As Flowers Bloom and Wither tells a bold and stirring story with great sensitivity. The protagonist, whose true identity was enshrouded in an enormous plot, must brave the thorns of history in order to unravel the threads of this enigma. Will the twists and turns of fate obscure the ultimate truth? How many more "truths" are there behind the so-called "truth"? Can the final answer be reached, despite the torrents of political conflict? While a work of fiction, this novel is also a reflection of reality: in a time of turmoil, individuals lose their ability to make personal choices. But as their identity becomes muddled, their feelings of love and hatred intensifies. This is not just the story of one person, but also the tragic tale of a people. Once the ultimate power is revealed, love and compassion flourish once again, like a rose that endures through a bitter winter. In weaving this spellbinding tale of a broken soul, Chang Ying Tai, one of Asia's most compelling and overlooked talents, succeeds in capturing the tragic essence of an entire people.

This book of poetry is from the view of the world through my eyes and no other. I have always looked to the darker nature of life and the souls of men. I have always written on the thoughts of life and death, as these things are the constant in the lives of men. I began writing poetry shortly after the death of my mother in 1987, but it was not until recent years that I cultivated my work into what it has become today. If I can compel one person to think about what was read then I have achieved something. Most of my poems are ambiguous and will leave their meanings to the mind of the reader.

Beseiged on all sides, the early church faced external and internal threats. Followers of Christ could easily have been defeated or diverted. A distinct minority in a pagan society, they could have capitulated to their culture. But, challenged by God through these holy writers and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, they stood fast, even unto death. - Back cover.

Why and how do women engage with Buddhism and philosophy? The present volume aims to answer these questions by examining the life and philosophy of a Korean Zen Buddhist nun, Kim Iryŏp (1896–1971). The daughter of a pastor, Iryŏp began questioning Christian doctrine as a teenager. In a few years, she became increasingly involved in women’s movements in Korea, speaking against society’s control of female sexuality and demanding sexual freedom and free divorce for women. While in her late twenties, an existential turn in her thinking led Iryŏp to Buddhism; she eventually joined a monastery and went on to become a leading figure in the female monastic community until her death. After taking the tonsure, Iryŏp followed the advice of her teacher and stopped publishing for more than two decades. She returned to the world of letters in her sixties, using her strong, distinctive voice to address fundamental questions on the scope of identity, the meaning of being human, and the value of existence. In her writing, she frequently adopted an autobiographical style that combined her experiences with Buddhist teachings. Through a close analysis of Iryŏp’s story, Buddhist philosophy and practice in connection with East Asian new women’s movements, and continental philosophy, this volume offers a creative interpretation of Buddhism as both a philosophy and a religion actively engaged with lives as they are lived. It presents a fascinating narrative on how women connect with the world—whether through social issues such as gender inequality, a Buddhist worldview, or existential debates on human existence and provides readers with a new way of philosophizing that is transformative and deeply connected with everyday life. Women and Buddhist Philosophy: Engaging Zen Master Kim Iryŏp will be of primary interest to scholars and students of Buddhism, Buddhist and comparative philosophy, and gender and Korean studies.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.