Writings From the Zen Masters

by Wumen Huikai, Paul Reps (Editor)

These are unique stories of timeless wisdom and understanding from the Zen Masters. With rich and fascinating tales of swords, tigers, tea, flowers and dogs, the writings of the Masters challenge every perception - and seek to bring all readers closer to enlightenment. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Buddhism, Religion, Zen, Japanese Literature, Japan

128 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 8, 2009

About the author

Wumen Huikai (simplified Chinese: 无门慧开; traditional Chinese: 無門慧開; pinyin: Wúmén Huìkāi; Wade-Giles: Wu-men Hui-k'ai; Japanese: Mumon Ekai) (1183–1260) is a Song period Chán (Japanese: Zen) master most famous as the compiler of and commentator on the 48-koan collection The Gateless Gate (Japanese: Mumonkan). Wumen was at that time the head monk of Longxiang (Wade-Giles: Lung-hsiang; Japanese: Ryusho) monastery.

Wumen was born in Hangzhou and his first master was Gong Heshang. However, it was Zen master Yuelin Shiguan (月林師觀; Japanese: Gatsurin Shikan) (1143–1217) who gave Wumen the koan "Zhaozhou’s dog", with which Wu-men struggled for six years before he finally attained realization. After his understanding had been confirmed by Yuelin, Wumen wrote his enlightenment poem:

A thunderclap under the clear blue sky
All beings on earth open their eyes;
Everything under heaven bows together;
Mount Sumeru leaps up and dances. (Aitken, p4)
He received Dharma transmission in the Linji line (Japanese: Rinzai) of Zen from his master, Yuelin.

In many respects, Wumen was the classical eccentric Chan master. He wandered for many years from temple to temple, wore old and dirty robes, grew his hair and beard long and worked in the temple fields. He was nicknamed "Huikai the Lay Monk". (Aitken, p4) At age 64, he founded Gokoku-ninno temple near West Lake where he hoped to retire quietly, but visitors constantly came looking for instruction.

His teachings, as revealed in his comments in The Gateless Gate, closely followed the teachings of Dahui Zonggao (大慧宗杲; Wade-Giles: Ta-hui Tsung-kao; Japanese: Daei Sōkō) (1089–1163). The importance of "Great Doubt" was one of his central teaching devices. Wumen said, "...[understanding Zen is] just a matter of rousing the mass of doubt throughout your body, day and night, and never letting up." (Yamada p xlii) In his comment on Case 1, Zhaozhou's dog, he called mu (無) "a red-hot iron ball which you have gulped down and which you try to vomit up, but cannot". (Yamada, p 14) Wumen believed in blocking all avenues of escape for the student, hence the "gateless barrier". Whatever activity the student proposed, Wumen rejected: "If you follow regulations, keeping the rules, you tie yourself without rope but if you act any which way without inhibition you're a heretical demon. ... Clear alertness is wearing chains and stocks. Thinking good and bad is hell and heaven. ... Neither progressing nor retreating, you're a dead man with breath. So tell me, ultimately how do you practice?" (Yamada, p xliii)

Reviews

[Sanjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read 'Zen Flesh and Zen Bones', then, you've read this book. Its the same wine but in a new bottle.

[A. Raca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Budizm, zihni temel; kapısız geçidi de giriş noktası olarak ele alır. Kapısız bir geçitten nasıl geçilir
peki? Eski bilgelerden biri, “Bu kapıdan geçen aile
yadigârı değildir, başkalarının yardımıyla dışarıdan
kazandığın her şey eninde sonunda yok olur,” demiş. Rüzgâr olmadan denizi dalgalandırmak denir
buna ya da kusursuz bir deriyi deşmek. "

[Julian Worker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this selection of writings from the Zen Masters. I wasn't capable of understanding most of the stories as reason / logic kept intervening. These writings challenge our perceptions of the world.

However, one phrase did resonate with me, so I suppose that's something. It is the following:

A person drinks water and knows himself whether it is cold or warm

I will hold onto that thought

[Viji (Bookish endeavors) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s say, why one star less! Well, it has mostly to do with the fact that I did not understand much of it. Now whether I can blame my lack of understanding on the book? Of course, not. But does three stars or five stars matter when you are reading a zen book? No. Absolutely not. If you are confused between the stars, the book was of no use.

”It is too clear and so it is hard to see.
A dunce once searched for a fire with a
lighted lantern.
Had he known what fire was,
He could have cooked his rice much sooner.”

Holding the path of his liberation in himself, he wanders. He seeks the path outside and shuffles through a hundred books for the same. Like it is said in Upanishads, Aham Brahmasmi

”When one ignorant attains realization he is a saint. When a saint begins to understand he is ignorant.”

The subtle difference between knowledge and realisation, again reflected in Upanishads also. Brahmavid Brahmaiva bhavati One who realises Brahman becomes Brahman. There is no two, there is only one. And one who runs behind knowledge and tries to understand, he should know that the reality is what lies beyond the limits of sensory perception, unable to reach which the thoughts come back- yato vacho nivartyante aprapya manasasaha .

”Three pounds of flax in front of your nose,
Close enough, and mind is still closer.
Whoever talks about affirmation and negation
Lives in the right and wrong region.”

The ten unanswered questions of Buddha- avyaktani . Metaphysical questions are irrelevant for a man who is trying to get through his life. Also to talk about reality as if it can be limited by language and constrained by the limits of our rational thoughts is beyond ignorance. One should follow Wittgenstein in such places- whereof one cannot speak, one must be silent.

[Mr Siegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Yasemin Macar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doğu felsefesine ilginiz varsa ilginç gelebilir ama yoksa isimler ve karakter isimleri zorlayabilir ve pek keyifli gelmeyebilir.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

a man walks through a forest. There, many paths fold out in front of him. As soon as he takes one, he forgets that these paths are all part of the forest themselves.

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry I lost the book, wait maybe the Zen raccoon took it, wait wait honestly the enlightened goose stole it from me. Trust me I am not lying! It was stolen Goddammit! it is like reading great profound wisdom that I grasp sometimes, occasionally it is just absurd because I can't see through it.One day I will have all the knowledge, and you will never see me again.

It's a wonderful read! More like reading a chapter/story/ a verse a day and trying to understand it! Some days you will feel how funny monks are! but some days it will be the remedy for your aching heart.

[Misha · Rating 2 out of 5]

LOVED the 3rd part of the book, didn't understand the 2nd part of the book and the 1st part was a dadaist poem, you can't fool me!

[The Lazy Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry. I'm not wise enough to appreciate this.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Zen works from 12th to 13th century, nicely varied in tone, from humorous to profound. (1) ‘the Gateless Gate” (in Chinese, Mumonkan 無門關), (2) Ten Bulls (十牛), (3) Zen stories by Mujū Dōkyō 無住道曉. Must look out for more of these Penguin “Great Ideas”books, 100 page books that fit in a small pocket. Good for bedside reading—all anecdotes are one or two pages in length so if puzzled, one can turn to next or put the book aside for a moment of greater receptivity to enlightening tales.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This small collection of odd stories, purportedly told by Zen masters, was not as insightful as the collection of Tao tales also published under the Penguin Great Ideas series. Some of these stories go nowhere, and perhaps that is their intended direction. But I was looking for something that would break through the thick ice of consciousness and give me a feeling of being rather than becoming. Alas, these were mostly damp squibs.

[Speaker Stelios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant not but give 5 stars.
From he cover to the selection of stories, its a master guide.
I revisit the little book numerous times through the months and it now decorates my spiritual corner alongside the Bible, the Quran, Bhagavad gita, David Bowie and William Burroughs

[Chris Thar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the Gateless Barrier koans were over my head or just overly stoic for me, but then some were very satisfying and left me nodding. The zen stories at the end were all enjoyable. The Tea story and Sweet Strawberry were my favorites.

[Max Kemplen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following on from the 61st Book of penguins ‘Great Ideas’ it opens up more from Tao Te Ching and expands on the words of zen masters. A few are quite inspirational, giving insights into Buddhism and ancient wisdom. Although not majorly invested in the topics, the book offered some fascinating tales from zen masters who challenge everyday perception.

[Bones Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zen Essentials for all sentient beings.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book of koans, poetry and stories. It is amazing how much of the Zen cannon has been appropriated in the West, be it some jokes, stories, or even modes of teaching. Overall this was an excellent read: short, relevant, easy to access and deeply interesting.

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well what do you know? The sound of one hand clapping isn't a sort of whooshing sound!

[Searchingthemeaningoflife Greece · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ Προτού το πρώτο βήμα γίνει ο σκοπός 
έχει επιτευχθεί.
Προτού η γλώσσα κινηθεί, η ομιλία έχει περατωθεί. 
Χρειάζεται κάτι παραπάνω από λαμπρή 
διαίσθηση 
η αρχή του δρόμου του σωστού 
για να βρεθεί.]

🐃 [Όταν ένας άμαθος την πραγμάτωση πετυχαίνει, τότε είναι άγιος. Όταν ένας άγιος αρχίζει να μαθαίνει, τότε είναι άμαθος.]

🐃  [Την άνοιξη εκατοντάδες λουλούδια' 

το φθινόπωρο, η πανσέληνος του 

Σεπτέμβρη' 

το καλοκαιράκι, ένα ζωογόνο αεράκι' το 

χειμώνα, χιόνι θα σε συνοδεύει.

Αν δεν στριφογυρνάνε πράγματα 

άχρηστα μέσα στο μυαλό σου,

κάθε εποχή καλή εποχή για σένα θα είναι.]


🐃 [ Ο Νάνσεν ήταν με το παραπάνω 

ευγενικός κι έχασε το θησαυρό του.

Στ' αλήθεια, οι λέξεις δεν έχουν εξουσία. 

Ακόμα κι αν θάλασσα γίνεται το βουνό,

οι λέξεις δεν μπορούν ν' ανοίξουν ενός 

άλλου το μυαλό.]



🐃 [ Όταν καθάριος είναι ο ουρανός λάμπει 

ωραία ο ήλιος.

Όταν τσουρουφλισμένη είναι η γη, τότε

θα πέσει η βροχή.

Άνοιξε εκείνος στην καρδιά του ολότελα 

και μίλησε,

μα ήταν άχρηστο σε γουρούνια και 

ψάρια να μιλήσει.]

[Kris Demey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hope I don’t use the words ‘elitist macho masochistic bullshit’ too often.
This collection of stories is precisely that. Nonsensical, aggressive teaching stories that are supposed to open your mind Kuato style; they ultimately leave you not caring.
‘What is Buddha? This pile of dogshit is Buddha.’ ‘What is the true nature of this vase? I don’t know, but I’ll knock it on the ground so that I not only look like a real man, but I can come across as mysterious and knowing at the same time’.
This teacher must’ve been a real macho and difficult to learn from. Maybe that was his point.
Exhausting .

This gives the impression that the Zen cults were much more focused on being hermetically jingoistic and closed off to foreigners

At the same time there are Zen stories that come close to postmodernist philosophy and drive home a real case for scepticism.

These stories (in the second half) save the book from being a complete disappointment.

[Aaron Eames · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the Penguin Great Ideas series, Writings from the Zen Masters contains three textual aids to Zen Enlightenment: ‘The Gateless Gate’ by Ekai, aka Mumon Wumen Huikai, a collection of 49 koans from the 13th century accompanied by Mumon’s commentary (often as abstruse as the koan itself); ‘Ten Bulls’ by Kekuan, zen poems with roundel illustrations, one of which is ‘empty’ forming a circle as well as a blank; and 21 ‘Zen Stories’, including the tale of Tanzan and Ekido as well as of Banzo’s sword, some are anonymous, some by Mujū, and all are by no-one at all.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd part has some interesting & useful stories, but you may have heard them before. The 2nd is about finding, possessing & using zen through the bull story. And the first part is a collection of tricky koans which are quite difficult to grasp.. I would suggest reading part first, then 2 & last 1, otherwise the book might tire you out or you might never read past Part1

[Samuel Bigglesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three sets of zen writings.

The first set, point towards the non dualistic nature of things.

The second gives us the ten stages of taming the bull.

The third offers us some insight into zen practice.

They can probably be easily found online, but here they are presented together in a convenient package.

[yangkhama]

Collection of anecdotes by Zen masters that is organised into 3 sections; the first, a collection of koans, the second on taming the bull, & the third on zen practice.

The level of obscurity decreased as I read, the first two being overtly cryptic & the last, somewhat more comprehensible with some enlightening stories.

[Alejandro Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro tiene 3 partes:

a) The Gateless Gate: No le entendí nada y se me hizo aburrida.
b) Ten Bulls: Le entendí un poco más pero no me sentía iluminado.
c) y Zen Stories: Deje de buscar entenderle, la disfrute más.

[Natty Peterkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very mixed experience - I found The Gateless Gate section extremely cryptic; perhaps I need to know more about Zen to appreciate it but as things are I find a lot of the aphorisms baffling. However, the second half, Zen Stories I found much more understandable and enjoyable.

[Alicia Marinache · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 3rd part is definitely the most accessible to the non-zen person. I have greatly struggled with the 1st and 2nd, and now I only want to read more to clarify those more. It is an interesting read, I just wish I could understand it better.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Gateless Gate
Ten Bulls
Zen Stories

[Nazim Süleymanov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ümid eləyirəm ki, problem tərcümədə idi. Gözlətimin çox aşağısında qaldı((

[André Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not know the way