Describes the beliefs and traditions of Zen Buddhism, focusing on the systems of philosophy, psychology, and ethics that help promote self-understanding and enlightenment.

Manual of Zen Buddhism's main object is to inform the readers to various literary materials relating to the monastery life. It also tells us about those edicts which the Zen monks read before the Buddha in daily service in the different quarters of institution.

No other figure in history has played a bigger part in opening the West to Buddhism than the eminent Zen author, D.T. Suzuki, and in this reissue of his best work readers are given the very heart of Zen teaching. Zen Buddhism, which sold more than 125,000 as an Anchor paperback after its publication in 1956, includes a basic historical background as well as a thorough overview of the techniques for Zen practice. Concepts and terminology such as satori, zazen, and koans, as well as the various elements of this philosophy are all given clear explanations. But while Suzuki takes nothing for granted in the reader's understanding of the fundamentals, he does not give a merely rudimentary overview. Each of the essays included here, particularly those on the unconscious mind and the relation of Zen to Western philosophy, go far beyond other sources for their penetrating insights and timeless wisdom. What is most important about D.T. Suzuki's work, however--and what comes across so powerfully in these selections--is his unparalleled ability to communicate the experiential aspect of Zen. The intensity here with which Zen philosophy comes to life is without parallel in the canon of Buddhist literature. Suzuki stands apart from all teachers before or since because of his exceptional ability to eloquently capture in words the seemingly inexpressible essence of Zen.

The first accessible beginner's guide to Rinzai Zen practice. The recognition of the true nature of oneself and the universe is the aim of Rinzai Zen—but that experience, known as kensho, is really just the beginning of a life of refining that discovery and putting it into practice in the world. Rinzai, with its famed discipline and its emphasis on koan practice, is one of two main forms of Zen practiced in the West, but it is less familiar than the more prominent Soto school. Meido Moore here remedies that situation by providing this compact and complete introduction to Zen philosophy and practice from the Rinzai perspective. It’s an excellent entrée to a venerable tradition that goes back through the renowned Hakuin Ekaku in eighteenth-century Japan to its origins in Tang dynasty China—and that offers a path to living with insight and compassion for people today.

Illustrations: 16 B/w Illustrations Description: This book is of a historical Nature and is intended to give readers a faithful Account of the historical development of Zen Buddhism. However Zen is not merely of historical interest; it has Importance for the present day. History reveals the form and leads to the essence of things. In historical Research we are guided by the Things themselves, and we try to comprehend their response and their teaching. The object of the book is to put the reader into a close contact with Zen as possible to elucidate its inner form from History and make its living Values apparent. Contents Preface I. THE MYSTICAL ELEMENT IN EARLY Buddhism AND HIHAYANA : 1. Buddhism and Mysticism 2. Shakyamuni, the Enlightened One 3. Hinayanist Meditative Exercises 4. Nirvana as the God of the Mystic Way II. Mysticism WITHIN Mahayana : 1. Perception of Life and Mysticism 2. The Beginnings of Mahayana 3. The Bodhisattva Ideal 4. Buddhoiogy and Nirvana III. THE MAHAYANA SUTRAS AND Zen : 1. The Position of Zen in Intellectual History 2. Prajnaparamita - Transcendental Wisdom 3. Religious Cosmotheism in the Avatamsaka Sutras 4. The Vimalikirti Sutra - The Way of Enlightenment for All 5. The Psychological View of the Process of Enlightenment in the Lankavatara Sutra IV. THE ANTICIPATION OF ZEN IN Chinese BUDDHISM : 1. The Historical Understanding of Zen 2. The Introduction of Buddhist Meditation into China 3. Kumarajiva and Buddhabhadra 4. Wisdom Not Being Knowledge 5. The Suddenness of Enlightenment V. ZEN PATRIARCHS OF THE EARLY PERIOD : 1. Bodhidharma 2. Disciples and Followers 3. Schisms and Oppositions VI. THE HIGH PERIOD OF CHINESE ZEN : 1. The Sixth Patriarch 2. To See into One's Nature and Become a Buddha 3. Zen Masters of the T'ang Period 4. The Monastic Life VII. PECULIARITIES OF THE FIVE HOUSES : 1. The Circular Figures (Wei-yang Sect) 2. The Pass of a Single Word (Yiin-men Sect) 3. The Interpenetration of the Attributes of Being (Fa-yen Sect) 4. The Five Ranks (Ts'ao-tung Sect) 5. Shouting and Beating (Lin-chi Sect) VIII. SPREAD AND METHODOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT DUNNG THE SUNG PERIOD : 1. Zen and the Spirit of the Age 2. The Rise of the Koan in the Lin-chi Sect 3. The Psychological Structure of the Koan 4. The Two Main Streams of Zen IX. THE TRANSPLANTING OF ZEN TO Japan : 1. Preliminary Developments 2. Eisai 3. The Flowering of Rinzai Zen in the Kamakura Period X. THE ZEN MASTER DOGEN : 1. His Life and Work 2. Zazen 3. Religious Metaphysics XI. THE Cultural INFLUENCE OF ZEN IN THE MUROMACHI PERIOD : 1. The Spread of Zen Under the Rule of the Ashikaga 2. Approaches to the People 3. The Unfolding in Japanese Culture XII. THE FIRST ENCOUNTER BETWEEN ZEN AND Christianity : 1. Friendly and Hostile Contacts 2. Doctrinal Disputes 3. Cultural Adaptations and Influences 4. The Christian Daimyo and the Way of Tea XIII. ZEN IN THE MODERN JAPANESE AGE : 1. The Obaku Sect 2. Renewal of Zen 3. Basho and Zen's Love of Nature XIV. THE ZEN MYSTICISM OF HAKUIN : 1. Life and Work 2. Mystical Experiences 3. The Great Doubt and the Great Enlightenment 4. Zen Sickness 5. Personality and the Japanese Character XV. THE ESSENCE OF ZEN : 1. History and Form 2. The Experience of Satori 3. The Psychological Interpretation of Satori 4. Natural Mysticism

Introduction to Zen Training is a translation of the Sanzen Nyumon, a foundational text for beginning meditation students by Omori Sogen--one of the foremost Zen teachers of the twentieth century. This book addresses many of the questions which arise when someone first embarks on a journey of Zen meditation--ranging from how long to sit at one time to how to remain mindful when not sitting--and it concludes with commentaries on two other fundamental Zen texts, Zazen Wasen (The Song of Meditation) and the Ox-Herding Pictures. Written to provide a solid grounding in the physical nature of Zen meditation training, this text delves into topics such as: Breathing Pain Posture Physiology Drowsiness How to find the right teacher The differences between the two main Japanese schools of Zen: Soto and Rinzai Zen As a master swordsman, Omori Sogen's approach to Zen is direct, physical, and informed by the rigorous tradition of Zen and the martial arts that flourished during Japan's samurai era. For him, the real aim of Zen is nothing short of Enlightenment--and Introduction to Zen Training is a roadmap in which he deals as adeptly with hundreds of years of Zen scholarship as he does with the mundane practicalities of meditation. Sogen prescribes a level of rigor and intensity in spiritual training that goes far beyond wellness and relaxation, and that is rarely encountered. His is a kind of spiritual warriorship he felt was direly needed in the middle of the twentieth century and that is no less necessary today. With a new foreword from Daihonzan Chozen-ji, the headquarters Zen temple established by Omori Sogen in Hawaii, this book is an essential text for every student of Zen meditation.

Preface: Why Write or Read this Book? -- 1. What Really is Zen? Recovering the Beginner's Open Mind -- 2. Previewing the Path of Zen: Know Thyself, Forget Thyself, Open Thyself -- 3. Zen Meditation as a Practice of Clearing the Heart-Mind -- 4. How to Practice Zen Meditation: Attending to Place, Body, Breath, and Mind -- 5. The Buddha's First and Last Lesson: The Middle Way of Knowing What Suffices -- 6. The Buddha's Strong Medicine: Embracing Impermanence -- 7. The True Self is Egoless -- 8. We are One: Loving Others as Yourself -- 9. But We Are Not the Same: Taking Turns as the Center of the Universe -- 10. Who or What is the Buddha? -- 11. Mind is Buddha: So, if You Encounter the Buddha, Kill Him! -- 12. Dying to Live: Zen, Pure Land Buddhism, and Christianity -- 13. Zen as Trans-Mysticism: Everyday Even Mind is the Way -- 14. Engaged Zen: From Inner to Outer Peace -- 15. The Dharma of Karma: We Reap What We Sow -- 16. Zen and Morality: Following Rules to Where There Are No Rules -- 17. Being in the Zone of Zen: The Natural Freedom of No-Mind -- 18. Zen Lessons from Nature: Samu and the Giving Leaves -- 19. Zen and Art: Cultivating Naturalness -- 20. Zen and Language: The Middle Way Between Silence and Speech -- 21. Between Zen and Philosophy: Commuting with the Kyoto School -- 22. Sōtō and Rinzai Zen Practice: Just Sitting and Working with Kōans -- 23. Death and Rebirth--Or, Nirvana Here and Now -- 24. Reviewing the Path of Zen: The Ten Oxherding Pictures -- Endnotes -- Discussion Questions -- Index.

Named one of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century (Spirituality & Practice) A 50th Anniversary edition of the bestselling Zen classic on meditation, maintaining a curious and open mind, and living with simplicity. "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." So begins this most beloved of all American Zen books. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as has this famous opening line. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it's all about. It is an instant teaching on the first page--and that's just the beginning. In the fifty years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind has become one of the great modern spiritual classics, much beloved, much reread, and much recommended as the best first book to read on Zen. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics--from the details of posture and breathing in zazen to the perception of nonduality--in a way that is not only remarkably clear, but that also resonates with the joy of insight from the first to the last page.