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Summary: The Little Book With Oh SO Much!
Review: I would have to say that Zen Flesh, Zen Bones itself is a koan - how else could you explain fitting so much into such a tiny book?I fully enjoyed reading and experiencing this book. Even how the book got it's name is a great tale. The book is divided into 4 parts. The first section is 101 Zen Stories. They are all incredible, illuminating and fun. I love Zen stories and after the 101st one I wanted more. The second section - the Gateless Gate - some more types of Zen stories followed by comments from Mumon. Mumon must mean Very Cranky in Japanese. The third section - 10 Bulls - is such a great illustrated story and then finally the fourth section is on Centering - This was such a joy to read and was easy to understand and really lots of fun!
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Summary: Letting go of things is superior
Review: If you find that your mind is often getting the better of you, leading you to great chasms of worry, fear and confusion, books such as "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" may just be your ticket. The beauty of Japanese and Chinese koans is that readers do not need any prior special academic or philosophical knowledge to ascertain the wisdom contained therein. The selection and interpretation of material within this book is spot on. Read, let go, enjoy.
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Summary: The catch-all book of Zen teachings!
Review: In this single little volume, the many teachings of Zen have been condensed to a pocket-sized book. It has everything from koans to centering techniques to the 10 Bulls. This is a must have for any student of the world or any teacher of the world. I am a world history teacher, and I have passed this book along to many of my students. It is an excellent way to get acquainted with some of the principles of Zen.
Rating: 
Summary: OK
Review: NOT THE ALL AND END ALL. A SMALL BOOK WITH PRACTICAL USE FOR ZEN STUDENTS.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: Of all books about Zen, this is most unassuming I've seen. There is no theory or abridged version of zen philosophy. The stories are carefully chosen and gracefully translated. They leave the reader in a state of wonder, curiosity and puzzlement. What I liked in this book is that it is not trying to educate the reader by teaching him a doctrine. It seems to me that it is true to the zen spirit in this respect. A little literary gem.
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Summary: If there is one book I could keep....
Review: Okay kids, this would probably be my pick for desert island book. I forget exactly how I got this book and read it but I do remember the first time I read the "Zen Stories" section of this book and being tottaly blowned away. I have never laughed so hard and related so much to a story in my life. I read half the book in one sitting and ever since have been practicing and reading about Zen. For months, I carried this book with me everywhere and I read a couple pages atleast twice a day. My copy is ragged and I'll probably have to get a new copy soon. I still am always reading it and lending it to friends. "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" is a collection of famous Zen stories, Mumon's The Gateless Gate(a collection of koans), the famous 10 bulls Zen story & paintings, and a chapter that is called "Centering." The last section is great but doesn't really fit in the Zen Canon(I could be wrong?) The rest however fully express Zen as what it really is and not some philosophy or state you have to achieve but Buddha-nature and enlightment which you already have. If you read one book on Zen, this should be it.
Rating:
Summary: If there is one book I could keep....
Review: Okay kids, this would probably be my pick for desert island book. I forget exactly how I got this book and read it but I do remember the first time I read the "Zen Stories" section of this book and being tottaly blowned away. I have never laughed so hard and related so much to a story in my life. I read half the book in one sitting and ever since have been practicing and reading about Zen. For months, I carried this book with me everywhere and I read a couple pages atleast twice a day. My copy is ragged and I'll probably have to get a new copy soon. I still am always reading it and lending it to friends. "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" is a collection of famous Zen stories, Mumon's The Gateless Gate(a collection of koans), the famous 10 bulls Zen story & paintings, and a chapter that is called "Centering." The last section is great but doesn't really fit in the Zen Canon(I could be wrong?) The rest however fully express Zen as what it really is and not some philosophy or state you have to achieve but Buddha-nature and enlightment which you already have. If you read one book on Zen, this should be it.
Rating:
Summary: Inch time foot gem.
Review: Seen 4 printings of this special book, this one is by far the most beautiful - size, appearence and Kanji for the individual items. One of the best and most direct introductions to/collections of Zen text there is.
Rating:
Summary: Students of Zen-- Here Is a Must Have
Review: This book basically holds within it's frame 4 books. The first three being published first in the 1930's! Talk about a pioneer in the field of Zen writings in the West! My goodness, is this ever a must have on your shelf if you are a practitioner of Zen. I will not say it has been my most desired book on Zen through the years; that would be a flat out lie. But I will say that contained herein are some most interesting koans. Yes koans. These allegories are not just stories your going to sit down and say, "Oh my, now I get what this guy is saying!" Not a chance. If you can, you don't even need this book. I confess to you all, that this book spends most of it's time on the shelf. Now why is that? Because I have to contemplate what was said! It may take some months, or some years in several cases. I hold some of these koans "in secret" when I am supposed to be working on another koan. They can be that vexing! The first time you read this book, you'll probably go, "Huh?"
You may even wonder, "Why did I buy this?" But I say to you now, when you are practicing this book is truly a best friend. Is it entertainment? Nope. Certainly not. Can it help you clear up the Great Matter of Life and Death? Actually -- Yes. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: A long-time favorite
Review: This book is a compilation of four books. They are 101 Zen Stories, The Gateless Gate, 10 Bulls, & Centering. If readers are avid readers about Zen, you would have come across some of the stories in 101 Zen Stories. Truth to be told, there is another book offering in cartoon version which conveyed the stories mentioned here & I find them more accessible. At times, after we read the stories, our initial reaction would be huh? It takes time & much persistency, or intervention by unexpected people or incidents that we suddenly get it. Anyhow, by continuously reading those materials that those ideals can be reinforced within our mental state of mind. The Gateless Gate is a rendition of popular koans and again, it's quite difficult to understand especially when you are reading this by yourself. Anyhow, it's wonderful to read. 10 Bulls story is quite self-explanatory about find our source, our original thinking. The last book about Centering is derived from ancient Sanskrit manuscripts of Shiva answering Devi about Centering in 112 ways. Sorry about my ignorance but I reckon it's about sitting & breathing: as it is. Highly recommended.
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