Chao-chou chʻan shih yü lu

By Chao-chou Shih

Book Description

Step into the profound wisdom of one of ancient China's most revered spiritual teachers through this complete collection of Joshu Jushin's teachings. Living from 778 to 897, this extraordinary Chan master possessed a rare gift for distilling the deepest truths of enlightened consciousness into memorable, penetrating expressions that continue to guide seekers centuries later.

This comprehensive volume presents the first complete English translation of Joshu's recorded words, offering readers direct access to the source of many beloved koans that have shaped Zen practice for generations. Within these pages, you'll discover the master's dialogues, sayings, and poetry, each piece crafted with the precision and clarity that made his teaching so enduringly powerful.

Beyond his verbal teachings, this collection includes accounts of Joshu's spiritual journeys and biographical details that illuminate how his own life exemplified the Zen path. His ability to capture the essence of awakened awareness in brief, striking phrases reveals a teacher who understood both the complexity of spiritual realization and the simplicity required to transmit it.

For those drawn to contemplative practice or seeking authentic wisdom from the Chan tradition, this translation provides an invaluable window into the mind of a master whose insights remain as fresh and transformative today as they were over a millennium ago.