Author(s): Wu Yansheng

Poetry

In the 1600 years since the arrival of Indian Buddhism in China, Buddhist monks and scholars integrated the essence of Zen Buddhist thought with the classic forms of Chinese literature to create over 30,000 simple, lively poems of deep moral significance. These Zen poems are beloved by students of Zen and the layperson alike. In "The Power of Enlightenment," Prof. Wu Yansheng selected 66 classic poems by 54 historical scholars or monks. These poems represent the highest achievement of Zen poetry, with extraordinary depth of feeling and understanding. Each poem is a delight to the senses and presents a garden of peace that brings restlessness to an end.