Buy new:
$14.95
FREE delivery Saturday, May 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$14.95
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, May 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 6 hrs 43 mins
Only 8 left in stock (more on the way).
$$14.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$11.90
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
The item is fairly worn but still readable. The book may have some cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, sunburn, stains, water damage, bent, torn, damaged binding, dent. The dust jacket if present, may be marked, and have considerable heavy wear. The book might be ex-library copy, and may have the markings and stickers associated from the library - The book may have considerable highlights, notes, underlined pages but the text is legible The item is fairly worn but still readable. The book may have some cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, sunburn, stains, water damage, bent, torn, damaged binding, dent. The dust jacket if present, may be marked, and have considerable heavy wear. The book might be ex-library copy, and may have the markings and stickers associated from the library - The book may have considerable highlights, notes, underlined pages but the text is legible See less
FREE delivery Monday, May 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 6 hrs 43 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$14.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Thomas Cleary
Follow
Huikai
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Unlocking the Zen Koan: A New Translation of the Zen Classic Wumenguam Paperback – September 24, 1997

by Thomas Cleary (Translator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$14.95","priceAmount":14.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"7rDoupQgO1JPAs4hQZ%2B0oMnoyePbvaFvWuBW74svZ4p2PqlRrcSjnW3jgtaDmOiC9s0yKXQtjq3SzePzLcjpy8jqUfzf60JhYyXDOCjfq%2FCoztaYLwdrZQthuHY1P3QGdmVR%2FRoTwfs%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$11.90","priceAmount":11.90,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"90","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"7rDoupQgO1JPAs4hQZ%2B0oMnoyePbvaFvvj%2BOgMKr32MSpGH70u24dVYwYihxiGgjhNNW%2F8XJnkI%2BPV5I9ch6ekGdnlp2xtdry2IT0dXNRw65ejVb2XgrdnZgdVBe5VeAMsmhwC8xPeK3FniAjUJsWtsbsWtL3kBIlNSm%2BnqMJq%2BoDxyMsRfHm3t0pC%2BtB0Ey","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Elusive and enigmatic, zen koans have long puzzled people with their surprise meanings hidden in simple tales. Now one of America's finest translators of Asian philosophy provides a brillian new translation of the 12th century Wumenguan, the most popular of Chinese Zen koans. In Unlocking the Zen Koan (originally published as No Boundary), Thomas Cleary translates directly from the Chinese and interprets Zen Master Wumen's text and commentaries in verse and prose on the inner meaning of the koans. Cleary then gives us other great Chinese Zen masters' comments in prose or verse on the same koan. Cleary's probing, analytic commentaries wrestle with meaning and shading, explaining principles and practices. Five different steps to follow in reading the koan being with its use as a single abrupt perception, and lead progressively to more intellectual readings, illustrating the fixations which stand in the way of a true Zen understanding.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    North Atlantic Books
  4. Publication date
    September 24, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.7 x 8.24 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    155643247X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1556432477
  8. See all details
Next page
Layla
"Layla" by Colleen Hoover for $7.19
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more

Frequently bought together

Unlocking the Zen Koan: A New Translation of the Zen Classic Wumenguam
$14.95
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11
Only 8 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Blue Cliff Record
$29.53
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Book of Serenity: One Hundred Zen Dialogues
$44.84
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11
Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In Unlocking the Zen Koan (originally published as No Boundary) Thomas Cleary translates directly from the Chinese and interprets Zen Master Wumen's text and commentaries in verse and prose on the inner meaning of the koans. Cleary then gives us other great Chinese Zen masters' comments in prose or verse on the same koan. Cleary's probing, analytic commentaries wrestle with meaning and shading, explaining principles and practices. Five different steps to follow in reading the koan begin with its use as a single abrupt perception, and lead progressively to more intellectual readings, illustrating the fixations which stand in the way of a true Zen understanding.

About the Author

Thomas Cleary has studied Zen koans for thirty years, and has long been acknowledge worldwide as a master translator of Zen texts. His acclaimed translations of Buddhist and Taoist classics, renowned for their unusual lucidity, have been adopted as international standards for retranslation into French, Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ North Atlantic Books (September 24, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 155643247X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1556432477
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.7 x 8.24 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Thomas Cleary

    Thomas Cleary

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Thomas Cleary is the preeminent translator of classic Eastern texts, including The Essential Tao, The Essential Confucius, The Secret of the Golden Flower, and the bestselling The Art of War.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Huikai

    Huikai

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John R
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text!
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2016
Verified Purchase
Excellent text!
Helpful
 Report
David E. Johnston
5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2001
A wonderful book on Zen koans. There are a few other books on Zen koans but this is the only one with such commentaries written in simple language. Cleary is a great translator and excellent at explaining what these koans and koans in general are all about. Any body interested in Zen MUST own this book. It is perhaps my favorite book period. I have read so much hog-wash about Zen by people who don't understand it. I wish they would read this book before they speak. Zen is not
gibberish, Zen is not anti-thinking, Zen is not nihilistic. Cleary explains this perfectly through his commetaries on these koans. By the way, the koans themseleves are masterpieces but this book is especially good because of what Cleary has done. I do like to read others translations of the Wumenguan and so I recommend other books like Zen Flesh Zen Bone as well.
15 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
bojangleshiker
4.0 out of 5 stars quick service good price deep subject
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
quick service good price deep subject matter
Helpful
 Report
Richard Brodie
5.0 out of 5 stars If you read one book on Zen, this is it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 1998
A superb explanation of Zen introduces a brilliant translation of the Wumenguan, the most famous book of Zen riddle-lessons. Thomas Cleary has a rare ability to explain Eastern thought to the Western mind, not by dumbing it down, but by wising us up. Highly, highly recommended.
--Richard Brodie, author, Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
G. ORafferty
5.0 out of 5 stars Empty
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2000
Thomas Cleary is a master. This book is marvelous, as are all of the books I have read of his. I am greatly indebted to Thomas Cleary for helping to clear away delusions, his analyses of these koans are remarkable for their insight.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dave Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
as expected
Helpful
 Report
Douglas C. Bates
1.0 out of 5 stars Masterful Translator, but No Zen Master
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2002
The problem here is that while Cleary is probably the best-ever translator of Buddhist literature, he is no Zen master. His translation of the actual text of the Mumonkan is supurb. Unfortunately, he gives lengthy commentaries on the cases. He's clearly not a Zen Master, nor a koan student, nor even a Zen Buddhist. He's a well-read translator who hasn't engaged in koan study.
As someone who is personally struggling with Joshu's Mu, Case 1 of the Mumonkan, I can tell you that Cleary is even farther away from it than I am. He's clearly wrong about it. Why buy a book on koans from someone who has never done koan study?
15 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report