The Heart of Being: Moral and Ethical Teachings of Zen Buddhism (Tuttle Library of Enlightenment) - Softcover

John Daido Loori

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0804830789 ISBN 13: 9780804830782

Publisher: Tuttle Pub, 1996

Synopsis

Looks at the social and ethical dimensions of Zen Buddhism, including the enlightenment teachings of Shakyamuni, and an explanation of the three pure acts

About this title

Reviews

What does it mean to become a Zen Buddhist? How does one enter the way? What kind of training is required? To answer such questions, few are better equipped than Loori, abbot of the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, N.Y., and founder and director of the Mountains and River Order of Zen Buddhism. Loori offers an explanation of the Buddhist precepts, or vows taken as an initiation into Buddhism, together with a commentary on the classic instructions of Master Dogen concerning moral and ethical behavior. From examinations of the Buddhist concepts of the Koan to Zazen, Loori's clarity is exceptional, and his ability to frame the discussion for contemporary Americans is striking in its utility. In a year of so many exceptional Buddhist publications, Loori's book is a welcome introduction to what it takes to enter Dharma.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Loori, a successor to Taizan Maezumi, makes a clear presentation of the precepts (guidelines for leading a moral and ethical life), from a Zen perspective, but his ideas are applicable to Buddhist teaching in general.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Daido Loori provides an excellent introduction to the often neglected social-ethical dimension of Zen Buddhism. In writing that the precepts of the Buddha can transform our navigation of "the moral and ethical dilemmas of modern life . . . into something frankly wondrous: the life of the Buddha realized as our own life," Daido Loori reminds readers that the familiar enlightenment teachings of Shakyamuni are inseparable from "right action." Included here is a commentary on Master Dogen's Kyojukaimon, as well as Daido Loori's exposition of the precepts exemplified in the three "pure" acts--not creating evil, practicing good, and actualizing good for others--and discussion of koans on moral and ethical teachings. Daido Loori is critical of an Americanized Zen practice he calls buji Zen, the "I do whatever I want" approach to life. His practical, ethical discussion will be of interest to an audience that extends well beyond the boundaries of the Buddhist community. Steve Schroeder

Edition details

• Publisher: Tuttle Pub
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0804830789
• ISBN 13: 9780804830782
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288