The Zen Canon: Understanding the Classic Texts

by Dale S. Wright

Book Overview

Bodhidharma, its first patriarch, reputedly said that Zen Buddhism represents "a special transmission outside the teaching/Without reliance on words and letters." This saying, along with the often perplexing use of language (and silence) by Zen masters, gave rise to the notion that Zen is a "lived religion," based strictly on non-linguistic practice and lacking a substantial canon of sacred texts. Even those who recognize the importance of Zen texts...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195150686
• ISBN13: 9780195150681
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 315 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"