Zen

The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice

by Dalai Lama

Average Rating:

"...for the (very) better!I just wanted to do my bit to put the general rating nearer were it should be. This book will put light, wisdom and happiness in your life... how can anyone rate it below five stars is beyond me! If you love life, you'll love this book (whether you are Buddhist or not)!"

Publisher: Wisdom Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

The Life-Giving Sword: The Secret Teachings From the House of the Shogun

by Yagyu Munenori

Average Rating:

"Anyone who looks to a book to learn how to swing a sword will forever be disappointed. Those of us who have actually taken the time train in the sword know that direct transmition is the only way (yes, the schools still exist -- go find one).What this book presents (along with some very good subtle sword pointers) is the proper mental attitude you must gain in order to progress on the path. Mr. Wilson does a wonderful job translating a difficult text. If you are serious about sword, get this book AND go find a teacher ..."

Publisher: Kodansha International | More reviews: amazon.com

Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Average Rating:

"Hardly a day goes by without a new Thich Nhat Hanh book - which is a very good thing. A Buddhist monk who fled the American War in Vietnam, Thich Nhat Hanh leads a world-wide community centered at Plum Village in south-west France. A critic and target of both the Communist regime and the U.S. backed South, he became well-known in America and a friend of Martin Luther King and Daniel Berrigan. Just as Chinese political oppression forced Tibetan Buddhists onto the world stage, Thich Nhat Hanh's exile allowed the West to come to know Zen better. "Zen Keys" is one of his earlier books and, unlike many others, is not a meditation text. "Zen Keys" is a serious introduction to the history and practice of Zen from the Buddha to the present. And Zen is practice. Unlike Western religions, Zen does not rely on dogma. Zen and Buddhism are methods of enlightenment, coming to know the real world. We have learned to "see" they world through reason and emotions. Reason and emotions are not bad; they are insufficient to come to know the world. "Reality, he writes, "is only reality when it is not grasped conceptually." (112) Zen is the practice through which we come to know the world. Using some of Thich Nhat Hanh's books and other works, I have tried meditation. No, I have not attained enlightenment, but I have discovered all too many ways in which I have failed to see reality. Have I come to be a better human being because of "practice"? You'll have to ask someone else. And, yes, it is disconcerting - but so freeing - to realize that my idea of myself is a construct I've assembled over time and not who I am. As Thich Nhat Hanh points out, Zen and Buddhism do not lead to "navel-gazing". He is a proponent of engaged Buddhism, a modern term which reaches back to one of the oldest schools of Buddhism. He writes that in living in the world we have created, "What we lack is not an ideology or a doctrine that will save the world. What we lack is mindfulness of what we are, of what our situation really is." (155)Take that, you Communists and Capitalists!"

Publisher: Three Leaves | More reviews: amazon.com

Razor-Wire Dharma: A Buddhist Life in Prison

by Calvin Malone

Average Rating:

"Though I have never been in prison and never hope to be, I found this book and its stories to be so heartwarming that I will definitely read it again. Plus, it reminds me that we are all in prison, in various forms of prison due to limited income or just our stubborn views. One thing I really appreciated about Malone's stories was that they didn't dwell on violence and horror, as many prison books tend to. That was good because it is so tiring to read about murder, mayhem and rape over and over again.

The apple story, where Malone finds a perfect green apple on his dinner tray in the midst of a drab, depressing day and comes to appreciate the whole universe in it. Though there were many other sparkling moments and purple patches, this one was truly a jewel, a little green jewel.

What an uplifting book!!!"

Publisher: Wisdom Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

The Zen of Recovery

by Mel Ash

Average Rating:

"I reread "Zen" every few months. It's the perfect companion book to the Basic Text and It Works How and Why.Besides breaking down the 12 steps in a way that's more easily understood, Mel Ash relates each one to Zen. Although 12-step recovery is touted as simple, it isn't for a lot of new people. Coming into the program an Athiest, I had tremendous angst over how I would be able to work the steps and remain free from active addiction. I knew honesty was important but I didn't know how I could be. I was told I needed to find a power greater than myself to restore me to sanity which I thought had to be your God. The Zen of Recovery showed me how to find a "God" of my own understanding. I'm truly grateful to have this book as an ongoing resource as my recovery unfolds."

Publisher: Tarcher | More reviews: amazon.com

Thich Nhat Hanh: The Energy of Prayer 2009 Wall Calendar

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Average Rating:

"For Zen Buddhism all that is is the present. Birth, death, the future, the past, the self, and the various objects in the world are all illusions. So, one might think that the Thich Nhat Hanh wall calendar is something of an oxymoron. But that would be false, since this particular calendar encourages its users to remain mindfully focused on the present. It is yet another gift from our teacher."

Publisher: Amber Lotus Publishing | More reviews: amazon.com

The Dhammapada

Average Rating:

"I have been reading several translations of the Dhammapada recently and came across this one and found it offers some things that the others do not. Since the original written form of the Dhammapada is in Pali, others have needed to take the time to translate it for us in the West. As in any translation, there are many words that offer multiple meanings. One person may interpret `dhukka' as `suffering', another may choose `stress', and yet another may decide `unsatisfactoriness'. As you can see, each can then be interpreted in our mind as one thing or another. By having several translations available I have been able to derive a deeper understanding.To begin with, the size makes this translation ideal for carrying in a shirt pocket or for having on hand in the car for a little Dhamma between red lights. Another feature I enjoy is this translation is from a monk. The editor is a layperson however, after her edits she spoke with the monk and explained why she made certain changes, (to make specific words more accessible to us in the West) and he agreed with the new updates. The monastic community obviously spends more time than most laypersons studying the Pali Canon so their translations, I have found, tend to be quite meaningful. Overall, the translations offered here are meaningful and poetic.Drawbacks? The introduction is a little shorter than other offerings and there are only a limited amount of notes. There is an interesting background to how the Dhammapada fits within the Pali Canon and the use of notes is helpful in understanding certain meanings, etc. Since the size would have been affected I'm sure this may have been one of the reasons they were not included. Again, by reading several translations you will be rewarded.In addition to this translation I have found Cleary's translation helpful, however the notes and his comments were not. (see my review of his translation) I have also found Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation very helpful, although it is offered as dana and as such is not available for sale. Recently I obtained S. Radhakrishnan's translation, which offers the original Pali text along with his translation, but I have not yet been able to thoroughly read through it to offer any meaningful review.Whether you have read other versions, or if this is your very first exposure to the Dhammapada, I think you will be pleased with this translation."

Publisher: Parallax Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Zen Body-Being: An Enlightened Approach to Physical Skill, Grace, and Power

by Peter Ralston

Average Rating:

"Peter has written several books. Because of the broad and profound scope of his agenda it is difficult to communicate it in writing. Thanks to the editing of his wife, this is the first readable book that covers his excellent material. Start here - do not get any of his other books first.

He covers basic principles such as relaxation, centering, and rooting that are necessary for any martial art or complex physical/relational activity. His emphasis on mental/awareness training is an important contribution to the field. "

Publisher: Frog Books | More reviews: amazon.com

Be Free Where You Are

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Average Rating:

"this book has truly been a lifesaver for me. it's small enough to throw in my backpack and i read it often while riding the subway in the morning. it's a wonderful transcription of a talk thich nhat hanh gave to prisoners... it has reminded me that i can be free of my own self-imposed "prison" of anxiety. in a time of such uncertainty, we all could use a little reminder to breathe and savor the moments we're given. i know that i have benefited tremendously from this little volume. i hope that in reading it, you will enjoy a simple, yet profound deep breath and savor the present moment as well."

Publisher: Parallax Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Teachings on Love

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Average Rating:

""Teachings on Love" helps water those seeds of love in your heart. Here one of the parts I liked the most: "Look into the eyes of your beloved and ask deeply, "Who are you, my love, who has come to me and taken my suffering as your suffering, my happiness as your happiness, my life and death as your life and death? Who are you whose self has become my self? Why aren't you a dewdrop, a butterfly, a bird, a pine tree? Ask with your whole body and mind. Later, you will have to ask the person who causes you the most suffering the same questions...To understand, you have to become one with your beloved, and also one with your so-called enemy. You have to worry about what they worry about, suffer their suffering, appreciate what they appreciate. You and the object of your love cannot be two. They are as much you as you are yourself...See and listen with the whole of your being. If you are fully present, the rain of the Dharma will water the deepest seeds in your store consciousness, and tomorrow, while you are washing the dishes or looking at the blue sky, that seed will spring forth, and love and understanding will appear as a beautiful flower."Beautiful isn't it? Now I must go, I need to begin my practice..."

Publisher: Parallax Press | More reviews: amazon.com