101 Zen Stories

2021 Reprint of the 1940 Edition. Reproduction of the printed book, not the typewritten version often found. Facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. 101 Zen Stories is a compilation of Zen koans, including 19th and early 20th century anecdotes, compiled by Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps. The text is one of the first translations of Zen Buddhist literature to appear in English.

Zen Buddhism is a mixture of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. It began in China, spread to Korea and Japan, and became very popular in the West from the mid- 20th century. The essence of Zen is attempting to understand the meaning of life directly, without being misled by logical thought or language. Zen techniques are compatible with other faiths and are often used, for example, by Christians seeking a mystical understanding of their faith. Zen often seems paradoxical - it requires an intense discipline which, when practiced properly, results in total spontaneity and ultimate freedom. This natural spontaneity should not be confused with impulsiveness.

Stories include: A cup of tea -- Finding a diamond on a muddy road -- Is that so? -- Obedience -- If you love, love openly -- No loving-kindness -- Announcement -- Great waves -- The moon cannot be stolen -- The last poem of Hoshin -- The story of Shunkai -- Happy Chinaman -- A Buddha -- Muddy road -- Shoun and his mother -- Not far from Buddhahood -- Stingy in teaching -- A parable -- The first principle -- A mother's advice -- The sound of one hand -- My heart burns like fire -- Eshun's departure -- Reciting sutras -- Three days more--Trading dialogue for longing -- The voice of happiness -- Open your own treasure house -- No water, no moon -- Calling card -- Everything is best -- Inch time foot gem -- Mokusen's hand -- A smile in his lifetime -- Every-minute Zen -- Flower shower -- Publishing the sutras -- Gisho's work -- Sleeping in the daytime -- In dreamland -- Joshu's Zen -- The dead man's answer -- Zen in a beggar's life -- The thief who became a disciple -- Right and wrong -- How grass and trees become enlightened -- The stingy artist -- Accurate proportion -- Black-nosed Buddha -- Ryonen's clear realization and more.