The Five Houses of Zen (Shambhala Dragon Editions)

For all its emphasis on the direct experience on insight without reliance on the products of the intellect, the Zen tradition has created a huge body of writings. Of this cast literature, the writings associated with the socalled Five Houses of Zen are widely considered to be preeminent. These Five Houseswhich arose in China during the ninth and tenth centuries, often referred to as the Golden Age of Zenwere not schools or sects but styles of Zen teaching represented by some of the most outstanding masters in Zen history. The writing of these great Zen teachers are presented here, many translated for the first time. These include: The sayings of Paichang, famous for his Zen dictum A day without work, a day without food. Selections from Kueishans collection of Zen admonitions, considered essential reading by numerous Buddhist teachers. Sunchis unique discussion of the inner meaning of the circular symbol in Zen teaching. Sayings of Huangpo from The Essential Method of Transmission of Mind. Excerpts from The Record of Linchi , a great classical text of Zen literature. Tsaoshans presentation of the famous teaching device known as the Five Ranks. Selections of poetry from the Cascade Collection by Hsuehtou, renowned for his poetic commentaries on the classic Blue Cliff Record. Yungmings teachings on how to balance the two basic aspects of meditation: concentration and insight.