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The Ceasing of Notions

An Early Zen Text from the Dunhuang Caves with Selected Comments

Commentaries by Soko Morinaga / Introduction by Martin Collcutt / Translated by Myokyo-ni and Michelle Bromley
Published by Wisdom Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Among the writings from the Dunhuang Caves, discovered in the mid-twentieth Century, are the Zen equivalent of the Dead Sea Scrolls--ancient texts unknown for centuries. The Ceasing of Notions is one such text. It takes a unique form: a dialogue between two imaginary figures, a master and his disciple, in which the disciple tenaciously pursues the master's pity utterances with follow-up questions that propel the dialogue toward ever more profound insights. And these questions prove to be the reader's very own. Soko Morinaga brings alive this compact and brilliant text with his own vivid commentary.

This volume also includes a generous selection from Morinaga's acclaimed autobiography, Novice to Master: An Ongoing Lesson in the Extent of my Own Stupidity.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications (December 17, 2012)
  • Length: 128 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781614290452

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Raves and Reviews

"This powerful little book is a jewel of Zen Buddhism. Roshi Soko Morinaga goes right to the point of practice and realization."

– Joan Halifax, founding abbot, Upaya Zen Center

"Provides food for thought for both experienced Zen students and new comers alike. The translation is eminently readable and Morinaga's commentary is useful and enjoyable to read. I recommend this to all who wish to learn more about the early teachings of Chan and I commend Wisdom Publications on a delightful volume that I am sure will be read more than once by myself."

– TheZenSite.com

"A very accessible helpful commentary from one of the most revered Japanese Zen masters of his generation."

– Martin Collcutt, author Five Mountains: The Rinzai Zen Monastic Institution in Medieval Japan

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