I am thoroughly glad that you've enjoyed the conversation, the book and the comments on the Classical Chinese. The comments on the Chinese were a late addition to the book and my favorite part of the writing process. I'm grateful to an outside reader (Anzan Hoshin Roshi) whose comments helped persuade my publisher to include the notes on the translation in the final text, despite the increase to page volume and cost. Hoshin Roshi also said that the notes would be a help to future students - it's cheering to know you say so too. I'll pass that along to my publisher.
Translating Yuanwu and Xuedou would be quite a big burrito to eat. I would really have to bone-up on my Chinese for that much florid, allusion-filled text.
The literary Chan of the Song dynasty is often seen as an overly-intellectual approach. I'm not sure I totally agree with this prejudice, but still it seems that literary Chan isn't entirely in line with the contemporary zeitgeist. I am deeply interested in your view: Do you think such commentaries would be helpful for modern students?
By the way, if you ever want to contact me directly, I can be found at matthewjksullivan at gmail dot com.
Hi Matthew (and Dosho), just an FYI, that one of the Spark Zen subscribers said he's fluent in Chinese and offered to assist me if I ever needed help with translation. LMK if you want me to connect the two of you. Bows!
That made my day.
Every day is a good day? Codswallop! Thank you Matthew and Rev. Shoren Heather
Thank you 🙏
I am thoroughly glad that you've enjoyed the conversation, the book and the comments on the Classical Chinese. The comments on the Chinese were a late addition to the book and my favorite part of the writing process. I'm grateful to an outside reader (Anzan Hoshin Roshi) whose comments helped persuade my publisher to include the notes on the translation in the final text, despite the increase to page volume and cost. Hoshin Roshi also said that the notes would be a help to future students - it's cheering to know you say so too. I'll pass that along to my publisher.
I'm happy to be making the acquaintance too.
Translating Yuanwu and Xuedou would be quite a big burrito to eat. I would really have to bone-up on my Chinese for that much florid, allusion-filled text.
The literary Chan of the Song dynasty is often seen as an overly-intellectual approach. I'm not sure I totally agree with this prejudice, but still it seems that literary Chan isn't entirely in line with the contemporary zeitgeist. I am deeply interested in your view: Do you think such commentaries would be helpful for modern students?
By the way, if you ever want to contact me directly, I can be found at matthewjksullivan at gmail dot com.
Hi Matthew (and Dosho), just an FYI, that one of the Spark Zen subscribers said he's fluent in Chinese and offered to assist me if I ever needed help with translation. LMK if you want me to connect the two of you. Bows!
Well, you've certainly given me something to chew on - thanks Dosho!
Glad I could connect you two!!