Two Zen Classics: The Gateless Gate and the Blue Cliff Records

by Katsuki Sekida (Translator)

A new translation of The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Records , two classic collections of Zen koans—or guiding ‘riddles’—used in the study of Zen Buddhism

The strange verbal paradoxes called koans have been used traditionally in Zen training to help students attain a direct realization of truths inexpressible in words. The two works translated in this book, Mumonkan ( The Gateless Gate ) and Hekiganroku ( The Blue Cliff Records ), both compiled during the Song dynasty in China, are the best known and most frequently studied koan collections, and are classics of Zen literature. They are still used today in a variety of practice lineages, from traditional zendos to modern Zen centers.
 
In a completely new translation, together with original commentaries, the well-known Zen teacher Katsuki Sekida brings to these works the same fresh and pragmatic approach that made his Zen Training so successful. The insights of a lifetime of Zen practice and his familiarity with both Eastern and Western ways of thinking make him an ideal interpreter of these texts.

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

416 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2005

Reviews

[Jonn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best practical translation and commentary on these two classics by an actual Zen teacher (as opposed to an academic), rolled into one book. You'll never be finished.

[Emiliano Castillo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm rating based on reading Sekida's translation of the Wumenguan.
It's not the best translation, but it's useful to compare. Also, it seems it's the one that most people are familiar with, and the one most widely available on the internet, so it's nice to be able to understand which case people are referring to and where they heard it first.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mumonkan = The Gateless Gate. Hekiganroku = Blue Cliff Records. Both are collections of classic and well worn Zen koans with layers of commentary by more contemporary, but still old for our time, teachers and thinkers - mostly, I believe, from China but with phonetic Japanese names. The function of the koan is to bring the mind to enlightenment by breaking through it's lifelong foundation in logic and linearity. They are deceptively brief and mundane, sometimes a bit perverse or violent, and frequently hilarious. I consider these stories to have something of a magical quality, something non-verbal and esoteric buried in the words that can teach me about my mind if I just commit enough time to it. They are impossibly impenetrable and function on many levels. These collections are wonderful because the comments are as poetic and difficult as the original story. To be clear, despite my experience with Japanese and Chinese culture, I'm not sure that I truly 'understand' any of these stories in the cultural context within which they were created. At the same time, the whole notion of 'understanding' is up for debate in Zen thought.

Does a dog have the Buddha nature?

Mu.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Sekida’s Two Zen Classics to be an incredibly unique presentation of Buddhist concepts, very different from any other Zen Buddhism literature I have read. Sekida’s translations of the two collections of koans are very clear and easy to read. His addition of notes regarding each koan is particularly helpful in better understanding these very old and puzzling tales. By clearly and thoroughly explaining the philosophical meanings behind these works, Sekida allows his readers to deeply understand these ancient pieces of Buddhist literature, regardless of their prior knowledge of Zen Buddhism. Through understanding these koans, readers can gain incredibly insightful concepts in regards to Zen and its practice.

[Jade C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful edition

I like the added notes, it brings more to the passages. It's great for Western thought because it's so different from Eastern thought. We just have different cultural backgrounds. I believe we can learn quite a lot from each other.

I recommend this to anyone
interested in Zazen even if you're Eastern. It gives a different perspective.

I really enjoyed the book so I say 5 s*t*a*r*s*!

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is the sound of one hand clapping...

A collection of the most profound thought provoking Koans in Zen Buddhist practice. Free your mind.

[Khori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful and mind-boggling. A book intended for studying every sentence and intense introspection.

[Brooke Finnerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was very very good. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who has no to little knowledge on zen and is looking for a beginners guide. This book offers what other zen books doesn't with its deep details and breaking up of different parts of zen and expanding on those ideas. I have read a few other zen books so it was very interesting to get more details and knowledge on western and eastern practices and their ideas. There is some overlap and also many key differences. It was cool to see that zen can differ in different geographic origins. This also dives more into Buddhism and doesn't scratch the surface at all. If you are very eager and interested in zen I would read a few beginners books first then definitely read this one after for my information!

[Tim Nowotny · Rating 5 out of 5]

With zen books it always depends if they string a chord with you. This one did. It is particular fascinating to see these pieces together as the first one feels way more tangible as the second one and prevents someone therefore to anguish over the harder stuff

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this and Cleary's version I'd recommend this one for comprehension of the Koans and Cleary's for accuracy of the text. Buy both if you have a big interest in Zen.

[Christiaan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The gateless gate & blue cliff record need no introduction. The 2 star rating isn't for those two books but for the commentary provided by Katsuki Sekida. At some points I'm not sure if it's a salespitch for his own work 'Zen training' or if it's a genuine commentary to the texts. Basically, he talks about positive and absolute samadhi, how children are somehow a good example of enlightenment (?) and how there are three nen's of thought that have a high importance. I'm not sure of any of it, It's reading the two Zen classics with the framework of this 'Zen training', if you are into the teachings of Sekida, go ahead... but if you aren't, I wouldn't recommend this one

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good translation of the two main Classics Gateless Gate (wumenguan) and Blue Cliff Record (biyan lu). Be advised that since the translator was Japanese, all the names of the patriarchs and figures in the cases are in Japanese (therefore the book refers to the texts as mumonkan and hekiganroku, which are the Japanese pronunciations of the same Chinese terms. Same goes, as mentioned before, for the people. For instance, Baso instead of Mazu). In the back is a useful genealogical table which I found out way too late...

[darío hereñú · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zen is always surprising me.
The typical koan, full of paradoxes and vital pregnance, vastly give me permanent joy, curiosity, thrilling times.
This little book give us a deep insight upon the ancient kind of japanese thought.
Nature, beings, water, wind, arrow, bow are elements that take part of this group of minimalist stories.
As usual, those stories comes from deep thoughts and temperance.

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great value, but the koan translations and explanations are opaque if you don't have some background (as I don't).

[Care]

For the REALLY OLD CLASSICS challenge, I think.