Commentary on the Song of Awakening

The Song of Awakening (chin. Cheng-tao ke, jap. Shodoka), is a seminal text within early Chinese Chan (jap. Zen). Written in the seventh century by the Chinese master Yung-chia Hs an-ch eh (Jap. Yoka Genkaku, known familiarly as Yoka Daishi), this superb poem resonates with Yoka Daishi's great awakening to the truth of reality. As such, it has had a deep influence on the understanding and practice of a long line of Chinese and Japanese Zen masters and practitioners.

Kodo Sawaki uses the poetic expression of Shodoka as a springboard for a wide-ranging commentary that not only elucidates the poem, but adds a rich background of Buddhist teachings and emphasizes Sawaki Roshi's focus on upright sitting in the zazen posture as the seat of realization. Filled with humor, Japanese folk history, and sometimes a no-holds barred critique of academic and priestly posturing, Sawaki's commentary is a pleasure to encounter.