THE WHEEL OF LIFE AND DEATH : A Practical and Spiritual Guide

Philip Kapleau

ISBN 10: 038526058X / ISBN 13: 9780385260589

Published by Doubleday, New York, NY, 1989

About this Item

Text/BRAND NEW & Bright. First Edition. Bi-color boards/Fine. DJ/NF w/trace edge rubs. A resourceful, sensitive, practical, philosophical, and humanistic approach to life and death from Zen teacher Philip Kapleau (1912 - 2004) through viewing dying is but a mere shift in an unbroken continuum of life and death. Interweaving ancient Eastern thought, modern commentaries and dialogues in such a way that the fear of death is overcome, pain minimized, pain and grief lessened, and dignity retained. On the practical side, pros and cons of cremation versus burial are weighed along with how to make funeral services a meaningful rite of passage. Tempering breathing & meditation exercises, plus appendices on the hospice movement and "living wills" for persons who do not want their lives artificially prolonged in the event of terminal illness, round out the volume. 370 pgs in 5 parts: I, Death; II, Dying; III, Karma; IV, Rebirth; and V, Supplements.

Seller Inventory # 019116

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE WHEEL OF LIFE AND DEATH : A Practical and Spiritual Guide
• Publisher: Doubleday, New York, NY
• Publication Date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 038526058X
• ISBN 13: 9780385260589
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: NEW - COLLECTIBLE
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Religion/Theology/Spiritual
  • Philosophy
  • Manual/Guide/Handbook/Instruction

About this title

Synopsis

Combining the writings of Eastern and Western religious literature on death, Kapleau provides insights into meditation, living wills, funerals, and consoling the bereaved

Reviews

Dying is merely a change of state on an unbroken continuum of life and death, writes Zen teacher Kapleau. Bedside companion, practical manual and philosophical resource all in one, this sensitive guidebook interweaves ancient Eastern texts, modern commentaries and dialogues into a cohesive narrative that grapples with overcoming the fear of death, minimizing pain, dying with dignity and working though grief. The pros and cons of cremation versus burial are weighed, and guidelines offered on how to make a funeral service a meaningful rite of passage. After explicating the doctrine of karma, Kapleau ( The Three Pillars of Zen ) discusses belief in, and evidence for, reincarnation. Breathing and meditation exercises, plus appendices on the hospice movement and "living wills" for persons who do not want their lives artificially prolonged in the event of terminal illness, round out the volume.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.