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Zen Speaks: Shouts of Nothingness
An illustrated adaptation of thirteenth-century Zen Buddhist writings brings together more than one hundred Zen tales that illuminate the spirit and philosophy of Zen. Original. Tour.
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1990
16 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Tsai Chih Chung
122 books56 followersTsai Chih Chung (蔡志忠) is a world-renowned cartoonist and popularizer of Chinese classics whose books have sold more than 40 millions copies worldwide. He first came to prominence through his award-winning animated movies and his immensely popular daily comic strips. When he turned his hand to the classics after a prolonged period of self-education, they were acclaimed by critics and shot to the top of the bestsellers lists.
Starting from the 1980s, Tsai created a series of Chinese comic books on ancient Chinese classics, like huangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature, Zen Speaks: Shouts of Nothingness, Confucius Speaks: Words to Live by, Sunzi Speaks: The Art of War, and The Tao Speaks: Lao Tzu's Whispers of Wisdom. Confucius, Lao Tzu, Zhuangzi, and Sunzi are widely credited as sages whose thoughts have played an important role in China's development. Tsai put his unique understanding and feelings of ancient thoughts into his cartoons, and added a modern interpretation of them, making boring ancient philosophies quite amusing as well as understandable. His works won a large number of adult readers for comic books, a market predominantly children-targeted. This series of comic books has hoarded great applause from readers both in Taiwan and Chinese mainland, with 4 million copies sold in Taiwan.
Differing from most Chinese parents, Tsai has a unique way of bringing up his daughter, stressing independence and self-reliance. His daughter even traveled to Japan by herself at the age of 12.With the influence of her father, his daughter has also become fond of cartoons. Her creativity and originality is comparable to that of her father, and many of her cartoons have been published as well. Tsai once made a comparison between human beings and wolves, stating that a parent wolf never teaches its children the necessary skills of survival, leaving the child with the challenge of acquired these skills on their own.
Starting from the 1980s, Tsai created a series of Chinese comic books on ancient Chinese classics, like huangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature, Zen Speaks: Shouts of Nothingness, Confucius Speaks: Words to Live by, Sunzi Speaks: The Art of War, and The Tao Speaks: Lao Tzu's Whispers of Wisdom. Confucius, Lao Tzu, Zhuangzi, and Sunzi are widely credited as sages whose thoughts have played an important role in China's development. Tsai put his unique understanding and feelings of ancient thoughts into his cartoons, and added a modern interpretation of them, making boring ancient philosophies quite amusing as well as understandable. His works won a large number of adult readers for comic books, a market predominantly children-targeted. This series of comic books has hoarded great applause from readers both in Taiwan and Chinese mainland, with 4 million copies sold in Taiwan.
Differing from most Chinese parents, Tsai has a unique way of bringing up his daughter, stressing independence and self-reliance. His daughter even traveled to Japan by herself at the age of 12.With the influence of her father, his daughter has also become fond of cartoons. Her creativity and originality is comparable to that of her father, and many of her cartoons have been published as well. Tsai once made a comparison between human beings and wolves, stating that a parent wolf never teaches its children the necessary skills of survival, leaving the child with the challenge of acquired these skills on their own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 11, 2018
A filosofia/religião zen-budista é algo muito bonito. Diferente das religiões ocidentais que estão tempo todo julgando o que é bom e o que é ruim, quem é bom e quem é mau, o zen-budismo é uma crença de aceitação, de tolerância e de compreensão do mundo. Enquanto as religiões ocidentais pensam que para se realizar tem de seguir uma moral, precisa se pagar dízimos e cotas religiosas em valores materiais, o zen-budismo acredita que o que não pagarmos nessa existência, pagaremos na próxima, afinal, nós também constituímos a natureza e, de uma forma ou de outra, continuaremos assim até o fim dos tempos. Enquanto as religiões católico-judaicas-cristãs acreditam que a culpa move as pessoas e que todos temos que sofrer pelos pecados, o zen-budismo oferece caminhos de iluminação. Não são dogmas, não são mandamentos, mas uma forma de compreender nossos atos e que motivos nos leva a tomá-los, tentando, assim, romper com o egoísmo. Dito isso, os ensinamentos desse Zen em Quadrinhos são muito valiosos. Contudo, a forma como eles são apresentados, em várias histórias curtas, geralmente de uma página, acaba prejudicando o ritmo da leitura. Também a reação dos personagens quando se percebem iluminados é sempre a mesma, o que contesta um pouco a diversidade de apresentações, seja do homem, da natureza e do próprio budismo, que prega o zen. Porém, é um bom caminho de entrada para se entender a doutrina. Uma pena que esteja fora de catálogo há muito tempo.
January 21, 2020
Nếu sau này mình có con và nó hỏi thiền là gì thì mình sẽ quăng cho nó cuốn truyện tranh này. Siêu hay và dễ hiểu nhưng cũng thật thâm sâu.
December 31, 2019
Zen Speaks is not a complicated book. It’s not a heavy book. It’s a comic book. It’s a collection of tales, most of which you can read in 30 seconds. Maybe a minute if you take the time to savour the wonderful cartoon drawings, rather than rushing through, only looking at the words trapped inside of the speech bubbles.
And yet Zen Speaks is about the biggest questions - the heaviest topics. It’s a book that laughs at the odds and stares life in the face. A story in this book might fill a single page, and less than a minute of your time to read… but it will stay with you forever.
Zen Speaks is a collection of koans. Putting them into comic form is a spark of genius - zen is the art of simplicity, absurdity - of not wasting space or time. Putting these koans into comic form is the natural progressive step for these tales. It’s like reading the sky or seeing drawings from inside your head. It’s often discovering something you already knew, deep down, but had never expressed.
Everyone will have a favourite koan, because that is the nature of the beast. Some of these stories will resonate with you… and the ones that don’t should be revisited later in life, because they might make sense then.
This is such an important little book. You might enjoy the gorgeous art. You might read a story that affects you. You might spot something that you recognise in yourself. And it might even change your life.
And yet Zen Speaks is about the biggest questions - the heaviest topics. It’s a book that laughs at the odds and stares life in the face. A story in this book might fill a single page, and less than a minute of your time to read… but it will stay with you forever.
Zen Speaks is a collection of koans. Putting them into comic form is a spark of genius - zen is the art of simplicity, absurdity - of not wasting space or time. Putting these koans into comic form is the natural progressive step for these tales. It’s like reading the sky or seeing drawings from inside your head. It’s often discovering something you already knew, deep down, but had never expressed.
Everyone will have a favourite koan, because that is the nature of the beast. Some of these stories will resonate with you… and the ones that don’t should be revisited later in life, because they might make sense then.
This is such an important little book. You might enjoy the gorgeous art. You might read a story that affects you. You might spot something that you recognise in yourself. And it might even change your life.
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June 24, 2024Loved this comic book lended to me by a wise and wonderful being! It was so fun to digest Zen Buddhist teachings with extremely cute illustrations. Also, loving goodreads guys, having a hoot here.
August 4, 2016
Thanks to William
November 6, 2014
One of the few books which I read annually.
October 26, 2017
This collection of comic strips is a wonderful distillation of Zen. Since Zen is more of a style of living than an actual religion, it converts well to bite-sized snippets. The tradition of Zen koans also lends itself to this presentation.
I originally read this book in the early 2000s, during my college days when everyone is discovering and testing new ways of thinking and living. I've dabbled with Zen ever since. After reading and absorbing Stephen Mitchell's beautiful Tao Te Ching: A New English Version, these comic strips are even more meaningful.
I doubt you'll reach enlightenment simply reading this book, but if you study the lessons (and ignore the finger pointing at the moon) then you will certainly gain clarity.
I originally read this book in the early 2000s, during my college days when everyone is discovering and testing new ways of thinking and living. I've dabbled with Zen ever since. After reading and absorbing Stephen Mitchell's beautiful Tao Te Ching: A New English Version, these comic strips are even more meaningful.
I doubt you'll reach enlightenment simply reading this book, but if you study the lessons (and ignore the finger pointing at the moon) then you will certainly gain clarity.
January 21, 2018
There's nothing harder to accept for the mind-made self than living in the present moment in a space devoided of past and future.
These funny stories, beautifully illustrated, are food for the "mind" but not that kind of mind which refuses the Now. The other one: the mind that is your friend and capable of being still and silent when you ask for that.
Bring it always with you and enjoy some relaxing moments of true wisdom.
I think it would be a nice experiment to share some easy stories with your children and see what they can perceive and understand.
Wishing all sentient Beings to be conscious.
These funny stories, beautifully illustrated, are food for the "mind" but not that kind of mind which refuses the Now. The other one: the mind that is your friend and capable of being still and silent when you ask for that.
Bring it always with you and enjoy some relaxing moments of true wisdom.
I think it would be a nice experiment to share some easy stories with your children and see what they can perceive and understand.
Wishing all sentient Beings to be conscious.
August 18, 2018
I like Tasi Chih Chung's comic illustrations. Catchy and cute.
These illustrations are basically a collection of Zen Koans; each of them is enjoyable by itself but easily forgettable after a short time if one doesn't dwell long enough on it. They are basically riddles or paradoxes that specifically made to make to stop logical thinking and only understood by some new awareness.
Personally, I feel that Zen is some love child of Buddhism and Daoism. It creates a refreshing view which can help in our personal struggles but a construct based solely on awareness may be too much to ask with regards to our other struggles...
These illustrations are basically a collection of Zen Koans; each of them is enjoyable by itself but easily forgettable after a short time if one doesn't dwell long enough on it. They are basically riddles or paradoxes that specifically made to make to stop logical thinking and only understood by some new awareness.
Personally, I feel that Zen is some love child of Buddhism and Daoism. It creates a refreshing view which can help in our personal struggles but a construct based solely on awareness may be too much to ask with regards to our other struggles...
March 31, 2024
Trevlig grej att presentera filosofi/livsåskådning i (mer eller mindre) snärtiga serier, men jag vet inte. Kanske är det filosofiska stoffet värt tre stjärnor, kanske känns det inte så zen att bedöma möjliga stora sanningar med kalla stjärnbetyg; jag är inte riktigt zen-uppvaknad. Själva seriealbumprodukten är i varje fall lite lidande av att teckningarna är ganska stela/taffliga, och den svenska utgåvan är behäftad med en väldigt ful, klumpig datortextning, och den svenska texten/översättningen tycks nog ganska kantig.
January 26, 2024
We all exist for the benefits of the frogs <3
I enjoyed this. I don’t feel like I gained anything in terms of new practices I will bring to my life but I think that is in part because I already follow a lot of the practices. I think it is important to be mindful of your mind’s impact on yourself and others and of what actions you take in your daily life.
I did not particularly enjoy how it ended but overall it was a good read
I enjoyed this. I don’t feel like I gained anything in terms of new practices I will bring to my life but I think that is in part because I already follow a lot of the practices. I think it is important to be mindful of your mind’s impact on yourself and others and of what actions you take in your daily life.
I did not particularly enjoy how it ended but overall it was a good read
March 25, 2020
Cute way to learn a little about Chinese philosophy and literature. Each page carries a heavy lesson, and it feels like the comic strips summarised and simplified it so much that we may need to take some time to digest the teachings in between pages. One may feel a little wiser and calmer after reading.
May 27, 2020
A favorite. Poetic illustration of Zen Buddhist concepts with whimsy, creativity, and humor. Smacks you in the face (kindly) with direct communication of Buddhist messages. I like how the characters shoot up in the air all surprised when they realize the truths.
August 3, 2017
Read our conversation about the book at https://bookthreat.com/2017/08/02/1791/
November 23, 2018
easy and funny read of inspiring zen stories
July 21, 2020
There were two mini comics I didn't really love but the rest were amazing. I love these ideas and little wisdoms. It was very easy to read through quickly but also inspiring and even funny at times.
January 16, 2021
I enjoyed it a lot. It explains very clearly the main zen koans, some which are hilarious
December 11, 2025
I love this book! Some of the lessons still go way over my head, but overall it makes some really complex ideas much more approachable. Thought provoking and enjoyable.
November 22, 2015
Zen Em Quadrinhos - Tsai Chih Chung
Título original: Zen Speaks
Título: Zen Em Quadrinhos
Adaptação e ilustrações: Tsai Chih Chung
Tradução: Clara Fernandes
Editora: Ediouro
Ano: 1996
Comprar: Infelizmente só nos sebos.
Resenha:
Acreditando ou não na filosofia zen budista, este livro é um achado. Pois é uma adaptação de vários clássico zen budista. Os desenhos do cartunista Tsai Chih Chung são de fácil compreensão.
A mensagem é bastante clara e divertida. Ao todo, há mais de cem histórias zen, que mostram o espírito e a filosofia zen, seus insights e sua maravilhosa crença na beleza espiritual e paz!...
Quer ler a resenha completa e muito mais, visite o blog Momentos da Fogui:
http://foguiii.blogspot.com.br/2015/1...
Título original: Zen Speaks
Título: Zen Em Quadrinhos
Adaptação e ilustrações: Tsai Chih Chung
Tradução: Clara Fernandes
Editora: Ediouro
Ano: 1996
Comprar: Infelizmente só nos sebos.
Resenha:
Acreditando ou não na filosofia zen budista, este livro é um achado. Pois é uma adaptação de vários clássico zen budista. Os desenhos do cartunista Tsai Chih Chung são de fácil compreensão.
A mensagem é bastante clara e divertida. Ao todo, há mais de cem histórias zen, que mostram o espírito e a filosofia zen, seus insights e sua maravilhosa crença na beleza espiritual e paz!...
Quer ler a resenha completa e muito mais, visite o blog Momentos da Fogui:
http://foguiii.blogspot.com.br/2015/1...
September 15, 2013
Zen Speaks is another book that can easily be read when a person has a few minutes to spare. The book shares some powerful Zen proverbs/lessons in the form of a illustrated stories. Each story is introduced by a recurring character, the fellow depicted on the cover, and then the story itself uses actual Chinese historical figures to convey a message. The message is then summarized in a blurb so that anyone not understanding the message in story form can still grasp the underlying ideas.
As with many profound truths, the ones presented in this book are deceptively simple and can be easily read, but perhaps not so easily understood. It is said that a great Zen master once asked his student if he understood Zen and the student responded that he did not. The master then responded. "Neither do I." Enjoy.
As with many profound truths, the ones presented in this book are deceptively simple and can be easily read, but perhaps not so easily understood. It is said that a great Zen master once asked his student if he understood Zen and the student responded that he did not. The master then responded. "Neither do I." Enjoy.
September 13, 2007
A great primer to Buddhism, and a genuinely enlightening book. The parables used here are well chosen and beautifully illustrated. One in particular always stuck out in my mind: A monk's meditation is consistenly disturbed by a great spider that descends as he tries to focus. When he tells his master, the master tells him "keep a paintbrush beside you, and when it descends, paint a circle on its stomach." He does so, and when his meditations end, he discovers the circle on his own stomach.
September 8, 2007
Stock full of amazingly clear anecdotes on the the nature of Zen and the Tao. This comic-nonfiction hybrid vividly illustrates stories from famous Zen Buddhist texts, then clarifies the point for the reader's contemplation. I could re-read this book ten times and find something new for myself each time.
September 30, 2008
I used to love this book...and I do still like it...it is just on this (probably 6th or 7th re-reading, I feel like it is very male-centric (the nuns who do appear are just apparatuses to illustrate points, nothing more) and some of the oh-so-beautiful/deep questions are really little language traps...maybe I am just more cynical. I would still recommend this book.
September 15, 2011
Menudo propósito el del libro: en plan historieta, explicar de que va el Zen.
Ya en la introducción nos alerta que ripios, estrategias, certezas podremos ver a futuro.
El libro transpira Zen en pocos cuadritos.
Y sale airoso.
De fácil lectura.
Pero tiene efecto colaterales.
Because, suddenly all becomes... zen!
Ya en la introducción nos alerta que ripios, estrategias, certezas podremos ver a futuro.
El libro transpira Zen en pocos cuadritos.
Y sale airoso.
De fácil lectura.
Pero tiene efecto colaterales.
Because, suddenly all becomes... zen!
April 23, 2007
Brilliant!! Famous, funny, charming, insightful, profound, short, challenging Zen stories that have been illustrated and translated so that anyone and everyone can enjoy them. This is an amazing book.
January 29, 2008
This is a comic book. But if you read this (comic book), you will sound so incredibly well-informed about Buddhism that your Prius-driving friends will only be able to gnash their under-used canine teeth in envy.
April 14, 2008
A fun book! It takes topics that would be (in my opinion) boring to most people and incorporates a cute style of drawing (reminded me of funnies you see in the paper) to convey what really are important life lessons.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with an open mind.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with an open mind.
May 22, 2010
Anybody who is on THE PATH should read this book..and find out the divine path is for people with a totally non-serious mind...I am interested to discuss this book endlessly and anybody who is interested can contact me and video-chat.
April 1, 2013
Since Joe turned me on to it when it first came out, this has sat on my "sacred text" shelf. Tao/Zen comic strips that make it very accessible to nearly anyone who can read. Can't wait to give it to my kid.
October 27, 2014
It has popular zen stories displayed in a clever comic book form that will bring you ever closer to your own being, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying but always endearing. Frankly the very best book you can ever read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews