Credit must go to John Blofeld for this superlative translation, and for doing an amazing job also with the “Zen Teaching of Hui Hai:” a master translator, working adroitly with some of the finest Zen dialogues ever written. This diminuitive volume is of quality which may only be encountered a few times in a given life - at least, that’s the level of regard I have come to have for Huang Po. With hardly a wasted word, and a depth of penetrating insight seemingly unfathomable, if one read through isn’t enough for you, then try it again - it will keep giving out its wisdom over and over. I loaned my copy to a deserving friend, so I can’t quote it, but virtually every line is packed to the overflow with wonderful piercing Zen observation, so incisive that compared with all the modern New-Agey Zen stuff out there, after reading this you’ll feel thoroughly refreshed, understanding exactly where these renowned patriarchs and lineage holders are coming from. It’s awesome - accessible yet authoritative, conveying with consummate finesse a complex and potentially confusing message designed to bring about in the reader the most radical change of perspective imaginable.