{"title":"Norman Fischer","description":"\u003cp\u003eNorman Fischer’s works delve into the depths of Zen Buddhism, offering thoughtful explorations of spirituality and the human experience. His writing blends clear insight with contemplative practice, inviting readers to engage with themes of mindfulness, presence, and awakening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough titles like \u003cem\u003eThe Five Ranks of Zen\u003c\/em\u003e, Fischer presents teachings that are both accessible and profound, making complex spiritual concepts approachable for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners alike. His books illuminate the path to inner growth with gentle clarity and wisdom.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-five-ranks-of-zen-by-norman-fischer-9781645473220","title":"The Five Ranks of Zen","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive and accessible guide to the Five Ranks, the pinnacle teaching of Zen Buddhism pointing to the path to true freedom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe great Japanese Zen master Hakuin exclaimed, \"How priceless is the merit gained through the step-by-step practice of the Five Ranks of Master Tozan!\" Hakuin here refers to a teaching created by the Chinese Buddhist master Dongshan, known in Japanese as Zen Master Tozan, which is honoured and studied in both Soto and Rinzai schools of Zen and is a gem of the classical Zen tradition. The ranks—with pithy, provocative titles followed by Tozan's brief poetic commentaries—serve as guides to a radical exploration of the experience of relative and absolute reality, the interpenetrating \"Two Truths\" of Mahayana Buddhism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Five Ranks of Zen\u003c\/em\u003e, American Zen teacher Shishin Wick offers an accessible entry point to each of the ranks, which Tozan created in two formulations. The first and better-known is the Five Ranks of the Relative and the Absolute; the second set, called the Sequence of Merit, is an abbreviated form of the Ten Oxherding Pictures, a traditional formulation of the Zen spiritual journey. Wick presents multiple translations and offers commentary on the ranks' titles and on Tozan's renowned verses, as well as offering guidance on these teachings' application in contemporary life and Zen practice. He emphasises that, to truly plumb the depths of Tozan's teachings, you must treat these teachings as Zen koans and make a thorough investigation using your entire body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47599434760428,"sku":"9781645473220","price":61.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781645473220-the-five-ranks-of-zen.jpg?v=1777978297"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/norman-fischer.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}