The Blue Cliff Record

Brilliant translation by our brilliant Sensei and Roshi, the late Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi. Taizan devoted his life to the Dharma. The Hekigan Roku (Blue Cliff Record) has been Buddhism's pride and premier study/textbook on ancient Koans for thousands of years, while being translated for the first time into English in the 20th Century. This is truly a brilliant rare stunning esoteric book to study. This is by far the largest single collection of Koan studies to ever be translated. Other than Taizan's great translations of Eihei Dogen's brilliant work, the Shobogenzo and other anthologies of Dogen's work, to Taizan's work as Abbot-Roshi at Zen Center of Los Angeles, and Zen Mt. Ctr, as well as the White Plum Sangha Monasteries and Centers around the USA; while strictly adhering to His daily Zendo teachings, and attendance of sitting and services, Taizan Maezumi was an epic legend. Last of the imported Japanese born Master's to be imported to America, to bring the Dharma to students, and teach them, it is our time to make Zazen American, or allow such to prosper with the American life and social customs.

Full of mind bending koans. Tough to read if you are looking for straight talk. But after I finished (trudged) the book I felt that the koans had done their job and altered my thinking about Zen.

One of the best texts ever written. This is a classic of the Zen Tradition, and I hope it goes into re-print, because there ought to be a lot of deserving readers. Although this text made me feel a twinge if inexplicable guilt, like the monks were criminals, it also gave me deep new insights on life, the universe, and everything, from that standpoint of Zen Masters throughout history. Don't mistake this book for something much trashier. This is a book that could make me cry. It is a book for masters in every discipline.If you want a book about the way of life, this book is not a bad bet, overall.

The 碧巖錄 (BCR) is synonymous with 禪 Chan (Jap. Zen). 圜悟克勤 (Yuanwu Keqin) comments are extraordinary, not to mention 雪竇重顯 (Xuedou Zhongxian) who's responsible for the collection. If you are interested in Chan (its Chinese in origin) you will find this volume (eventually) to be wonderful! Parenthetically, 大慧宗杲 (Dahui Zonggao) succeeded 圜悟克勤 (Yuanwu Keqin) and has an equally interesting collection of letters and lectures (Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui).Not an easy book to read, but certainly on to reflect on in one's contemplative (meditative?) efforts. With the recent emphasis on Shikantaza many may find this book 'too intellectual' and perhaps they would prefer ZONGMI ON CHAN, by Jeffrey Lyle Broughton.

The Two Plain...Two plain souls, the Crickets, lived in a meadow.One fine day speaking plainly Mr Cricket said to Mrs Cricket:Mr."Dont you know that everyone is a buddha?"Mrs."Shhh!!! yes, of course", whispered Mrs Cricket, "but, not so loud!"Mr."...but they dont all know they are."Mrs."yes, yes! why do you have to be so philosophical?!"Mr."Some will hear and disbelieve, some will be uncertain, and the rare one will be hit by a sledge hammer (enlightenment)! He will know!Mrs."yes, answered Mrs Cricket... always dreaming, my dear one! Careful not to drop that bucket now! You will soak the carpet (moss)."Mr."Theres 'nothing' to it! said Mr Cricket.Mrs."Oh yes there is" retorted the Mrs... Faith in oneself my dear old Buddha".[Story from the Plain Buddha School of Direct Transmission, AKA. School of the Fat One]With love from, Snow-flake. xxx

Got book Tue.1-20-21 Excellent, Thankyou. (was stated was to arrive 1-23/2-3-21

I already had a copy of the same translation I bought about 30 years or more ago. At that time this translation was published in three volumes, and I could find only volume three. I have been looking for the complete set since then and found it on Amazon! The koans of the Blue Cliff Record are quite hard and I preferred the easier and more popular 'Gateless Gate', but as I began to appreciate the Blue Cliff Record koans, I renewed my determination to get hold of the complete 100 koans in one volume.

I find that Thomas Cleary is a good translator but his zen commentary feels a little off in this book and too rambling. Recommend another book for zen insights.

A volume roughly 3 inches thick, and packed with exhaustive commentary. In true mystery fashion no koan is fully disclosed, but is expanded, cross referenced and theamatized through both pointers and commentary. I loved the vivid allusions to nature and change, which is wu xing without par.Koan offer a beautifully sublimed format for contemplation and through these koan one can fill the belly and empty the mind, so to speak.Next stop - the Gateless Gate then, Understanding reality.

out of the box thinking, a book to reach inside you and take you to deeper and deeper levels