Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Ancient and Modern Zen Buddhist Writings

Robert McKenzie: Interesting reading.

United States on Jun 26, 2023

Larry Craig: Love this book

United States on Apr 19, 2023

cory: I used to have this book as required reading for my karate dojo when I was a teenager, until someone "borrowed" it. It's been over 25 years since I owned this classic but I just bought it for my birthday. Still holds valuable lessons and wisdoms that I appreciate. I am happy to read them again!

Canada on Nov 12, 2022

Kretch: If you only have 5 books on Buddhism, this must be one of them! The first section, Zen Stories, is sheer delight with short but eloquent guides to the center of the Dharma.

I will quote the first sentence of the second section: If you like sweets and easy living, skip this book. Amen. This is only for the extremely dedicated as the truths are not readily available.

I might say the same about the third section, but it is a Buddhist classic and actually easier going than the second section.

As to the fourth section--from one breath to everything and nothing.

United States on Nov 09, 2022

Karunadhara Clive Fletcher: I've lent out my old copy but can't wait for it to come back. This it precious. It's about the actualisation of Zen. Rather than reading from sacred texts it shows the practice. Highly recommended.

United Kingdom on Jun 27, 2022

MECHR: Print is not good. Book is very thought provoking.

India on Sep 18, 2021

Amazon Customer: It outlines, in comprehensible form, the depth of study and sheer hard work required of the committ student of Zen. It also makes clear that preparation for advance towards enlightenment can ly be made by slow careful study of all aspects of a particular issue. And all this in a concise form. Excellent work, a great boon to have it.

United Kingdom on May 07, 2021

Larry: I bought this book for the 4th time; this time to be reminded of meditation techniques listed in the fourth section.
101 zehn stories, the first section provided the opening into the world of consciousness for me.
The content of this book is a treasure chest to which I have returned many times over.

Germany on Feb 02, 2021

Sage Guinn: When I was 11 I bought a used copy of this book on Amazon for a penny plus shipping. It came and was an old mystical looking book. I know now it's because It was an original copy lol. It was my first book on Buddhism and because of its appearance it entranced me and just holding it made me feel deeper. Many more books came after that but this one I read and reread for over 20 years and ever few years I would realize I understood more and more of it. A few years ago I let a budding student of the way borrow it and didn't realize until much later that I was saying goodbye for good. This book guided me as well as any living teacher and I am beyond greatful. If you are beginning than remember that this book just like life contains all the answers to your questions and it is up to you to grow into them. Be patient, be kind, and remember that if you are thinking of buying it, you've already set foot on your path. It's never strait, it's rarely easy, but when looking back........... well you'll see. Amituofo.

United States on Aug 28, 2020

Dennis Littrell: This may be the most beloved of all Zen books in English. It is a little volume to treasure, to reread and to ponder, to take delight in and to laugh at and laugh with. It is a compilation of four smaller books:

First there are 101 Zen stories. These are the best and most classic of the stories, many of them so familiar that they are now part of American culture as well as Zen culture. The stories constitute lessons in life, insights into our nature and ways to enlightenment or how one has wandered off the path--or better yet, how there is no path and no wandering. Unlike many Zen tales, which can be deeply mystifying to non-initiates, most of the ones presented here are luminous.

Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki, who are the transcribers, begin with the famous tale of Zen master Nan-in overflowing a visiting professor's tea cup to illustrate how filled the professor is with himself, so filled he cannot learn anything new. Included are two of my favorites, (1) that of Tanzan and Ekido, the former a monk who carried a pretty girl across a muddy road and his monastic friend who could not let go of her in his mind; and (2) the parable attributed to the Buddha about a man...

United States on Jan 13, 2002