Ancient Masters' Essential Sayings Table of Contents (古尊宿語要目錄)

About 古尊宿語要目錄

Japan · by 道忠編

2,046 · about 7 min

Catalogue of the Essential Sayings of Ancient Masters Compiled by Dōchū, a Rinzai Zen monk of the Edo period in Japan. This work was completed during the Genroku era and represents a reorganization and cataloging of the Chinese Song dynasty text *Essential Sayings of Ancient Masters*. Its contents primarily assemble the recorded sayings, encounter dialogues, and teachings of dozens of Zen patriarchs from the Tang and Song periods, beginning with Nanyue Huairang. It serves as an important document for the study of Zen thought, particularly the style of the Linji school. This catalogue holds considerable authority within Japanese Buddhist circles, providing scholars with a clear framework for reference and making a significant contribution to the preservation and dissemination of Sino-Japanese Zen texts.