Trust in Mind: The Rebellion of Chinese Zen

Rating:
Summary: Where is the "zendo understanding"?
Review: In the introduction of this book, the author notes that 'The challenge in writing about Chan and Buddhist teachings is the care that needs to be taken in transporting a "zendo understanding" (that is, insights gained in intensive meditation training through talks by teachers as well as one's own going deep within) to a "library understanding" (the premise that linguistic modalities of knowing will yield liberative insights).' I could find no such insight in the parts I did read, and I could not finish the book for this reason.

To a layman like myself, this book is a very intellectual treatment of the material. However, I must say that I have read material that were what might be considered 'conceptually challenging' by other teachers, and I do recognize liberative insights in the content. Perhaps it is more fitted for those who are intellectually minded, but I should point out that comprehension is not the issue here - I plainly just cannot find the insight in this work. Perhaps this is why there were so many used copies for sale even when the book first came out.

Speaking of the idea of a "library understanding", perhaps these words apply:

You've traveled up ten thousand steps in search of the Dharma.
So many long days in the archives, copying, copying.
The gravity of the Tang and the profundity of the Sung
make heavy baggage.
Here! I've picked you a bunch of wildflowers.
Their meaning is the same
but they're much easier to carry.
-Hsu Yun