Ask the Awakened: The Negative Way

by Wei Wu Wei

Paperback, 2002

Publication

Sentient Publications (2002), Edition: 1, Paperback, 203 pages

Call number

UT / Wei

Barcode

BK-06673

ISBN

0971078645 / 9780971078642

Physical description

203 p.; 7.84 inches

Description

The author shares his deep understanding of Taosim--specifically the texts attribued the Heart, Diamond and Lankavatara sutras; and attributed to Cahn Buddhism as taught by Hui Neng, Huang Po, Hui Hai, rct.

Language

User reviews

LibraryThing member fyoder
Neti,neti, wu wu! It's all void, but not void as a void in space, but... you'll just have to read it. Buddhism has been criticized by some for being nihilistic, I suspect precisely because of negative sounding terms, even the title of this book! But Wei Wu Wei manages to elucidate this approach in
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a way which makes clear that it has nothing to do with annihilation.

Whether or not you comprehend it fully is another question, since he is attempting what he knows to be a very difficult thing -- pointing at a non-dualistic nature with a highly subject/object oriented language. He points out in several places that past enlightened masters avoided this approach with their students, but since they're no longer around, this is necessary.

If you have access to an enlightened teacher, you don't need to read this book. Otherwise, check it out. If in places it seems as opaque as the most puzzling of koans, well, that's what koans are for. Not an easy read, but well worth the effort.
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Rating

½ (4 ratings; 4.8)
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