Zen Master Tales: Stories from the Lives of Taigu, Sengai, Hakuin, and Ryokan

This book shares a collection of Buddhist stories and folk tales that have teaching elements, from the works of four notable Japanese Zen masters and writers. The respective artists featured are Taigu Sôchiku (1584–1669), Sengai Gibon (1750-1831), Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769), and Taigu Ryôkan (1758-1831). These stories weren’t readily accessible in English prior to this publication, sharing Buddhism and a great chunk of Japan’s religious and political and social history. The stories in here explore many elements of Zen, through its narratives featuring practitioners interacting with everyday people from all walks of life of the era. Peter Haskel, the translator, will explain how these stories developed from the Chinese koans, sharing how these stories were written, or transmitted rather, in ways that were meant to be accessible to the layperson of the time.

(This new remainder book doesn't contain a sharpie mark but shows signs of shelfwear.)