title: The Story of Chinese Zen
author: Nan Huai-Chin
description: Nan presents the development of Zen thought in China as influenced by Chinese culture?meaning primarily literature and politics?and also highlights the influence of Taoism and Confucianism on the particular form Buddhism took there. Nan is at his best when discussing specific Zen teachings. But he often does not present enough background on Chinese history and literature to enable the reader easily to follow his thoughts on their influence. Also, Nan's preference is clearly for Mahayana Buddhism over Theravada, which he refers to with the pejorative term Hinayana (lesser vehicle). The book would be best used along with other books that present Chinese history, such as Heinrich Dumoulin's two-volume Zen Buddhism: A History of India and China (Macmillian, 1988-89). Recommended as a thorough presentation of several aspects of Zen in China, as long as the library has some books on Chinese history to provide background.?David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino<br />Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  [Contents](067187800X_toc.htm)
  
  # Chapter 24
  
  When it became obvious that they were nearing their destination, Kopporu
  approached Guo.
  
  "I believe we are almost there now, Guo. The place where the Mother of Demons
  waits for us."
  
  "I hope so," replied the infanta. She was breathing heavily. For any gukuy,
  much less a mother, the long climb up the canyon to the top of the Chiton was
  tiring. Since they reached the plateau above, the way had become easier. But
  it was still an arduous march, even for an army hardened by many eightweeks in
  the Swamp.
  
  _At least we are done with that_ , thought Kopporu.
  
  Yet, in some strange way, she felt a regret.
  
  The swamp had been horrible, even beyond her worst dreams. They had lost many
  warriors there. Lost in mudholes; lost to predators, big and small; lost to
  hideous parasitic infections; and some, lost in ways they would never know.
  Warriors who simplydisappeared.
  
  The worst time had come cro