Several respected English editions of the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment have become go-to resources for practitioners and scholars alike. Here’s where to uncover them:

• A.F. Price & Wong Mou-Lam (Asia Publishing, 1959)
– One of the first full English versions, drawing on both Chinese and Korean manuscript traditions.
– Offers detailed footnotes that shed light on doctrinal nuances.
– Often found in university libraries or via second-hand book sellers online.

• Thomas Cleary: The Perfect Enlightenment Sutra (Shambhala, 1987)
– Cleary’s translation reads smoothly, making the text feel unexpectedly fresh.
– Includes a lucid introduction explaining its place in East Asian Zen history.
– Shambhala titles pop up in most major bookstores; digital editions are also available.

• Charles Luk: The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment (Samuel Weiser, 1973)
– A classic among Western Zen students, praised for its reverent tone.
– Luk’s commentary intertwines Chinese Chan insights with succinct explanatory notes.
– Occasionally reprinted—keep an eye on specialty Buddhist publishers or auction sites.

• Buswell & Lopez (eds.): Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism (Princeton University Press, 2014)
– While not a full translation, it provides authoritative synopses and references to manuscript variants.
– Ideal for cross-referencing names, terms and historical context.

Online avenues worth bookmarking:
• Buddhanet (buddhanet.net) hosts Price & Wong’s translation freely, perfect for dipping toes into the text.
• The Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association (CBETA) offers the original Chinese alongside bibliographic pointers.
• More recent academic articles and lecture series—often posted by Zen centers or university departments—guide readers through thorny passages.

These editions each shine a different light on the same jewel. Comparing Cleary’s readability against Price & Wong’s scholarly apparatus, for example, can unlock fresh perspectives. As digital archives keep expanding and interest in East Asian Zen surges—especially with global mindfulness trends on the rise—tracking down paperbacks or PDFs has never been easier. A little digging, perhaps through WorldCat or the Bodhi Monastery’s online bookstore, should turn up whichever version resonates most.