Description: The most contemporary of the ancient koan collections--representing centuries of refinement by Zen masters working with their students, "Entangling Vines," a translation of the "Shumon kattoshu," is one of the few major koan texts to have been compiled in Japan rather than China. Indeed, Kajitani Sonin (1914-1995) former chief abbot of Shokoku-ji and author of an annotated, modern-Japanese translation of the "Kattoshu," commented that "herein are compiled the basic Dharma materials of the koan system." Most of the central koans of the contemporary Rinzai koan curriculum are contained in this work. Kirchner's careful annotation of each koan makes this a brilliant introduction to Buddhist philosophy.
Brief description: Nelson Foster is a Dharma heir of Diamond Sangha founder Robert Aitken and succeeded him at its Honolulu temple. He now teaches mainly at Ring of Bone Zendo in the California foothills, making periodic visits to the East Rock Sangha in New England.
Review Quotes: A masterpiece. It will be our inspiration for 10,000 years.--Robert Aitken, author of Taking the Path of Zen and The Gateless Barrier