The Truth
Christians, don't answer if you are just going to call it a religion of Satan. Atheists, don't answer if all you are going to say is that it is bullcrap. I need a serious answer detailing what Zen Buddhism is.
Answer
The Zen tradition of Buddhism originated in China about 500 C.E., where it was called Chan. From China, this tradition spread to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. In the last 100 years, it has spread to North America, Europe, and elsewhere.
The term "Zen" means meditation and Zen training focuses on meditation practice. However, Zen meditation goes beyond sitting meditation, to include chanting meditation, walking meditation, work meditation, eating meditation, and koan meditation.
The point of Zen training is to cultivate a great question: "How is it, just now?"
As we drill into this question, the multitude of our mind-habits become exposed. These are our habitual ways of seeing and understanding, and acting in the world.
As we reveal our mind-habits, we become free of them. Freedom means that we can respond in genuine, compassionate, and wise ways to each new situation.
Many Zen traditions use koans -- short, puzzling stories -- to help students develop a great question. When a teacher presents a koan, it can create a deep feeling of "don't know." From this before-thinking state, a creative, non-habitual response can appear.
There are many books on Zen. Some are written by scholars, such as D.T. Suzuki, and others are written by enthusiasts, such as Alan Watts and Robert Pirsig. These books tend to mislead and misrepresent in various ways.
If you'd like to read more about Zen, you might consider reading works by genuine Zen masters. The two modern classics are:
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1590302672?tag=oxher-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1590302672&adid=1F4QFZ21QKT199WF0BW3&
Dropping Ashes on the Buddha (Zen Master Seung Sahn)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802130526?tag=oxher-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0802130526&adid=0NF60H43DFD9E1B5GRQH&
These two books will give you a taste of the vitality of the Zen tradition.
Finally, it's worth noting that Zen is like salt -- you can read everything about the taste of salt, but until you put some into your mouth, you really won't get it.
The Zen tradition of Buddhism originated in China about 500 C.E., where it was called Chan. From China, this tradition spread to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. In the last 100 years, it has spread to North America, Europe, and elsewhere.
The term "Zen" means meditation and Zen training focuses on meditation practice. However, Zen meditation goes beyond sitting meditation, to include chanting meditation, walking meditation, work meditation, eating meditation, and koan meditation.
The point of Zen training is to cultivate a great question: "How is it, just now?"
As we drill into this question, the multitude of our mind-habits become exposed. These are our habitual ways of seeing and understanding, and acting in the world.
As we reveal our mind-habits, we become free of them. Freedom means that we can respond in genuine, compassionate, and wise ways to each new situation.
Many Zen traditions use koans -- short, puzzling stories -- to help students develop a great question. When a teacher presents a koan, it can create a deep feeling of "don't know." From this before-thinking state, a creative, non-habitual response can appear.
There are many books on Zen. Some are written by scholars, such as D.T. Suzuki, and others are written by enthusiasts, such as Alan Watts and Robert Pirsig. These books tend to mislead and misrepresent in various ways.
If you'd like to read more about Zen, you might consider reading works by genuine Zen masters. The two modern classics are:
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1590302672?tag=oxher-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1590302672&adid=1F4QFZ21QKT199WF0BW3&
Dropping Ashes on the Buddha (Zen Master Seung Sahn)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802130526?tag=oxher-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0802130526&adid=0NF60H43DFD9E1B5GRQH&
These two books will give you a taste of the vitality of the Zen tradition.
Finally, it's worth noting that Zen is like salt -- you can read everything about the taste of salt, but until you put some into your mouth, you really won't get it.
What books by Thich Nhat Hanh should I buy?
Bruce Wood
I am going to the book store sometime this week, and I want to buy 2 books by Thich Nhat Hanh
I am a beginner at Zen Buddhism and want 2 books by Thich Nhat Hanh
Please recommend some for me.
Thanks!
Answer
'Old Path White Clouds' for sure. Then a toss up between 'Heart of the Buddha's Teachings' or 'Transformation & Healing'.
http://www.amazon.com/Old-Path-White-Clouds-Footsteps/dp/0938077260/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_5
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Buddhas-Teaching-Thich-Nhat/dp/0767903692/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_7
http://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Healing-Sutra-Establishments-Mindfulness/dp/1888375620/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
'Old Path White Clouds' for sure. Then a toss up between 'Heart of the Buddha's Teachings' or 'Transformation & Healing'.
http://www.amazon.com/Old-Path-White-Clouds-Footsteps/dp/0938077260/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_5
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Buddhas-Teaching-Thich-Nhat/dp/0767903692/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_7
http://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Healing-Sutra-Establishments-Mindfulness/dp/1888375620/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
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