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The Unfettered Mind

Takuan Sōhō

  • 102 pages · about 2 hours
  • First published 1986
  • 2 editions
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1 About this book

The Unfettered Mind is a book containing translations from Japanese by William Scott Wilson of three short texts by Takuan Sōhō (1573–1645), a notable monk of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.

Addressed to samurai, the principles expounded in the texts are also applicable to anyone who desires an introduction to Zen philosophy—various kinds of situations are first described, and then commented upon. The book's contents apply Zen Buddhist understandings to martial arts.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Good for readers who want: Buddhism and a short read.

  • Zen Buddhism
  • Buddhism
  • Zen literature
  • Correspondence
  • Doctrines
  • Martial arts

2 About Takuan Sōhō

1573–1645

Takuan Sōhō (沢庵 宗彭; December 24, 1573 – January 27, 1645) was a Japanese Buddhist prelate during the Sengoku and early Edo Periods of Japanese history. He was a major figure in the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Noted for his calligraphy, poetry, and tea ceremony, he is also popularly credited with the invention of the takuan pickled radish.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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