Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture, 24)

__Zen Sand__ is a classic collection of verses aimed at aiding practitioners of kôan meditation to negotiate the difficult relationship between insight and language. As such it represents a major contribution to both Western Zen practice and English-language Zen scholarship. In Japan the traditional Rinzai Zen kôan curriculum includes the use of __jakugo__, or “capping phrases.” Once a monk has successfully replied to a kôan, the Zen master orders the search for a classical verse to express the monk’s insight into the kôan. Special collections of these __jakugo__ were compiled as handbooks to aid in that search. Until now, Zen students in the West, lacking this important resource, have been severely limited in carrying out this practice. __Zen Sand__ combines and translates two standard __jakugo__ handbooks and opens the way for incorporating this important tradition fully into Western Zen practice. For the scholar, __Zen Sand__ provides a detailed description of the __jakugo__ practice and its place in the overall kôan curriculum, as well as a brief history of the Zen phrase book. This volume also contributes to the understanding of East Asian culture in a broader sense. Zen Sand Is A Classic Collection Of Verses Aimed At Aiding Practitioners Of Koan Meditation In Negotiating The Difficult Relationship Between Insight And Language. As Such It Represents A Major Contribution To Both Western Zen Practice And English-language Zen Scholarship. In Japan The Traditional Rinzai Zen Koan Curriculum Includes The Use Of Jakugo, Or Capping Phrases. Once A Monk Has Successfully Replied To A Koan, The Zen Master Orders The Search For A Classical Verse To Express The Monk's Insight Into The Koan. Special Collections Of These Jakugo Were Compiled As Handbooks To Aid In That Search. Until Now, Zen Students In The West, Lacking This Important Resource, Have Been Severely Limited In Carrying Out This Practice. Zen Sand Combines And Translates Two Standard Jakugo Handbooks And Opens The Way For Incorporating This Important Tradition Fully Into Western Zen Practice. This Impressive Compendium Of Texts Central To Zen Practice Offers A Wealth Of Information Not Only To Students Of Zen Or Buddhism In General, But To Anyone Interested In The History And Culture Of East Asia. Introduction: Capping-phrase Practice In Japanese Rinzai Zen -- Four-character Phrases -- Five-character Phrases -- Six-character Phrases -- Seven-character Phrases -- Eight-character Phrases -- Nine-character Phrases -- Ten-character Phrases -- Eleven-character Phrases -- Twelve-character Phrases -- Thirteen-character Phrases -- Fourteen-character Phrases -- Fifteen-character Phrases -- Sixteen-character Phrases -- Seventeen-character Phrases -- Eighteen-character Phrases -- Nineteen-character Phrases -- Twenty-character Phrases -- Twenty-one-and-more-character Phrases. Compiled, Translated, And Annotated By Victor Sōgen Hori. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 731-748) And Index. "Zen Sand is a classic collection of verses aimed at aiding practitioners of koan meditation in negotiating the difficult relationship between insight and language. As such it represents a major contribution to both Western Zen practice and English-language Zen scholarship.". "In Japan the traditional Rinzai Zen koan curriculum includes the use of jakugo, or "capping phrases." Once a monk has successfully replied to a koan, the Zen master orders the search for a classical verse to express the monk's insight into the koan. Special collections of these jakugo were compiled as handbooks to aid in that search. Until now, Zen students in the West, lacking this important resource, have been severely limited in carrying out this practice. Zen Sand combines and translates two standard jakugo handbooks and opens the way for incorporating this important tradition fully into Western Zen practice." "This impressive compendium of texts central to Zen practice offers a wealth of information not only to students of Zen or Buddhism in general, but to anyone interested in the history and culture of East Asia."--BOOK JACKET. A classic collection of verses aimed at aiding practitioners of koan meditation to negotiate the difficult relationship between insight and language. As such it represents a major contribution to both Western Zen practice and English-language Zen scholarship. This is a collection of verses aimed at aiding practitioners of koan meditation to negotiate the difficult relationship between insight and language. It represents a major contribution to both Western Zen practice and English-language Zen scholarship.