Though Zen Buddhism is often characterized as a teaching beyond words, written documents have in fact played an important role through its history. This anthology presents documents, whole or in part, that convey its central teachings or have been influential its history. Beginning with the Heart Sutra and the Kanzeon Sutra, which cultivated the ground where Zen would soon grow, they proceed through the Chinese period and the Korean and Japanese period, to the early 20th century. Poems and autobiographies are included as well as religious tracts. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)