The book includes the most vivid and reliable records of the teachings of Bankei, one of the greatest preachers of Japanese Zen, who is on a par with such famous Zen teachers as Hakuin and Dogen. The main part of the book is Bankei's sermons and instructions. In addition, this edition contains some of Bankei's letters, his poetic works, and a number of materials from various collections compiled after his death. The book very vividly presents the story of Bankei's life and deeply highlights the features of Zen that existed in that era.