The Song of Awakening (chin. Cheng-tao ke, jap. Shodoka), is a seminal text within early Chinese Chan (jap. Zen). Written in the seventh century by the Chinese master Yung-chia Hsuan-chueh (Jap. Yoka Genkaku, known familiarly as Yoka Daishi), this superb poem resonates with Yoka Daishi's great awakening to the truth of reality. As such, it has had a deep influence on the understanding and practice of a long line of Chinese and Japanese Zen masters and practitioners.

Kodo Sawaki uses the poetic expression of Shodoka as a springboard for a wide-ranging commentary that not only...

The Song of Awakening (chin. Cheng-tao ke, jap. Shodoka), is a seminal text within early Chinese Chan (jap. Zen). Written in the seventh century by the Chinese master Yung-chia Hsuan-chueh (Jap. Yoka Genkaku, known familiarly as Yoka Daishi), this superb poem resonates with Yoka Daishi's great awakening to the truth of reality. As such, it has had a deep influence on the understanding and practice of a long line of Chinese and Japanese Zen masters and practitioners.

Kodo Sawaki uses the poetic expression of Shodoka as a springboard for a wide-ranging commentary that not only...