116,788 · about 389 min
The "Essence of Verses in Eight Selections" is a Buddhist text compiled by the Japanese Rinzai Zen monk Mannzan Dōhaku during the Edo period. Completed in the 17th century, a time of Buddhist revival in Japan, the work aims to organize and elucidate the core teachings of Chinese Zen classics. Its content is primarily drawn from the recorded sayings and koans of Chinese Zen masters such as Linji Yixuan, offering clear and profound explanations of Zen principles through commentary and poetic verses. In the Buddhist tradition, this book is regarded as an important introductory text for Japanese Zen, particularly influential in spreading the Rinzai school. By distilling the essence of Zen in an accessible manner, it aids practitioners in understanding the profound meanings of Zen and promotes cultural exchange between Chinese and Japanese Buddhism.