In Going Through the Mystery's One Hundred Questions we sit together with a passionate Zen pilgrim, Yuantong, and his cold-blooded teacher, the Soto
Zen master Wansong, also the teacher of Genghis Khan. They hail to us from sometime in the thirteenth century. We get to eavesdrop as a sincere student asks burning, heartfelt question after question. And as a genuine teacher responds with turning word after turning word.
We are able to participate in their teacher-student relationship due to the presence of Wansong's attendant, Linquan, who later also became a famous Zen master and teacher of Kublai Khan. Linquan clarifies the meaning of each interaction in verse. Dosho Port has translated the original text and added
brief commentaries to each Q&A to help the contemporary reader access the deep truths presented by these three exemplary practitioners.
The book is intended to offer inspiration and guidance for any earnest spiritual seeker. The thirteenth century was an enormously rich time for Zen with many profoundly awakened and skillful teachers, including Wansong and Linquan. However, this book is primarily about urgent, spiritual questions. What is this one great life-and-death that we share? How can the intimate truth be realized and embodied with great compassion for the benefit of all living beings?