Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.67 (532 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1590308093 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 192 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-08-11 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Well oriented inspiration Master Hakuin sets clear guidelines into what he considers true practice. His life itself as a seeker of the true self is a clear example on what to do, he had many masters and practiced a lot and that is a fact. As a practioner myself I felt inspired. It puzzles me though his insistance in speaking against Soto Zen priests. Regarding N. Waddell, his notes and comments are the first ones I ever read from a translator, that says it all.. "Count satoris and grains of rice" according to A Customer. if you must, Hakuin, but you just couldn't sink your teeth into Bankei. Note: don't vote for me, I'm not running.. Feeling Uninspired Amazon Customer Let me start by saying that I like Hakuin. He's delightfully grouchy at times which I can relate to, his zeal for Zen practice is undeniable, and he certainly isn't afraid to voice his opinions. I have two other books of his writings - "The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin" and "Zen Words for the Heart", both translated by Norman Waddell.Usually I wouldn't go anywhere near an autobiography but in the case of Wild Ivy I thought it might be inspiring to read about this towering figure in Zen history in his own words. As other reviewers have noted, the
A fiery and intensely dynamic Zen teacher and artist, Hakuin (1685–1768) is credited with almost single-handedly revitalizing Japanese Zen after three hundred years of decline. As a teacher, he placed special emphasis on koan practice, inventing many new koans himself, including the famous “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” This English translation of Hakuin’s intimate self-portrait includes reminiscences from his childhood, accounts of his Zen practice and enlightenment experiences, as well as practical advice for students.
After being scared out of his wits by a Nichiren priest lecturing on the fires of Hell, Hakuin left home at the tender age of 14. Such a relentless pursuit can be found in the pages of his autobiography Wild Ivy. Through his merciless practice, Hakuin also experienced a physical deterioration, or "Zen sickness," and relates the storybook account of his ascending a remote mountain to glean the secret method of introspective meditation from a cave-dwelling hermit. He set himself to practicing but vacillated, alternat