Opening a Mountain

"This is an innovative reading and presentation of Zen literature. It breaks new ground in the study of Zen and in the interpretation of k=oan literature, setting a standard for these in terms of scholarly rigor and broad accessibility that is truly impressive. Opening a Mountain will encourage us to read k=oans in much more articulate literary, sociological, and historical setting than we have previously managed. This is an excellent book." --Philosophy East & West "This is an innovative reading and presentation of Zen literature. It breaks new ground in the study of Zen and in the interpretation of koan literature, setting a standard for these in terms of scholarly rigor and broad accessibility that is truly impressive. Opening a Mountain will encourage us to read koans in a much more articulate literary, sociological, and historical setting than we have previously managed. This is an excellent book."--H-Net "Erudite and well-researched.... Religious scholar and historian Heine is well-qualified to guide an exploration of the contexts from which various koans have emerged. The book is fascinating."--NAPRA Review "A respectful and respectable contribution to the growing body of contemporary Buddhist studies at a time when Buddhism is establishing a vital presence in the American religious landscape."--Publishers Weekly "Heine is an accomplished, deft writer.... For those intrigued with koans, the enigmatic teachings of Zen Buddhism, this text offers translations of and critical commentary on sixty of these always lively, often maddening, anecdotes."--The Asian Reporter "An important step towards reading the Zen records more within the context of the broader cultural environment that generated them." --Japanese Religions "...Heine occupies a unique position as an original thinker and synthesizer"--Jimmy Yu,Florida State University "...this and other passages present Heine almost as a Zen masters."--Jimmy Yu, Florida State University