The Lion's Roar

Although Japanese Zen is well-known in the West, there is much less awareness of its roots in Chinese Ch'an Buddhism. Ch'an represents a unique and refreshingly sinitic reinterpretation of the Buddhism brought from India, incorporating elements of native Taoism. The wit and wisdom of Ch'an Buddhist masters are brought forth in this text through stories about their encounters with life. Beneath these deceptively simple narratives lie the profound truths of Buddhist philosophy, providing deep insights into the human condition. These are explained in direct and understandable terms by Master Hsing Yun, 48th Patriarch in the Lin-Chi (Japanese Rinzai) line of Ch'an.