Reviews Written By: A2GKPV1RM3ML3Hprovided by Amazon.com |
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 | No Beginning, No End: The Intimate Heart of Zen | |
 | "No end, to the heart of Zen." | 2006-04-07 |
| I decided to buy this book after looking at the reviews and feeling I would be missing out on a classic if I didnt. I was right. The great things said about this book are more than well justified.
Jakusho Kwong is a student of Shunryu Suzuki roshi. I dont know wether I'm more impressed that Kwong had such a great teacher, or that Suzuki had such a great student. Jakusho Kwong is a teacher who embodies the ancient and modern in one blooming lotus. He doesnt stray from the ancient teachings and again and again reiterates the importance of beholding the mind. He reminds us time and again that nothing is outside the mind. Theres a theme throughout this book in wich he tells us, we cannot see or feel anything that is not already part of ourselves. Be it strength, compassion, wisdom, love or serentiy we can only know of it, cause we are it. Although this has been said before, he gives a fresh take on it that is easy to understand/digest. He talks of age old teachings like renunciation, precepts and vow with a modern yet authentic voice. The often overlooked similarities of soto and rinzai, like the fact they are different ways of doing the same thing. One Samadhi. There are good amount of Suzuki roshi's teachings and sayings all throughout the book in wich master Kwong sheds more light on. A lot of good stories from other teachers as well as some outstanding metaphors. My only complaint is that some of the stories he tells I wish he would have talked about longer. Nothing another book couldnt solve...? Ok I'm getting greedy. This book manages to cover so much in a very useful way, and do it so smoothly I cant imagine anyone not regarding it as a classic. Jakusho Kwong is an important Zen teacher in my mind. There are only a handful of modern masters (who write books and are therefore accessible to people without teachers) who dont stray from the true heart of the Zen teaching. He speaks with a clear and open voice from the sourceless source, about the sourceless source. Thank you Master Kwong for writing this book. | ||
 | Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness: Zen Talks on the Sandokai | |
| "I'm a northerner who prefers the southern school..." | 2005-12-12 |
| This is Shunryu Suzuki's commentary on the Sandokai. The Sandokai is a poem by Zen master Sekito Kisen on the inseparability of the relative and the absolute. You will find this poem in many Zen and Buddhism books. I checked out 10 or 11 books from the library, and this poem was in... I think it was 4 of them. So it wouldnt be very hard to compare the different translations of the peom if one wished. They differ quite a bit. Although the core meaning is always the same. This poem was written in response to the disagreement between the northern (more hinayana/gradual) and southern (more mahayana/instant) schools that started to distance themselve in the 7th century. Actually it started long before that and continues to this day. Also, the one school, by very nature contains the "other school." So while more and more people were sticking to one side or the other, the absolute teachings of Zen were suffering from this ignorance. Thats where the illuminating rays of Sekito Kisen's wisdom--in the form of the Sandokai--illuminate and expose a dualistic view that so easily creeps into Zen practice and jeopardizes it. Sekito shines his wisdom upon not just the troubles of the northern and southern schools, but on the perils of sticking to dualistic views in and of themselves. While the actual poem is only a couple pages. It is powerful and very important to all of Buddhism. Suzuki gives a valuable commentary that takes the poem line for line. Each chapter takes 4, 5 or 6 lines of the poem. Suzuki explains and adds his own words of wisdom, experiences and views wich brings out the profound nature of these verses that might otherwise be to deep for most people. You cand read a line and think "yeah I see the meaning of that." Then Suzuki hits it from many angles and tells you not to stick to any point-of-view. Leaving you exposed to the futility of your quick tendency to grasp at things. You can tell Suzuki's understanding of this teaching comes from living experience. While this book is full of valuable teachings, it suffers at times from being takin from lectures. I know Zen Mind, and Not Always So are also takin from lectures. But this being a commentary on a single poem and not just various lectures put together make it all the more noticeable. Without the true voice (Suzuki Roshi) of this book around to help, the editors had to take the lectures and prune and shape them into this piece of literature. Editing plays a major role in making all the chapters cohesive. Resulting in a feeling at times of maybe losing some meaning and/or accent. But this isnt a major issue. Just worth noting. Otherwise this is a well presented book. The wisdom found here will be appreciated regardless of any difficulties inherent in a project of this nature. The Sandokai has meaning far beyond the words used to write it. Suzuki Roshi gives us some very valuable commentary on this meaning "behind the words." If you are intersted in Zen, the Sandokai, or Suzuki Roshi you should read this book. If not, read it anyway. | ||
 | Dropping Ashes on the Buddha: The Teaching of Zen Master Seung Sahn | |
 | "Zen for the west of us." | 2005-07-29 |
| This book is on Korean Zen master Seung Sahn and his lecures, letters and general dialogue with students and sometimes others. I wish there were more lectures and less student/teacher dialogue. Out of the hundred pieces or sections in this book, the majority are students having thier understanding tested by Seung Sahn. A lot of this didnt need to be published! It's comes off more as entertainment than anything else a lot of the time. Is there any use in hearing about a student tryin to feign understanding by hitting the floor over and over and saying "the sky is blue, the grass is green" to any question they are asked? I'm not saying these kinda interactions are unnecesary, its just that writing about them and putting them in a book can kinda turn Zen into a toy. Something to be played with. The lectures and stories on the other hand contained many wonderful moments. I have to admit some of the letters and dialogue was fantastic too, there was just too many ho-hum sections of it. There were many great stories I had never heard of before. Probably due to the fact that works on Korean Zen arent very abundant. This book seemed more along the lines of Tibetan Buddhism thant Zen come to think of it. More of a mythical, romance kinda approach and feel to it (like the story Of Sahn's life, as well as some of the previous masters of his lineage). It also contains a lot of kong-an talk/instruction with students wich were some of the better moments of the interactions for me. Again a lot of brilliant passages but I think a lot of ho-hum moments that could have been left out. I appreciate koans and kong-ans more than ever though. Theres some great ones here! The whole keep "dont know mind" is at times overused. I think its better to use different terms for it at different times. Theres a lot of value in using multiple terms so as to avoid any unnecesary attachment. From the teacher as well as the student. I think in this way, this book comes off as being a little to "western friendly" at times. Quite a few things that one could very easily attach too and carry around with pride. All in all this is a very good book (great? maybe...) but with the plethora of great Buddhism books out there this isnt, to me, a must have. I'm not saying it's a waste of money by any means. This would be a valuable addition to your collection or a great book to check out from the library. | ||
 | Instant Zen: Waking Up in the Present | |
| "A very compassionate Zen master." | 2005-07-24 |
| Foyan was a Song dynasty Zen master, who helped revive Zen. So the book says. One thing I've come to realize; China sure wasnt short on greatly realized Zen masters for atleast a thousand years after it arrived there (Bodhidharma!?!). Thats for sure. Foyan is a good example of this aptitude for great understanding. This book contains short and to the point teaching/lectures by Foyan. This is Zen at its most refined. No doctrin here. Foyan is always direct. Directness can be very confusing to a lot of people (like me)who spend thier lives going around in circles. Foyan wont hesitate to say that this is foolish behavior, and this is where his true compassion shows. He doesnt sugar-coat his teachings. He truly seems to only care about showing you-your innate ability to be awake. Thats really it. He continuously points the way by means of his own wisdom and experiences and that of many ancient masters. And although he doesnt preach Koan study, or Zazen obsession. It's all here without "being" here. You get the sense that Foyan was so gifted at teaching, that he could teach things like Koan study and Zazen, without drawing attention away from other aspects, or making a student dependent upon them. One thing I have to add... I've noticed many Zen books have teachings by masters that say "dont look up to the buddha or the ancestors!" Meanwhile the book is full of attachment to thier schools and thier lineage of ancestors. You will find none of that here. Although he does quote many brilliant masters of the past. It always seems to be with great appreciation and respect. No breaking them down into levels where certain ones come out on top. I've noticed this in some of the schools from countries with deteriorating lineages. If its a fragmented scool it will end. If not, it would seem its contained in all other schools and visa versa right??? "From birth to death, it's just this person; why turn your head and revolve your brains?" -Grand Maestro Ma- I'm truly thankful to have books like this available to ignoramuses like myself. One last thing by Foyan. "Zen study is not a small matter. You do not yet need to transcend the Buddhas and surpass the adepts; but once you have attained it, it will not be hard to transcend and surpass them if you wish." | ||
 | The Wholehearted Way: A Translation of Ehihei Dogen's Bendowa | |
| "Symphonious silence" | 2005-07-01 |
| This is a book on Dogen's Bendowa. Commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi. Translated by Shohaku Okamura and Taigen Daniel Leighton. These guys are all masters in thier own right. The Whole Hearted Way is Dogen's view on the importance of zazen. He gives a short talk followed by answers to questions - probably to his main disciple Ejo. Dogen's dharma talks are often confusing and hard to understand. The biggest reason lies in the fact he was a genius. And partly Due to the fact he lived 800 years ago and dedicated his life to the Bhudda-dharma. Good thing for people like me there is a Zen master like Uchiyama out there. The commentary by Uchiyama to me is the best part of this book. This isnt a knock on Dogen at all. This book is based on Dogen's Bendowa talk, but it is quite short. After the initial talk by Dogen, Uchiyama makes this book his own. He is down to earth, very funny and highly realized/profound. What more could you ask of a modern day Zen master translating an almost millenia old masterpiece? Uchiyama doesnt stray from his commentary on the Bendowa. Yet he weaves his own life and zazen experiences into it (its rich in down to earth wisdom from two highly gifted zen masters, cant beat that). He teaches what to aim for in zazen and how to maintain compassion for oneself and the difficulties one may encounter. Uchiyama takes Dogens Bendowa line for line and explains it. He blends his own teachings with it in a way that not only talks of the virtue of zazen, but gives one motivation to continually engage it. Yet Uchiyama doesnt give you a fish and feed you for a day (its not typical motivation). Rather he says heres the ocean, heres your life and heres your zazen. There is no seperation between them. Everything sustains everything. Zazen is the realization of this universal truth. After reading this book my 'idea' of zazen seems lighter and fresher. I still have continuous questions about this practice wich I think is natural (but it's best to let "secretions secrete as secretions" I've learned). This book did help me see zazen as less of a obligation, and more as an expression of life manifesting life (theres no seperation or duality in pratice/enlightenment). Due to Uchiyama's stories, metaphors and engaging imagery no doubt. I guess you could say I recommend this book. I dont think you can go wrong with this gem. Peace... | ||
 | Zafu and Zabuton Set: Zafu shape-Round | |
 | "What a dissapointment!" | 2005-05-11 |
| I recently purchased a Bean round zafu and I find it didnt live up to the claims in the least. This zafu came shipped to me with over a pound less filling than advertised (wich wouldnt matter if the cover wasnt made so big to hold much more hulls than it came with). First thing I thought after pulling this cushion out of the box was; this thing seems nothing like the pictures. It's saggy and about half the height of all the images I've seen of it. Not to mention once you sit on it you feel all the hulls displace to give you only about 2 inches or less of lift (I weigh about 160 pounds so I dont think that weight is the problem). I'm very dissapointed in this product. The reason I bought this was not only for the reasonable price but I thought Bean seemed like a quality company. I payed $40 for this wich does seem reasonable. It does "SEEM" reasonable. That is till you tack on the extra 11 or 12 bucks for a pound of organic hulls to fill it to the level it was advertised at. I bought this Product from The Comfort Store. Their probably the only internet company; along with Bean of course, I will never buy from again. Unless I learn more forgiveness meditating on my rolled up towel waiting for my extra hulls. | ||
 | Mindfulness in Plain English | |
| "Exceptional to say the least." | 2005-03-08 |
| This book is an outstanding piece on how to be mindful. Completely mindful! For those with any doubts, this will clear up any questions along the line of "what will mindfulness do for me?" or "why meditate?". Selfish questions we all have. But as far as I know, have never been tackled so completely and directly as in this book. Henepola Gunaratana is so thorough and qualified to be teaching this stuff. You will bring out of these pages a complete understanding of mindfulness and its role in life and meditation. Obviously you will want to eventually bring the illuminating rays of pure mindfulnes/meditation to all aspects of your life. Henepola will help give you the confidence to feel you can make this great spiritual progress. And even though things will always go wrong, this book will help you learn that problems are invaluable learning tools when it comes to "waking up". That is if you just watch with "pure awareness!". Just step back, dont meddle and experience with pure awareness, all those troublesome thoughts, feelings and emotions. That is how you see they are transient phantoms that have no power over you. This is liberation, completely openness. Not supression. No one teaches this better than Henepola Gunaratana. Henepola also clears up the fact that some people think mediation is to stop thoughts. It's NOT. It's about becoming more aware of your mental universe. This is more about being a compassionately creative and open being, who deals with problems head on without fear or rejection. Rather than a robot who cant feel or think anything out of its programming range. This book is much more than a meditation guide. It's more than just another "buddhism book". I bought it for the vipassana instructions, but got a whole lot more. If there was a must read list for the world this would be on it. This book is for anyone. | ||
 | Buddhism Is Not What You Think : Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs | |
| "Excellent book for enlightened living, Right Now..." | 2004-12-13 |
| Steve hagen like his teacher Dainin Katigiri, has a knack of describing the Buddhist teachings in simple straighfoward terms. Just be here, just be "now". The past and the furture are just delusion. Its always "Now". As hagen says, if we could just see this all pervading truth thats right infront of our face, we would be enlightened on the spot (that is, we would realise we are, and always have been, enlightened). And no longer reach for things "out there" that lead to turmoil in the first place. Nobody points this out better than Mr. Hagen. This book is completely on par with and adds to his first book. This book is a must for anyone (in my opinion). Especially for those who just want to "wake up", and live in a world with equality and compasion for every living being. Pretty sure I'm not the first to ever notice the people with 'noble' egos, who like to smother and numb themselves with spiritual materialism do not seem to take to well to these books (see previous reviews). Ironically these are the ones who need it most. This book isnt to confirm your previous beliefs, but rather to free you from the burden that accompanies them. Contrary to some of the things previously said. This is a great book, but one needs and open mind before reading something as profound yet sublte as this. So dont pass this one up because some people find it easier to pigeon-hole things than to give them a fair unbiased chance. I would recommend this to beginner, intermediate, advanced or whatever... one would consider themselves on the spiritual path. After all, we are all just here in the... Peace | ||
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