The Zen Art Book: The Art of Enlightenment

When a Zen master puts brush to paper the resulting image is an expression of the quality of his or her mind. It is thus a teaching intended to compassionately stop us in our tracks and to compel us to consider ultimate truth. Here forty masterpieces of painting and calligraphy by renowned masters such as Hakuin Ekaku (16851768) and Gibon Sengai (17501837) are reproduced along with commentary that illuminates both the art and its teaching. The authors essays provide an excellent introduction to both the aesthetic and didactic aspects of this art that can be profound perplexing serious humorous and breathtakingly beautifuloften all within the same simple piece.