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The Undying Lamp of Zen: The Testament of Zen Master Torei
This is a complete explanation of Zen practice written by one of the most eminent masters of pre-modern Japan. The author, Torei Enji (1721–1792), was best known as one of two “genius assistants” to Hakuin Ekaku, who was himself a towering figure in Zen Buddhism who revitalized the Rinzai school. Torei was responsible for much of the advanced work of Hakuin’s later disciples and also helped systemize Hakuin’s teachings. The Undying Lamp of Zen includes a range of principles and practices, from the most elementary to the most advanced. It is an indispensable aid to the practice of Rinzai Zen, and provides an accessible entrée to the Zen experience in general. Torei is a compelling guide; his tone is energetic, no-nonsense, and full of personality.
Premier translator Thomas Cleary provides a thorough introduction and illuminating footnotes throughout, and his masterful translation allows Torei’s distinctive voice to shine through.
Premier translator Thomas Cleary provides a thorough introduction and illuminating footnotes throughout, and his masterful translation allows Torei’s distinctive voice to shine through.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 18, 2019
It took awhile to get through this text because it is a very compacted and condensed read. A good chunk of what purports to be "zen literature" tends to be unnecessarily obtuse or wearing a garment of esoteric styling. Much of that is, in reality, puff and fluff and devoid of anything of real value, sad to say. But every once in awhile there are texts like this one that contain obscure and condensed material that absolutely need to be unpacked and spread out and re-examined. So, this text, though not very lengthy, probably "unrolls" to be about thrice its size if you add in all of the references, backstories, and flesh out all of the examples and meanings.
Needless to say, the work presumes that its readers/hearers have a sufficiently strong knowledge of much of the material. Specifically, the history, personages, and anecdotes of Zen culture.
As I read this, I often felt there was a hidden skeleton of medieval western scholasticism in the structure of the text. There isn't, actually, but there is - if you consider it as a strong teaching method. Presenting an argument, presenting the contradictions to it, responding to it, providing textual or supporting evidence, etc. Its not so structured and rigorous as all that, but there are hints of it throughout the text.
Overall, this needs re-reading at least twice. Its a dense text with a lot of good material, but it is not the most accessible.
Needless to say, the work presumes that its readers/hearers have a sufficiently strong knowledge of much of the material. Specifically, the history, personages, and anecdotes of Zen culture.
As I read this, I often felt there was a hidden skeleton of medieval western scholasticism in the structure of the text. There isn't, actually, but there is - if you consider it as a strong teaching method. Presenting an argument, presenting the contradictions to it, responding to it, providing textual or supporting evidence, etc. Its not so structured and rigorous as all that, but there are hints of it throughout the text.
Overall, this needs re-reading at least twice. Its a dense text with a lot of good material, but it is not the most accessible.
March 18, 2025
Historically important, but far from an "accessible entrée to the Zen experience."
You might ask how I can give a 3-rating to this masterly guide to Rinzai Zen, written by Torei as he believed he was dying, hoping his advice would help maintain the Rinzai tradition, one that was stagnant before his own teacher, Hakuin Ekaku, gave it a new burst of vitality? Well, the rating is for the typical Zen student, who will get far more from reading contemporary Zen authors (Meido Moore or Albert Low, say) than from these 18th century writings of Zen Master Torei.
The following text is illustrative, taken from the first chapter on the history of Zen and its relationship to the earlier teachings of the Buddha:
"Because of doctrinal imbalance and inferiority of aspiration and practice, Buddha also expounded teachings with balancing reprobation to break through this limitation, comparing the two vehicles to mangy foxes. The intention was to get students of the canon to change their attitudes to universality and take to the Fundamental Vehicle. Thus, there is a Great Vehicle with distinguishing doctrine; when those in the two vehicles hear it, they lose their will, while bodhisattvas go ahead and find out its meaning."
The translator, Robert Cleary, adds plenty of footnotes, sometimes covering as much as half the page. For the above section he notes that ..."The two vehicles " refers to systems based on the four truths and twelve conditions, whose goal is nirvana or individual liberation. The negativity associated with this term is in reference to the relative narrowness of this goal in comparison to that of the bodhisattva...". Cleary also helpfully footnotes that the terms "four truths" and "twelve conditions" are treated comprehensively in his translation of the Flower Ornament Sutra. (Thus, the diligent reader ideally needs not just the footnotes, but a range of companion books.)
Much of the Undying Lamp of Zen will appeal, then, to those with a taste for religious studies, or those keen to parse the distinctions between different branches of Buddhism.
That said, there is much in the book that can be studied and treasured by those on the Rinzai path. You just need to know quite a bit about Rinzai practice before tackling Torei. The meat is in Chapters 2-5.
Chapter 1. The Source of Zen: Dense section with much use of specialized Buddhist terminology. Deals with the source of the Zen tradition.
Chapter 2. Faith and Practice: Some good practical advice on the practitioner's appropriate attitude to zazen. Strong emphasis on the importance of great faith, vowing to continue the practice until realization is achieved, and the importance of great compassion.
Chapter 3. Visionary States: The dangers of being misled by pleasant mental phenomena into believing that enlightenment has been achieved.
Chapter 4. True Realization: Concerning true enlightenment.
Chapter 5. Passing through Barriers: The need for students to refine their understanding of enlightenment and how it should be manifested in practice.
Chapter 6. Progressive Transcendence: An esoteric chapter, that I didn't fully understand.
Chapter 7. Working Application: Short chapter; didn't get much from this either.
Chapter 8. Learning from a Teacher: Self explanatory from title.
Chapter 9. Maturation: Advice for the years after enlightenment and subsequent refinement of practice.
Chapter 10. Circulation: A dense chapter, like the first. Seems to address questions about how Zen relates to other Buddhist schools. I didn't get much from this.
You might ask how I can give a 3-rating to this masterly guide to Rinzai Zen, written by Torei as he believed he was dying, hoping his advice would help maintain the Rinzai tradition, one that was stagnant before his own teacher, Hakuin Ekaku, gave it a new burst of vitality? Well, the rating is for the typical Zen student, who will get far more from reading contemporary Zen authors (Meido Moore or Albert Low, say) than from these 18th century writings of Zen Master Torei.
The following text is illustrative, taken from the first chapter on the history of Zen and its relationship to the earlier teachings of the Buddha:
"Because of doctrinal imbalance and inferiority of aspiration and practice, Buddha also expounded teachings with balancing reprobation to break through this limitation, comparing the two vehicles to mangy foxes. The intention was to get students of the canon to change their attitudes to universality and take to the Fundamental Vehicle. Thus, there is a Great Vehicle with distinguishing doctrine; when those in the two vehicles hear it, they lose their will, while bodhisattvas go ahead and find out its meaning."
The translator, Robert Cleary, adds plenty of footnotes, sometimes covering as much as half the page. For the above section he notes that ..."The two vehicles " refers to systems based on the four truths and twelve conditions, whose goal is nirvana or individual liberation. The negativity associated with this term is in reference to the relative narrowness of this goal in comparison to that of the bodhisattva...". Cleary also helpfully footnotes that the terms "four truths" and "twelve conditions" are treated comprehensively in his translation of the Flower Ornament Sutra. (Thus, the diligent reader ideally needs not just the footnotes, but a range of companion books.)
Much of the Undying Lamp of Zen will appeal, then, to those with a taste for religious studies, or those keen to parse the distinctions between different branches of Buddhism.
That said, there is much in the book that can be studied and treasured by those on the Rinzai path. You just need to know quite a bit about Rinzai practice before tackling Torei. The meat is in Chapters 2-5.
Chapter 1. The Source of Zen: Dense section with much use of specialized Buddhist terminology. Deals with the source of the Zen tradition.
Chapter 2. Faith and Practice: Some good practical advice on the practitioner's appropriate attitude to zazen. Strong emphasis on the importance of great faith, vowing to continue the practice until realization is achieved, and the importance of great compassion.
Chapter 3. Visionary States: The dangers of being misled by pleasant mental phenomena into believing that enlightenment has been achieved.
Chapter 4. True Realization: Concerning true enlightenment.
Chapter 5. Passing through Barriers: The need for students to refine their understanding of enlightenment and how it should be manifested in practice.
Chapter 6. Progressive Transcendence: An esoteric chapter, that I didn't fully understand.
Chapter 7. Working Application: Short chapter; didn't get much from this either.
Chapter 8. Learning from a Teacher: Self explanatory from title.
Chapter 9. Maturation: Advice for the years after enlightenment and subsequent refinement of practice.
Chapter 10. Circulation: A dense chapter, like the first. Seems to address questions about how Zen relates to other Buddhist schools. I didn't get much from this.
June 13, 2014
Other than a part in the first chapter where he exhaustively goes through the entire lineage from Buddha onwards, which gets tedious, this is a short but excellent explanation of many aspects of Zen practice, as well as a fervent plea to pass down the teaching. Wouldn't recommend as an intro to Zen, but great if you've practiced for a bit or read a few other selections first.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews