The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-Chi: A Translation of the Lin-chi Lu - Tapa dura

Among the most important texts of Zen literature is the "Lin-chi lu", which details the insights and exploits of the great ninth-century Chinese Zen master Lin-chi, one of the most highly regarded of the Tang period masters. PEN translation prize-winner Burton Watson presents an eloquent translation of this seminal classic for modern readers - the only English-language version of the "Lin-chi lu" available. Lin-chis style of Zen - encouraging the use of unorthodox teaching methods and stressing the importance of koan study - is well known to western readers and scholars, and is beautifully rendered in Watson's translation. The work is an exacting depiction of Lin-chis words and actions, describing the Zen master's life and teachings and including a number of his sermons, long recognized for their brisk, evocative language. Watson contributes a lucid introduction, as well as a glossary and notes.

Burton Watson, the recipient of the 1981 PEN Translation Prize, has taught Chinese and Japanese literature at Columbia, Stanford, and Kyoto universities. He has translated dozens of Chinese and Japanese classics, including The Lotus Sutra, Records of the Grand Historian, and Chuang Tzu.