Strictly speaking, this little book by the vietnamese zen master thich nhat hanh is not about zen. Zen buddhism an introduction to zen, a form of buddhism that emphasizes seeking ones own buddha nature through meditation. Written in a lively, accessible, and straightforward manner, an introduction to zen buddhism is illuminating for the serious student and layperson alike. If the western world knows anything about zen buddhism, it is down to the efforts of one remarkable man, d. If the book really serves as a sort of introduction to zen. This book appears to be a reprint of a 1934 book of this name by d. His introduction to zen buddhism, published in 1956. Satori was focal for daisetz, and it was in large part the fascination of this extraordinary state that made his writings so compelling. Suzuki presents the nature, technique and practice of zen with exceptional clarity, wisdom and frankness. At the end of the conflict, though, christmas humphreys, president of the buddhist society of london, traveled to japan to work with suzuki on the translation of his new manuscripts and the reprinting of his book, essays on zen buddhism. The buddhist name daisetsu, meaning great humility, the kanji of which can also mean greatly clumsy, was given to him by his zen master soen or soyen shaku. Suzuki, a scholar in buddhist philosophy, zen practitioner, and polyglot he wrote this book and many books in english, is largely known for bringing buddhism to the. Many outside of japan encountered buddhism for the first time through his writings and teaching, and for nearly a century his work and legacy have contributed to the ongoing religious and cultural interchange between japan and the rest of the world, particularly the united states.
Of those who have made the effort to explain zen buddhism, few have been more successful than the japanese philosopher and professor, d. Home introduction to zen buddhism daisetz teitaro suzukic. First published in kyoto by the eastern buddhist society, it was soon published in other nations and languages, with an added preface by carl jung. Mar 12, 2015 most other respondents to your question have given you books on zen practice. Suzuki, 9780712650618, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Suzuki s works on zen buddhism are among the best contributions to the knowledge of living buddhism. The companion book, manual of zen buddhism, is recommended to be used with this introduction. The book was based on a lecture tour that soen made of the. Preface to first edition in my introduction to zen buddhism published 1934, an outline of zen teaching is sketched, and in the training of the zen monk 1934 a description. Suzuki was the author of more than 100 works on zen and buddhism in both japanese and. An introduction to zen buddhism daisetz teitaro suzuki. This essay attempts to assess suzukis contribution to zen especially as understood in. Buy a cheap copy of an introduction to zen buddhism book by d. Although this book was written in 1960 it gives you a feel for buddhism and some of its gathas and prayers plus one of its most beloved teachings of the ten ox story which my dear teacher and friend father robert kennedy writes in the introduction to his book zen. Suzuki s most popular book is an introduction to zen buddhism. Approximately one third of this book is a long discussion by suzuki that gives a buddhist analysis of the mind, its levels, and the methodology of extending awareness beyond the merely discursive level of thought. Golden elixir press, 2015 pdf, free download use the link on the right side of this page. However, there is a 1964 book by suzuki of the same name that contains 9 chaptersincluding the 3 chapters from the 1934 versionand in my edition about 124 content pages.
Can be found in suzuki s book zen and japanese culture. Whereas daisetz suzukis zen was dramatic, shunryu suzukis is ordinary. No claim is made here for a scholarly treatment of the subjectmatter. Daisetz teitaro suzuki was japans foremost authority on zen buddhism, and the author of over 100 works on the subject. First published in kyoto by the eastern buddhist society, it was. One of the worlds leading authorities on zen buddhism, d. Suzuki, whose essays in zen buddhism 1927, 1933, 1934. Jung, this volume has been generally acknowledged a classic introduction to the. The highly influential book that helped bring eastern spiritual principles to the western world.
He was trained as a buddhist disciple in the great zen monastery at kamakura. Suzuki even says in this book that the book is a condescension, an apology, a compromise, that this present work has been written it is expressly. Suzuki provides a complete vision of zen, which emphasizes selfunderstanding and enlightenment through many systems of philosophy, psychology, and ethics. Jan 28, 20 buy an introduction to zen buddhism by suzuki, d. The fact that zen has now become a household word in the englishspeaking world is almost entirely due to him. The object is to inform the reader of the various literary materials relating to the. To complete a triptych the present manual has been compiled. Many outside japan encountered buddhism for the first time through his writings and teaching, and for nearly a century his work and legacy have contributed to the ongoing religious and cultural interchange between japan and the rest of the world, particularly the united states and. The theatre writings of tadashi suzuki zen coloring flowers zen coloring book zen haiku and other zen.
John cage, zen buddhism, and the inner life of artists the way of acting. The twentyseven yearold japanese scholar first visited the west in 1897, and over the course of the nex. Marc lesser on bringing the zen mindset to life marc lesser is a zen priest, mindfulness teacher, and executive coach that helps people bring the zen mindset to work and life. Suzuki, and translocative history pdf, japanese journal. For a westerners view of buddhism, read alan watts or eugen herrigel. He is probably now the greatest living authority on buddhist philosophy, and is certainly the greatest authority on zen buddhism. Buddhism, suzukis an introduction to zen buddhism 1934 and janwillem. Although his birthplace no longer exists, a humble monument marks its location a tree with a rock at its. Suzuki quotes author of an introduction to zen buddhism. The basic idea of zen is to touch the inner workings of our being, and to do this in the most direct way possible. Erich fromm as far as zen is concerned suzuki was the apostle of the west. For other parts of the world, please consult local. A notable example is an introduction to zen buddhism, which includes a 30page commentary by famous analytical psychologist carl jung, who wrote of suzuki.
Daisetsu teitaro suzuki is considered a key figure in the introduction of buddhism to the nonasian world. An introduction to zen buddhism is a 1934 book about zen buddhism by daisetz teitaro suzuki. Daisetsu teitaro suzuki was a key figure in the introduction of buddhism to the nonasian world. Suzuki has 128 books on goodreads with 8791 ratings. Introduction to zen buddhism, are to the second edition of these works, published in. Daisetsu teitaro suzuki suzuki daisetsu teitaro, october 18, 1870 july 12, 1966 was a japanese author of books and essays on buddhism, zen and shin that were. Born in japan in 1870, he received his training as a buddhist disciple at the great zen monastery at kamakura and was a professor of buddhist philosophy at otani university in kyoto. Suzukis works on zen buddhism are among the best contributions to the knowledge of living buddhism that recent decades have produced.
This wellknown book, now in the public domain, contains an anthology of chinese and japanese texts of. Suzuki was the author of more than a hundred works on the subject in both japanese and english, and. During world war ii, many of his books were destroyed and became difficult to find amidst a world at total war. Description of the book an introduction to zen buddhism. His major works in english on the subject of buddhism number a dozen or more, and of his works in. Jan 28, 20 this book appears to be a reprint of a 1934 book of this name by d. One of the worlds leading authorities on zen buddhism, and a nobel peace prize nominee, d.
Daisetz teitaro suzuki was a leading world authority on zen buddhism. This book is in the public domain in the united states of america. Suzuki was born teitaro suzuki in hondamachi, kanazawa, ishikawa prefecture, the fourth son of physician ryojun suzuki. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Through his books and lectures, suzuki became zen s leading voice in america during the mid20th century. In my introduction to zen buddhism published 1934, an outline of zen teaching is sketched, and in the training of the zen monk 1934 a description of the meditation hall and its life is given.
During his student years at tokyo university, suzuki took up zen practice at. Suzukis communication of zen to the west the buddhist centre. From the audio renaissance tapes, zen and the love of nature. Suzuki s books have been widely read and commented on by many important figures. Suzuki was the author of more than a hundred works on the subject in both japanese and english, and was most instrumental in bringing the teachings of zen buddhism to the attention of the western world. One part of this effort was the publication ofthe training of the zen buddhist monk,which gave an illustrated overview of. Its more of an introduction to mindfulness and mahayana. The book has come to be regarded as one of the most influential books on zen in the west. But in the west, this seems to be the book that everyone reads before they show up at the zen center. From 1897 to 1908 he worked in the united states as an editor and translator, and later became a lecturer at tokyo imperial university. Soyen shaku wrote an introduction for it, and suzuki translated the book into.
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