---
product_id: 12555804
title: "Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture, 24)"
brand: "victor sogen hori"
price: "€ 84.31"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 7
url: https://www.desertcart.fi/products/12555804-zen-sand-the-book-of-capping-phrases-for-koan-practice
store_origin: FI
region: Finland
---

# Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture, 24)

**Brand:** victor sogen hori
**Price:** € 84.31
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture, 24) by victor sogen hori
- **How much does it cost?** € 84.31 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.fi](https://www.desertcart.fi/products/12555804-zen-sand-the-book-of-capping-phrases-for-koan-practice)

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## Description

Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture, 24)

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ " Zen Sand "
*by L***E on January 3, 2012*

I studied In Japan , in the late 1970's to the early 1980's . My speaking of Japanese was limited and my reading was more so . I saw this book at the monestary and the monks pouring over it day after day . Only a couple of the monks spoke a little english . So my knowledge of its contents and use was limited . The Roshi did not speak English , so I did not use it in my training . Now having a full edition in English , I get to read it for the first time . It is about what I expected it to be . It is a fascinating , in its own right . The author has written an Introduction that is worth the price of the book . I believe it to be a valuable addition to Zen literature . Which has had many wonderful books translated in the last few years . Many titles that I thought , short of learning ancient Chinese , I would never read . I recomend this book . On a personal note , not having had this available early in training , I have not incorporated it since ..... Lee H.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One method for validating one's understanding......
*by E***N on April 25, 2014*

I never really understood what a capping phrase was until I got this book; that's when I realized that a capping phrase, the appropriate capping phrase, is one vehicle for illustrating one's personal understanding of a koan and, by extension, the teachings of the "Western Heaven". But finding the appropriate capping phrase is, in itself, a daunting task; the limitations of language simply cannot accurately reflect one's personal understanding, similar to how a photograph can never truly reveal what is known by one's own eyes and one's own mind. On the other hand, the capping phrase which most closely reflects that understanding is, by necessity, confusing and unintelligible to the uninitiated. Because it is so personal, no one capping phrase is applicable to all, thus the reason why the book is so large, yet remains abridged. Take a capping phrase, read it, then look around and see how it echoes in everything that touches the senses: that's a start.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Something New Every Day
*by A***E on July 19, 2009*

I use this book to find capping phrases for koan study under my Zen teacher. It is almost the only English translation of capping phrase collections. True to its origins, the phrases are arranged by their number of characters; not by topic or subject matter. At first, that seemed pointlessly cumbersome.However, using this book feels much like thumbing through a dictionary or encyclopedia. Every few pages you find an insight into yourself and your practice, an insight you did not even know you were looking for. Don't try to make a list of your favorite phrases, every time you pick up the book, something new will catch your attention, something that fits just that moment, that awareness.For a Zen student, this is an exceptionally valuable book.

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*Product available on Desertcart Finland*
*Store origin: FI*
*Last updated: 2026-03-15*