This collection of Zen poems and essays guides readers towards the joy of life. In the 1,600 years that have elapsed since the arrival of Indian Buddhism in China during the Han and Jin dynasties, Buddhist monks and scholars have integrated the essence of Zen Buddhist thought with the classical forms of Chinese literature to create over 30,000 simple, lively poems of deep moral significance. Their authors convey an understanding of Zen, of its practice, or of the knowledge gained through meditation, they promote its philosophical principles and display its interest. The poems are widely known, long lived and much loved. Professor Wu Yansheng has selected 66 classic poems by 54 historical scholars or monks ranging from Tao Yuanming (365–427), Han Shan (7th and 8th centuries), Wang Wei (701–761), to Xu Yun (1840–1959). He provides insights and a detailed introduction to the author of each poem in the hope of guiding the reader towards the realms of Zen and its poetry. These poems represent the highest achievement of Zen poetry. The single qualification for inclusion has been depth of feeling and understanding. Each poem indicates a realm where the duality of opposites has been transcended to achieve spiritual harmony. It shows the way to release and spiritual freedom. It shows a garden of peace of mind that brings restlessness to an end. In opening this book, the reader will… Visit the depths of the realms of Zen and poetry, of life and awakening and of the wisdom of the East. Enter the spiritual world of the enlightened and together with the great Masters enjoy the tranquillity, purity, and ethereal nature of life. Dispel anxiety, purify the soul and live poetically in the world.

This book offers a contemporary look at the popular, 400 year-old text Vegetable Roots Discourse. Ming Dynasty scholar and philosopher Hong Yingming wrote many books, but only Vegetable Roots Discourse has survived into the 21st century-remaining a widely studied text in China, Japan and Korea. In it, Yingming offers 360 observations and proverbs about life, human nature, heaven, earth and more. These witty and timeless sentiments derive from Yingming's own informal compilation of thoughts, as well as the understandings of Buddhism, Daoism (Taoism) and Confucianism. In The Art of Living Chinese Proverbs and Wisdom, Professor Wu Yansheng and Dr. Ding Liangyan have provided original commentaries for each of the 360 snippets of wisdom. These help readers to expand their understanding of the meaning behind the original text, whilst demonstrating its significance in a contemporary context.

This commentary on the Chinese masterpiece, The Classic of Tea, offers a fascinating perspective on this ancient pastime and art. The Classic of Tea, the first known monograph on tea in the world, was written in the 8th century by Lu Yu who devoted his entire life to the study of tea and is respected as the Sage of Tea. Wu Juenong, an agronomist and economist specializing in agriculture, has studied tea all his life. This book is the culmination of lifelong research on Chinese tea culture and history, introducing the readers to modern findings of effects and properties of tea, types of tea preparations, the evolution of tea growing regions and tea drinking customs across China, in addition to extensive annotation. Both scholarly and informative, An Illustrated Modern Reader of 'The Classic of Tea' has been acclaimed as a New Classic of Tea. An Illustrated Modern Reader of 'The Classic of Tea' also includes vivid illustrations and pictures of tools and utensils for the making and drinking of tea, either hand-drawn or collected by him, which the original The Classic of Tea lacked. Selected Chinese traditional paintings in the book illuminate the elegant art of brewing and drinking tea, the social rituals associated with tea drinking, and the reformative and cultural significance of tea ceremonies.

In China, the tradition of living as a hermit has existed for 5,000 years and is one of the mysteries of its culture. In the age of the internet hermits still dwell in the mountain ranges south of Xi'an living life as it was thousands of years ago. Drawn to the hermetic life, the author spent three years in the depths of the Zhongnan Mountains visiting and staying with over 100 hermits. In their midst, high amongst the clouds he practiced with the hermits, achieved enlightenment and learned their secret traditions. Seated above the clouds he looked down on the mundane world below as he refined his spirit and reformed his soul in the experience of a different mode of existence. As contemporary man busied himself with the creation of his own networks, and searched for knowledge, wealth and love, the author took the opposite route and sought out the hermits of legend. As we close the book, his efforts allow us, for a moment, to transcend the chaos of life, achieve detachment and an inner contemplation and turn and enter our own inner being.

The Art of Self Cultivation, contains hundreds of individual quotations drawn from over 2,000 years of Chinese history. The Art of Self Cultivation comprises quotations that are concerned with what in Chinese is termed xiushen-which translates roughly as "self cultivation". One Chinese encyclopedia defines it as "the nurture of body and mind in order to strengthen and raise the level of one's sense of morality". This book addresses individual behavior and conduct from the essentials of character such as morality, through activities like the acquisition of knowledge and the techniques of learning to the norms of correct social behavior. Sources range from early philosophers such as Confucius and the Daoist philosopher Li Er, to early historians like Ban Gu and Sima Qian, through the poets and officials of the brilliant Tang and Song dynasties and on to the writers that flourished in the 17th to 19th centuries.

The Zhuangzi is one of the great classic Taoist texts. Zhuangzi (or Zhuang Tzu) himself was born during the upheavals and chaos of China’s Warring States period (475–221 BC). His outstanding written style, vivid and fantastical imagination, and marvelous fables exercised a profound influence on the formation of traditional Chinese culture, whilst he himself occupied a commanding position amongst the thinkers of the day. He disdained worldly fame and profit and lived in transcendent calm and unaffected ease. Amidst the rush, busyness, and ever-increasing tempo of life today it is easy to become lost and exhausted. However, Zhuangzi and his wisdom can teach us how to find spiritual comfort in this vast world of ours. This book takes the essence of Zhuangzi’s classic and in a single phrase or topic or even a story in its commentary provides us with a concise and original interpretation in an easily understood form. It combines the philosophy of the classic with modern life. In this dialogue with the sages of Chinese philosophy, we can understand the real meaning of life.