Zen Battles: Modern Commentary on the Teachings of Master Linji - Softcover

""Those who like robust Zen will enjoy both Linji's bluntness and Thich Nhat Hanh's candor in commenting on the master's work.""Shambhala Sun
"The teaching of Linji is not like any other master. He dares to say everything truthfully, clearly, and very frankly. When we follow a spiritual path, we have to learn and we have to practice. But when we can't digest what we've learned and can't use it in our daily life for our transformation, that's when we need the teachings of Master Linji. They are strong medicinenot a vitamin, but a purgative."
Thich Nhat Hanh
"If you aspire to Buddha, you lose Buddha. If you aspire to the Way you lose the Way. Do not commit this mistake! I do not need you to give a good explanation of the sutras. I do not need you to be eloquent, speaking non-stop, as a torrent of water. Nor do I need you to become wonderfully penetrating and wise. I just need you to have correct insight into the way things naturally are."
Master Linji
"As I see it, there isn't so much to do. Just be ordinaryput on your robes, eat your food, and pass the time doing nothing."
Master Linji
"

One of the key tenets of the Zen school of Mahayana Buddhism is that each one of us is already a Buddha—our enlightenment is inherent within us, and the practice of mindfulness is the tool to bring this truth to our full awareness. While it can bring much relief, this simple statement does not preclude the need for practice. We must strive to always be aware of our Buddha nature, rather than waiting until times of emotional upheaval when it is more difficult to practice.

Thich Nhat Hanh uses the teachings of ninth century Zen Master Linji to elaborate on this simple truth and to give readers tools that can help awaken them to their true inner nature. Linji's recorded teachings are the most significant we have from the Ch'an school.

One of the unique aspects of Linji's teaching, is the need to "wake ourselves up," not only by means of sitting meditation and listening to enlightened teachings, but also through unique techniques such as the shout, the stick, and the empty fist. Master Linji emphasized direct experience of our true nature over intellectual explorations of the teachings, and he encouraged his students to not "become lost in the knowledge or the concepts of the teaching."

Powerful, direct, and uncompromising, Thich Nhat Hanh's reflections on the teachings of Master Linji are destined to become classic Buddhist writings.