Free eBooks The Three Pillars Of Zen, 25th Anniversary Updated And Revised Edition Available To Downloads

                
              
Free eBooks 
The Three Pillars Of Zen, 25th Anniversary Updated And Revised Edition Available To Downloads
Through explorations of the three pillars of Zen--teaching, practice, and enlightenment--Roshi Philip Kapleau presents a comprehensive overview of the history and discipline of Zen Buddhism.  An established classic, this 35th anniversary edition features new illustrations and photographs, as well as a new afterword by Sensei Bodhin Kjolhede, who has succeeded Philip Kapleau as spiritual director of the Rochester Zen Center, one of the oldest and most influential Zen centers in the United States.
Paperback: 399 pages
Publisher: Anchor; 35 Rev Upd edition (February 27, 1989)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385260938
ISBN-13: 978-0385260930
Product Dimensions:  5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:  4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #15,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)   #19 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Religious   #25 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Spirituality   #25 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Philosophy
The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenmentby Philip KapleauNow in a 35th Anniversary edition, The Three Pillars of Zen is generally regarded as the "classic" introduction to Zen Buddhism, and along with Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, has probably helped more westerners begin Zen practice than any other book.The book is a collection of texts which describe Zen Buddhism as encountered by Philip Kapleau in Japan in the 1950's. Kapleau's transmission is Zen as it was taught in particular by Harada-Roshi and Yasutani-Roshi, a synthesis of both the Rinzai and Soto traditions. Harada's and Yasutani's school revitalized Zen in the twentieth century, and their teaching is particularly relevant to Americans as many American Zen teachers today are of their lineage.The book is in three parts. Part One is titled "Teaching and Practice" and consists of Yasutani's Introductory Lectures on Zen Training (these alone are worth the price of the book), his Commentary (Teisho) on the Koan Mu, and records of his Private Encounters With Ten Westerners (in dokusan). These three sections provide the reader an idea of what Zen training is, how to begin, and hint at the flavor of the process as practiced in Yasutani's school. Part One concludes with a translation of a dharma talk and some letters by the 14th century Japanese master Bassui. Part Two is titled "Enlightenment" and consists of first-person descriptions of 20th century enlightenment (kensho) experiences. These descriptions are unique and fascinating, and bring the concept of enlightenment a personal relevance - it's not just something that was attained by ancient masters.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. It is the book which really brought me to spiritual practice; for that, I will always be grateful. It was, however, the same things about it which first drew me in, that I now find problematic.If you are at all open to practice it is hard not to find this book exciting. There is great drama in the stories of those struggling against all odds to achieve enlightenment. It is that sense of drama which I find problematic. There is a sense of striving encouraged by this book and practice at Rochester. Metaphors of climbing a mountain are used; we are encouraged to "push harder.' But who is striving? There is an underlying sense of dualism in this flavor of practice. While that drama of achieving something is perhaps helpful for those difficult early stages of practice, it is ultimately a poison. Traditional Zen practice, such as that described here, pits you in a battle against your ego. Such warfare can, in the end, only be ego building.This is a modern Zen practice in that there is an explanation of the "theory" of practice. At one time you just sat, heard talks on Koans, and had very brief interviews with your teacher. Eventually, you would either get it or not (mostly not, I believe). Of course, in that more historically traditional practice you would have been a monk totally removed from the concerns of the day-to-day world. I think that the practice described by Kapleau Roshi is still too close to those traditional monastic roots.My experience at traditional Zen Centers is that they are beautiful and that meditation practice there has a sense of percptible strength-it seems quite grounded. The trouble comes when people are off the cushions.
The Three Pillars of Zen, 25th Anniversary Updated and Revised Edition Zen and Zen Classics volume 1: From the Upanishads to Huineng (Zen & Zen Classics) Zen: Zen For Beginners - The Ultimate Guide To Incorporating Zen Into Your Life - A Zen Buddhism Approach To Happiness And Inner Peace The Three Pillars of Zen Zen: Zen for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Achieving Presence and Inner Peace (Meditation, Buddhism, Zen Buddhism for Beginners, Happiness) Zen:How to Live a Zen Lifestyle in a Modern Society (Zen, Buddhism, Mindfulness, Yoga) Tao Te Ching, 25th-Anniversary Edition (English and Mandarin Chinese Edition) Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins: 25th Anniversary Edition Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness 25th Anniversary Edition Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 25th Anniversary Edition (Kevin Zraly's Complete Wine Course) Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony (Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition) Mindfulness, 25th anniversary edition (A Merloyd Lawrence Book) The Seat of the Soul: 25th Anniversary Edition with a Study Guide People Weekly: Great Cover Subjects: A 25th Anniversary Celebration Uncle John's Fully Loaded 25th Anniversary Bathroom Reader (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader) Battletech, 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set *OP Three Pillars (Vampire: The Dark Ages (Paperback)) The Ballymaloe Cookbook, revised and updated 50-year anniversary edition: Classic recipes from Myrtle Allen's award-winning restaurant at Ballymaloe House Color Zen Adult Coloring Book 2: Easy Breezy Garden Patterns (Color Zen Adult Coloring Books) (Volume 2) In a Zen Garden: Words of Wisdom for the Zen Gardener 