The Record of Linji is one of the most startling and liberating texts in all of Buddhist literature. Compiled from the teachings of the ninth-century Chan master Linji Yixuan, it captures a voice that cuts through centuries of religious convention: a master who shouted at his students, struck them, and told them to 'kill the Buddha' if they met him on the road. Yet beneath its iconoclasm lies a profound and practical teaching — that awakening is not something to be earned or achieved, but the very activity of ordinary mind, right here and now. This modern-English edition renders Linji's words in clear, present-day language while remaining faithful to the spirit and meaning of the original. Whether you are new to Zen or a longtime practitioner, this timeless classic invites you to meet the master's challenge directly. Part of The Sacred Wisdom Library.