Power of Enlightenment: Chinese Zen Poems
This collection of Zen poems and essays guides readers towards the joy of life.

In the 1,600 years that have elapsed since the arrival of Indian Buddhism in China during the Han and Jin dynasties, Buddhist monks and scholars have integrated the essence of Zen Buddhist thought with the classical forms of Chinese literature to create over 30,000 simple, lively poems of deep moral significance. Their authors convey an understanding of Zen, of its practice, or of the knowledge gained through meditation, they promote its philosophical principles and display its interest. The poems are widely known, long lived and much loved.

Professor Wu Yansheng has selected 66 classic poems by 54 historical scholars or monks ranging from Tao Yuanming (365–427), Han Shan (7th and 8th centuries), Wang Wei (701–761), to Xu Yun (1840–1959). He provides insights and a detailed introduction to the author of each poem in the hope of guiding the reader towards the realms of Zen and its poetry.

These poems represent the highest achievement of Zen poetry. The single qualification for inclusion has been depth of feeling and understanding. Each poem indicates a realm where the duality of opposites has been transcended to achieve spiritual harmony. It shows the way to release and spiritual freedom. It shows a garden of peace of mind that brings restlessness to an end.

In opening this book, the reader will Visit the depths of the realms of Zen and poetry, of life and awakening and of the wisdom of the East, enter the spiritual world of the enlightened and together with the great Masters enjoy the tranquillity, purity, and ethereal nature of life and dispel anxiety, purify the soul and live poetically in the world.

1139931642
Power of Enlightenment: Chinese Zen Poems
This collection of Zen poems and essays guides readers towards the joy of life.

In the 1,600 years that have elapsed since the arrival of Indian Buddhism in China during the Han and Jin dynasties, Buddhist monks and scholars have integrated the essence of Zen Buddhist thought with the classical forms of Chinese literature to create over 30,000 simple, lively poems of deep moral significance. Their authors convey an understanding of Zen, of its practice, or of the knowledge gained through meditation, they promote its philosophical principles and display its interest. The poems are widely known, long lived and much loved.

Professor Wu Yansheng has selected 66 classic poems by 54 historical scholars or monks ranging from Tao Yuanming (365–427), Han Shan (7th and 8th centuries), Wang Wei (701–761), to Xu Yun (1840–1959). He provides insights and a detailed introduction to the author of each poem in the hope of guiding the reader towards the realms of Zen and its poetry.

These poems represent the highest achievement of Zen poetry. The single qualification for inclusion has been depth of feeling and understanding. Each poem indicates a realm where the duality of opposites has been transcended to achieve spiritual harmony. It shows the way to release and spiritual freedom. It shows a garden of peace of mind that brings restlessness to an end.

In opening this book, the reader will Visit the depths of the realms of Zen and poetry, of life and awakening and of the wisdom of the East, enter the spiritual world of the enlightened and together with the great Masters enjoy the tranquillity, purity, and ethereal nature of life and dispel anxiety, purify the soul and live poetically in the world.

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Power of Enlightenment: Chinese Zen Poems

Power of Enlightenment: Chinese Zen Poems

by Yansheng Wu
Power of Enlightenment: Chinese Zen Poems

Power of Enlightenment: Chinese Zen Poems

by Yansheng Wu

Hardcover(1st Edition, Hardcover with Jacket)

$16.95 
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Overview

This collection of Zen poems and essays guides readers towards the joy of life.

In the 1,600 years that have elapsed since the arrival of Indian Buddhism in China during the Han and Jin dynasties, Buddhist monks and scholars have integrated the essence of Zen Buddhist thought with the classical forms of Chinese literature to create over 30,000 simple, lively poems of deep moral significance. Their authors convey an understanding of Zen, of its practice, or of the knowledge gained through meditation, they promote its philosophical principles and display its interest. The poems are widely known, long lived and much loved.

Professor Wu Yansheng has selected 66 classic poems by 54 historical scholars or monks ranging from Tao Yuanming (365–427), Han Shan (7th and 8th centuries), Wang Wei (701–761), to Xu Yun (1840–1959). He provides insights and a detailed introduction to the author of each poem in the hope of guiding the reader towards the realms of Zen and its poetry.

These poems represent the highest achievement of Zen poetry. The single qualification for inclusion has been depth of feeling and understanding. Each poem indicates a realm where the duality of opposites has been transcended to achieve spiritual harmony. It shows the way to release and spiritual freedom. It shows a garden of peace of mind that brings restlessness to an end.

In opening this book, the reader will Visit the depths of the realms of Zen and poetry, of life and awakening and of the wisdom of the East, enter the spiritual world of the enlightened and together with the great Masters enjoy the tranquillity, purity, and ethereal nature of life and dispel anxiety, purify the soul and live poetically in the world.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781602201484
Publisher: Shanghai Press
Publication date: 04/01/2014
Edition description: 1st Edition, Hardcover with Jacket
Pages: 192
Product dimensions: 5.10(w) x 7.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Professor Wu Yansheng holds doctorates in literature and philosophy and is currently Director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies and professor and supervisor of doctoral candidates at Shaanxi Normal University. He is also editor-in-chief of Chinese Zen Studies. His publications include the Zen trilogy: The Origins of Zen Thought, Philosophical Symbols of the Zen School and The Realm of Poetry and Verse in the Zen School, all published in 2001, Chinese Zen: A Path to Peace and Happiness and more than a dozen other works. He has also edited, amongst others in A Conversation between Buddhism and Christianity (2005).

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Wei, Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties (220-581) 33

1 Drinking Wine Tao Yuanming 34

2 Before Heaven and Earth Fu Xi 36

3 Grasping a Hoe Empty-Handed Fu Xi 38

Tang Dynasty (618-907) 41

4 Steamed Buns of Earth Beyond the City Wall Wang Fanzhi 42

5 Living in Peace Han Shan 44

6 My Heart Is Like the Autumn Moon Han Shan 47

7 The Body Is a Bodhi Tree Shenxiu 49

8 There Was No Tree to the Bodhi Huineng 51

9 Buddha's Law Is of This World Huineng 53

10 Calling upon Master Rong at His Hut of Meditation Meng Haoran 55

11 A Hermit's Life in Zhongnan Wang Wei 57

12 By Magnolia Wall Wang Wei 59

13 A Reply to Sub-Treasurer Zhang Wang Wei 61

14 Visiting the Incense Temple Wang Wei 63

15 A Poem for the Zen Court behind the Poshan Temple Chang Jian 65

16 The Sound of Chanting Wei Yingwu 67

17 A Reply to Prefect Wei Dan at the Donglin Temple Lingche 69

18 To Zen Master Taoguang Bai Juyi 71

19 Peach Blossom at the Dalin Temple Bai Juyi 73

20 An Inscription for the Monk's Quarters of the Helin Temple Li She 75

21 An Occasional Poem Pang Yun 77

22 An Occasional Poem Pang Yun 79

23 A Gatha of the Law Longshan 81

24 A Trip South of the City Han Yu 83

25 For Elder Monk Weiyan of Yaoshan Li Ao 85

26 Escape the Toils of the World Xiyun 88

27 Unwilling to Leave through An Empty Door Shenzan 90

28 Untitled Liangjia 92

29 The Story of the Fishing Boat Decheng 94

30 A Gatha on the Proclamation Returning Monks to the Secular World Zhizhen 97

31 A Summer Poem for the Zen Hall of Master Wukong Du Xuahe 99

Five Dynasties (907-960) 103

32 My Home's in the Min Hills Huaijun 104

33 A Gatha for the Enlightenment of Monks Jingcen 106

34 A Gatha upon Enlightenment after Viewing Peach Blossom Zhiqin 108

35 Sitting in Meditation on the South Terrace Shou'an 110

36 Planting Rice Qici 113

37 The Tree Before the Gate Judun 115

38 To Those Who Chant Judun 117

39 A Gatha of the Mind's Enlightenment Huileng 119

40 Smashing the Cash Pot Qiji 121

41 A Gatha of Farewell to Life and an Admonition to Disciples Zhihui 123

42 Wenji Admiring Flowers Clad in a Woolen Robe 125

43 Deshao A Gatha upon the Styles of Schools 128

Song Dynasty (960-1279) 131

44 On Tianzhu Mountain Zanning 132

45 The Doctrine from the West Lingcheng 134

46 The Fly and the Window Shouduan 136

47 Bidding Farewell to Zhu Daqing Fayan 138

48 Roaming the Bell Mountain Wang Anshi 140

49 Thinking of the Past with Brother Ziyou at Mianchi Su Shi 142

50 A Poem for Mr Shen's Qin Su Shi 145

51 Staying at the Donglin Temple Su Shi 147

52 Gazing at the Tide Su Shi 149

53 The Hot Spring Kezun 151

54 An Answer to Kezun Liaoyuan 153

55 An Extempore Verse Daoqian 155

56 Tapping Rubi 157

57 No Gain Kongyan You 159

58 A Youthful Romance Keqin 161

59 A Gift in Parting Zonggao 164

60 For the Practitioner Tanhua 166

61 Three Zen Masters Visit the Guoqing Temple Zhiyu 168

62 Nun A Poem upon Enlightenment Anonymous 170

63 In Praise of the Way Within the Ordinary Mind Huikai 172

Modern and Contemporary (1840-present) 175

64 A True Story Su Manshu 176

65 Deathbed Gat ha Hongyi 178

66 A Catha upon Seeing the Way Xuyun 182

Translator's Postscript 184

Index of Poems 187

Index of Authors 190

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