The Record of Linji: Exploring the Zen Teachings that Transformed Lives for Centuries

Discover the profound wisdom and transformative power of The Record of Linji, an ancient Zen text that continues to inspire seekers of enlightenment to this day.

The Record of Linji (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture)

by Peter Eyerer(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1420 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	520 pages

FREE

For centuries, spiritual seekers from all corners of the world have embarked on a quest for enlightenment, seeking answers to life's deepest questions. One of the paths that have stood the test of time is Zen Buddhism, a school of thought known for its direct and experiential approach to spiritual awakening. Within the vast universe of Zen literature, few texts have had the impact and reach like The Record of Linji.

Also known as The Record of Linji (Linji Lu) or The Transmission of the Lamp (Chuandeng Lu),this ancient text holds the teachings and dialogues of the Chinese Zen master Linji Yixuan. His teachings, compiled by his disciples, have been treasured for centuries for their authentic and unfiltered insight into the nature of existence and liberation.

The Origins of The Record of Linji

Linji Yixuan, also known as Linji Yixuan Rujing, was a 9th-century Chinese Zen master who became one of the most influential figures in the development of Zen Buddhism. Born in 810 in the Tang dynasty's capital, he later became a monk and studied under the guidance of Huangbo Xiyun, another renowned Zen master.

After years of rigorous training and deep introspection, Linji established his own monastery, Linji Temple. It was there that he developed his unique approach to Zen, emphasizing direct experience and the realization of one's true nature. His teachings, transmitted through verbal exchanges and encounters with his disciples, were eventually compiled into The Record of Linji.

The Teachings of Linji: A Glimpse into Enlightenment

The Record of Linji comprises various dialogues and anecdotes from Linji's teachings. These encounters between the master and his students offer profound insights into Zen Buddhism and the path to awakening.

In his teachings, Linji emphasized the importance of direct experience and encouraged his disciples to reject reliance on scriptures, doctrines, and intellectual understanding. He taught that enlightenment is not a result of intellectual study but a direct realization of one's true nature beyond concepts and dualities.

Linji's teachings were known for their unorthodox style and use of paradoxical statements and unconventional methods to shake his students' conceptual mindsets. In the quest to liberate his followers from the grasps of delusion, he would often shout, strike them, or engage in physical demonstrations to awaken them to their true nature.

Furthermore, Linji's teachings emphasized the non-duality of practice and realization. He firmly believed that meditation and everyday life were not separate but a continuous expression of one's awakened nature. He encouraged his disciples to carry the state of presence and mindfulness into every aspect of their lives, whether engaged in prayer, meditation, or mundane tasks.

The Impact of The Record of Linji

The Record of Linji has been a foundational text in Zen Buddhism, influencing generations of monks, lay practitioners, and scholars alike. Its unfiltered expression of the Zen teachings resonates with seekers of truth across cultures and time.

Throughout the centuries, The Record of Linji has been studied and commented on by numerous Zen masters, each offering their insights and interpretations. These commentaries, alongside the original text, have provided seekers with alternative perspectives and deepened their understanding of Linji's teachings.

Notably, The Record of Linji has played a crucial role in the establishment and development of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. This school, known for its emphasis on direct experience and the use of koans (paradoxical riddles),traces its lineage back to Linji and his teachings recorded in The Record of Linji.

Availability at Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture

For those seeking to delve deep into the teachings of Linji and The Record of Linji, the Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture is a treasure trove of resources.

The Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture boasts an extensive collection of Zen literature, including translations and commentaries on The Record of Linji. Its dedicated team of librarians and scholars continually work to provide access to rare texts and cutting-edge insights into the field of Asian religion and culture.

Whether you are a seasoned practitioner, a scholar, or simply curious about Zen, the Nanzan Library offers a rich resource to satisfy your hunger for knowledge.

The Record of Linji stands as a testament to the profound impact of Zen Buddhism on the human spiritual journey. It serves as a reminder that direct experience and the realization of one's true nature transcend cultural boundaries and have the power to transform lives.

Through the teachings of Linji, recorded in The Record of Linji, seekers of enlightenment can find guidance, inspiration, and a glimpse into the awakened state that lies within each one of us.

At the Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture, the availability of resources related to The Record of Linji ensures that this timeless wisdom is accessible to all who seek it, fostering a deeper understanding of Zen Buddhism and its transformative potential.

Discover the world of Linji and embark on a journey of self-discovery and liberation through The Record of Linji today!

The Record of Linji (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture)

by Peter Eyerer(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1420 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	520 pages

FREE

The Linji lu (Record of Linji) has been an essential text of Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhism for nearly a thousand years. A compilation of sermons, statements, and acts attributed to the great Chinese Zen master Linji Yixuan (d. 866),it serves as both an authoritative statement of Zen’s basic standpoint and a central source of material for Zen koan practice. Scholars study the text for its importance in understanding both Zen thought and East Asian Mahayana doctrine, while Zen practitioners cherish it for its unusual simplicity, directness, and ability to inspire.
One of the earliest attempts to translate this important work into English was by Sasaki Shigetsu (1882–1945),a pioneer Zen master in the U.S. and the founder of the First Zen Institute of America. At the time of his death, he entrusted the project to his wife, Ruth Fuller Sasaki, who in 1949 moved to Japan and there founded a branch of the First Zen Institute at Daitoku-ji. Mrs. Sasaki, determined to produce a definitive translation, assembled a team of talented young scholars, both Japanese and Western, who in the following years retranslated the text in accordance with modern research on Tang-dynasty colloquial Chinese. As they worked on the translation, they compiled hundreds of detailed notes explaining every technical term, vernacular expression, and literary reference. One of the team, Yanagida Seizan (later Japan’s preeminent Zen historian),produced a lengthy that outlined the emergence of Chinese Zen, presented a biography of Linji, and traced the textual development of the Linji lu. The sudden death of Mrs. Sasaki in 1967 brought the nearly completed project to a halt. An abbreviated version of the book was published in 1975, but neither this nor any other English translations that subsequently appeared contain the type of detailed historical, linguistic, and doctrinal annotation that was central to Mrs. Sasaki’s plan.

The materials assembled by Mrs. Sasaki and her team are finally available in the present edition of the Record of Linji. Chinese readings have been changed to Pinyin and the translation itself has been revised in line with subsequent research by Iriya Yoshitaka and Yanagida Seizan, the scholars who advised Mrs. Sasaki. The notes, nearly six hundred in all, are almost entirely based on primary sources and thus retain their value despite the nearly forty years since their preparation. They provide a rich context for Linji’s teachings, supplying a wealth of information on Tang colloquial expressions, Buddhist thought, and Zen history, much of which is unavailable anywhere else in English. This revised edition of the Record of Linji is certain to be of great value to Buddhist scholars, Zen practitioners, and readers interested in Asian Buddhism.