CATEGORY

Tranlated by Taigen Daniel Leighton and Yi Wu Hongzhi -- the twelfth-century Chinese Zen master who was predecessor of the famous philosopher Dogen -- is celebrated in Zen literature as one of its most artistically graceful stylists. He was the first to articulate silent illumination, the nondual objectless meditation commonly known to modern Zen students as "just sitting." Previously available in English only in scattered fragments, Hongzhi's influential teaching is here presented comprehensively, not as a historical artifact, but as a timeless and inspiring guide to spiritual awareness in the contemporary world.

Taigen Daniel Leighton provides an informative introduction that traces Hongzhi's life, important facets of his teaching, and his place in the Zen tradition.