This Paperback Book item from Grove Press was reviewed on 14-Oct-2008.
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1) Paperback Book An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by Grove Press. For those from a western cultural background, Zen falls somewhere between extremely difficult to impossibly inaccessible. We have such a hard time about it, It´s not uncommon to dismiss the whole thing as a bunch of nonsense. One hand clapping? Trees in the forest? What the hell are these guys talking about? And why are they talking this way? Why are they being so difficult about the whole thing? Why don´t they just tell us what it´s all about?
They did, but we couldn´t tell. Due to conditioning, everything is placed in terms of logical dualism. Thanks to ego, it´s hard to accept that our comprehension has limits.
Overcome.
Transcend.
The questions are rhetorical.
This first step has been a major hurdle, Intro to Zen has been incredibly helpful in getting started. It does exactly what it says it does. But is it Zen?
¤ 2) Paperback Book An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by Grove Press. I almost hesitated to give this 5 stars because the book itself is really an intellectual work - written largely to appeal to the intellect. This is somewhat contrary to Zen and to the very principles advocated in the book. But it is an excellent introduction and was among my first books on Buddhism and my first on Zen. As such, it served to inspire me to further investigation and to enter a spotty program (I wish I had the discipline to do better!) of meditation .
While reading this book, I suppressed the urge to "speed read" and took my time, reading as my last activity before bed. I would read until I got tired, or until something stopped me... something that demanded processing. Here´s the best example: "Zen always seeks the ultimate truth that cannot be taken to the dissecting table of the intellect".
It took me three days to get past that one. This book puts forth the idea (this book is certainly not the only one) that not everything can be "figured out" by turning the gears of the brain. As a lifelong slave to my brain, I was challenged and fascinated by this idea.
In fact, I often had that sensation while reading this book. I recommend this wholeheartedly to intellectuals who suffer from their own minds. It cannot serve as an end, but very well as a beginning of the journey towards a more peaceful mind.¤ 3) Paperback Book An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by Grove Press. Intro to Zen by Suzuki offers some common sense guides to living in our rushed, hectic world. It takes time to grasp the concepts but stay with it and you´ll be glad you did.¤ 4) Paperback Book An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by Grove Press. D.T. Suzuki was NOT a Zen Master, though he was a Zen practitioner. So this book is a little dangerous for people interested in Zen. This is a great INTELLECTUAL discussion of Zen "philosophy," the "psychology" of Zen, the Zen "mentality," the "principles" of Zen, and the "point" (if there is one) of Zen. For all of that, it earns FIVE STARS.
This book was and is written for linear-minded Westerners who want to know "about" Zen, but for the person interested in Zen practice, reading this book is analogous to sitting down at the dinner table and eating the plates, not the food. You will not "experience" Zen by reading this book (unless you already understand that reading the book is Zen). People first coming to Zen through this book need to be warned that this book will not make them into Zen students. D.T. Suzuki makes a big deal about "Kensho" and "Satori," but trying to describe enlightenment is like trying to describe your own dying. Thus, we give back TWO STARS. But if you want to understand Zen as a "school of thought," this book is definitely for you.
D.T. Suzuki was considered the "dean" of Zen in the West when Zen was first breaking into the public consciousness. Along with Lafcadio Hearn, Reginald Blyth, Christmas Humphreys and Alan Watts, he was one of the midwives of that process.
Shogaku Shunryu Suzuki (not related), who WAS a Zen Master often referred to himself as "Little Suzuki" to distnguish himself from "Big Suzuki." For active Zen practitioners, however, the appellations need to be reversed. For the essence of "Little Suzuki"´s teisho (teachings) visit with Zen Mind, Beginner´s Mind (Shambhala Library).
Zen is NOT an intellectual process, and it cannot be described. It is tasting the food. It is the reading of the book. It is sitting in meditation. It is counting the breath. It is all that, and it is none of that. It is---BANG---and that is all.
¤ 5) Paperback Book An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by Grove Press. The book is divided into several chapters which were originaly published as a single articles on several publications, but have a reworking that makes them easier to read. First a rather long foreword by Dr. Jung let us oversee the entire oriental vision of the world. Afte a short prelimiray done by the author, chapter two discusses on what is zen and what is not zen. On the third chapter the question of the supposed nihilism of zen is brought to the board. Then on chaper four an introduction the the logic (or ilogic) of the zen is done. Still, on chapter five the author reaches the partial conclusion that zen rather than a nihilistic and ilogical doctrine is a higher affirmation of the whole of the universe. On chapter six, a general realization of the practicity of zen (in contrast with other branches of buddism and christianity) is done. On chapter seven, the author try to describe the reaching of illumination or "satori". On chapter eight, author make an explanation of the aim and functioning of the so called "koans", which are excescies composed of brief cases that exposes the zen mind and logic further hard to explain and understand. Finally on chaper nine a short description of a monk´s life in a zen monastery is done, to show up the central role of the "zendo" or meditation hall within the monastery.
A brief reading that can be taken as an exelent introduction to the zen, highgly recomended.¤ 6) Paperback Book An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by Grove Press. One of the world’s leading authorities on Zen Buddhism, D. T. 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. Written in a lively, accessible, and straightforward manner, An Introduction to Zen Buddhism is illuminating for the serious student and layperson alike. Suzuki provides a complete vision of Zen, which emphasizes self-understanding and enlightenment through many systems of philosophy, psychology, and ethics. With a foreword by the renowned psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung, this volume has been generally acknowledged a classic introduction to the subject for many years. It provides, along with Suzuki’s Essays and Manual of Zen Buddhism, a framework for living a balanced and fulfilled existence through Zen. ¤Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 11-Nov-2008, 08021305509780802130556, 380-9X0-500-370-721-1X1-8 
An Introduction to Zen Buddhism, Book, Image © Grove Press
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