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Zen Battles: Modern Commentary on the Teachings of Master Linji Kindle Edition

by Thich Nhat Hanh (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
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Thich Nhat Hanh offers powerful, direct, and uncompromising reflections on Zen thought, mindfulness, and the enlightenment inherent within us all.
 
One of the key tenets of the Zen school of Mahayana Buddhism is that each one of us is already a Buddha—our enlightenment is inherent within us, and the practice of mindfulness is the tool to bring this truth to our full awareness. While it can bring much relief, this simple statement does not preclude the need for practice. We must strive to always be aware of our Buddha nature, rather than waiting until times of emotional upheaval when it is more difficult to practice.

Thich Nhat Hanh uses the teachings of 9th-century Zen Master Linji to elaborate on this simple truth and to give readers tools that can help awaken them to their true inner nature. Linji’s recorded teachings are the most significant we have from the Ch’an school.

One of the unique aspects of Linji’s teaching, is the need to “wake ourselves up,” not only by means of sitting meditation and listening to enlightened teachings, but also through unique techniques such as the shout, the stick, and the empty fist. Master Linji emphasized direct experience of our true nature over intellectual explorations of the teachings, and he encouraged his students to not “become lost in the knowledge or the concepts of the teaching.”
Previous page
  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Parallax Press
  5. Publication date
    November 14, 2009
  6. File size
    726 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Those who like robust Zen will enjoy both Linji's bluntness and Thich Nhat Hanh's candor in commenting on the master's work."—Shambhala Sun

"The teaching of Linji is not like any other master. He dares to say everything truthfully, clearly, and very frankly. When we follow a spiritual path, we have to learn and we have to practice. But when we can't digest what we've learned and can't use it in our daily life for our transformation, that's when we need the teachings of Master Linji. They are strong medicine—not a vitamin, but a purgative."
—Thich Nhat Hanh

"If you aspire to Buddha, you lose Buddha. If you aspire to the Way you lose the Way. Do not commit this mistake! I do not need you to give a good explanation of the sutras. I do not need you to be eloquent, speaking non-stop, as a torrent of water. Nor do I need you to become wonderfully penetrating and wise. I just need you to have correct insight into the way things naturally are."
—Master Linji

"As I see it, there isn't so much to do. Just be ordinary—put on your robes, eat your food, and pass the time doing nothing."
—Master Linji

From the Back Cover

In this fresh translation and commentary, Thich Nhat Hanh explores the essential teachings of Master Linji, one of the founders of Zen Buddhism. Linji's unorthodox teachings remind us that insight is better reached through our own experience and practice than by following others.

With humor, skill, and compassion, Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how we can each get closer to the ideals within us, and the person who simply is, with nothing to achieve and nowhere to be.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GR9TBQW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Parallax Press; Reprint edition (November 14, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 14, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 726 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1937006530
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
63 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

James S. Ayers
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book is both well written and a good read. After a short introduction it gives a direct translation of the teachings of Master Linji. For the most part these are transcriptions of exchanges between he and his students. Thich Nhat Hanh then goes back through these and hits the "highlights" providing clear and insightful commentary on the majority of the transcriptions. Finally he closes the book with some tips on daily practice in modern life and give useful examples (and Gathas) for staying mindful and present.

Overall this is a great read for content regarding classic Zen teaching and the principles of being mindful and present in order to see the true nature of "you". I would highly recommend it to anyone from a beginner (although some previous exposure to Zen teachings and principles would be beneficial) to someone who has years of experience and is just looking to learn at bit more about Master Linji or just read a good Zen book.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring book
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2020
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This is an exciting book to read to inspire you on the path to freedom. Full of wisdom and kindness, Thich Nhat Hanh helps us to understand and incorporate this ancient teaching into our lives. It is a wonderful gift.
2 people found this helpful
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Bill Hartman
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2014
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Thay of course is a living Buddha and this book is a little different from his others but by reading it you can truly grasp Zen. Not that there is anything to grasp in the first place.
6 people found this helpful
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michael p. finnegan
4.0 out of 5 stars A peep show for Linji
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2019
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Great at helping to pry open some of the greats!
One person found this helpful
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S. Bateman
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an outstanding book, but beware.. ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2016
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This is an outstanding book, but beware...it is the exact same text as "Nothing to Do, Nowhere to Go" that was previously issued by the same publisher in 2007.
19 people found this helpful
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Turkey Tail
5.0 out of 5 stars wisdom from Realized Masters
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2019
Great translation. Love Thich Naht Han's commentary.
One person found this helpful
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dharmadrum
5.0 out of 5 stars Profoundly Important for the aspirant non-seeker
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2017
Perhaps Thich Nhat Hanh's most important work. For those addicted to study as opposed to practice, then rather perversely, read and study this and then just practice. When you find yourself drawn to another book read Zen Battles again, and again and so on. Linji and THN are both Masters and this book and the pointers within are profoundly beneficial. I am trying to take my own advice !
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Not a one time read.
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014
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Unlike most books by Thich Nhat Hanh I had trouble with grasping the meaning. It will take a couple more readings.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ben & Trish
5.0 out of 5 stars Thay meets Linji and they do battle
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Wow what a great book. If you come from the PV tradition you might find Linji a bit confrontational and think ‘How is this like Thay?’ Keep going and one is transformed into the other. Great discourse and another view of practice. Well worth the read.
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Jeff N
5.0 out of 5 stars Good product
Reviewed in Canada on May 11, 2019
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Great book and shipped fast
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Felipe
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Brazil on January 24, 2019
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Como todos os livros que li de Thich Nhat Hanh, fantástico. Ótimos comentários de seleções de algumas falas de Linji. Esclarecedor, claro, direto. Recomendado.
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Brother Yonten
5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful insight
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
A delightful insight in to some of Master Linji's teachings, also a wonderful connection to the ancestral stream of the Plum Village Buddhist lineage. Thay's commentary allows for insightful contemplation of the teachings.
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JWW
4.0 out of 5 stars I like it
Reviewed in Canada on September 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
Great content but infouns it repetitive as I was wanting more variety and diversity.
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