Unfathomable Depths: Drawing Wisdom for Today from a Classical Zen Poem

by Sekkei Harada, Daigaku Rumme (Translator), Heiko Narrog (Introduction)

Navigate a forgotten classic poem and enrich your practice with famed Zen master Sekkei Harada.

Three of the most pressing issues in any discussion of modern Zen are the true nature and function of Dharma transmission, how to appropriately practice with koans, and how to understand the "just sitting" of Soto Zen. Zen master Sekkei Harada uses the enigmatic "Ten Verses of Unfathomable Depth" as the basis of his practical and theoretical discussion of these concerns. Unfathomable Depths presents a concise treatment of Soto theory and practice, while delivering approachable and workable advice from one of Zen's most esteemed teachers. Rooting himself in Tong'an Changcha's classical poem, Harada intimately speaks to the world of Zen today.

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2014

Reviews

[Linus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on classical, if not very well-known Zen poems, rife with practical instructions for how to practice and "cook our lives." Recommended to any serious Zen student, Soto, Rinzai and anything in between!

[Shun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sekkei Harada is one of the truly wise, emboldened men.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although these verses are beautiful, like all those of the original Zen for what concerns me, this systematic analysis of each one, setting it in the theory of the time, somehow, I think, perverts them. I always thought that the Zen verses should resonate something in all of us, but as this book explains exactly what they're mean, they have no more the same effect, at least for me.

Anche se questi versi sono bellissimi, come tutti quelli di origine Zen per quello che mi riguarda. Questa analisi sistematica di ognuno, inquadrandolo nella teoria dell'epoca, in qualche modo secondo me li snatura. Ho sempre pensato che i versi Zen dovrebbero far risuonare qualcosa in ognuno di noi, ma siccome questo libro ci spiega esattamente quello che stanno a significare, non hanno piú lo stesso effetto, almeno per me.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND WISDOM PUBLICATIONS FOR THE PREVIEW!