The Sayings of Layman P'ang

Download or read book The Sayings of Layman P'ang written by and published by Shambhala Publications. This book was released on 2009-03-10 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: These wise and funny stories have been an inspiration to spiritual practice for more than twelve centuries, particularly for all those who follow the Buddhist path as laypeople. Layman P’ang (740–808) was a merchant and family man who one day put all his money and possessions in a boat and sunk it in a river, so that he could devote his life to the study of the dharma. His wife, son, and daughter joined him enthusiastically on his new path, taking up a joyfully itinerant life together as they traveled from temple to monastery across southern China. This collection of anecdotes and verses about the enlightened layman and his family has become an enduring Zen classic.