Zen category: 918 books

Zen is essentially a practice and not a dogma; no amount of theory or discussion will ever take the place of a few minutes of practice. Among the many books about Zen, there are few that explain simply, to the interested beginner, how to do Zen-how to just sit down and begin to work toward fulfillment...

The well-known in the West term Zen was empty right from the start -- miss even one of its three letters and the whole notion goes wrong. Looking inward yourself or outward, all the same, you see there is no fixed Self -- the centripetal emotion turns into the centrifugal and conversely. So, break...

When you hear the word "Zen," you might imagine a group of Buddhist monks sitting cross-legged in robes, with their thumb tips touching their fingertips. The practice of Zen actually goes far beyond any spiritual group or cultural stereotypes. It's an effective and popular method of meditating, connecting...

This book is divided into five chapters: The Spiritual Identity; The Acknowledgement of God; The Perception of Happiness; The Transversality of Pureness; The Achievement of Immortality. Here, the reader will find a study of these subjects in their relation to zen philosophy, allowing a better understanding...

The Undying Lamp of Zen is a pure and powerful distillation of Zen doctrine and practice written by Torei Enji (1721–1792), a Zen master and artist. Torei was best known as one of two "genius assistants" to Hakuin Ekaku, a towering figure in Zen Buddhism who revitalized the Rinzai school,...

In this book, Janet Jiryu Abels traces the life stories of twelve Chinese Zen masters who, together, shaped what was to become known as Zen's Golden Age. She presents their biographies, describes their teachings, and shows how their lives and teachings can inspire those who practice Zen today. The...

This accessible introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen Buddhism includes a program of study that encompasses practically every aspect of life. The American Zen teacher John Daido Loori shows us that Zen practice should include not only meditation, the study of Zen literature and liturgy,...

Zen Made Easy is an accessible introduction to the paradoxical wisdom of the Zen Masters. Challenged by their down-to-earth craziness, we can embrace our ignorance before the great enigma of existence. Learning from their mysterious ordinariness, we can penetrate the magic of the present moment. Inspired...

In saying, “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without,” Buddha is 100 percent right. Even if you possess all the luxuries wealth can buy, you cannot be happy and excited about your life if you are not peaceful from the inside. How can you learn to cultivate inner peace and a sense...

This groundbreaking book successfully fuses the two overlapping traditions of Zen Buddhism and Christianity. Very few Christians who are interested in Zen Buddhism understand the fundamentals of the religion itself. Most of the books which are available on Zen are superficial and fraught with...

When you hear the word "Zen," you might imagine a group of Buddhist monks sitting cross-legged in robes, with their thumb tips touching their fingertips. The practice of Zen actually goes far beyond any spiritual group or cultural stereotypes. It's an effective and popular method of meditating, connecting...

This collection of Zen koans with extensive commentary will be of great interests to followers of Zen Buddhism. People around the world value the mind-cleansing, spiritually uplifting benefit to be gained through the practice of Cha'an (Zen) Buddhism. Central to Zen is the enigmatic koan (kung-an),...

Bodhidharma, its first patriarch, reputedly said that Zen Buddhism represents "a special transmission outside the teaching/Without reliance on words and letters." This saying, along with the often perplexing use of language (and silence) by Zen masters, gave rise to the notion that Zen is a "lived...

Three books on Zen and the brain by the celebrated Zen practitioner-neurologist James Austin. This compilation in digital form of three books by the celebrated Zen practitioner-neurologist James Austin offers concrete advice about various methods of meditation, provides timeless wisdom of Zen...