Background: The most important Zen scholar of the 1900's was R.H. Blyth. Even D.T. Suzuki thought so. Blyth's annotated translation of Wumenguan is now out of print (available electronically over at Terebess), and while still the obvious best first text for Zen students, it is somewhat dated in parts, Blyth uses Japanese names for stuff, the characters are hard to read, much of the print is too small, and the vast majority of Zen scholarship including translations came out after the book. And it's out of print. And the publisher went out of business.
For example, Blyth refers to BCR and BoS, which were untranslated at the time.
Out of admiration and affection and because Blyth is an eccentric old bumbling academic, I've wanted to fix everything and update it and make it available in print again. But there are so many problems, including I just don't have the hardware for the task. Which means I don't have the software either. I've started and failed several times now, but my newest strategy may be the winner! Linux forever!
I'm going to do each of Blyth's Case/Chapters as a different file, then hire an editor with a big fancy computer to merge them and typeset it and all that stuff. At least that's the plan. Not having ever hired a professional editor there is no telling what that experience will be like.
But, all that aside, I present to you the draft second chapter of this project: Case 24!
I note that I got great edits from the last post, but nothing at ALL you lazy bastards about the content of the project. This guy is the greatest Zen scholar of the 1900's! And he wasn't even enlightened! Come on already! He wrote this in a war time internment camp. The least you can do is read it.
https://www.mediafire.com/file/b9vyttcio175evv/24_draft_pdf.pdf/file
What I wrote is all in the footnotes.
I added references to other translations, either inserting them directly into blyth's text in the Case of alternate translations by JC Cleary or footnoting. Note that this time I included a "ewk hybrid translation" which is a bit contentious. I could footnote that instead of inserting it. There are only five or six cases where I think the translations all fall apart on the poem.
There are a number of formatting challenges, particularly the "Bermuda Triangle Footnotes" where I was forced to footnote a footnote, and then footnote that footnoted footnote. So clarity might be a bit of a problem.
Clarity being the least of our worries.
https://youtu.be/xyhR6OobZnU
I don't know anything about this guy, I'm not recommending him, he's been on my cupboard-behind-the-back,-burner list for years.
https://terebess.hu/zen/sengai.html
He drew lots of pictures and people in here have talked occasionally about is in another mediums and so I thought somebody might be interested.
You want to talk about that Nanquan chops the cat picture that'd be interesting.
I have found a property in Blyth which I am considering purchasing to live in. Having done some research online I am getting very mixed reviews on the areaβ¦on the one hand it seems that it previously had a significant drug problem but on the other hand, is this just giving the place an out-dated bad reputation that is no longer valid? I have also read that there are plans to re-open the train line, and some other significant investments happening in the area which would suggest it is on the βup and upβ and property will be worth a lot more in just a few years. Thoughts anyone?
*update: thank you to everyone who shared your views (good and bad). Overall Iβve decided there are too many negatives to take the risk so I have decided to look elsewhere. Thanks for your help
I've been invited by OneBothell to lead a walking tour of the cataclysmic geology that formed our region. Join us the weekend after Thanksgiving to explore our public lands and work off some calories! All ages welcome and pets on leashes allowed. Trails are gravel and compact soil but only gentle slopes.
Meet at the flagpole next to the restrooms at Blyth Park on Saturday the 27th at 10 AM! Options for bike parking next to the restrooms.
Hiya,
I have been lurking this sub since I managed to get a cancellation for today last week and it's been a great resource, as has watching driving tests on YouTube. I watched a video this morning of a test taken at my test centre (Blyth) and the rest route this afternoon was one that I watched this morn which was lucky.
I failed 5 tests about 6 years ago and started again April 2021 and passed today!! Original test was booked for February and I used Testi for the cancellation.
I nearly got failed less than 5 mins in because I squeezed through a gap between a parked car and a ParcelHub van indicating right, at the end of the test the examiner asked said 'tell me about the beginning with the van'. Luckily he decided to give me a chance.
I took the wrong directions even using sat nav, but did so safely, so just turned around and the sat nav recalibrated and got back on track.
My manoeuvres were forward bay park and I could choose right or left so I chose right, this was my least confident manoeuvre even though I can do them I had just decided I couldn't, and an emergency stop.
Test took 45mins, show me tell me questions were the one about brakes and to toot the horn.
The examiner was really nice, made small talk at the end and was impressed that I commented on my driving for 45 mins (I talk to myself a lot and it has been so so helpful)
It's a lovely 30th birthday present. I consider this a first time pass tbh hahaha
