Zen Koans (1973)

The largest collection in English with new commentary by The Venerable Gyomay M. Kubose and original sumie illustrations by Ryozo Ogura.
> Two monks were arguing about a flag. One said, “The flag is moving.” The other said, “The wind is moving.”‘ A Zen Master passing by remarked, “Not the wind, not the flag; mind is moving.”
The Zen koan is, essentially, a problem that can not be solved by the intellect. In trying to understand the koan, the student learns the limitations of thought—and frequently experiences “satori, ” a direct, non-verbal awareness of reality. Used by Zen Masters from ancient times to the present, koans are famous guideposts in the quest for enlightenment—Nirvana.
This unique collection contains over 200 classical and modern koans. It is, in fact, the most complete compilation. yet available in a one-volume English edition. To render the koans more intelligible to contemporary readers, the Venerable Kubose, an American-born Buddhist priest, has provided original commentary for each. Thus the Western reader can relate the koans to modern life while gaining some understanding of Zen.
GYOMAY M. KUBOSE is the founder of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. Born in San Francisco, he completed his early education in Japan and returned to the United States to take a philosophy degree at the University of California. He became a disciple of the late Haya Akegarasu, a controversial thinker who revolutionized Shin Buddhism. The Venerable Kubose returned to Japan from 1966 to 1970, pursuing advanced studies at Otani University in Kyoto. Upon his return, he founded the Buddhist Educational Center in Chicago, organized to further the study of Buddhist philosophy, art, and culture in the United States. He was a close friend of the late Zen Master Nyogen Senzaki and exchanged visits with the renowned Dr. D. T. Suzuki.
RYOZO OGURA is a sumie (Japanese brush painting) master who has exhibited widely. He works and resides in Chicago.