Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45988 in Books
• Published on: 1996-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Synopsis
The Westerner is introduced to the basic teaching, practices, and religious character of Zen.

Customer Reviews

Quite good!!
Its a very nice book to start with. He writes about the details of zazen(meditation) and also talks about postures. He also tells you about experiences people have had during their practice of zazen. Its a nice guide for someone who wants to start practicing. The book is very encouraging too, for those who are not sure about the powers of meditation. He also talks about the Zen philosopy which is very well expressed. Its a good read.

Difficult to find words to describe this book.
I am not a Buddhist, simply a human being seeking to know his true nature (please forgive the use of the word "seeking" :-). That said, I find this book to be revelatory in nature, a work for which there are no words. Even if you never have an intention to practice zazen, and are a Hindu or a Vedantist or a streetwalker or a businessman or a murderer, if you want to know who you are, this book will point you toward the moon and beyond.

Begin your practice here.
One of the best "how to" books for beginners, or anyone. A thick collection of miscellaneous stuff, some of which I've read over and over, and some of which I've never read. Skip or skim Kapleau's sections and jump right into Yasutani Roshi's introductory talks on Zen training--worth buying the book for. Also useful: pictures of sitting postures with questions and answers, and a glossary of Zen vocabulary. If the stories of people's "kensho" experiences seduce you into serious Zen practice with a Zen community, well, that's great (and maybe that's why Kapleau included them), but then eventually you'll need to read Trungpa's "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" or Joko Beck's "Everyday Zen" as an antidote to your now-warped view of what practice is all about. If you want to actually DO Zen, I think this is a great place to start. Also take a look at "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" and "Everyday Zen."