The Great Chinese Zen masters of the seventh to the tenth centuries laid the foundation for all subsequent developments within Zen Buddhism. Flowering forth magnificently during these centuries, the profound teachings of these masters, which are given voice in the pages of this book may have been equalled by some of the spiritual descendents, but never surpassed. All readers seeking the 'spring' of Zen will find in these pages the refreshing words sometimes enigmatic and profound, sometimes practical and humorous of the earliest exponents of the tradition. This classic work has been compared to the writings of D.T. Suzuki in importance, and it carries the same imprint of authenticity. Additionally, however, the author whose correspondence with Suzuki is included in the Appendix of the book reinforces several fascinating, parallels between Zen and Christian mysticism by his inclusion of a masterful introduction by Thomas Merton, whose writings on Zen and Christianity are well known. All in all, THE GOLDEN AGE OF ZEN, which traces the origins of Zen in Taoism and reflects the adamantine vision of the T'ang masters, is a perfectly flowing study of the early history of the Zen tradition, and it is to be an important source book on Zen for generations to come. This book is a classic introduction to the lives and teachings of the first Chinese Zen Masters of the T'ang dynasty. For any student of Buddhism who is seeking to understand the sources of Zen, this book is essential reading