The River of Heaven

The Haiku of Basho, Buson, Issa, and Shiki

Robert Aitken

$35

Paperback

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English

Counterpoint
10 May 2011

Poetry anthologies; Religion & beliefs

""In this, his final work, American senior Zen Roshi Robert Aitken lovingly ties together two threads, Zen practice and haiku."" -Spirituality & Health

Known to many as the study of quiet stillness and introspection, Zen Buddhism distinguishes itself through brilliant flashes of insight and its terseness of expression. In River of Heaven these concepts and pillars lend themselves to an exploration of Haiku, one of the most delicate and interpretive poetic forms in the world. The haiku verse form, with its rigid structure and organic description is a superb means of studying Zen modes of thought because its seventeen syllables impose a limitation that confines the poet to vital experience. In Haiku as in Buddhism, the silences are as expressive as the words.

In this volume, American Senior Zen Roshi Robert Aitken gives new insight into Haiku by poetic masters Basho, Issa, Buson, and Shiki. In presenting themes from Haiku and from Zen literature, Aitken illuminates the relationship between the two. Readers are certain to find this an invaluable and enjoyable experience for the remarkable revelation it offers.

""I am grateful for Robert Aitken's enthusiastic sharing of poems in The River of Heaven, together with his rich personal and cultural perspectives. It is a book where the author joyfully calls each of us as readers to share in the transcendent joys of haiku."" -Juxtapositions

""Aitken mines the meanings in these brief gems about nature, impermanence, travel, awareness, silence, beauty, being present, the turn of the seasons, and much more."" -Spirituality & Practice

By: Robert Aitken
Imprint: Counterpoint
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 184mm, Width: 139mm, Spine: 14mm
Weight: 241g
ISBN: 9781582437101
ISBN 10: 1582437106
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 10 May 2011
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for The River of Heaven: The Haiku of Basho, Buson, Issa, and Shiki

Praise for Miniatures of a Zen Master In this sprightly collection of 188 short texts, [Aitken] offers brief stories, observations, memories, and commentaries. Those familiar with his book Encouraging Words will appreciate the further evidence of this Zen Master's wisdom. --Spirituality & Practice Like some of the finest Zen literature, they read like the contents of one's own mind and also like a mirror held up to show the mind's quotidian chatter to be somehow pure. --BuddhaDharma