A First Zen Reader (Routledge Library Editions: Zen Buddhism) - Hardcover

Leggett, Trevor

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1138659002 ISBN 13: 9781138659001

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

When Zen Buddhism crossed from China to Japan in the twelfth century, it entered a phase of development that was not only to inspire a magnificent range of artistic achievement but also to exert a tremendous influence upon Japanese life itself and, eventually, to bring to the attention of the West a religious philosophy both unique and challenging in its power. ‘Yet’, as one of the contributors to this book (first published in 1960) expresses it, ‘if asked what Zen is, to reply is very difficult.’ It is the purpose of this anthology to suggest an approach to such a reply. The texts here translated will give a general idea of Zen theory and practice, and are outstanding selections from the treasury of Zen literature. To these, the anthologist has added a valuable ‘Note on the Ways’, in which he points out how ‘the student keeps his Zen practice in touch with his daily life’. The exceptional interest of the text is further enhanced by twenty illustrative plates.

About this title

About the Author

Compiled and translated by Trevor Leggett.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1138659002
• ISBN 13: 9781138659001
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 238