Dream conversations: On Buddhism and Zen

by Muso Kokushi

Dream Conversations is a collection of a renowned Japanese master's written replies to questions about the true nature of Zen. In short, simply worded teachings, Muso Kokushi (1275-1351), also known as Muso Soseki, exposes common misconceptions with unprecedented clarity, offering psychological insights designed to lead the reader into the depths of authentic Zen experience. These incisive teachings will be especially valuable for today's Zen students, as they struggle with their own confusion and misunderstandings about the true path of Zen.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen

112 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 1994

Reviews

[Hanieh Sadat Shobeiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

همواره آن‌جاست، دقیقا همان‌جا که هستی؛ اما چون جستجویش کنی، نمی‌یابی‌اش...

[Miyuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first literal introduction to Zen. I loved the examples used in this book. No matter how long you boil sands, they won't turn into rice. You don't have to fight the second moon in the sky, which will disappear naturally when you remove the pressure off your eyes. Zen teaching is like a woman "calling the maid"; the real intent is not calling the maid for errands, but letting her secret man know she is in her chamber. I find them all confusing, and brilliant.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful, humane, and atmospheric. Like the taste of tea? A collection of short essays on Zen related topics.

[Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muso Kokushi has a no-frills, straight forward approach to explaining zen and it's practical uses.
Here are a couple quotes I liked

Aim in Life
There is ultimately no means of safeguarding anything in this world; anything you gain can be lost, destroyed, or taken away. For this reason, if you make the acquisition and retention of goods or status your aim in life, this is a way to anxiety and sorrow.

Past, Present, and Future

It is a characteristic tendency of human beings to indulge in emotions such as happiness, grief, or anger in response to present conditions, failing to balance these feelings with the awareness that present conditions are results of past causes. It is illogical to face the present only as an object of enjoyment or tolerance, neglecting to use it as the opportunity to create the future.

The Inexhaustible Treasury of Potential

There is a vast potential, latent within human beings, that remains undiscovered because of the limitations placed on consciousness by habitual preoccupations. The recommendation that all cravings be relinquished does not mean that detachment itself is a goal; it is a means of breaking through self-imposed restrictions and opening up this inexhaustible treasury of potential.

The Central Benefit of Zen

The central benefit of Zen, in the context of the ordinary ups and downs of life, is not in preventing the minus and promoting the plus but in directing people to the fundamental reality that is not under the sway of ups and downs.

[Tom Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main thrust of the book is admonitions against dogma. He explains that teachings are expedient means for awakening others. Zen is a living tradition, i.e. it relies on enlightened masters to help their students with devices that are relevant for the particular person.

The author also has some cool things to say about the cosmos. But what you won't be getting is a comprehensive guide to practice. Really, what you should get from this book is not to venerate or take too seriously anything that you read. Rather, it is better to practice yourself, have your own realisation, and ideally find an enlightened master who can teach you.

The book is structured as aphorisms.

[Chris Freiberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clears up a lot of confusion as to what enlightenment actually is (and isn’t), granting the reader access to what Muso Kokushi/Cleary in this translation calls “the fundamental”. Indispensable in my opinion.

[Matheus Macedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought Provoking.