Based on the early Brahminic literature, the author asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from his two teachers and identifies some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation...
The Japanese texts translated here give a fascinating picture of actual Zen life – the life of the traditional temple training, with many stories and a number of historical incidents connected with Zen masters. The main text is the important commentary by a contemporary Soto Zen abbot on the Heart S..
This book, first published as two volumes in 1977 and 1978, was published purely for the purpose of showing how Buddhist training was done by the Reverend Jiyu-Kennett in the Far East. The material for the book was taken from diaries covering eight years spent by the author in Far Eastern temples, a..
Widely recognized as the classic introduction to the field, Richard Gombrich’s book shows how Theravada Buddhism has influenced and been influenced by its social surroundings...
The sword has played an important role in the Japanese consciousness since ancient times. The earliest swords, made of bronze or stone, were clearly, by their design and form, used for ritualistic purposes rather than as weapons. Later, swords were associated only with the warrior class, and lack of..
Expression of Zen inspiration in everyday activities such as writing or serving tea, and in knightly arts such as fencing, came to be highly regarded in the Japanese tradition. In the end some of them were practised as spiritual training as themselves; they were the n called ‘Ways’. This book, first..
A succinct, uncompromising study of what it means to help other people, this book, first published in 1978, examines the helping process in the light of the principles of Zen Buddhism. Emphasizing the Zen precepts of true compassion, newness and Taoistic change, it explains how a helper can break do..
This book, first published as Selling Water by the River in 1972, is a practical and inspirational manual for all who wish to practice Zen. Roshi P.T.N.H. Jiyu-Kennett, the founder and former abbess of Shasta Abbey, expertly combines an introduction to the basic tenets of Buddhism with original tran..