Zen Battles: Modern Commentary on the Teachings of Master Linji

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Powerful, direct, and uncompromising reflections on the teachings of a Zen master and the enlightenment inherent within us all
 
One of the key tenets of the Zen school of Mahayana Buddhism is that each one of us is already a Buddha—our enlightenment is inherent within us, and the practice of mindfulness is the tool to bring this truth to our full awareness. While it can bring much relief, this simple statement does not preclude the need for practice. We must strive to always be aware of our Buddha nature, rather than waiting until times of emotional upheaval when it is more difficult to practice.

Thich Nhat Hanh uses the teachings of ninth century Zen Master Linji to elaborate on this simple truth and to give readers tools that can help awaken them to their true inner nature. Linji's recorded teachings are the most significant we have from the Ch'an school.

One of the unique aspects of Linji's teaching, is the need to “wake ourselves up,” not only by means of sitting meditation and listening to enlightened teachings, but also through unique techniques such as the shout, the stick, and the empty fist. Master Linji emphasized direct experience of our true nature over intellectual explorations of the teachings, and he encouraged his students to not “become lost in the knowledge or the concepts of the teaching.”

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Zen, Meditation

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2013

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Sokcheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s one heck of a shout that woke me up from manh wrong perceptions and practises. I especially relate to the theme of confidence and wrong views of the self. This has got to be one of the most impactful books i have read in a while which makes me even more grateful to Thay for this wonderful teaching.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linji, whose teachings are recorded in this book, is one of the most formative figures in making Zen (in Chinese, Chan) the form of practice we know today. His actions and words can be very opaque to the uninitiated, and I feel that Thich Nhat Hanh did an excellent job contextualizing them.