Reviews (26)

Good
The author does a good job translating the text into modern day principles.Definitely a good read for those interested in Bushido and it's ideas.

Interesting
I found this book educational, comical, and well worth reading. In less than a hundred pages it taught me a lot about medieval Japan. What I enjoyed more is the way its original author's voice comes shining through in the text. His condescension, his bluntness, his matter-of-fact all make for a hilarious introduction to the mind of the samurai. Some of the statements that come out of Shigesuke's mouth are a world apart from what we hear in textbooks today. He has no problem telling the student that he is a "lazy" "moron" "coward" unless he is exactly what a warrior should be. But beneath all this there is wisdom here. A very interesting book.

informative and delightful
Wonderful read, and unlike such weightier classics as THE ART OF WAR or THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS, this one is readily accessible to the western mind.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bushido    2. Conduct of life    3. Eastern - General    4. Japanese Philosophy    5. Martial Arts    6. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    7. Philosophy    8. Samurai    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Customs    12. Japan    13. Oriental & Indian philosophy   

Subjects:  1. Eastern - Taoism    2. Oriental Philosophy    3. Philosophy    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Taoism    7. Religion / Taoism   

Reviews (12)

If Religion Is the Opiate Of The People, This Is China White!
But you might want to smoke some really nice weed when you read The Flower Ornament Scripture, simply because it is, as alluded to by a few reviewers, a hypnotic text that is quite unlike anything that has been published or is likely to get published in the near future.This is really the closest you can get to a sort of real-life Harry Potter book of magic... there's something almost menacing about it's frontpiece, jeeze, 1643 pages, I suppose that's menacing enough, but... not to sound too Jungian, TFOS is actually trans-Tantra, that is, the sort of wierd metabolic changes you experience in Tibetian Buddhism can be gotten fairly quickly by reading a few pages of the Hua Yen bible.So as to make the trip nice and scholarly, research "holographic universe" andthe Net Of Indra, the latter being a "famous" device used to teach the gist of Hua Yen, which is, in a nutshell, the infinitude of multidimensionality.Party on!

Wow!
This is one of my favorite books of all time. Show it to your friends who think the New Testament is something special.

not for the beginner
They say this is a great book.That's probably true for some but I have most of Dr. Cleary's books; read them many times, benefited immensely, but this book is not easily comprehensible to me and I would think to any casual reader.As in his other books there is no real and ready quick tips for handling everyday life.So, unless you are well versed in Buddhist scripture save your money and apply yourself to the dharma as taught in simpler texts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Non-Classifiable    3. Nonfiction - General    4. Religion   

Reviews (5)

another book make a buck
the book ofter nothing new about meditation, lots of theory and mellow ideas. Not a true meditation method. !!!!!!!.........
I have delighted in this and other oriental 'translations' by Cleary, Wong, and others (Japanese Cult of Tranquility, Durkheim; 'Nature's Finer forces, Rama Prasad, readable online.) Some of this advice about breathing and perspectives on health is somewhat useful. Israel Regardie's books, and Rama Charakas' 'Science of Breath' is also good.
incredible
quite possibly the most amazing book i have ever picked up.in only thirty minutes with this book i reached a level of stillness that i could not even concieve of beforehand, much less attain.i recommend it for anyone interested in taoism or meditation... or even their mental or physical health.the passages are short, gripping, and insightful.a truly wonderful book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Hygiene, Taoist    3. Philosophy    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Taoism    6. Taoist meditations    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Religion / Taoism   

Reviews (14)

Practitioners will find they owe Thomas Cleary a serious debt
I have been a practitioner in the Tibetan Vajrayana for over thirty years. This short book, which I have put into daily practice has corrected mistakes in my practice to such an extent that I feel I have wasted thirty years. This, of course, is not entirely true. Because of the extensive study during those years I could appreciate the depth of Cleary's translation and commentary as one who has successfully practiced this meditation.
Whatever the secret is, you won't find it in this translation
Thomas Cleary has probably done more harm to the cause of Western understanding of Asian philosophy than any other individual, even perhaps including H. P. Blavatsky. He seems to translate one word at a time with the result that you understand each word as you read it, only to find that the sentences are incoherent. Since Cleary has been prolific, not hard considering how carelessly he translates, his translations flood the market making it unlikely that others will be published, particularly of works, such as the Secret of the Golden Flower, with a limited market. We can avoid reading Cleary's translations but then cannot find others by more competant hands.
one interesting translation
This book has been very underestimated, even though it was Carl Jung and Richard Wilhelm who edited it some time ago.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. General    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Taoism    6. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    7. Religion / Taoism   

Reviews (9)

For the advanced student
Thomas Cleary's long-awaited translation of the Qur'an certainly exceeds all expectations. His usage and sentence structure is striking and very much contemporary, leaving behind the obscurities found in most mainstream translations of the Muslim scripture, such as those by Abdullah Y. Ali and Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall.
Mistake in the Quran - READ IT HERE!!!!
One of the questions which puzzled the ancient Arabs was, "Where did the sun go when night time came?" The Qur'an gave them Allah's answer.
Seriously bad translation of meaning
I started to read this translation with some other Muslims and we didn't get far before we abandoned it. For example, on page 8 it says "They say God has begotten a son. Glory be to Him!" The negation of the blasphemy is missing from the translation. Also on page 10, it says "Here is baptism from God; and who is better at baptism than God?" The original Arabic talks about "color" - "And surely Allah is the best of Colorers". This translation seems to have been prepared with the aim of misleading. There is no baptism in Islam. Don't buy it if you are Muslim or if you want to know about Islam. Intellectually dishonest book, not the Qur'an at all ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    2. Koran    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Islam    6. Religion / Koran   

Reviews (4)

Superb!
Recommended as a short and sweet introduction to Zen, this book did not disappoint. Cleary's introduction and translator's afterword are superb. The translations themselves are beyond excellent. I'd give this book 6 stars if I could.

Wondrous!!
I wholeheartedly agree with the other reviewers: this book is amazing. It is worth far more than it's price. All the quotes are useful (although I recommend Charles Luk's Zen and Ch'an teaching vol. 1 to get an idea of why some of the more anti-meditation words were said) and great spurs for practice. I personally bought the pocket addition. Who says Zen is just sitting on yer arse? This gives some clear, consise, Sudden Enlightenment techniques. Truly, a collection such as this is the standard by which to measure all other teachings.

Absolutely the best book on Zen
Gets immediately to the core of the matter. The translations by Cleary from the works of various Zen masters of the past are carefully chosen.The reader is led to grasp the ungraspable essence of Zen and the freedom it provides.The Translator's Introduction and Afterward (more than 30 pages) are outstanding and not available in the Pocket Book edition.No prior knowledge of Zen is required to enjoy this book completely.Everything to be said about Zen (and more) is contained in this amazing little book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Doctrines    2. Philosophy    3. Spiritual life    4. Zen Buddhism    5. Buddhism    6. Oriental & Indian philosophy    7. Religion / Zen Buddhism   

Reviews (2)

A great edition
I have several editions of the i-Ching, but this is the one I would take to a desert island. This iteration of the text and commentary is relatively recent -- 18th century -- and very well developed.
In depth translation of a Chinese classic.
The I Ching is considered by many a guide book for life.The book contains a sequence of 64 "hexagrams."Each hexagram is accompanied by an explanation of its meaning and sayings for each of it's 6 lines.Also, each of the hexagrams in this translation includescommentary composed by the Taoist adept Liu I-ming in 1796.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Eastern - Taoism    3. Philosophy    4. Yi jing    5. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    6. Philosophy / Eastern   

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Philosophy    4. Philosophy / Eastern    5. Taoism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Eastern - Zen    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Buddhism    6. Religion / Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Avatamsakasutra    2. Avataòmsakasåutra.    3. Commentaries    4. Early works to 1800    5. Gandavyuha    6. Gaònòdavyåuha    7. Philosophy    8. Sutrapitaka    9. Såutrapiòtaka.    10. Tripitaka    11. Tripitaka.    12. Buddhism    13. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

A treasury for Zen readers
I pre-ordered this mainly for its translation of the Shobogenzo-zuimonki (Record of Things Heard), Dogen's early dharma talks as recorded by his disciple Ejo. There are few (if any) other English translations in print, and this one by Cleary is included on recommended-reading lists by Dogen scholars such as Hee-jin Kim, Kazuaki Tanahashi and Taigen Dan Leighton. Some feel that the sheer quantity of Cleary's translation work raises questions about its quality, but reading several of Cleary's books (including "Rational Zen") has dispelled any doubts i had about their value for the serious student. This particular volume from the Shambhala series of his "Collected Translations" should be of particular interest for readers of Dogen. Besides the Record of Things Heard (135 pages), it contains:Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Eastern - Zen    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Buddhism    6. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (2)

Like wind in the mountains.
This book is an insightful reading of the I CHING ("Book of Change") by Buddhist Chih-hsu Ou-i (1599-1655)."Arousing the people is like wind, nurturing virtue is like mountains" (p. 88), he writes, and Thomas Cleary's new translation of this classic is just like that, "wind in the mountains."In his Introduction to the book, Cleary comments that Ou-i intended to "elucidate issues in social, psychological, and spiritual development" (p. vii) through the I CHING, as well as to lead to a better understanding of the interplay between society and spiritual practice. Buddhist Wisdom for a Changing World
The *I Ching* is the world's oldest divination text.Based on the ancientChinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, it provides timeless wisdom about howto negotiate the changing nature of events.In seventeenth century China,the Buddhist commentator Chih-hsu Ou-i (1599-1655) wrote a Buddhist versionof the *I Ching*; this book is a translation of Chih-hsu's version of the*I Ching*.This version resonates with several streams of thought inChina: on the whole, it is deeply ethical in its outlook; at times, itsounds a bit Taoist, and in other places, there are echoes of Zen. Overall, there is a tremendous amount of wisdom in this book, for Chih-shuwas well-versed in the esoteric traditions of China.The entire text is acompassionate attempt to guide souls, through the ups and downs of achanging world, to the ultimate goal of enlightenment.The book may beconsulted for divination as an ordinary translation of the *I Ching* wouldbe, or it can be read from cover to cover. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Buddhist Philosophy    3. I Ching    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. New Age / Parapsychology    6. Religion    7. Yi jing    8. Buddhism    9. Religion / Buddhism    10. Health, Mind & Body   

Reviews (2)

A timeless classic
This book contains profound wisdom, but it is still fun to read..Read it if you are at all interested in classic zen tales. The accompanying commentary makes it very accessible. The guy who gave this one star probably made a mistake or has a weird sense of humor.

Scratch gold and it's silver
This exceptional book is like running water for an enthusiast with a parched throat stumbling in samara; for a lover of the truth it is nothing less than the truth. Cleary's translation skills of are the utmost order. The scent of the Chan original is surely here. It serves the imperial and provincial! This collection repays reading and is a treasure-house of many Zen-masters. It is a Golden Gate....now will you step through or not. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Zen    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Religion / Zen Buddhism    5. Zen Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Religion - World Religions    3. Taoism    4. Oriental & Indian philosophy    5. Religion / Taoism   

Reviews (1)

Sensitive, contemporary feel
Many translations of the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu are merely stylized evocations of religious philosophy. However, Cleary's profound understanding of the texts and his translatory genius in itself is anaffirmation of the Taoist doctrine: strive for simplicity and you shallreach profundity. This is a translation which can be applied to everydaysituations and yet does not shirk from metaphysics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - Taoism    2. Oriental Philosophy    3. Philosophy    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Taoism    6. Religion / Taoism   

Reviews (3)

Zen Lessons
A very peaceful tape that explains the art of leadership from a Zen perspective. It sounds like a relaxation tape. Because of the translation, much of the essence of the teaching sounds artificial and unrealistic for today's business world. However, it gives a fresh look at the sacredness of leading others. It gives encouragement to those of us who want to live and lead others in an enlightened way.

Of Destiny and Dynasty...
...this is a two inch paperback book with 216 anecdotes, precepts and lessons from various Zen teachers of the Song Dynasty in China. Someinteresting history and discussion appears in the 30-odd pages of theTranslator's Introduction at the beginning of the book...Thomas Clary saysof this period that Zen was "characterized by complexity of form andingenious imagery with multiple meaning" and so, one finds manyambiguities in the lessons. And also there's much discussion on what thenature of Zen (Tang vs Song Dynasties) andwhat the way of the Sagesshould be.That should not, however, stop the modern day student (whetherin business, politics or some other leadership position) from seeking someof the lessons offered in the book. In fact, Claryalso translated SunTzu's "The Art of War", most recently found in corporatebookshelves.

Review of "Zen Lessons: The Art of Leadership"
It is said that there is nothing new under the sun.Certainly the issues facing leaders today are comparable to those that have faced leaders across cultures and throughout time.Human nature has not changed, and therefore the fundamentals of leadership -- the process of channeling human nature in a particular direction -- have not changed.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    2. Buddhism - Zen    3. Eastern - Zen    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Zen Buddhism    7. Religion / Zen Buddhism   

Editorial Review

Cleary presents the core teachings of the great Chinese philosopher, educator, and social critic in a convenient, easy-to-read format. Sayings from Confucius's Read more

Reviews (5)

Not just fortune cookie wisdom...
In his book on 'The Essential Tao', Thomas Cleary presented a wonderful picture of one of the dominant strands of Asian wisdom, one that has intrigued and fascinated people in the West in the past few generations. Cleary is one of the foremost scholars of ancient Chinese and Japanese. Mostly likely, if you have read a copy of ancient Chinese classic 'The Art of War' (a text widely popular, from historians and military strategists to corporate raiders and managers), it has been one of Cleary's translations. Find another book withe analects of Confuscius
This book does not have the complete set of analects, and what's worse; the author selected analects that seem to match the 64 trograms of the I ching. The Timeless wisdom of Confucius
Few ancient philosophical teachings are powerful enough to escape obsoleteness and retain the power that they had when they were first taught. Confuciusicianism's didactic philosophy is one of these true classics. The timeless quality of its teachings is made accessible for the English reader in the book The Essential Confucius arranged and translated by Thomas Cleary. Cleary has arranged by topic, Confucian aphorisms from the Book of Change and Confucius's Analects to enhance the readers understanding of Confucius's philosophy as a whole. Through Cleary's lucid translations and his skillful weaving of the two different texts of Confuciusianism the reader is able to heuristically grasp that the purpose and means by which Confucius wished to ameliorate society. Read more

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Eastern - General    3. General    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Oriental & Indian philosophy    7. Sale Books   

Reviews (4)

Ancient Gong-An Practice
I've dicovered that a LOT of people get downright angry when you start to elucidate Zen to be anything beyond "do-your-own-thing". I hope you're not going to be one of those people...
Honored to do Business
This seller had not only fast shipping, but the product was just as they described, I would highly recommend them to my friends and they stand by their product and shippinig.
Still the only complete translation
Cleary's version of the Blue Cliff Record (Chin. Pi Yen Lu. J. Hekiganroku)is the only translation giving the whole text, so it was surprising to find no review for it in the Amazon.com files. But then, the Blue Cliff Record' - undoubtedly the most sophisticated collection of Zen 'koan' (chin. kung-an) material, could hardly be reviewed in the linear sense at all, as one might approach ordinary literature. Those for whom such texts matter most in the West - viz. Buddhists using such material as part of their training, would hasten to add that minus Zen practice, the Blue Cliff Record is as good as a 'closed book.' Casual readers may find a certain itchy fascination in these pithy Zen sayings, but a true appreciation of them presupposes something akin to Zen practice. At any rate, to discover anything of value in this book, depends on what you bring to it. To take that position is not necessarily Zen 'snobbery.' That was how the authors of the Blue Cliff Record intended it to be 'savoured' - whether by monks or lay-Buddhists.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Zen    2. Early works to 1800    3. Koan    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Alternative belief systems    7. Religion / Zen Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Eastern - Zen    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Buddhism    6. Religion / Buddhism