The Zen Teachings of Instantaneous Awakening

Rating:
Summary: A classic zen text
Review: This record of the teachings of Ch'an Master Hui Hai is one of the classics of Zen from ancient China. It is a very small book, and should not cost more that $12, even if published using the highest standards. It is sad that this text is not now available in an affordable edition. Also, it is very unfortunate that Amazon has erred in categorizing The Zen Teachings of Instantaneous Awakening as a New Age book. It is not. It is a classic of Zen.

Rating:
Summary: You can get this book in the UK
Review: You can get this book in the UK about $15 try buddhismnow.com (see the very good review below)

Rating:
Summary: A classic guide
Review: @It is a pity this excellent translation of Hui Hai's teaching has not been regularly available - at a reasonable cost. Otherwise known as the 'Great Pearl' - Hui Hai was an outstanding Ch'an master. This translation deserves a high profile - and repays careful digestion. John Blofeld spent many years in China, frequenting Chinese Buddhist temples. The original Chinese text - translated here, was given to J.B. during one such sojourn at a Chinese Ch'an monastery.
Like Huang po's discourses, Hui Hai's treatise on 'Sudden Awakening' is interesting, because it goes some way to 'explain' what Ch'an (Zen) training is about, as against the rather fragmentary picture conveyed by dwelling on isolated Zen koans. These talks outline, as it were, the sort of background against which the 'koan' (Chin. kung-an) take on meaning.

Blofeld's translation went through several revisions - at one point, 'vetted' by Lu K'uan Yu, well known for his translations from Ch'an sources. Lu also penned a fascinating introduction to the Rider & Co. ed. of this work. The translation captures the spirit of the Chinese original, and makes for engaging reading - it is a spur for practice, encouraging the reader to embody what Hui Hai is pointing to. It is good to see this excellent translation back in print. The text had a small but highly informative glossary.