Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by D. T. Suzuki ISBN: 0-8021-3055-0 Publisher: Grove/Atlantic Pub. Date: 01 November, 1991 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.58 (12 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A comprehensive, but clear, introduction to Zen
Comment: D.T. Suzuki (1870 - 1966) is usually credited with introducing Zen Buddhism to America, and in AN INTRODUCTION TO ZEN BUDDHISM he covers Zen in a scholastic and erudite fashion. Suzuki's use of English is extremely complex, but his style gets information across very well.
While expounding on the basics of Zen, Suzuki is always quick to respond to questions the reader might have. He dedicates an entire chapter to countering the oft-heard argument that Zen is nihilistic. The final chapter covers daily life for Zen monks, giving Westerners a glimpse of what is common knowledge for Japanese (or was several generations ago).
The book is not perfect, however. Suzuki covers only the Rinzai school of Japanese Buddhism, leaving the Soto school out in the cold. Also, like any Japanese Zen scholar, he tends to do a little Theravada bashing, claiming that it is "primitive" and unrefined.
D.T. Suzuki was a professor of Buddhist studies, and not a Zen adept himself, so it is important to also read an account of Zen from a personal and practical angle, to complement Suzuki's scholarly approach. For that, I recommend QUESTIONS TO A ZEN MASTER with Taisen Deshimaru.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Classic Begining
Comment: With an introduction from Dr. Jung, a small text in itself. To Suzuki's brilliant text. It is my understanding that this introduction by Dr. Jung is consider a classic for Zen in general. Suzuki does write this text for the beginner.
Explains the oriental mind, along with the proncipals of Zen. In such a way, that we of western thought actually have a chance to relate to what is required in our quest to understand Zen Buddhism. This book is for the lay-person and the philosophy major. This book provides a very complete outline of Zen.
Rating: 5
Summary: authoritative and concise
Comment: I don't know very much about Zen, but I can say that this book was very informative for the beginner. In the introduction, Jung characterizes Zen as the path to a new condition of consciousness wherein the conscious mind is allowed to rest so that elements from the unconscious mind can be brought to the surface. What rises out of the unconscious is dependent on what is needed to complete the conscious orientation. This characterization is very fascinating, though I think that Jung, being a psychologist/psychiatrist, naturally has a somewhat constructivist bias for the anti-metaphysical structure of Zen over other religious systems.
DT Suzuki himself presents the material with authority and concision. I've not read his "essays" but this work is much shorter, and would serve as preliminary reading. Topics include defining Zen (or rather, saying what it is not), the koan, satori, the monk's life, and the ralationship between Zen and logic (or rather, illogic).
 |
Title: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki ISBN: 0834800799 Publisher: Weatherhill Inc. Pub. Date: 01 April, 1972 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
 |
Title: Zen Buddhism: Selected Writings of D. T. Suzuki by D. T. Suzuki ISBN: 038548349X Publisher: Image Pub. Date: 01 August, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
 |
Title: The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment by Phillip Kapleau Roshi ISBN: 0385260938 Publisher: Anchor Books/Doubleday Pub. Date: 01 February, 1989 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
 |
Title: Manual of Zen Buddhism by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki ISBN: 0802130658 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 1960 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
 |
Title: Essays in Zen Buddhism, First Series by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, D. Suzuki ISBN: 0802151183 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 1961 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
