Zen Teaching of Instantaneous Awakening: being the teaching of the Zen Master Hui Hai, known as the Great Pearl

Translator John Blofeld also translated "Zen Teaching of Huang Po" which is one of my favorites. Blofeld wrote in the introduction: "In a way, the present work is complementary to The Zen Teaching of Huang Po; for, while both masters carry us to the very heart of things, Huang Po deals rather more uniformly with the subject, whereas the Great Pearl (Hui Hai) relates each part of his exposition more specifically to some of the various tenets common to the Mahayana as a whole, or to particular tenets emphasized by this school or that, as well as to some of the doctrines of Taoism. It seems to me that Huang Po gives us a brilliant overall picture of the means of arriving at the goal, and that the Great Pearl deals just as brilliantly but more precisely with most of the separate difficulties involved. For this reason, while his book is by no means of less interest than Huang Po's to the general reader, it will make a special appeal to those readers with a detailed knowledge of the various facets of traditional Buddhist doctrine." I could not agree more.Reading this book also helps greater understanding of Diamond Sutura, Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma, Heart Sutura (translator Red Pine), as well as teaching of modern sages like Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, David R. Hawkins.

Probably not ideal for someone who is brand new to Buddhism, but if you have a good grounding in the basic tenets of Buddha dharma, or even if you are relatively new to the teachings, this book contains unbelievable insight and is well-written. It's format is basic and accessible. Really a phenomenal piece of literature. Sometimes I could only read a page or two at a time, needing to let the insight sink in before continuing.

Bought this book because of John Blofeld's excellent translation and the clarity of "The Zen Teachings of Huang Po". Through no fault of Blofeld's, this book does not nearly stack up to Huang Po. Although Hui Hai is better than most at providing a clear manifestation of Taoist/Buddhist enlightenment, it is not remotely comparable in clarity to Huang Po.

This book and its author(s) brings unprecedented clarity to zen teaching. Compared to many Japanese later era zen writings, Hui Hai's style of not hiding behind difficult concepts is refreshing. For me, this book has turned to become the most influental book on spirituality I have ever read.

Blofeld is a superb translator, always acknowledged by Tibetan & Zen Masters as extremely knowledgable & having a deep grasp of Teachings. Hui Hai was a contemporary of Huang-Po (6th Zen Patriarch) & speaks from deep "knowing" of the Mind. Teachings are very basic & "simple" -- which we refuse to acknowledge & proceed to make as complicated & elaborate as possible!

Another Blofeld Classic translation that fits well with Huang Po, as many others have said. I'll add that it goes well with Thomas Cleary's translations of Foyan called; Instant Zen: Waking Up in the Present. Hui Hai can serve as further disscussion of Foyan's sermons.

Good read for students of Zen.

In an unusual format, the master poses (and answers) the critical questions. No fluff here. Just the essence!

Zen Teaching of Instantaneous Awakening is a complete translation of the teaching of the Chinese Chan Master Hui Hai by John Blofeld, with a foreword by Charles Luk Hui Hai, who was one of the great Ch'an (Zen) Masters.An extract:‘Once a man who practised Chan asked Hui Hai: “It is said that mind is identical with the Buddha, but which of these is really the Buddha?” Hui Hai replied “What do you suppose is not the Buddha? Point it out to me!” As there was no answer, the Master added: “If you comprehend (the mind), the Buddha is omnipresent to you; but if you do not awaken to it, you will remain astray and distant from him for ever.’And one of Hui Hai’s simplest and most effective quotes: 'Your Treasure House is in yourself, it contains all you need'.John Blofeld was a noted Buddhist writer and translator and also one of the few British men to experience life in China prior to the Communist revolution. His fondness for China and of Buddhism enabled him to translate the texts with feeling and insight. He has also written one of the best English translations of the Tao Teh Ching - I have this also.

Hui Hai was one of the great Chan/Zen masters of the Tang dynasty and this work reflects that. John Blofeld (1913-1987), a highly respected translator, has produced translations of both Hui Hai's 'A Treatise on The Essential Gateway to Truth by Means of Instantaneous Awakening' (Tun-wu Ju Tao Men Lun) and also a translation of the 'The Tsung Ching Record of the Zen Master Hui Hai also known as the Great Pearl'(Tsung Ching Lu). The work also includes an interesting introduction, a useful glossary/list of terms and a foreword by Charles Luk."Hui Hai's direct teachings point immediately to this moment of truth and awakening and the message of this classic eighth-century text is universal and timeless.'When things happen make no response: keep your minds from dwelling on anything whatsoever: keep them for ever still as the void and utterly pure (without stain): and thereby spontaneously attain deliverance' -Hui Hai" -quoted from the back cover.This is a most engaging work that, I believe ,would be a most welcome addition to any Zen practitioners bookshelf. The Zen Teaching of Huang Po on the Transmission of Mind  by the same translator, is an equally fine text and in a sense, can be seen as a complementary work to this one. I recommend both very highly.For those who are interested, there is also a very interesting autobiography of John Blofeld available  The Wheel of Life: The Autobiography of a Western Buddhist (Shambhala Dragon Editions) . The Zen Teaching of Huang Po on the Transmission of MindThe Wheel of Life: The Autobiography of a Western Buddhist (Shambhala Dragon Editions)

This is friendlier, more down to earth zen, lacking the intentisty, snobbery, and intellectual elitism of your typical zen master.I have no doubt that Hui Hai's realization was deep and genuine and he does drop a few nuggets of wisdom throughout the text. But overall, his focus is on being friendly, rather than deprecating his interlocutors of their ego in a braizen fashion, as is so typical of zen masters.

Love this and his other book Huang Po and Transmission of the Mind, both are gems of Chan works, get both and read them again and again as your learn something new each time....

Excellent read...A++++++