China Root

Discover the profound insights of Zen with China Root by acclaimed author and translator David Hinton. Published in 2020, this enlightening book spans 160 pages and serves as a captivating exploration of Zen's original nature in ancient China. Hinton delves into the rich history of Buddhism's migration from India to China during the first century C.E., revealing how Ch'an, known as Zen in Japan, emerged as a unique and enduring form of Buddhism. In China Root, Hinton argues that Ch'an is not merely a branch of Buddhism but rather a Buddhist-influenced evolution of Taoism, the indigenous spiritual philosophy of China. This beautifully crafted guide invites readers to engage with the complexities of these intertwined traditions, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the depths of Buddhist and Taoist thought.