{"title":"Brian Bruya","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrian Bruya\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a thoughtful exploration of Eastern philosophy and spirituality through works that blend accessible interpretation with profound insight. His writings invite readers to engage with texts like the \u003cem\u003eDao De Jing\u003c\/em\u003e and reflect on the practical and philosophical teachings of Zen and Daoism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCombining philosophical discourse with elements of graphic storytelling, Bruya's books navigate complex themes of order, chaos, and the human experience. Readers interested in contemplative approaches to religion and spirituality will find his collection both enlightening and thought-provoking.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"dao-de-jing-by-c-c-tsai-9780691179773","title":"Dao De Jing","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom bestselling cartoonist C. C. Tsai, a delightfully illustrated version of the classic work of Daoist philosophy. C. C. Tsai is one of Asia's most popular cartoonists, and his editions of the Chinese classics have sold more than 40 million copies in over twenty languages. Here, he works his magic again with a delightful graphic adaptation of the complete text of Laozi's \u003cem\u003eDao De Jing\u003c\/em\u003e, the beloved source of Daoist philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMasterfully transforming Laozi's challenging work into entertaining and enlightening episodes, Tsai offers a uniquely fresh, relevant, and accessible version of one of the world's most influential books. After opening with Laozi's biography from the Shi Ji, Tsai turns the stage over to Laozi, who patiently explains his ideas to his earnest students (and us).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLaozi describes the spontaneity of natural processes, the paradoxical effects of ethical precepts, the limits of language, the values of simplicity, and, above all else, how to go with the flow. In brief episodes that tantalise and inspire, he takes us into the subtle complexities of human existence. Ultimately, Laozi, a master visionary, guides us to the mountaintop to reveal an expansive view of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA marvellous edition of a timeless classic, this book also presents Laozi's original Chinese text in sidebars on each page, enriching the book for readers and students of Chinese without distracting from the English-language cartoons. The text is skilfully translated by Brian Bruya, who also provides an illuminating introduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47462772572396,"sku":"9780691179773","price":70.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780691179773-dao-de-jing.jpg?v=1775023302"},{"product_id":"the-ways-of-zen-by-c-c-tsai-9780691179766","title":"The Ways of Zen","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom bestselling cartoonist C. C. Tsai, a delightfully illustrated collection of classic Zen Buddhist stories that enlighten as they entertain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eC. C. Tsai is one of Asia's most popular cartoonists, and his editions of the Chinese classics have sold more than 40 million copies in over twenty languages. In \u003cem\u003eThe Ways of Zen\u003c\/em\u003e, he has created an entertaining and enlightening masterpiece from the rich collections of the Zen Buddhist tradition, bringing classic stories to life in delightful language and vividly detailed comic illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCombining all the stories previously published in Tsai's \u003cem\u003eWisdom of the Zen Masters\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eZen Speaks\u003c\/em\u003e, this is the artist's largest collection of selections from the most important and famous Zen texts. The story of the illiterate wood-peddler Huineng, who improbably rises to become the most famous Zen patriarch, is joined by others that trace the development of the five major sects of Zen Buddhism through other masters such as Mazu, Linji, and Yunmen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA shattered antique, a blind man carrying a lantern, sutras set on fire, a cow jumping through a window—each story leads the reader to reflect on fundamental Buddhist ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Ways of Zen\u003c\/em\u003e also features the original Chinese text in side columns on each page, enriching the book for readers and students of Chinese without distracting from the English-language cartoons. Filled with memorable anecdotes and disarming wisdom, \u003cem\u003eThe Ways of Zen\u003c\/em\u003e is a perfect introduction to Zen Buddhism and an essential addition to any Zen collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47471849701612,"sku":"9780691179766","price":54.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780691179766-the-ways-of-zen.jpg?v=1775259697"},{"product_id":"a-cure-for-chaos-by-c-c-tsai-9780691179810","title":"A Cure for Chaos","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom bestselling cartoonist C. C. Tsai, a delightful graphic version of the stories and teachings of the important Chinese philosopher Mencius.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eC. C. Tsai is one of Asia's most popular cartoonists, and his graphic editions of the Chinese classics have sold more than 40 million copies in over twenty languages. In \u003cem\u003eA Cure for Chaos\u003c\/em\u003e, he uses his virtuosic artistic skill and sly humour to create an entertaining and enlightening illustrated version of key selections from the \u003cem\u003eMencius\u003c\/em\u003e, a profoundly influential work of Chinese philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou cannot understand Chinese philosophy without understanding Mencius (fourth century BCE), who is known as the Second Sage, after Confucius, and whose ideas were for many centuries part of the standard Confucian curriculum. \u003cem\u003eA Cure for Chaos\u003c\/em\u003e is a playful and accessible comic that brings alive the clever stories and thought experiments that Mencius uses to convey his ideas. Through conversations with potentates and colourful episodes involving tigers, chicken thieves, and bear paws, this vivid graphic narrative shows Mencius arguing for a government that puts the people first, for morality over fame or fortune, and for the need of each person to cultivate their innate goodness—all of which is a prescription to cure chaos in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTranslated and introduced by Tsai's longtime collaborator Brian Bruya, a philosopher and scholar of ancient Chinese thought, \u003cem\u003eA Cure for Chaos\u003c\/em\u003e also features the original Chinese text on the margins of each page, enriching the book for readers and students of Chinese without distracting from the English-language cartoons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFilled with unforgettable stories and shrewd insights, \u003cem\u003eA Cure for Chaos\u003c\/em\u003e is a marvellous and inviting edition of a timeless classic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47558895370476,"sku":"9780691179810","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780691179810-a-cure-for-chaos.jpg?v=1776919433"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/brian-bruya.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}