<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: empty
Review: Hongzi's Zen is positive and encouraging. He is an old friend to students of Zen. I read this book often as an aid to meditation. I am grateful to Taigen Daniel Leighton for revealing Hongzi to the 'west'.
Rating:
Summary: Great early Chan writings
Review: I read this shortly after it first came out. It seemed OK and I put it aside. Several years ago --and after more sitting practice and retreats-- I reread it and now I think it is a treasure. In the translated passages/poems, Hongzhi is speaking consistently from a deeply enlightened experience. Someone new to Zen may find this collection of talks from a twelfth century Chinese master fuzzy and not very helpful. But for someone with experience sitting, it is profound. Dogen also gave Hongzhi "five stars" in Shobogenzo.
Hongzhi's words have become my favorite sitting companion.
Rating:
Summary: Great early Chan writings
Review: I read this shortly after it first came out. It seemed OK and I put it aside. Several years ago --and after more sitting practice and retreats-- I reread it and now I think it is a treasure. In the translated passages/poems, Hongzhi is speaking consistently from a deeply enlightened experience. Someone new to Zen may find this collection of talks from a twelfth century Chinese master fuzzy and not very helpful. But for someone with experience sitting, it is profound. Dogen also gave Hongzhi "five stars" in Shobogenzo.
Hongzhi's words have become my favorite sitting companion.
Rating: 
Summary: Finding the invisible colors
Review: Journey with translator Taigen Daniel Leighton (with the assistance of Yi Wu), as he explores a collection of thoughts from the mind of a brilliant 12th century philosopher, Zen Master Hongzhi. Clearly this is a labor of love, from many perspectives. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book as a first foray into eastern philosophy, but it is wonderful to see how rich the lives of humans can be, even when they lived 800 years ago. And how rich your own life could be.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and Insightful
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read -- on Zen, Buddhism or Spirituality in general. Hongzhi was obviously as clear as they get, and his subtle and powerful language and insight is an inspiration to any practicioner, from any tradition. This book is a must read for anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of Reality.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and Insightful
Review: To learn the Silent Illumination technique, you have to go to a Ch'an or Zen teacher, such as Sheng-Yen, in New York. This book is a good description of the mind states and practice attitudes associated with that method. The Chinese names have been nipponized. "Hongzhi" you may recognize as "Hung-chi". This book is very useful for S.I. practicers. Sheng Yen's book on S.I. is "Infinite Mirror". This book is equally good.
Rating: 
Summary: Silent Illumination
Review: To learn the Silent Illumination technique, you have to go to a Ch'an or Zen teacher, such as Sheng-Yen, in New York. This book is a good description of the mind states and practice attitudes associated with that method. The Chinese names have been nipponized. "Hongzhi" you may recognize as "Hung-chi". This book is very useful for S.I. practicers. Sheng Yen's book on S.I. is "Infinite Mirror". This book is equally good.
<< 1 >>
| 
