Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume One: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary

I can’t say I will ever “finish” this book. It sits on my nightstand and I read a few pages at a time. Don’t expect any easy answers. Do read if you want to know about ancient Chinese scripture. Try to get the words “zen” and “Buddhism” out of your mind! If you meet Buddha on the road - kill him!

An excellent collection of Cleary's translations of Zen Classics.Full of real insight that points the Way through this confusingage of science and materialistic religions towards true Awakening."Don't cling, don't seek. Act spontaneously without attachment.""Float like a cloud, flow like water, bend like grass in the wind."Highly recommended!

I am a student of religion - this will become a permanent part of my reference library. I recommend it to anyone who may be involved in serious study of Hinduism.

This product was a gift, and I have no first hand contact with it. Nevertheless, its recipient informed he of his complete satisfaction with its delivery and contents. I can rate it only less than perfect for the simple reason that I lack any first hand experience with the item I purchased for someone else. In no way is this rating intended to convey any dissatisfaction with the book whatsoever.

Excellent translation,This is very difficult subject matter to translate, Clearly does an excellent job.Enjoy searching for The Way

Thanks

this book has so much in it it is amazing! it covers five different zen perspectives (the five houses), the teachings of a slough of teachers that likely go outside the five houses, how too meditate in the zen fashion, how too think "zen", how too lead in a zen way, and so on. a bit of it is explained by the narrator in the form of very useful introductions and some notes, but the bulk of this book is translations of the actual works of the ancient zen masters! complete works of the guys you've heard about, or read little snippets or quotes by before.there are so many gems it is really impressive.the fact that he represents all five houses is really something. the way zen has been presented too the west is that it's just one thing, or one school. in reality it doesn't even fit into five different subdivisions (houses)!!! there are hundreds of schools, each teaching somewhat the same, but also with critical differences. you can't just pick up any zen book from any school by any teacher and expect consistency. and that's even if you stick too just chinese zen (chan) or just japanese zen. even within those countries alone it is divided many, many times. then if you include the ten or more other asian countries that have a zen tradition, it gets even more divided!being able too see the different ideas grouped into their appropriate houses was very illuminating considering how many people would just lump all the teachings together even though they don't always fit!truly blown away by this book.

Essential translations of the classic texts of Buddhism and Zen!All Five Volumes of Classics of Buddhism and Zen contain the translations of some of the most essential literature of Buddhism and Zen.Volume One focuses primarily on the classic Chinese masters of Zen (like Pai-chang, Lin-chi-tsung [J.Rinzai] and his teacher, Huang-po, Yunmen, and more), but also contains some gems from Japanese masters (including Eihei Dogen), and a wonderful translation of one of the classic meditation treatises by the Korean master Chinul.As the Collected Works of Thomas Cleary, these translations span his remarkably prolific career. Finally, they have become available in this beautiful, accessible five-volume set. This five-volume set includes nearly all of Thomas Cleary's translations (some have even been slightly revised and updated). They also include all the supplemental material included in the original individual translations, ie. glossaries, notes, indexes, Introductions, and Cleary's own insightful commentaries.Only a handful of Thomas Cleary's Buddhist and Zen translations are not included in this set, primarily because their own bulk would necessarily constitute a volume unto themselves--these include, The Blue Cliff Record (trans. with J.C. Cleary), The Book of Serenity, and The Avatamsaka Sutra.Volume One contains:Zen Lessons: The Art of LeadershipZen Essence: The Science of FreedomThe Five Houses of ZenMinding Mind: A Course in Basic MeditationInstant Zen(You can find more info on the contents of these texts by "searching" them individually).All five volumes are formatted for ease of access and reading. The set, or the individual volumes are a perfect gift for anyone with an interest in Zen or Buddhism, Eastern Religion or Eastern Philosophy. The Hardcovers are sturdy and finely bound, the Trade Paper are also made to last.

Met my expectations perfectly

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