Synopses & Reviews
Entangling Vines, a translation of the
Shumon kattoshu, is one of the few major koan texts to have been compiled in Japan rather than China. Indeed, Kajitani Sonin (1914 - 95), former chief abbot of Shokoku-ji and author of an annotated, modern-Japanese translation of the
Kattoshu, commented that "herein are compiled the basic Dharma materials of the koan system." Most of the central koans of the contemporary Rinzai koan curriculum are contained in this work.
A distinctive feature of Entangling Vines is that, unlike The Gateless Gate and Blue Cliff Record, it presents the koans "bare," with no introductions, commentaries, or verses. Its straightforward structure lends the koans added force and immediacy, emphasizing the Great Matter, the essential point to be interrogated, and providing ample material for the rigors of examining and refining Zen experience.
Containing 272 cases and extensive note material, the collection is indispensable for serious koan training and will also be of interest for anyone drawn to Zen literature. The present translation had its origins in the discussions between three forward-looking modern Japanese Zen masters and Thomas Kirchner, an experienced Zen monk from America. And Kirchner's careful annotation of each koan makes this a brilliant introduction to Buddhist philosophy.
Review
A masterpiece . . . It will be our inspiration for 10,000 years, not just as itself but as a model for translations of other classics.” Robert Aitken, author of Taking the Path of Zen and The Gateless Barrier
Entangling Vines is a wonderful book, a book to take if you are planning to be shipwrecked on a desert island; it is the book I open every day, and teach from every day. It's surprising, lucid, scholarly, alive, unassuming and it goes deep. Stories, questions and conversations, catalysts for the transformation at the core of Zen.” John Tarrant, author of Bring Me the Rhinocerous and Other Koans That Will Save Your Life
An excellent translation of an important collection.” Taigen Dan Leighton, in Japanese Journal of Religious Studies
Review
An invaluable Japanese Zen record of pithy koans that summon us into a dynamic immediacy with life itself. Rigorous intellectual speculation and ones usual schemes will not suffice: only daring and the resiliency of ones Zen sinews might set one free!”Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao, Zen Center of Los Angeles
Entangling Vines is useful in providing supplementary koans in the early and middle stages of the koan path, yet it is truly a peerless way of extending koan study beyond its formal conclusion. Working with the koans of Entangling Vines is a challenging and joyous enterprise at all stages of the Way. Of special note are the koans from Japanese sources, hitherto hard to find among our overwhelmingly Chinese koan inheritance.”Ross Bolleter, author of Dongshan's Five Ranks
A masterpiece . . . It will be our inspiration for 10,000 years, not just as itself but as a model for translations of other classics.” Robert Aitken, author of Taking the Path of Zen and The Gateless Barrier
Entangling Vines is a wonderful book, a book to take if you are planning to be shipwrecked on a desert island; it is the book I open every day, and teach from every day. It's surprising, lucid, scholarly, alive, unassuming and it goes deep. Stories, questions and conversations, catalysts for the transformation at the core of Zen.” John Tarrant, author of Bring Me the Rhinocerous and Other Koans That Will Save Your Life
An excellent translation of an important collection.” Taigen Dan Leighton, in Japanese Journal of Religious Studies
Review
A masterpiece. It will be our inspiration for 10,000 years.”
Robert Aitken, author of Taking the Path of Zen and The Gateless Barrier
A wonderful book, a book to take if you are planning to be shipwrecked on a desert island; it is the book I open every day, and teach from every day. It is surprising, lucid, scholarly, alive, unassuming, and it goes deep.”
John Tarrant, author of Bring Me the Rhinoceros and Other Koans That Will Save Your Life
This book summon us into a dynamic immediacy with life itself.”
Wendy Egyoku Nakao, Abbot of the Zen Center of Los Angeles
An excellent translation of an important collection.”
Japanese Journal of Religious Studies
Anyone who plays in the fields of koan introspection will welcome this book.”
Melissa Myozen Blacker, coeditor of The Book of Mu
Working with these koans is a challenging and joyous enterprise.”
Ross Bolleter, author of Dongshan's Five Ranks
Review
"A masterpiece. It will be our inspiration for 10,000 years."
Review
"A wonderful book, a book to take if you are planning to be shipwrecked on a desert island; it is the book I open every day, and teach from every day. It is surprising, lucid, scholarly, alive, unassuming, and it goes deep."
Review
"This book summon us into a dynamic immediacy with life itself."
Review
"An excellent translation of an important collection."
Review
"Anyone who plays in the fields of koan introspection will welcome this book."
Review
"Working with these koans is a challenging and joyous enterprise."
Synopsis
Never before widely available in English, Entangling Vines is one of the four major koan texts used in Rinzai Zen training. Kirchners annotation make this a brilliant introduction to Buddhist philosophy as well. Containing 272 cases and extensive note material, the collection is indispensable for serious koan training and will also be of interest for anyone drawn to Zen literature.
Synopsis
The most contemporary of the ancient koan collectionsrepresenting centuries of refinement by Zen masters working with their students, Entangling Vines, a translation of the Shumon kattoshu, is one of the few major koan texts to have been compiled in Japan rather than China. Indeed, Kajitani Sonin (19141995) former chief abbot of Shokoku-ji and author of an annotated, modern-Japanese translation of the Kattoshu, commented that herein are compiled the basic Dharma materials of the koan system.” Most of the central koans of the contemporary Rinzai koan curriculum are contained in this work. Kirchners careful annotation of each koan makes this a brilliant introduction to Buddhist philosophy.
About the Author
Thomas Yuho Kirchner, a native of Connecticut who has resided in Japan since 1969, is an ordained Rinzai Zen monk and a graduate of Otani University in Kyoto with an M.A. in Buddhist Studies. After practicing for ten years in Japanese monasteries he worked on the editorial staff at the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture in Nagoya. He presently serves as priest at the temple Rinsen-ji in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto, and is a researcher at the International Research Institute for Zen Buddhism at Hanazono University.
Nelson Foster is a Dharma heir of Diamond Sangha founder Robert Aitken and succeeded him at its Honolulu temple. He now teaches mainly at Ring of Bone Zendo in the California foothills, making periodic visits to the East Rock Sangha in New England.
Ueda Shizuteru, Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University, specializes in the philosophy of religion. His areas of interest include Christian mysticism, Buddhist thought, and Kyoto School philosophy. He is a longtime practitioner of Zen meditation.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Translators Preface
Preface to the Wisdom Edition
Conventions and Abbreviations
Entangling Vines, Part 1
Enrangling Vines , Part II
Reference Materials
Biographical Notes
Chart of Names in Pinyin
Chart of Names in Wade-Giles
Chart of Names in Japanese
Bibliography
Index