The Poetry of Zen

by J.P. Seaton

Book Overview

A wonderfully diverse collection of Zen poetry from China and Japan--including works by Lao Tzu and Han Shan--presented by two of America's premier poet-translators

A Zen poem is nothing other than an expression of the enlightened mind, a handful of simple words that disappear beneath the moment of insight to which it bears witness. Poetry has been an essential aid to Zen Buddhist practice from the dawn of Zen--and Zen has also had...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159030425X
• ISBN13: 9781590304259
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.8" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A beautiful and thought provoking book on the poetry of Zen.

I have had an interest in Zen and Asian poetry for more than forty years. This fantastic book begins with an introduction to how the philosophy of Zen can directly relate to a beautiful poem. This book has two sections. The first section covers Chinese poems taken from numerous sources. The second section covers poems from the Japanese poetry masters. In general, the Chinese poems are a little longer in length; nevertheless, all the poems in this collection are a joy to read. If you like Asian poetry, you will love this book. It is filled with beautiful and thoughtful poems that may provide you with Zen enlightement. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Season of the Warrior: a poetic tribute to warriors, Martial Art Myths, Combatives Vol. 1, 2, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, Never Trust a Politician)

A Superb Blend of Zen Poems - Chinese and Japanese

Hamill and Seaton produced a superb blend of Chinese and Japanese Zen poems in their text, The Poetry of Zen, is a lovely pocket-sized book that is suitable for pre-meditation reading, thoughtful consideration by a couple at a coffee shop, or an interesting peak into Zen by students and world literature readers. I enjoyed it in an afternoon sipping coffee and pondering the settings in which these authors wrote. These are amazing thoughts and words by what society would have often considered simple men and women. I especially enjoyed the information about the original authors of the poems. Hamill and Seaton included paragraphs about each author and the period and location of their writing whenever known. I found this work insightful and delightful, and I appreciate the authors' careful work in translating these poems into English.

Inspiring for Zen Buddhists and/or Poets

A wonderful book containing succinct translations of Japanese and Chinese poems relating to zen. The book never fails to inspire me to practise zazen or to write a poem. What I love most is the sense of humour so many of the poems have, reminding us how joy and laughter remain crucial to life and the most serious-minded meditation student. Recommended.

Skillfully translated and edited

Skillfully translated and edited by award-winning poet Sam Hamill and Professor of Chinese J.P. Seaton, The Poetry of Zen is an anthology of the poetic Buddhist expressions of enlightened minds. Collecting works by a wide variety of great authors, including Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen Kigen, Saigyo, and many more, The Poetry of Zen offers a cross-section of historical classics that all have in common a resonating theme conducive to meditation, reflection, and self-transformation. Highly recommended. "Everything must end. / Thus the day tries to begin / with the morning bell. / But the long night remains, / empty moon still in the sky."

Excellent

This is a wonderfully diverse collection of poetry. I've since purchased books by many of the featured poets, finding each a worthy read. The one aspect I didn't find all that interesting was the last few pages of haiku.