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Great Doubt

Practicing Zen in the World

Foreword by Brad Warner / Translated by Jeff Shore
Published by Wisdom Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

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About The Book

The greater the doubt, the greater the awakening.

“In this brief but remarkably thorough book, Boshan puts into words what it means to truly doubt. Not just to be skeptical—but to push all the way to the very foundations. Anyone interested in Zen can learn a whole lot from this little book.”
—from the foreword by Brad Warner, author of Hardcore Zen

“Great doubt and great faith are foundations of Zen practice. This great gift of a book provides essential checkpoints along the path.” —Grace Schireson, author of Zen Women

“Upbeat, insightful, and inspiring teachings—a rich resource for all Buddhist practitioners.”—Richard M. Jaffe, Duke University, author of Neither Monk nor Layman

“Boshan addresses the reader directly with vivid metaphors and stern (sometimes humorous) admonishments. He pulls no punches… These concise texts, not previously available in their entirety in English, offer classic wisdom for those exploring the Zen paths.”—Publishers Weekly

“A classic Chinese text with clear—and inspiring—commentaries”—Thomas Yuho Kirchner, translator of Entangling Vines

About The Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications (July 26, 2016)
  • Length: 128 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781614292302

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Raves and Reviews

“Short and powerful… Translating and commenting on two works by the Chinese master Boshan (1575–1630), Shore explores how to work with doubt in a modern context, insisting that everything must be questioned until it is confirmed ‘in your bones.’”

– Buddhadharma

“A valuable handbook that deserves close study by teachers and practitioners. Savor this book—it is truly a gem.”

– Guo Gu, author of Passing through the Gateless Barrier

“This important volume conveys a part of traditional Zen that often gets lost in the West: great doubt. An excellent translation and commentary.”

– Christopher Ives, author of Imperial-Way Zen

"This book is an enormously valuable contribution to Zen practice. Shore vividly unpacks an essential and characteristic feature of Zen, great doubt, as wonder and curiosity. He not only offers pithing warnings about where we get stuck, but clear advice about how to go beyond the places in which we are free.”

– Dosho Port, author of Keep Me In Your Heart A While

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