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The Iron Flute  By  cover art

The Iron Flute

By: Nyogen Senzaki, Ruth Strout McCandless
Narrated by: Ken McLeod
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Publisher's summary

The Iron Flute, a classic koan collection with peerless commentaries by masters from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, speaks radiantly to the heart. The Iron Flute was compiled by Genro, an outstanding Zen master of 18th-century Japan, who added his commentary to each koan in poetry and prose. Later, Genro's chief disciple, Fugai, annotated the work with his own interpretations. In this edition, Nyogen Senzaki - a Japanese Zen master peerless in his ability to speak directly to the modern American heart - clarifies the meaning of both koan and commentary alike.

Well-versed in contemporary Western psychology and philosophy, Senzaki is able to amplify the power of each word. Each koan becomes a lucid encapsulation of the essence of Zen, and The Iron Flute becomes an instrument that generously sounds the clear tones of enlightenment.

Nyogen's translations and commentaries effortlessly dissolve the barriers of language, culture, and even time, allowing The Iron Flute to uplift each of us with the same music that was heard by masters centuries ago.

©1964 copyright in Japan: by Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc.; compilation copyright: 2000 Tuttle Publishing; introduction copyright: (P)2000 Audio Renaissance, an Imprint of Renaissance Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the most significant contributions to Zen literature in recent times." (Asahi Evening News)

What listeners say about The Iron Flute

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good collection of koans

This is an excellent collection of koans with helpful comments. After a few hours however it is a bit hard to follow as there is no other structure in this audio book than "koan nr.x" + comments per koan. A little bit more background info on koans and their history would have been great.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Cy
  • 03-10-06

Excellent collection of Koans!

This is an excellent collection of Koans for just listening or meditating on. There are numerous insights into a better understanding of what Zen represents. A Zen practitioner would appreciate this book. Please listen very attentively!

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9 people found this helpful