Cloud and Water: An Interpretation of Chan Poems

Passed down over centuries by celebrated Chan (Zen) masters, these 36 poems selected by a contemporary Buddhist Master are profound in their literary simplicity and direct in their worldly relevance. Addressing the essential features of Chan Buddhist practice and offering practical wisdom for managing day-to-day challenges, each poem captures the essential Chan (Zen) spirit of living in the moment and being open to immediate experience. In addition to their spiritual and philosophical appeal, the poems are accompanied by the author's lucid and insightful commentaries formed from a lifetime of experience as a spiritual leader of a worldwide Buddhist community. Through the use of lively anecdotes and references to Buddhist scriptures, this collection provides both the Chan practitioner and the general reader illuminating and effective ways to apply Buddhism's universal wisdom to daily life.