Zen Echoes

In the 12th century, Miaozong, a Zen Buddhist nun, collected and commented on this collection of classic koans, paradoxical anecdotes or riddles used in Zen Buddhism to spur enlightenment. Five hundred years later, two 17th-century nuns added their own commentaries to the collection. This dazzling new translation from Beata Grant, professor of Chinese and religious ­studies, reminds us of women’s contributions to Zen Buddhism.