Book of Serenity: One Hundred Zen Dialogues

by Hongzhi Zhengjue, Thomas Cleary (Translator)

Book of Serenity is a translation of Shoyo Roku , a collection of one hundred Zen koans with commentaries that stands as a companion to the other great Chinese koan collection, the Blue Cliff Record (Pi Yen Lu). A classic of Chan (Chinese Zen) Buddhism, Book of Serenity has been skillfully rendered into English by the renowned translator Thomas Cleary.

Compiled in China in the twelfth century, the Book of Serenity is, in the words of Zen teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson, "an auspicious peak in the mountain range of Zen literature, a subtle flowing stream in the deep valleys of our teaching, a treasure house of inspiration and guidance in studying the ocean of Buddhist teachings." Each one of its one hundred chapters begins with an introduction, along with a main case, or koan, taken from Zen lore or Buddhist scripture. This is followed by commentary on the main case, verses inspired by it, and, finally, further commentary on all of these. The book contains a glossary of Zen/Chan terms and metaphors.

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

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1224

About the author

Hongzhi Zhengjue or Tiantong Zhengjue (1091-1157), Chinese Chan Buddhist.

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The other collection of koans. These are not as essential, nor as elegantly written as the Blue Cliff Record.

[Prakash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea!

[Emiliano Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si quieres conocer a la tradición Zen desde adentro es difícil hacer una mejor elección que este libro.

Contrario a lo que muchos piensan este libro NO contiene:
-Meditación
-Pacificación de la mente
-Practicas
-Doctrinas
-Budismo

Lo que vas a encontrar es una conversación con el registro histórico del Zen a través de las enseñanzas, impresiones y preguntas del viejo Wansong.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great exposition of these koans ...not that I'm really qualified to judge. Still, if you want to know more about koans, have some real experience with them this is a great book to get you started.

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some things can't be rushed. I found this collection of "Zen Dialogues" to be obtuse, abstract, baffling, confusing and full of absolute joy.

[Joe Visconti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Koans are challenging. It is best to use this as a reference and part of serious buddhist zen study

[Judson · Rating 3 out of 5]

dense and largely unhelpful.

[Abdullah Shams · Rating 4 out of 5]

.............

[cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

my brain expanded

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure it will be amazing when I read it a second time!

[Robert]

Read - as in read some of it. This book isn't a read; it's a life style. Esoteric parables on zen concepts intended to educate the whole-hoggedly committed. Each is followed by a commentary and poem of sorts, and then a few other thought-provoking embellishments.

In fact, I enjoyed the ones I read. They were poetic, puzzling, and often fun to muse over and even play with. Too bad I don't know more about the genre - and zen.