Friend of Tahoma, Zen Priest, Scholar and Translator, Thomas Yuho, Kirchner has recently published his translations of Dahui’s Letters. One of the most important texts in the Linji (Rinzai) tradition, it has not been easily accessible to the Western audience. Dahui (DaiE) wrote letters to primarily lay practitioners of a professional class address struggles with practice amidst ordinary life. The practice instructions, advice, admonitions and diagnoses of the various afflictions that beset those engage in practice, are presented in an informal, but learned colloquial manner that resonate with contemporary practitioners.
Yuho’s translation is oriented around practitioners, around daily practices and maintains the flavor, as well as the depth of Dahui’s teachings. While there have been very well done academic translations, Yuho’s is approachable, yet rigorous and most importantly affordable and easily available. The above link will take you to a very affordable digital version of the book but a paperback edition is also available.
