The Ceasing of Notions: An Early Zen Text from the Dunhuang Caves with Selected Comments

Myokyo-ni and Michelle Bromley are owed the thanks of practitioners of Zen Buddhism for this translation of the ancient Chinese texts known as the The Jue-Yan lun [The Ceasing of Notions], a dialogue about the practice of the Buddhism between a novice, Emmon (Chinese: Yuanmen), and his teacher, the monk Nyuri (Chinese: Ruli). The text is known in several ancient variants that accumulate emendations and elaborations as various teachers of this early school of Chan (Chinese for the Japanese term Zen) Buddhism made many anonymous contributions. The practice of extending a revered text was not a hoax, but a manner of honouring an past teacher of the tradition. The result is this important contribution not only to our historical understanding of early Chinese Zen, but a real contribution Zen's present day teachers and students.

Did you ever try to extract the nut meat from a hard hickory nut? If so, you have a clue to the challenge of the text and commentary of "The Ceasing of Notions; An Early Zen Text from the Dunhuang Caves"; first published in 1988 by the Zen Trust and The Buddhist Society, London; printed in 2012 by Wisdom Publications, Boston, with a new Introduction by Martin Colcutt of Princeton University. The translation of the early Chinese Zen text derives from a German translation by Ursula Jarand, which then was translated into English by Venerable Myokyo-ni and Michelle Bromley. Selected Comments on the text are by Soko Morinaga Roshi. Martin Colcutt's Introduction deals with the world of early Chinese Buddhism; the emergence in China of Zen as a form of Buddhist practice; textual origins and development; the interpretation and place of the text in subsequent times and places; and the meaning of Chinese words central to the text. Repeated recourse to The Introduction is helpful as one studies the text. The text consists of a series of questions asked by Emmon, a young Buddhist, and of answers given by Master Nyuri, his Zen spiritual guide. Emmon has many doubts, and many fixed views. Master Nyuri again and again cuts to the heart of what human delusion is, as he prods and lures Emmon to understand the Way. Closely interwoven with sections of the Zen text are the Selected Comments by Soko Morinaga Roshi. The Comments generally clarify the meaning of specific Chinese characters, words and phrases in the text. To a certain degree, the Comments try to explicate the nature of Emmon's assumptions and difficulties (as a student of Zen Buddhism) and the nature of Master Nyuri's own enlightenment and progress in the Way. The writer's explications may seem as opaque as the text Text and commentary alike will challenge the understanding of the honest practitioner in the Way of the Buddha. The awful demand and the awful depth of the text slowly will make sense to the Buddhist practitioner who is humble, patient, and careful - important virtues, you will recall, when you take the hickory nut, crack it, extract the nut meat from the shell, and encounter the nut's unique flavor. The text and commentary are such a challenge and offer such nourishment. Text and commentary are such that a reader who has little experience of Buddhist practice, or merely is curious or indifferent. will be confounded or bored, and will move to other activity.

This marvelous work cuts through all the "red tape" of Zen/Chan psychological perspectives and leads the reader to the core of Zen practice. I do feel that it is geared for the mature Zen practitioner and might cause confusion or even dismay in the novice zennist. that being said, I recommend it highly.

Hi. This is a lovely little book, ideal for the Zen enthusiast to travel with on the bus or train, I enjoyed it very much.

Best place to start on Hua-Yen. I recommend this study to anyone interested in the subject.. Not just for the specialist.

I would say this book is only for the real zen student. The author Soko Morinaga famous for his famous book "Novice to Master" which is probably the best book on Zen outside of zen mind beginners mind. I would say this book is more for the serious zen practioner and not the beginner.

An excellent book. Some of it was confusing, however, if you read it a few times you'll get it. If you live near a Buddhist center talk to a member of the Sangha to explain. It rates five stars.

This is a very well written and inspiring new addition to Zen literature. It is something that can be read and read again.

I had a copy of this Zen classic over thirty years ago - and lost it. It is such a relief to find this new edition and with such penetrating commentary. For all seekers - read each dialogue carefully and you will be thrown back on yourself. The tangled illusion that life has created will untangle and you may get a taste of freedom. Priceless.

I didn't enjoy this, gained some insights but essentially the message in the book is there is no you, there are no thoughts. A treatise in emptiness.