The Poetry of Zen

What does it mean to capture enlightenment in a handful of words—to express the inexpressible, to point toward awakening through the simplest of images? The Poetry of Zen is a wonderfully diverse anthology of Zen poetry from China and Japan, spanning over a thousand years from the earliest days of Zen to the twentieth century. Edited and translated by two of America's premier poet-translators, Sam Hamill and J.P. Seaton, this collection brings together the voices of masters and hermits, monks and wanderers—including Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen, Saigyo, Basho, Ryokan, and many others—whose poems bear witness to moments of insight, the beauty of nature, and the freedom of the enlightened mind.

At first glance, a Zen poem might seem deceptively simple—a few lines about moonlight, a mountain stream, or falling leaves. But these poems are not mere descriptions; they are expressions of awakening, fingers pointing at the moon of enlightenment. Poetry has been essential to Zen practice from its earliest days, serving as a way to transmit insight beyond words, to capture the immediacy of direct experience, to celebrate the ordinary as sacred. The poets in this collection—from Chinese Chan masters to Japanese haiku poets—show us what it means to see clearly, to live simply, to find freedom in each moment. Their verses invite us not to analyze or interpret but to experience, to wake up to the world as it is.

For readers seeking contemplative wisdom, The Poetry of Zen offers a profound introduction to the Zen poetic tradition and its vision of awakening. Hamill and Seaton provide illuminating introductions and poet biographies that set the work in historical and philosophical context, making this collection accessible to newcomers while remaining rich enough for longtime students of Zen. This is a book for anyone who loves poetry that points beyond itself, who seeks wisdom in simplicity, who wants to encounter the enlightened mind through the beauty of language. It's a reminder that the deepest truths are often found in the simplest words, and that poetry can be a path to awakening.

What You'll Discover

• Comprehensive anthology of Zen poetry from China and Japan
• Works by Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen, Saigyo, Basho, Ryokan, and many others
• Spanning over a thousand years of Zen poetic tradition
• Translated by acclaimed poet-translators Sam Hamill and J.P. Seaton
• Illuminating introductions on Chinese and Japanese Zen poetry
• Short biographies of the poets and historical context

About the Translators: Sam Hamill (1943-2018) was an American poet, translator, and essayist who co-founded Copper Canyon Press and translated numerous works of Chinese and Japanese poetry. J.P. Seaton is a poet, translator, and professor emeritus of Chinese at the University of North Carolina, renowned for his translations of classical Chinese poetry. Together, they bring deep knowledge of the Zen tradition and poetic craft to this anthology, offering translations that honor both the spiritual depth and literary beauty of the original poems.

Perfect for: Readers seeking Zen poetry and Buddhist wisdom, students of Chinese and Japanese literature, those drawn to haiku and contemplative poetry, anyone interested in the intersection of poetry and spiritual practice, readers who love nature poetry and simplicity, admirers of Basho, Han Shan, and Ryokan, seekers exploring Zen Buddhism and enlightenment, students of translation and world poetry, those interested in the poetic expression of awakening.

Shambhala Publications paperback edition. A rich, diverse anthology—offering the voices of Zen masters across centuries, expressing enlightenment through the beauty of simple words.