Description
A classic collection of Zen kōans for study, practice, and reflection.
Digital (PDF) edition available immediately after purchase.
This edition of The Gateless Gate introduces readers to forty-eight kōans — vivid encounters between Zen masters and their students — that challenge us to move beyond words and enter directly into insight. First gathered in 13th-century China by Mumon Ekai, this timeless text has inspired generations of practitioners across the world.
✓ Includes the pioneering 1934 English translation by Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps
✓ Clear and accessible language that first introduced kōans to Western readers
✓ Mumon’s original Preface, Commentaries, and Verses preserved in full
✓ Additional glossary of names and references to support contemporary study
✓ Further reading suggestions for those wishing to explore Zen practice more deeply
✓ A companion for practice — a record of barriers and openings, questions without answers, and doors only passed through by stepping beyond them
Published by Zen Library, this edition provides a faithful yet accessible introduction to one of the most important works of Zen Buddhism, suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Whether you are drawn to Zen for spiritual practice, philosophical insight, or cultural appreciation, The Gateless Gate remains an essential guide to the heart of Zen.