to find the most concise words - they're clear and burst with the simple Truth presented. Immaculate! The texts themselves provide ample phrases and sections to begin a meditating practice.

[Malik Salam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute treasure. All the most important texts of the zen tradition in a beautiful edition. The translation is clear and the footnotes are just helpful enough without being too explain-y. I’ll be going back to this again and again! Thank you Bill Porter.

[Addison Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the clearest presentation of these texts I've found. If asked (nobody ever asks me, but if they did...) for the best introductions to this subject for beginners, I'd recommend this and also the volume of translation and commentary by the same author on The Heart Sutra (Counterpoint).