The Koan: Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism

By Steven Heine

Book Overview

Koans are enigmatic spiritual formulas used for religious training in the Zen Buddhist tradition. Arguing that our understanding of the koan tradition has been extremely limited, contributors to this collection examine previously unrecognized factors in the formation of this tradition, and highlight the rich complexity and diversity of koan practice and literature.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195117492
• ISBN13: 9780195117493
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent resource

I can't disagree with most of these reviewers. This is an excellent resource for understanding the koan tradition. Many of the essays are penetrating and leave the reader with an ever deeper and wider understanding of the koan tradition. I do in fact think this volume surpasses Zen Dust. The lengthy review by Ikeda pretty much tells you all you need to know about the contents. But let me just say that this is as true a "drink of water" as any other on the topic. Like any scholarly work on religion, its inspiration comes in its analysis. Yes, koans can be analyzed, studied, and researched, and they should be.