Zen is the culmination, the transcendence, of both Indian and Chinese genius. Indian genius reached its highest peak with the Buddha, and Chinese genius reached its highest peak with Lao Tzu.

The essence of Lao Tzu's teachings met and united in a river so deep that they can no longer be separated. The union is so complete that it is impossible to even make a distinction between what belongs to the Buddha and what belongs to Lao Tzu.

This is not merely a composition, but a completion. From this meeting, Zen was born. Zen is neither Buddhist nor Taoist, and yet it is both.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]